Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
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Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Year after year, more Smithfield residents turn to rooftop solar panels to provide a dependable source of power and lower their carbon footprint. Solar power can cut your energy costs and lower your carbon footprint. However, it's important to hire a trustworthy solar installer. Luckily, we've reviewed the options and compiled a guide to the best and most reliable solar installation companies in Smithfield.
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Services Offered
Informative resources
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Free quotes
Prompt service delivery
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Free quotes
Services Offered
Informative resources
Prompt service delivery
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Services Offered
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
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:
Adopting solar power lets homeowners lower utility bills while helping the environment by reducing your carbon footprint using clean energy. If you’re deciding whether to go solar, consider these key factors for choosing an installer.
It's important to hire a licensed solar installer. This helps ensure that the work is done properly using current installation best practices. Since 2012, Virginia's Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation has issued Alternative Energy Systems (AES) licenses to contractors working on solar photovoltaic systems. A contractor with an AES license may need to subcontract plumbing, electrical or HVAC work.
Check the Better Business Bureau (BBB), TrustPilot, Google Reviews, and other review sites to see what past customers are saying about local solar installers. Detailed reviews can help you assess a provider's trustworthiness and customer service. Be wary of providers with few or mainly poor reviews.
Call at least three solar companies for free, itemized quotes. The quotes should describe all costs and specify the solar equipment included. Reviewing multiple quotes helps identify the option that aligns with your budget.
Quality solar installations should come with comprehensive workmanship and performance guarantees. The workmanship warranty covers any installation issues such as cracks in the panels, poor wiring, or poor alignment. The performance guarantee ensures a specific energy output level. Strong warranties indicate that a solar installer has faith in its installations.
Switching to solar power can help reduce your energy expenses. Be sure to evaluate these aspects when judging the cost and value of solar panels.
The cost of home solar panels in Smithfield will depend on several factors, including the size of the system and the type of solar technology being used. Generally speaking, a complete solar energy system could range from $3,590 per kilowatt, not including permit fees, preliminary work, or labor. Most solar systems in Smithfield are 7.7 kilowatts, and the typical Smithfield homeowners spends $19,403 after accounting for federal tax refunds. Some homeowners may prefer to lease solar panels and 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 heating system.
There are many advantages of home solar energy. You can reduce emissions, qualify for tax benefits, and save money. With the right storage equipment, solar panels can also give you additional energy security and offer some protection from power outages.
It depends on your location and what type of panels you're installing. With the winter months in Virginia being very mild, you have a wide time window to install your panels, though they won't achieve peak performance until summer arrives.
Generally speaking, your energy bills will significantly decrease 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 Smithfield, the average amount someone can save is $1,424 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.
The maintenance you'll need to do will vary based on the type of solar panels you have. With any system, you should clean and inspect each panel four times a year. Your solar contractor might offer comprehensive plans where they'll do the maintenance on your behalf.
Net metering is a power purchasing policy that allows solar energy system owners to be compensated for the amount of energy they put back into the grid. It's available in most states and is a great way to reduce energy costs.
Solar panels are on par with other forms of renewable energy. Their maintenance costs are low and today's systems can generate and manage energy under more conditions.
