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 Dublin, California, requires a solar installer that is properly certified, skilled and experienced. To help you find the ideal team, we’ve compiled a list of the best solar panel companies in Dublin.
Before choosing an installer, ask others for recommendations, vet potential installers and obtain multiple quotes to find the best company for your requirements. You can look for a local solar company in Dublin or pick an established national brand.
While solar panels require a big initial investment, you can lower your energy expenses in the long run by making the transition. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), moving to solar energy allows Dublin homeowners to save a yearly average of about $1,100.
The offerings from different solar technicians aren't all the same. Take the time to compare companies and get quotes before you book your solar panel installation.
When evaluating Dublin solar companies, look for those with a minimum of 3.5 out of 5 stars on sites like Google Reviews and similar platforms, in addition to a good reputation on Better Business Bureau (BBB).
Looking at previous customer reviews will provide a sense of how other homeowners felt about the company, so make a note if you see a pattern of negative reviews.
Even areas with changing sun amounts, including rainier and cloudier places such as Dublin, can still use solar panels. Key reasons to adopt solar include these:
According to the results of our survey done in October 2023, the median cost for solar panel installation nationally is $11,743.
The price of solar panel installation is impacted by your labor costs, system size, shading, sunlight availability, roof orientation and area. Selecting accessories such as animal guards, solar trackers or batteries will increase the overall cost.
According to data from the EIA, NASA and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), installing solar panels in Dublin averages around $7,314.
While solar panel installation can be a hefty initial cost, you are positioned to see substantial savings on your electricity costs over time.
In Dublin, you can anticipate saving money once you've fully switched 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, switching to solar power also decreases 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 open to homeowners in Dublin. Certain programs cover all California residents, while others are based on your municipality, city and utility company.
Per the DSIRE, these are the solar incentives offered to California residents:
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 Western Riverside Council of Governments - Home Energy Renovation Opportunity (HERO) Financing Program | Eligible products can be financed for up to 25 years, depending on the useful life of the eligible product. Minimum financing: $5,000 The financing may not exceed fifteen percent (15%) of the market value of the property, up to the first seven hundred thousand dollars ($700,000) of the property’s market value, and ten percent (10%) of the remaining value of the Property above seven hundred thousand dollars ($700,000) minus any PACE assessment on the propertyThe total amount of any annual property taxes and assessments shall not exceed five percent (5%) of the property's fair market value, determined at the time program financing is approved. |
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. |
Consider these key points before hiring a solar installation expert.
The right solar system size for you is based on how much energy your household uses, as well as the system's energy production ratio. More energy-intensive households often need bigger solar setups. If the system isn't large enough, it might not generate sufficient electricity to power your whole home.
Specific permits and state or local regulations could affect your solar project. You’ll need to obtain the proper permits through your local building department and schedule an inspection.
Not all homes receive the same amount of sunlight. Surrounding trees, precipitation 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 more wattage capacity.
A solar battery facilitates the storage of extra power in solar panel systems. This proves particularly beneficial when you're trying to prevent power loss under cloudy skies. Incorporating battery storage can increase the overall installation cost.
There are several solar panel types available, with differences in efficiency, life expectancy and design. These aspects impact not just the cost, but also panel replacement frequency and roof space requirements.
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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