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 Northport, Alabama requires you to find a solar installer with the right certification, expertise and experience. We've assembled a list of the best solar companies in Northport to help you hire the perfect installer.
Before selecting an installer, ask others for recommendations, screen potential installers and obtain multiple quotes to find the best company for your requirements. You can find a local solar company in Northport or decide on an established national brand.
While solar panels call for a big upfront investment, you can reduce your energy bills over the long run. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), switching to solar energy enables Northport homeowners to save $2,100 on average each year.
The offerings from different solar technicians aren't all the same. Take the time to compare companies and get quotes before you set up your solar panel installation.
Look for Northport solar companies that have a minimum of 3.5 out of 5 stars in customer ratings on Google Reviews and similar review platforms. The company should also have a respectable rating on Better Business Bureau (BBB).
Reviewing previous customer testimonials can give insight into other homeowners' experiences working with the solar company. Frequent poor reviews are worth making a note of as a possible warning sign.
Regions with inconsistent sunshine, including those with increased rain or clouds like Northport, can still make use of solar energy. A few key motivations to transition to solar energy include these:
Based on our survey carried out in October 2023, the median national cost of solar panel installation is $11,743.
The cost of solar panel installation is influenced by several factors, such as where you live, sunlight exposure, roof orientation, shading, system size and labor. Be prepared to pay more if you choose accessories like batteries, animal guards or solar trackers.
Based on numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), NASA and the EIA, solar panel installation in Northport has a typical cost of $21,928.
Putting in solar panels means substantial spending upfront, but you can make those costs back through big reductions in your energy bills down the line.
In Northport, you can plan to save money after transitioning fully to solar. However, it takes time to recover the initial investment, and factors such as rain and tree coverage influence how long it takes to see a return on your solar investment.
In addition to monetary savings, adopting solar energy decreases your carbon footprint and environmental impact. We've calculated the estimated CO2 emission reductions you can achieve by going solar based on data from NASA and the EPA.
Experts Ready to Help
Homeowners in Northport can be eligible for several solar incentives. A few are available statewide for all Alabama residents, and others depend on your municipality, city and utility company.
Here are solar incentives available to Alabama residents, as listed by DSIRE.
Name / Incentive Type | Incentive Amount/Details |
---|---|
Personal Tax Deduction Wood-Burning Heating System Deduction | 100% |
Property Tax Incentive Local Option- Property Tax Exemption for Renewable Energy Faclities | See Website |
Loan Program Alabama Power - Residential Heat Pump Loan Program | Varies, up to 100% of project cost for qualifying customers |
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. |
Consider these key points before hiring a solar panel installation professional.
Your solar panel system's size hinges on your home's energy consumption and the system's production capacity. Bigger households use more electricity and might 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 secure the required permits through your local building department and arrange an inspection.
Not all homes receive the same amount of sunlight. Surrounding trees, rain and severe weather conditions in your area can impact sunlight access. If your home doesn’t get enough sunlight, then you may require extra panels with a higher wattage.
For extra power storage, many panel systems come equipped with a solar battery. This feature is essential in cloudy conditions and helps to mitigate power loss. However, using battery storage can result in higher installation costs.
You have options among solar panel types, as they vary in efficiency, life expectancy and design. These elements affect cost, when you'll need to swap panels and space used 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
Our editors may use AI as an input tool to tailor information in local markets. All content goes through a rigorous research and review process led by our team of writers and editors.
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