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 Mountain Brook, Alabama, requires a solar installer that is certified, qualified and experienced. To help you find the right team, we’ve compiled a list of the top solar companies in Mountain Brook.
Before settling on an installer, ask others for suggestions, screen the installers you're considering and collect quotes from multiple companies to find the one that meets your needs. You can select a local solar company in Mountain Brook or choose a leading national brand.
While solar panels are a significant upfront investment, you can cut your energy bills over the long term. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) indicates that switching to solar energy enables Mountain Brook homeowners to save an average of $2,100 per year.
Solar companies do not all have identical services and products. You should look at different companies and get quotes before arranging your solar panel installation.
Seek out Mountain Brook 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 respectable rating on Better Business Bureau (BBB).
You should read through past customer reviews to get insight into other homeowners' experiences with the company. Take note of repeated negative feedback as a potential red flag.
Places with different sunshine levels, including rainy or cloudy areas like Mountain Brook, can still use solar power. The primary reasons to go solar are:
Our survey from October 2023 showed that the national average price of solar panel installation is $11,743.
The price of solar panel installation is impacted by your system size, sunlight availability, labor costs, roof orientation, area and shading. Opting for accessories such as solar trackers, animal guards or batteries will increase the overall cost.
In Mountain Brook, solar panel installation costs an average of $22,260, based on data from the EIA, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and NASA.
Though installing solar panels requires a major investment to start, you can see significant savings on your energy bills in the future.
Homeowners in Mountain Brook who transition fully to solar energy can anticipate saving money. However, it takes time to recoup the initial investment, and things 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, switching to solar energy reduces 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 Mountain Brook can qualify for several solar incentives. Certain are available across the state for all Alabama residents, and others depend on your municipality, utility company and city.
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 the following before hiring a professional solar panel installation company.
Your household's energy use and the solar system's production ratio dictate the appropriate panel system size for you. Larger homes tend to use more power and will potentially need bigger solar panel systems. An undersized system faces the risk of inadequate energy generation to fully power your home.
Required permits and local or state regulations could impact your solar project. Be sure to secure necessary permits through your local building department and plan an inspection.
Not all homes have the same amount of sun. Nearby trees, rain conditions and harsh weather can affect sunlight access. If your property doesn’t get enough sunlight, then you may need extra panels with higher wattage.
For extra power storage, many panel systems include a solar battery. This feature is invaluable during storms and helps to prevent power loss. However, using battery storage may lead to increased setup expenses.
Multiple solar panel varieties exist, each varying in efficiency, life expectancy and design. These factors impact pricing, the rate of panel replacement and space taken 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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