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 Palmetto Bay, Florida, requires you to hire a solar company that is certified, qualified and experienced. To guide your search for the best installer, we've gathered a list of the leading solar companies in Palmetto Bay.
Prior to choosing an installer, ask others for suggestions, evaluate potential companies and get multiple quotes to determine the right company for your requirements. You can find a local solar company in Palmetto Bay or select a well-known national brand.
Although solar panels require a substantial initial investment, you can lower your energy bills in the long term by making the transition. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), moving to solar energy enables Palmetto Bay homeowners to save a yearly average of about $1,200.
Many solar companies offer different services. Make sure to look at each company and get quotes from all before booking your solar panel installation.
Seek out Palmetto Bay solar companies that have a minimum of 3.5 out of 5 stars in customer ratings on Google Reviews and other review platforms. The company should also have a good rating on Better Business Bureau (BBB).
Reviewing previous customer testimonials can provide insight into other homeowners' experiences working with the solar company. Frequent poor reviews are worth making a note of as a possible red flag.
Palmetto Bay and the surrounding areas have plenty of sunshine, which allows homeowners to get the most out of solar energy. The biggest reasons to start using solar power are these:
According to our survey conducted in October 2023, the average national cost of solar panel installation is $11,743.
The price of solar panel installation is influenced by your area, sunlight availability, roof orientation, shading, labor costs and system size. Choosing extras such as batteries, solar trackers or animal guards will raise the overall cost.
In Palmetto Bay, solar panel installation costs an average of $11,997, per data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the EIA and NASA.
Putting in solar panels means considerable spending upfront, but you can recoup those costs through big reductions in your energy bills down the road.
Homeowners in Palmetto Bay who transition fully to solar energy can anticipate saving money. However, it takes time to recover the initial investment, and variables such as rainfall and tree coverage affect the time it takes to see returns on your investment in solar panels.
In addition to monetary savings, moving to solar energy lowers your carbon footprint and environmental impact. We've calculated the estimated CO2 emission reductions you can realize by going solar based on data from NASA and the EPA.
Experts Ready to Help
Palmetto Bay homeowners can benefit from various solar incentives. Certain programs are provided statewide to all Florida residents, and others vary based on municipality, utility company and city.
Per the DSIRE, here are the solar incentives offered to Florida residents:
Name / Incentive Type | Incentive Amount/Details |
---|---|
Sales Tax Incentive Solar and CHP Sales Tax Exemption | All |
Property Tax Incentive Property Tax Abatement for Renewable Energy Property | Residential: 100% of the added value Non-Residential: 80% of the added value |
PACE Financing Florida PACE programs | Determined locally |
Loan Program Lakeland Electric - Residential Energy Efficiency Loan Program | $5,000 |
Rebate Program Florida Keys Electric Cooperative - Residential Rebate Program | Central A/C: 30% Ductless Mini Split A/C: 30% Room A/C: 30 % Solar Water Heating: 30% Insulation: 30% Window Film/Solar Screen: 100% Caulk/Weather-Stripping: 100% Cool/Reflective Roof Coating: $25 per 5 gallon bucket |
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 professional solar panel installation company, first review these important questions.
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 will potentially require larger solar panel systems. An undersized system might not manage to fully energize your house.
Specific permits and state or local requirements could affect your solar project. You’ll need to obtain the proper permits through your local building department and arrange an inspection.
Not every house gets the same level of sunlight. Local tree coverage, precipitation and extreme weather conditions can limit sunlight. If your home lacks enough sunlight, you may need more 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 during storms. The addition of battery storage can increase the costs of setting up your system.
You can choose from several types of solar panels, each varying in efficiency, design and life expectancy. These factors not only affect the price, but also how quickly you’ll need to replace panels and the amount of 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
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