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.
Top-quality solar panel installation in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, requires you to hire a solar company that is certified, qualified and experienced. To help your search for the best possible installer, we've compiled a list of the highest-ranking solar companies in Hopkinsville.
Before choosing an installer, request referrals, screen potential installers and request multiple quotes to find the best company for your needs. You can find a local solar company in Hopkinsville or go with an established national brand.
Although solar panels call for a major upfront investment, you can reduce your energy bills over the long term. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), changing to solar energy allows Hopkinsville homeowners to save $910 on average each year.
The services from different solar technicians aren't all the same. Be sure to compare companies and get quotes before you schedule your solar panel installation.
Seek out Hopkinsville solar companies that have at least 3.5 out of 5 stars in customer ratings on Google Reviews and similar review platforms. The company should also have a good rating on Better Business Bureau (BBB).
You should read through past customer reviews to gain insight into other homeowners' thoughts about the company. Watch for repeated negative feedback as a potential warning sign.
Even areas with fluctuating sun amounts, including rainier and cloudier places such as Hopkinsville, can still see the benefits of solar panels. Major reasons to switch to solar include these:
Our survey from October 2023 found that the national average price of solar panel installation is $11,743.
The price of installing solar panels varies based on several elements, including your location, sunlight exposure, roof direction, shading, system size and labor. Be ready to pay extra if you choose any accessories like batteries, solar trackers or animal guards.
Per statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), NASA and the EIA the mean cost to install solar panels in Hopkinsville is $23,892.
Putting in solar panels calls for substantial spending upfront, but you can recoup those costs through significant reductions in your energy bills down the road.
After transitioning fully to solar power, Hopkinsville homeowners usually see cost savings. However, recovering the initial investment requires time, and things like rain and tree shade affect the timeline for realizing returns on your solar investment.
Transitioning to solar not only saves money but also reduces your carbon emissions and environmental footprint. Our calculations using NASA and EPA data show the projected CO2 emission reductions achievable by going solar.
Experts Ready to Help
There are multiple solar incentives available to homeowners in Hopkinsville. Specific programs cover all Kentucky residents, while others are dependent on your utility company, municipality and city.
Per the DSIRE, here are the solar incentives available for Kentucky residents:
Name / Incentive Type | Incentive Amount/Details |
---|---|
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. |
Take time to consider these questions prior to hiring a solar installation service provider.
The size of your system is determined by your household’s energy consumption and the solar panel system's production ratio. Larger households generally use more energy and may require a bigger setup. If the system isn’t big enough, it might fail to generate enough energy to power your entire house.
Your solar plans may be impacted by specific permits and state or local regulations. You must secure proper permits through your local building department and arrange for an inspection.
Not every house gets the same amount of sun. Trees, rain and harsh weather conditions can limit sunlight. If your home lacks sufficient sunlight, you may need additional panels with increased wattage.
A solar battery enables the storage of extra power in solar panel systems. This is especially useful when you're trying to prevent power loss in overcast weather conditions. The addition of battery storage might bump up the costs of setting up your system.
You can choose from several types of solar panels, each varying in efficiency, life expectancy and design. These factors not only affect the price, but also the speed at which you’ll need to replace panels and how much space the panels take up 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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