Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Solar is one of the most easily accessible forms of renewable energy for Morgantown homes. 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 trustworthy installer. That’s why, after properly vetting providers, we compiled a guide to the most trusted solar companies in Morgantown. These companies offer excellent service.
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Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Informative resources
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
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Family-operated business
Free quotes
Services Offered
Free quotes
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Informative resources
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Informative resources
Services Offered
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Services Offered
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
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 environment by reducing your carbon footprint using renewable energy. Here are some crucial factors to consider when determining whether a solar installer is trustworthy.
It's important to hire a licensed solar installer. This ensures that the work is done correctly using current best installation practices. Contractors in West Virginia don't need a license to install a solar photovoltaic system, but an electrician licensed by the West Virginia Division of Labor must be the one to connect the system to the grid. For solar thermal systems, anyone working with pipes has to be a licensed plumber.
Look at review platforms such as Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and TrustPilot to find out what previous customers say about local solar providers. Reviews can give you an idea of a company’s reliability and customer service. Be cautious of companies lacking reviews or with predominantly negative feedback.
Contact three to five solar companies to get free, detailed quotes. Quotes should clearly outline all costs and list the exact solar components included. Comparing multiple quotes helps identify the most cost-effective option for you.
Quality solar installations should include strong workmanship and performance guarantees. A workmanship warranty addresses any installation defects (such as poor alignment, cracks in the panels, or poor wiring), while a performance warranty ensures a certain level of energy production. Strong guarantees demonstrate a company's confidence in its work.
Solar energy is great for helping you lower electricity bills over time. Be sure to consider these aspects when considering the final cost and value of solar panels.
The cost of solar panels varies based on your system's capacity and the technology being used. The average solar system in Morgantown has a capacity of 11.6 kilowatts. Homeowners in the area should expect to pay approximately $3,390 per kilowatt; the average Morgantown homeowners spends about $27,446 on a new solar system after accounting for federal tax breaks. (Some homeowners prefer to lease solar panels to lower upfront costs.) A personalized quote from a local solar provider will account for things like the size, capacity, and panel type of the planned system, and should include prices for preliminary work, labor, and permit fees.
Generally speaking, a solar photovoltaic (PV) array can be used to power any household appliance or system that uses electricity. In the simplest case, you can use a solar water heater.
There are a number of advantages of home solar energy. You can save money, raise your property values, and reduce emissions. With the right storage equipment, solar panels can also give you further energy independence and offer some protection from power outages.
Yes, it's possible to use home solar energy alongside conventional power sources. In most parts of the country, solar panels are designed to supplement your existing energy sources, so you can reap the environmental benefits and savings that come from using solar energy without having to completely switch over.
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 Morgantown amount to $1,922.
You might be pleasantly surprised at how quickly you can get a return on investment from your solar panels. In areas like Morgantown with moderate sunlight, the period could last 14.3 years per 5 kW of power, but may be shorter if you have low electricity costs or a smaller energy capacity.
The type of solar panels you have will have specific maintenance steps to follow. Regardless of type, you should clean your panels regularly and inspect them for damage. Full-service solar contractors in the Morgantown area offer multipoint maintenance plans to help you make the most of your panels and keep them healthy for as long as possible.
Although solar energy is an ideal 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.
The best type of residential solar panel will depend on your specific needs and goals. For a typical home, monocrystalline solar panels are the most efficient for houses in Morgantown. However, if you have a limited budget, then you could thin-film or polycrystalline solar panels. When selecting a solar company, make sure to ask about the brand names and models of solar panels a company offers and the benefits and drawbacks of each.
