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Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
Rooftop solar energy is becoming increasingly popular for homeowners in Newington Forest. A rooftop solar array can help you decrease your carbon footprint, provide a dependable source of power, and add value to your property. Switching to solar energy can lower your monthly energy expenses and shrink your carbon output. Before you begin the process, you want to make sure you find a qualified installer. Luckily, we've reviewed the options and created a guide to the best and most reliable solar installation companies in Newington Forest.
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Our Rating
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Informative resources
Services Offered
Our Rating
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Services Offered
Our Rating
Free quotes
Prompt service delivery
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Our Rating
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Services Offered
Our Rating
Prompt service delivery
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Services Offered
Our Rating
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Services Offered
Our Rating
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Our Rating
Free quotes
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Our Rating
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Services Offered
Today's Homeowner looks at dozens of datapoints on solar companies to come up with our data-driven rankings. It's not possible for a company to pay for preferential treatment in our rankings. We look at the following key factors in determining who should top our list:
Going solar can be a great way to reduce electricity costs and help the planet by reducing your carbon footprint using renewable energy. Here are some key factors to consider when determining whether a solar installer is reliable.
Make sure you hire a licensed solar installer. This ensures that the work is done properly using current installation best practices. Since 2012, the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation has issued Alternative Energy Systems (AES) licenses to contractors working on solar PV systems. A contractor with an AES license may need to subcontract HVAC, electrical or plumbing work.
Check review sites like TrustPilot, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and Google Reviews to see customer feedback about local solar companies. Detailed reviews can help you evaluate a company's reliability and customer service. Use caution with installers that have no reviews or mostly negative ones.
To find a solar company that fits your budget, get free, detailed quotes from three to five providers. The quotes should outline all costs and list the solar equipment included. Looking at several quotes helps you identify the most cost-effective option.
Top-notch solar installations should come with strong workmanship and performance guarantees. A workmanship warranty covers installation issues, such as poor alignment, cracks in the panels, or poor wiring. A performance warranty guarantees a minimum energy output. Comprehensive guarantees show that a solar company believes in its work.
Solar panels can help reduce your electricity costs in the long run. When considering solar panel's cost and value, be sure to factor in these considerations.
In Newington Forest, solar panels cost an average of $3,590 per kilowatt, with an average system size of 8.1 kilowatts. The typical Newington Forest homeowner spends $20,263 on their solar array after federal tax refunds. An estimate from a local provider will factor in additional information reflecting your desired system's capacity, panel type, size, and required preliminary work. In some cases, homeowners may prefer to lease solar panels to reduce upfront costs.
Incentive Type: Personal Tax Deduction
Incentive Amount:
20% of the sales tax paid by an individual
Generally speaking, a solar photovoltaic (PV) array can be used to power any household appliance or system that uses electricity. In the smallest case, you can use a solar water heater.
There are a number of advantages of home solar energy. You can reduce emissions, save money, and qualify for tax benefits. With the right storage equipment, solar panels can also offer you further energy independence and offer some protection from power outages.
It depends on your home's location and what type of panels you're installing. Since there's a moderate amount of snowfall in Newington Forest, your best time to get solar is in the spring and fall.
Generally speaking, your energy bills will decrease significantly after you install solar panels. This is because you're using the energy you generate for free rather than buying it from your power company. In Newington Forest, the average amount someone can save is $1,448 per year. With net metering programs offered by many utilities, you could ultimately make a profit from your system when your payback period is done.
You might be pleasantly surprised at how quickly you can get a return on investment from your solar panels. The sun shines frequently in Newington Forest, meaning your payback period could last 14.0 years per 5 kW of capacity on the high end.
Your recommended maintenance will vary based on the type of solar panels you have. At a minimum, you should clean and inspect each panel once a quarter. Your solar installer might offer comprehensive plans where they'll do the maintenance on your behalf.
Although solar energy is a great option for many, it might not be ideal for homeowners in wet, dark areas. In these cases, you could consider other forms of renewable energy, such as wind or geothermal power, as a primary source. It is also important to speak to a qualified installer to determine if their solar system is compatible with the climate and environment of your area. Even if you choose a different form of renewable energy altogether, you'll still lower your emissions and could still qualify for distributed generation or other money-saving programs.