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.
To complete a high-quality solar panel installation in Buena Park, California, you'll need to hire a certified, qualified and experienced solar installer. We've assembled a list of the best solar companies in Buena Park to help you find the right one.
Before settling on an installer, ask others for suggestions, review the installers you're considering and obtain quotes from multiple companies to find the one that suits your needs. You can select a local solar company in Buena Park or opt for a well-known national brand.
Even though solar panels are a big upfront investment, you can reduce your energy bills over the long term. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) indicates that switching to solar energy allows Buena Park homeowners to save about $820 per year.
Solar companies do not all offer identical services and products. You should look at different companies and get quotes before arranging your solar panel installation.
Look for Buena Park solar companies that have at least 3.5 out of 5 stars based on customer commentary on Google Reviews and similar sites. Make sure the company has a high rating on Better Business Bureau (BBB) when selecting a solar company.
Read through reviews to learn about other homeowners’ experiences with a company, and take note of consistent bad reviews.
10713 Norwalk Blvd, Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670
(213) 984-4554
www.sempersolaris.com/locations/los-a...Regions with intermittent sunshine, including those with extra rain or clouds like Buena Park, can still benefit from solar energy. A few key motivations to transition to solar energy include these:
Based on a survey we administered in October 2023, the average cost of putting in solar panels across the country is $11,743.
The price of solar panel installation is influenced by your labor costs, sunlight availability, area, system size, roof orientation and shading. Opting for bonus features such as animal guards, solar trackers or batteries will increase the overall cost.
As per numbers from the EIA, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and NASA, solar panel installation in Buena Park has an average cost of $7,006.
While installing solar panels requires a major investment to start, you can achieve considerable savings on your energy bills in the long term.
In Buena Park, you can plan to save money after switching fully to solar. However, it takes time to recover the initial investment, and factors such as rain and tree coverage impact how long it takes to see a return on your solar investment.
Beyond cost savings, transitioning to solar power also lessens your carbon footprint and lowers your environmental impact. Provided below are the projected 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 Buena Park. Certain programs are applicable to all California residents, while others are determined by your utility company, municipality and city.
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 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. |
When selecting a solar installation expert, first review these key considerations.
Your household's energy use and the solar system's production ratio influence the appropriate panel system size for you. Bigger residences tend to use more power and will potentially need bigger solar panel systems. An undersized system risks inadequate energy generation to completely power your home.
Your solar plans may be impacted by certain regulatory requirements and state or local rules. You must secure proper permits through your local building department and arrange for an inspection.
Not every house gets the same sun exposure. Nearby trees, precipitation and extreme weather conditions can limit sunlight. If your home lacks enough sunlight, you may need a higher amount of panels with increased wattage.
Many solar panel systems offer a battery. Solar batteries keep extra power, which is particularly beneficial when you want to prevent power loss when there's no sunshine. Adding battery storage may increase the installation cost.
You have options among solar panel types, as they differ in life expectancy, efficiency and design. These elements influence cost, when you'll need to swap panels and the amount of roof area you'll need.
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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