Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
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Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Rooftop solar energy is becoming increasingly popular for Walla Walla homeowners. A rooftop solar array can help you add value to your property, decrease your carbon footprint, and provide a dependable source of power. Switching to solar energy can allow you to save money and reduce your carbon footprint, but you want to make sure you find a qualified installer. That’s why, after conducting thorough research on providers, we compiled a guide to the most reputable solar companies in Walla Walla. These providers consistently deliver high-quality service.
Reliable customer support
Prompt service delivery
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Informative resources
Services Offered
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Prompt service delivery
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Prompt service delivery
Clear pricing policy
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:
Putting solar panels on your roof could cut your electricity payments while benefiting the planet by reducing your carbon footprint through renewable energy use. Key considerations when researching local solar installers are as follows.
It's important to hire a licensed solar installer. This helps ensure that the work is done correctly using current installation best practices. Solar contractors in Washington must hold an electrical contractors' license from the Department of Labor and Industries. In some situations, the department may also conduct permit inspections to test compliance and the viability and integrity of a contractor's job.
Check consumer review platforms like Google Reviews, TrustPilot, and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to see feedback from past customers about local solar companies. Detailed reviews can help you evaluate a company's reliability and customer service. Use caution with companies that have hardly any reviews or mostly negative ones.
Contact 3–5 solar companies for free, detailed quotes. Quotes should clearly outline all costs and specify the exact solar components included. Comparing multiple quotes helps identify the most cost-effective option for you.
Quality solar installations should have strong workmanship and performance warranties. A workmanship guarantee addresses any installation defects (such as poor wiring, poor alignment, or cracks in the panels), while a performance warranty ensures a certain level of energy production. Strong warranties show that a company is confident in its work.
Going solar can help lower your energy expenses over time. Be sure to consider these aspects when judging the cost and value of solar panels.
The cost of home solar panels in Walla Walla depends on several factors, including your system's expected capacity and the type of solar technology being used. Generally speaking, a complete solar energy system will cost $3,590 per kilowatt, not including preliminary work, permit fees, or labor. Most solar systems in Walla Walla are 4.1 kilowatts, and the typical Walla Walla homeowners spends $10,203 after accounting for federal tax refunds. Some homeowners may prefer leasing their solar panels to reduce upfront costs.
Generally speaking, a solar photovoltaic (PV) system can be used to power any household system or appliance that uses electricity. In the simplest case, you can use a solar water heating system.
With home solar panels, you can save money on your energy bill, lower your property's emissions, and be better prepared if there's an outage to the local grid.
Yes. The grid in Walla Walla already uses a large share of renewable energy sources, and you may be able to sell your excess generated energy to your utility for additional cost savings.
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 Walla Walla amount to $750.
Your payback period is the time to achieve an ROI on your solar panels. It will vary based on the average sunlight in your area, the rate your utility charges per kilowatt of power, and their rated capacity. Walla Walla gets quite a bit of sunlight per day, so an average payback period could last up to 13.6 years per 5 kW of capacity.
The type of solar panels you have will have specific maintenance steps to follow. Regardless of type, you should inspect your panels for damage and clean them regularly. Many solar contractors in the Walla Walla area offer comprehensive maintenance plans to help you make the most of your panels and keep them healthy for as long as possible.
Although solar energy is a valuable 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 help the environment and could still qualify for distributed generation or other money-saving programs.
Yes, solar panels will still be able to provide you with energy during a grid outage. To ensure that your solar system can keep working during a power outage, make sure to choose a quality solar provider that offers battery backup systems or emergency generators.
