Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
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Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
A solar panel array will provide you with a renewable power source that will pay for itself in time. Solar power can cut your energy costs and shrink your carbon footprint. However, it's important to select a qualified solar installer. Luckily, we’ve conducted comprehensive research local solar installers and created a guide to the best solar companies in Mountlake Terrace. These reputable providers are smart choices homeowners can depend on.
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Prompt service delivery
Family-operated business
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Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Prompt service delivery
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Prompt service delivery
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Informative resources
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Services Offered
Free quotes
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Prompt service delivery
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Free quotes
Informative resources
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 cut 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.
Confirm that your solar installer is properly licensed. This helps ensure that the work is done correctly using the most up-to-date installation methods. Solar energy installers in Washington are required to hold an electrical contractors' license from the Department of Labor and Industries. In certain situations, the department may also conduct permit inspections to confirm compliance and the integrity and viability of a contractor's job.
Look at review platforms such as TrustPilot, Google Reviews, and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to find out what previous customers are saying about local solar providers. Reviews can give you an idea of a company’s trustworthiness and customer service. Be cautious of companies with no reviews or with predominantly negative feedback.
Call three to five solar companies for free, itemized quotes. A quote should explain all costs and specify the solar equipment included. Reviewing multiple quotes helps identify the best option that fits your budget.
Quality solar installations should include strong workmanship and performance warranties. A workmanship guarantee addresses any installation defects (such as cracks in the panels, poor wiring, or poor alignment), while a performance warranty ensures a certain level of energy production. Strong guarantees demonstrate a company's confidence in its work.
Going solar can help lower your electric bills over time. When weighing the total price and value of solar panels, be sure to consider these factors.
Solar panel costs vary based on your system's capacity and the solar technology being used. The typical Mountlake Terrace solar array has a capacity of 4.4 kilowatts. Homeowners in the area should expect to pay around $3,590 per kilowatt; the average Mountlake Terrace homeowners spends roughly $11,028 on a new solar array after accounting for federal tax breaks. (Some homeowners prefer to lease solar panels to reduce their upfront costs.) A personalized quote from a local solar installer will account for things like the panel type, capacity, and size of the planned system, and should include fees for permit fees, preliminary work, and labor.
A solar photovoltaic (PV) system can generate power to run any electric appliance or system in your home. A more specific example is installing a solar heating system for your water.
With home solar PV, you can recoup the cost of the system over time, lower your home's carbon footprint, and gain additional energy independence.
Your installer can give you an estimate of what your energy bills will look like after you install solar panels. Generally, your energy bills will decrease significantly because you'll be using energy from the sun for free, instead of buying energy from the utility company. The average annual savings in Mountlake Terrace amount to $750.
You might be pleasantly surprised at how short it takes to get a return on investment from your solar panels. In areas like Mountlake Terrace with moderate sunlight, the period could last 14.7 years per 5 kW of power, but may be shorter if you have low electricity costs or a smaller energy capacity.
Net metering is a power purchasing policy that allows solar energy system owners to receive compensation 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.
While solar energy might not be the best option for some in wet or dark areas, the latest generation of equipment and energy storage systems could increase your property's solar viability enough to achieve a return on investment. A contractor could also recommend a different primary source of renewable energy like wind or geothermal to boost your generation.
