Josephine NesbitContributing Writer
Josephine Nesbit is a contributing writer for USA TODAY Homefront. She specializes in home impr...
Updated Apr. 22, 2024
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Homefront Local uses a unique algorithm to score solar companies based on important factors like user reviews and how popular they are in your area.
High-quality solar panel installation in Lincoln, California requires you to hire a solar installer with proper certification, skills and experience. We've created a list of the best solar companies in Lincoln to help you find the right installer.
Prior to picking an installer, ask others for suggestions, assess potential companies and request multiple quotes to identify the right company for your requirements. You can find a local solar company in Lincoln or select a well-known national brand.
While putting in solar panels requires a substantial initial investment, it can lower your energy bills over time. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) indicates that changing to solar energy enables Lincoln homeowners to save an average of $1,100 annually.
The products from different solar technicians vary. Take the time to compare companies and get quotes before you book your solar panel installation.
Look for Lincoln solar companies that have a minimum of 3.5 out of 5 stars in customer ratings on Google Reviews and other review websites. The company should also have a respectable rating on Better Business Bureau (BBB).
You should look through past customer reviews to get insight into other homeowners' experiences with the company. Watch for frequent negative feedback as a potential warning sign.
1215 Striker Ave Ste 120, Sacramento, CA 95834
(916) 547-5250
www.sunrun.com/solar-by-state/ca/sacr...Homeowners in Lincoln are well-positioned for solar energy since the area receives a lot of sunshine. The top reasons to opt for solar include these:
According to our survey carried out in October 2023, the average national cost of solar panel installation is $11,743.
The price of solar panel installation is influenced by your labor costs, area, shading, system size, sunlight availability and roof orientation. Choosing extras such as solar trackers, batteries or animal guards will increase the overall cost.
According to statistics from the EIA, NASA and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) the average expense to install solar panels in Lincoln is $7,514.
Solar panel installation is a sizable initial investment, but you can expect to see big savings reflected in your energy bills after some time.
In Lincoln, you can anticipate saving money once you've transitioned fully to solar. But it takes time to make back the upfront costs, and factors like precipitation and tree coverage influence how soon you'll get a return on your solar investment.
Beyond cost savings, transitioning to solar power also shrinks your carbon footprint and lowers your environmental impact. Provided below are the approximated CO2 emission reductions you can expect from solar energy, as determined by our analysis of data from NASA and the EPA.
Experts Ready to Help
There are a number of solar incentives available to homeowners in Lincoln. Specific programs are applicable to all California residents, while others depend on your city, utility company and municipality.
The following solar incentives are offered to California residents, according to DSIRE:
Name / Incentive Type | Incentive Amount/Details |
---|---|
Property Tax Incentive Property Tax Exclusion for Solar Energy Systems and Solar Plus Storage System | 100% of system value; 75% of system value exemption for dual-use equipment |
PACE Financing Local Option - Municipal Energy Districts | Locally determined
|
Rebate Program Self-Generation Incentive Program | For projects 30 kW or larger, 50% of incentive will be received up-front; 50% will be received based on actual kWh production over the first 5 years. For projects under 30kW, 100% of the incentive will be paid up front. Incentives will step down over time. See below for incentive amounts. |
Feed-in Tariff Renewable Market Adjusting Tariff (ReMAT) | See Website |
Feed-in Tariff LADWP - Feed-in Tariff (FiT) Program | $0.17/kWh adjusted by a time of delivery multiplier Base price will step down over time as certain MW goals are met |
Rebate Program California Solar Initiative - Solar Thermal Program | Step 1 Incentive Rates (contact utility to determine current incentive levels): Single Family Residential Incentives: Systems that displace natural gas: $29.85 per estimated therm displaced Systems that displace electricity or propane: Funding has been exhausted Commercial/Multifamily Incentives: Systems that displace natural gas: $20.19 per estimated therm displaced Systems that displace electricity or propane: $0.42 per estimated kWh displaced *** Note, funding has been exhausted in this category for SCE and PG&E Solar Pool heating: $5.00 per estimated therm displaced |
Personal Tax Credit Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit | 30% federal tax credit for systems placed in service after 12/31/2021 and before 01/01/2033. Good for: solar water heat, solar photovoltaics, biomass, geothermal heat pumps, wind (small), fuel cells using renewable fuels. |
When selecting a solar installation expert, first review these key considerations.
Your solar panel system's size is contingent upon your home's energy consumption and the system's production capacity. Bigger households use more electricity and may require larger solar panel systems. An undersized system may be unable to fully energize your house.
Specific permits and state or local requirements could affect your solar project. You’ll need to obtain the required permits through your local building department and arrange an inspection.
Not all residences get similar amounts of sunlight. The tree density, rainfall levels and severe weather can impact solar reception. If your home doesn't get enough sun, it may require extra panels with higher wattage.
Many solar panel systems include a battery. Solar batteries preserve extra power, which is especially useful when you want to avoid power loss in a storm. Installing battery storage may increase the cost of installation.
Several solar panel varieties exist, each differing in design, efficiency and life expectancy. These factors impact pricing, the rate of panel replacement and space taken on your roof.
The Homefront Local team employs a proprietary scoring algorithm that evaluates companies based on key factors you value, such as average customer review ratings and trustworthiness indicators. Our method for determining trust involves a comparative analysis of the number of reviews a company receives compared to its local competitors. This leads to companies that have earned more trust from your local community being awarded a higher score.
We review national and large regional solar providers against our full methodology. We score solar companies on reputation and customer reviews, service options, payment, financing and warranties.
Editorial note: The name “Homefront” refers to the alliance between USA TODAY and Home Solutions that publishes review, comparison, and informational articles designed to help USA TODAY readers make smarter purchasing and investment decisions about their home. Under the alliance, Homefront provides and publishes research and articles about home service and home improvement topics. Homefront has an affiliate disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Homefront editorial staff alone (see About Homefront). Homefront adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information. Go back to top
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