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Nov 07, 2024

Best Solar Companies of November 2024 - CNET

A good solar installer can mean the difference between a smooth installation and a nightmare. Here are our picks for the best solar companies. Palmetto Solar holds the top spot on CNET's best solar

A good solar installer can mean the difference between a smooth installation and a nightmare. Here are our picks for the best solar companies.

Palmetto Solar holds the top spot on CNET's best solar company list. Our staff of editors and writers have reviewed and evaluated 18 solar companies to date, and Palmetto continues to stand out for several reasons. Palmetto has a well-documented history of quality customer service and a suite of quality products, including a wide range of solar panels and solar batteries. It's true that many solar companies offer quality equipment and good customer communication, but Palmetto also stands above its competitors with price transparency and robust customer service plans. In an industry that can often be hard to navigate, Palmetto's transparency is valuable for prospective solar buyers.

Palmetto operates in 25 states, including many of the most populous ones, making it accessible to most of the US. If Palmetto isn't available or doesn't offer you the best deal, we've reviewed and ranked other solar installers highly, too, including some installers that work in all 50 states. You can find the whole host of solar companies reviewed by CNET experts below.

CNET's list of the top solar companies covers national and notable installers of (mostly) rooftop solar panels. Some of our picks provide commercial installation services, but every company we've chosen for this list has been selected based on their service regarding residential installations. That means CNET is only evaluating these companies based on their installations on homes just like yours. Our selections are subject to change as we review more companies or as companies change their offerings.

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CNET experts have written or edited each of the reviews this best list draws from and developed a special in-house scoring methodology. Throughout this process, our writers have spent hours reading equipment spec sheets, looking at national trends, following solar company news releases, investigating customer reviews, interviewing industry experts and speaking with representatives from many of these companies to rank them on the criteria that matter to you.

These companies were rated on the variety and quality of equipment and products they offered, their stated warranties and apparent commitments to customer service. (Customer service is difficult to pin down, making up a smaller portion of a company's total score, even though we recognize that it's a significant part of the purchasing process.)

Besides our top pick, Palmetto, several other companies ranked above the competition. They all offer solid equipment but stand out in specific ways: EnergyPal for its flexible hardware options, Tesla for lower prices and Momentum for its in-house installers. NRG Clean Power and Renu Energy Solutions stood out as exceptional installers in more localized regions as well.

Hands-on testing of solar equipment and companies is difficult. We examine technical specifications, talk with companies and consider customer reviews to find the best product available.

Solar panels are typically low maintenance equipment, but they're also unfamiliar. If you want to reap the benefits of solar but will have a bit more peace of mind if someone else is making sure it's working, Palmetto might be a good fit for you. Just remember to add the cost of Palmetto's monitoring service in to your payback period calculations.

Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Vermont, Virginia

Palmetto Solar has more robust service for after installation than most other companies, though it might cost you a bit. All customers receive third-party monitoring and proactive communication when some part of their solar system malfunctions. Palmetto also receives an A-plus from the Better Business Bureau. Palmetto offers quality solar equipment and is one of the few companies that offers Sonnen's batteries. Palmetto's workmanship warranty is 10 years and its weatherization warranty is 5 years.

Hands-on testing of solar equipment and companies is difficult. We examine technical specifications, talk with companies and consider customer reviews to find the best product available.

EnergyPal is more than just a middleman. It'll handle your solar installation from beginning to end while also allowing you to benefit from its proprietary engine and competitive bidding process. The company offers a range of hardware for panels, batteries and inverters, has plentiful financing options and offers responsive customer service support.

Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin

EnergyPal is both a marketplace and an energy advisor. It uses its proprietary quote builder engine to customize your solar system; then it'll contract with a local company and act as your single point of contact for everything from installation to permitting. Hardware options include solar panels, batteries and inverters from QCells, REC, Silfab, Aptos, Tesla, Enphase, SolarEdge and FranklinWH. You can expect a workmanship guarantee of 5-10 years, with manufacturer warranties of up to 30 years depending on the hardware. No weatherization warranty is offered. Customers can also take advantage of third-party monitoring tools, from Enphase, SolarEdge, Tesla and others. While EnergyPal isn't rated by the BBB, it receives positive customer reviews online and scores a 4.7 on Trustpilot.

Hands-on testing of solar equipment and companies is difficult. We examine technical specifications, talk with companies and consider customer reviews to find the best product available.

Elevation's focus on your home's energy efficiency isn't the norm in the industry. If you're planning on addressing energy efficiency first, working with Elevation allows you to keep the whole process with one company. Elevation's solar equipment comes from well-established and well-regarded companies. Elevation's warranties on workmanship and weatherization could be a bit longer.

Arizona, California, Florida, Nevada, Texas

Elevation is a solar installer operating in several states, mostly in the Southwest, and emphasises more than just solar panel installation. The company touts itself as an energy efficiency business, focusing just as much on assessing and improving the efficiency of homes. Elevation offers a price match guarantee and in-house labor. It installs Qcells solar panels, among other brands, and battery brands including Enphase and Tesla.

Hands-on testing of solar equipment and companies is difficult. We examine technical specifications, talk with companies and consider customer reviews to find the best product available.

Include Freedom Forever in your search if you want the backing of a national company that installs a wide variety of the most popular solar equipment available. Freedom Forever also extends a couple of products that take some of the pain and risk out of going solar, like a production guarantee and an escrow option with cash purchases. Online reviews say customer satisfaction has been low of late, though the company says that's changing.

Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Washington D.C., Wisconsin

Freedom Forever, one of the largest American solar installers, installs some of the most popular residential equipment. It offers a production guarantee and an uncommon cash escrow option is a welcome step toward a less stressful process.

Freedom Forever has had customer service issues, with complaints of paying for a nonfunctional system while dealing with poor communication and long waits. Some recent customers have had flawless experiences, but those reviews appear alongside many more negative ones. The company says things have turned around after a bad stretch, but it’s worth monitoring.

Hands-on testing of solar equipment and companies is difficult. We examine technical specifications, talk with companies and consider customer reviews to find the best product available.

Tesla's solar branch seems to be the least loved of Elon Musk's ventures. Even Tesla's Solar Roof seems to get more love.

If price is the thing you won't budge on, consider Tesla. By all accounts, Tesla installs quality panels and makes the closest thing there is to a household name in solar storage: the Powerwall.

Where you might miss out is customer service. Discussion online seems to suggest Tesla's service is a bit of a gamble.

All 50 states

Solar panels from Tesla are likely to be the cheapest option where they are available. You can save thousands of dollars, without sacrificing on quality of equipment or the warranties that protect it.

What you might sacrifice is customer service. From delays to price changes, to slow responses, to system malfunctions, social media reports of negative experiences aren't hard to find, including some who regret their choice. This is true of all solar companies, but the quantity of reports concerning Tesla is concerning.

Hands-on testing of solar equipment and companies is difficult. We examine technical specifications, talk with companies and consider customer reviews to find the best product available.

Momentum installs in 11 states without using subcontractors. While using in-house installers doesn't guarantee a better experience, it does suggest you're likely to get a more uniform experience from Momentum. The fact that Momentum backs its installations with a 25-year workmanship warranty hints at a strong belief in its crews' ability. If Momentum is part of your search, consider the warranties against leaks that other companies offer. Momentum's is five years, which isn't the best.

Only solar panels: Arizona, Connecticut, Georgia, Massachusetts, Nevada, Pennsylvania

Also installs batteries: California, Florida, New Jersey, New York, Texas

Momentum Solar puts Qcells solar panels on roofs in 11 states, and installs Enphase batteries alongside them in five of those. Momentum is one of a few companies that will price match quotes from other companies. It also receives an A-plus from the Better Business Bureau. The company also uses only in-house, Momentum-trained installation teams and backs that work up with a workmanship warranty that lasts 25 years, matching the longest warranty terms in the industry.

The companies on this breakout list may have scored higher than the companies on the national best list. Since they operate in only a few states and are not as accessible as the national providers, we chose to give them a best-regional or -local callout here.

Hands-on testing of solar equipment and companies is difficult. We examine technical specifications, talk with companies and consider customer reviews to find the best product available.

NRG Clean Power brings one of the solar industry's most confident approaches to its work, offering a price match and 40-year warranty. NRG Clean Power is a solid bet as long as you live in Texas and California. NRG Clean Power does not offer leases or power purchase agreements, but it does provide solar panel cleaning and roofing services as well as a reliable equipment menu.

California, Texas

NRG Clean Power brings one of the solar industry's most confident approaches to its work, offering a price match and 40-year warranty. NRG Clean Power is a solid bet as long as you live in Texas and California. NRG Clean Power also provides solar panel cleaning and roofing services as well as a reliable equipment menu.

Hands-on testing of solar equipment and companies is difficult. We examine technical specifications, talk with companies and consider customer reviews to find the best product available.

If you live in the Carolinas, Renu offers equipment from well-respected manufacturers and has indicators that its customers are, overall, quite happy. Some of it's warranties -- 10 years on workmanship and 5 years against leaks -- are a bit shorter than others in the industry, where they can reach twice as long. Customers gave it an average rating of 4.79 out of five at the Better Business Bureau, which is higher than most companies on the list.

North Carolina, South Carolina

Renu is a regional solar installer operating in North Carolina and South Carolina. The company, established in 2010, uses all in-house installers -- no subcontractors -- and installs solar panels, batteries and electric vehicle chargers. Renu doesn't offer leases or power purchase agreements, and installs products from Tesla, REC, Enphase, SolarEdge and Solaria.

This table compares how companies rate against one another by some (but not all) of the criteria we use to judge them. To get the full picture, click the company name to visit their review.

Our experts reviewed other solar companies that don't appear in our best list above. Given the nature of the solar panel industry, which shifts by state and roof, some of the other companies we reviewed might still be a good option for your situation.

Blue Raven installs a variety of panels alongside SunVault batteries using all in-house installation teams. Like many other solar installers, Blue Raven could offer a price match guarantee and greater price transparency but gets strong marks for customer service. Blue Raven performs installations in 18 states, which makes the company a national operation in its own right.

In August, SunPower announced plans to sell Blue Raven and all of its assets to Complete Solaria as part of its bankruptcy proceedings.

Operating on a brokerage model, Primitive Power goes between the customer and installer, promising to offer better prices through a competitive bidding model. Because the business model doesn't fit our review scoring methodology, Primitive doesn't get a score from us, but could be a good place to get multiple quotes all at once.

Qcells is more of a solar panel manufacturer than a solar panel installer, but representatives for the company will connect you with installers who work with Qcells' products. The company doesn't offer the same guarantees or policies most of the installers on this list have, so it doesn't get a score. If you're interested in its high-quality, American-made panels, we have a write-up with all of the details here.

Smartflower looks like a solar sunflower and might be a beautiful way to install solar panels, but unless you're trying to advertise your green commitments or find a statement piece for your yard, it's likely too much money for too little solar.

Sunnova recently gained loan guarantees from the US government to help low- and moderate-income families adopt solar. If you have less-than-stellar credit, Sunnova might be a good option for you. It's best to compare quotes, though. It installs a wide variety of batteries and offers some strong warranties. We found in our reporting a history of customer service issues and appears to have lost its Better Business Bureau accreditation -- an issue the company told CNET it was working to rectify.

The largest solar company in America, Sunrun offers quality panels, a choice of a couple of batteries and quality inverters. It also offers strong warranties. Most of its business is in solar leases or power purchase agreements. It is important to note that Sunrun provides stronger warranties for power purchase agreements than purchases.

Tesla's Solar Roof is an exciting way to imagine solar. It's sleek, it's low profile, but it's very expensive. Depending on the size of your roof and your location, it can be several times more expensive than solar panels.

For a while, Trinity Solar was CNET's top company for customer service and still receives top marks. It also offers quality equipment and warranties, although some of its warranties, like its workmanship warranty, are a bit weaker than other companies.

WindMar Solar and Roofing is one of the longest-tenured solar installers operating in Puerto Rico and Florida. It installs quality equipment, although customers who finance their system through a loan or enter a lease receive stronger warranties than those who purchase outright.

If you're planning to buy solar panels to avoid rising energy costs and blackouts or to switch to renewable energy, you're not alone.

New federal tax incentives have led to massive nationwide growth in solar installations. The country's largest residential solar market, California, took a massive hit, with installation numbers dropping off. The reason: California's new net metering policy, called NEM 3.0, has seriously hurt net metering incentives in the state, making it take longer to recoup the money initially invested in a solar panel system. Paired with high interest rates that make it harder for people to finance solar systems, it's led to 17,000 layoffs in the state, according to the California Solar and Storage Association.

Some solar businesses are closing up shop altogether. That includes CNET's previous highest-rated solar company, ADT Solar, which closed its solar business in January 2024.

You can get 30% of the cost of solar panels back on your taxes and participate in local incentives and net metering (where available). The Inflation Reduction Act passed in 2022, opened up more rebates for energy-efficient home improvements, electric appliances and other renewable energy solutions, which could help you save even more with solar panels.

Improvements in solar panel technology and manufacturing have also brought the prices of solar panels down significantly from where they were a decade ago, and industry experts say that trend should continue. Coupled with newly expanded tax credits, solar panels have never been more affordable.

Climate change is expected to continue fueling severe weather events that can cause more power outages. Solar panels paired with a backup battery can keep your home powered.

Solar panels can be a costly investment. And since few people can build their own solar panels, you'll need to carefully research which installer is best for you.

Choosing a solar installer is like choosing a contractor for any home improvement project. You have to make sure to ask a lot of questions and compare multiple quotes. Your final decision will likely be based on which gives you the best price and which company gives you the most confidence. CNET outlines some expert tips on choosing a solar installer that'll make your life easier.

The process of getting solar panels looks a little different from company to company, but the broad strokes are the same.

After initial contact with the company, someone should visit your home for an inspection. While parts of the design and quoting process might involve looking at satellite imagery, having a professional actually visit your house allows them to take into account trees that might have grown or any other obstacles that shade your rooftop that might not be accounted for in the aerial images. They'll also be able to assess the health of your roof and whether it needs to be replaced or not and identify any other barriers to going solar.

Some solar installers are adopting AI tools into their solar planning process. It's yet to be determined AI's impact on the industry, but experts believe AI use in the solar space will help keep costs down and speed up installation timelines.

The system will be designed, sized, approved by you and permitted. After the company receives permits from the necessary authorities, your installation will be scheduled. Installation typically takes a few days or up to a week, depending on the weather.

Installation for most solar panel systems requires drilling holes through your roof and into the joists that support it. This is necessary to keep your solar panels securely attached, but you'll want to ask your solar installer how long it guarantees those penetrations will remain watertight to keep your home secure.

Installation will also require new wiring to be installed. Sometimes that means new conduit being attached to the outside of your house. Through our reporting, we learned some companies will install it in your attic for free or for an additional charge.

Unless your system is off the grid, you'll need to get permission to operate grid-tied solar panels from your utility. Once you've received permission, you'll transition to generating energy, monitoring your array's performance and maintaining your solar panels to keep them up and running during your system's lifespan. Your new solar panels should last decades, especially if you are locked into a contract with a decent warranty.

The timeline will vary, it usually takes several months to design, permit, install and switch on residential solar arrays. When shopping around, it's best to ask what the estimated timeline is.

The average cost for a residential solar installation is $2.99 per watt, according to an analysis by Wood Mackenzie. According to those figures, an average 8-kilowatt solar panel system would cost about $23,920. The cost of solar panels varies by location and the local cost for permitting, inspection fees, labor and more. It also depends heavily on what kind of solar panel system you get and whether you buy a battery to enhance the performance of your solar array. Batteries will add significantly to your price tag, costing around $10,000 or more.

Around $3 per watt is a decent ballpark estimate, but the different sources that report solar prices vary in their results. That's because they get their data in different ways. For example, in the chart below, EnergySage draws its information from quotes provided in its own solar marketplace while Wood Mackenzie's uses wholesale prices of equipment and interviews with industry figures.

*The above estimates are for different periods. EnergySage covers the second half of 2023. Wood Mackenzie is for the fourth quarter of 2023. Lawrence Berkeley Lab is for 2022.

The map below pulls data from FindEnergy.com to give the average total cash price, cost per watt and average solar panel system size in states across the country. These prices are representative of your costs before federal, state or local incentives. States in gray lack sufficient data pricing data on FindEnergy.

There are plenty of incentives to reduce the cost of solar panels or your tax bill. The Inflation Reduction Act increased the federal tax credit for solar panels to 30% and made it available for 10 years. Other local tax exemptions or incentives could be possible too. If your utility has a net metering program, you could receive credits on your utility bill that will help you save money. Other potential state incentives include property tax exemptions, sales tax exemptions, SREC markets or state tax credits.

CNET took a look at the incentives offered by every state and graded each on its solar-friendliness. New Jersey came out on top as the only state to receive an A, while 27 states scored an F. See how your state scored on the map below.

The answer depends on your own personal energy usage, the solar panel system you choose, and a variety of other factors, such as net metering policies.

There are a few things you can calculate to help you find out how much you can save. The first is your payback period, in which you calculate the cost of installing solar panels after tax credits and incentives and divide that by how much money in energy costs you expect to save each year.

That will give you a period, in years, after which your solar panels will have paid for themselves in savings. Your solar panel payback period can vary widely. But after you hit that date, any energy you generate is money saved.

It's also entirely possible that solar panels might not save you money but offset only partial costs of your energy bill. Solar savings can depend on factors such as how efficient your panels are, how much sun your panels get, how many panels you have, your electric rates, your state's net metering policy, and your electric consumption.

If you want to go solar but either can't afford the upfront cost of a solar array or if you rent your property, community solar might also be a viable option.

Read more: Want something smaller than a whole-home solar system? See our picks for the best portable solar panels and solar generators.

The panels are the most visible and well-known component of a solar array, there are other pieces of equipment you'll need to know -- some are necessary parts of your solar panel system, while others are optional equipment that could help you save even more money.

Nearly 100% of the residential solar panels installed today are monocrystalline, according to the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (PDF). Polycrystalline panels are still installed but at a far lower rate than monocrystalline panels. They're cheaper but less efficient, but the odds are that polycrystalline panels likely won't be a concern for you.

Solar panels produce electricity in direct current. Our houses and all the appliances within them use alternating current. We need some way to convert the electricity from DC to AC for use in our houses: that's where the solar inverter comes in.

There are two main types of inverters in use: string inverters and microinverters. String inverters transform the electricity from a group (or string) of solar panels, all at once. This means you only need one per residential array, typically, but the entire array is affected by the lowest-performing panel. If one of your panels is shaded or damaged, it can significantly reduce the output of the rest of the array. String inverters are typically cheaper to install but come with shorter warranties.

You can find CNET's pick for the best solar inverters here.

Microinverters are the much more common solar inverters in use today. They operate on the panel level, which means if one is shaded, the rest can keep producing at full capacity. Because they are installed on the roof with the panel, they're typically a little harder to service but ensure that your solar panel system produces a more reliable amount of energy. Microinverters cost a bit more to install but often come with 25-year warranties.

String inverters can also be installed with power optimizers, which perform a similar role to microinverters. The energy is still translated to alternating current at the central string inverter, but the power optimizer lets panels work independently of each other.

Backup batteries are becoming a more popular addition to solar arrays. Utility time-of-use rates (where electricity is typically cheaper when solar panels are producing ample amounts of energy for your households and more expensive during less productive hours) make batteries a more financially feasible choice for many. Solar panels won't generate electricity during a blackout unless they have a battery that allows them to temporarily go off the grid, a process called islanding.

Backup batteries don't always make financial sense, so make sure you understand whether or not it does for you before diving in. If you're hoping to have power during a blackout, the financial calculation may be less important to you.

You can find CNET's pick of the best solar batteries here.

Solar panels come with a hefty price tag, so just like other major purchases, a few financing options have become commonplace.

Paying with cash is the most straightforward and fee-free way to pay for solar panels. You won't pay interest or loan fees and you'll lock in the 30% federal tax credit. The obvious downside is that you'll need to drop a huge chunk of cash all at once, which not everyone can do.

Most solar companies offer financing options, including third-party or in-house loans. If you purchase solar with a loan, you'll get the federal tax credit, too. Loans of any sort come with interest and fees and it pays to compare fees and interest rates. You can also pay with a loan you bring from elsewhere, like a personal loan from your bank.

Home equity loans or home equity lines of credit let you borrow money against the value of your house. This can secure you a lower interest rate but introduces some other risks. If you default on a home equity loan, your home can be foreclosed on. Since you're still purchasing your solar panels, you'll qualify for the federal tax credit.

If you see ads touting homeowners going solar with zero money down, they're probably for solar power purchase agreements and leases. But what is a PPA? It's the less familiar cousin of a lease.

With a lease or PPA, you don't actually own the solar panels on your roof. Instead, you agree to pay a monthly fee for the equipment (a solar lease) or to buy the electricity the solar panels produce (a PPA). This means you can go solar without a hefty price tag (and often zero money up front). It's common for these rates to increase each year, so pay careful attention. If the escalation rate is too high, you may end up saving less money than expected over the lifetime of the deal. Since you don't own the panels with these agreements, you won't be eligible for the federal tax credit.

Solar panels alone won't prevent your power from going out, as the panels are shut off when the grid goes down. But if you have a backup battery attached, you'll be able to keep the lights on, with the panels charging the battery with unused electricity. That can be particularly helpful if you live in an area that's prone to blackouts. With climate change contributing to increased severe weather like more powerful hurricanes, having solar panels and a backup battery can mean your lights stay on even when the homes around you are out for days or weeks at a time.

We used from the US Energy Information Administration to map how many power outages per year, on average, the average utility customer in each state had from 2018 to 2022 (using all reporting methods). We also mapped the average total duration of outages per year, in hours. Generally, states along the coast and those in the Southeast -- the area most susceptible to hurricanes -- had the most and longest outages.

Reviewing solar companies in a hands-on way is tough. Each project is as unique as the house it goes on and the family that will use its electricity. To evaluate these solar installers in a meaningful way, we had to focus on what we could measure and what would be useful to you.

We rate companies on three categories of criteria: equipment, warranties and service.

In the equipment bucket, companies get scored on the panels, inverters and batteries they install. Warranties include the guarantees on the panels (which typically come from the manufacturer), workmanship and weatherization against leaks. Companies gain points for service for offering a price match, a meaningful level of price transparency and a well-rated app for monitoring solar production. They lose points for major customer service issues (lawsuits, investigations or obvious reputations for shoddy service). We'll always detail these in the review.

You can read a detailed look at how the scoring breaks down here.

We don't consider a company's average price of installations in its score. Average prices are hard to find and compare place to place (or even roof to roof), and companies are often slow to disclose them. We also leave out information that's easy to find but not useful to you, like how many states a company operates in.

Are solar panels worth it in my state?

Solar panels will likely be worth it, depending on the details of your specific situation. If you use very little energy or have very cheap energy, you won't be saving as much money each month and it will take longer for your panels to pay for themselves. If you live under deep tree cover, rooftop solar panels likely won't generate enough electricity to be worth it.

Solar can pay off in energy savings for decades. Lowering the cost with rebates and tax credits will help pay off your solar panels faster. How you pay for your solar panels will affect that calculation too. It'll take longer to recoup your costs if you take out a loan, which will accrue interest and come with fees. You can calculate your payback period if you know the cost of solar panels after rebates and how much you'll save on energy costs each year.

Most importantly, be sure you're saving money by shopping around and finding the right solar panel system at the right price.

How many solar panels do I need?

This answer is specific to you and depends on how much energy you use and how much sunlight you get. Depending on your local regulations and electricity rates, installing more panels than you strictly need may not be allowed or even worth it.

To calculate how many solar panels you need, determine your average daily energy use in kilowatt hours. Divide that by the peak sun hours your home gets to find how much solar capacity you'll need to install in kilowatts. Divide that capacity by the size of your solar panels (400 watts, or 0.4 kilowatts, is a common size) to get the number of panels you'll need.

This is just a rough estimate and a reputable solar installer should be able to offer you a rationale for the number of panels they propose installing.

What is net metering?

Net metering is the way that utilities compensate you for energy your solar panels generate but you don't use. Since this energy flows back to the grid for someone else to use, it's fairly common for utilities to offer you bill credits for that energy to offset what you buy from them. These credits save you even more money on electricity than solar panels would without.

Net metering will look different from utility to utility and the incentive has been challenged and even eliminated in some states, like Indiana. A 2023 change in net metering in California caused the number of solar installations to drop significantly.

How long do solar panels last?

If you buy solar panels today, there's a good chance they'll be under warranty for 25 years. You'll often see that listed as the lifespan of the panels, but that's not quite accurate. That warranty covers the production of your solar panels. Solar panels lose their ability to produce solar electricity as they age for any number of reasons, so a warranty will guarantee a certain level of production after a certain number of years. For example, Q Cells offers a 25-year warranty, which guarantees that your panels will produce at 86% of their rated capacity at that point.

This doesn't mean those solar panels die at the end of 25 years, they'll just produce less. Solar panels can produce well after their warranty expires, although given that large numbers of solar panels are just now being installed, we'll continue to get a better idea of how they age in years to come.

Should I hire a solar panel installer?

Skilled do-it-yourselfers might be able to pull off a solar panel installation, but it's definitely not recommended. Going through a reputable and licensed solar installer gives you a number of protections. Installing solar panels is not as simple as plugging in a large appliance. A qualified solar installer will be able to navigate local codes and ordinances and ensure that the warranty on the panels remains intact. They will also be able to tell you if you need a new roof or other upgrades before installing solar panels.

A solar installer will also be able to design your solar system to best fit your goals and habits by identifying the most productive locations on your roof and angling panels to collect the most sun. Further, your installer should be able to help you troubleshoot any problems that arise after installation.

How do I know if the quote I have is a good one?

The best way to tell is to get multiple quotes. With a purchase this big, you should get several, including one or two from local installers who might be able to offer you greater choice.

There are also resources from the federal and many state governments to guide you through the process. You can look out for a few red flags from salespeople, too.

Are local solar installers a good option?

Local installers typically have less costs for advertising and sales than large, national corporations. That represents possible savings that could be returned to customers. On the other hand, with a long-term investment like solar panels, it may feel safer to have the backing of a large corporation. Larger companies may be able to offer cheaper prices due to the volume of installations they do.

When you're gathering quotes for a solar panel installation, be sure to contact local installers, too. The solar industry is a competitive one, and checking around could save you thousands.

Will solar panels work in my climate?

Identical solar panels will produce different amounts of electricity when they're exposed to varying levels of sunlight. Solar panels in sunnier places (like the American Southwest) with more direct sunlight (like in the South) will produce more electricity, but other factors make solar a good deal for homeowners.

New England has one of the highest regional adoption rates for residential solar in the US. That's not because it has a ton of sunshine year round, but because it has favorable solar policies, like net metering and rebates. Solar panels might make financial sense even if they'll be installed under frequently cloudy skies.

Can I get the federal tax credit?

The federal tax credit for solar panels is still around. For any solar panels installed in 2024, the federal government will give you 30% of the cost back on your income taxes. As part of the Inflation Reduction Act, passed in 2022, the credit was bumped up to 30% and will stay at that level through 2031.

Besides the federal tax credit, there might be state and local incentives you can take advantage of.

Correction, Jan. 31, 2023: An earlier version of this article misstated the Better Business Bureau's grading process. Any company can receive a grade from the Bureau, regardless of whether it has paid to go through the accreditation process.

Article updated on October 17, 2024 at 9:06 AM PDT

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