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 Windham, Connecticut requires you to hire a solar installer with proper certification, expertise and experience. We've compiled a list of the highest-rated solar companies in Windham to help you hire the right installer.
Prior to choosing an installer, request referrals from others, assess potential companies and get multiple quotes to determine the ideal company for your requirements. You can find a local solar company in Windham or use a well-known national brand.
Even though solar panels are a significant upfront investment, you can cut your energy bills over the long term. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports that switching to solar energy lets Windham homeowners to save around $1,100 per year.
Not every solar company provides the same offerings. Prior to arranging your solar panel installation, compare different companies' offerings and get quotes from each.
Seek out Windham 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 high rating on Better Business Bureau (BBB).
Reviewing previous customer testimonials can give insight into other homeowners' experiences working with the solar company. Frequent poor reviews are worth noting as a possible red flag.
Regions with inconsistent sunshine, including those with increased rain or clouds like Windham, can still make use of solar energy. A few key motivations to transition to solar energy include these:
Based on our survey carried out in October 2023, the median national cost of solar panel installation is $11,743.
The price of solar panel installation is influenced by your labor costs, sunlight availability, shading, area, system size and roof orientation. Selecting extras such as solar trackers, batteries or animal guards will raise the overall cost.
According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), NASA and the EIA, installing solar panels in Windham typically costs $12,271.
While solar panel installation can be a big initial cost, you are positioned to see substantial savings on your electricity costs over time.
In Windham, you can anticipate saving money once you've fully switched to solar. But it takes time to recover 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 lessens 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 multiple solar incentives available to homeowners in Windham. Various programs are applicable to all Connecticut residents, while others are determined by your city, municipality and utility company.
The following solar incentives are accessible to Connecticut residents, as listed in DSIRE:
Name / Incentive Type | Incentive Amount/Details |
---|---|
Property Tax Incentive Local Option - Property Tax Exemption for Renewable Energy Systems | Varies (local option) |
Property Tax Incentive Property Tax Exemption for Renewable Energy Systems | 100% of value added by renewable system |
Sales Tax Incentive Sales and Use Tax Exemption for Solar and Geothermal Systems | 100% exemption |
Rebate Program Residential Solar Investment Program | Customer-owned (EPBB): Up to 10 kW PTC: $0.358/W 10 to 20 kW PTC: $0.207/W Incentive is reduced accordingly for Design Factors below 75%. Minimum design factor is 60%. Third-Party-Owned (PBI): Up to 20 kW PTC: $0.03/kWh for 6 years Minimum Design Factor 60% |
Green Building Incentive Connecticut Green Energy Building Solutions | See Website |
Loan Program Smart-E loans | See Website |
Sales Tax Incentive Sales and Use Tax Exemption for Energy-Efficient Products | 100% exemption |
Loan Program Energy Conservation Loan | Single family homes (1-4 family units): $25,000 Landlord Loan: $40,000 |
Solar Renewable Energy Credit Program The United Illuminating Company - Small ZREC Tariff | $98.18 per ZREC (for Year 6 round of solicitation) |
Solar Renewable Energy Credit Program Eversource - Small ZREC Tariff | $100.74 per REC (for Year 7 round of solicitation)Tariff for Small ZREC determined through PURA |
Rebate Program (Electric and Gas) Residential Rebate Program | Ductless Heat Pump: $500 Refrigerators/Freezers, Room A/Cs, Dishwashers, Clothes Washers, Dehumidifiers: Incentive Included in Retail Price Central A/C: $200 Air Source Heat Pumps: $500 Heat Pump Water Heater: $750 Lighting: Incentive Included in Retail Price Geothermal Heat Pumps: $500-$1,500 High Efficiency Furnace, Natural Gas Boiler, and Boiler Circulator Pump: Instant Discounts of $25-$800 |
PACE Financing Local Option - Residential Sustainable Energy Program | Locally determined |
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 think through these questions prior to hiring a solar panel installation company.
Your solar panel system's size is contingent upon your home's energy consumption and the system's production capacity. Bigger households use more electricity and might require more substantial solar installations. An undersized system may be unable to fully energize your house.
Required permits and local or state codes could affect your solar project. Be sure to apply for necessary permits through your local building department and book an inspection.
Not all residences get the same amounts of sunlight. The tree density, rain levels and extreme weather can impact sunlight access. If your home doesn't get sufficient sun, it may require additional panels with higher wattage.
To store additional energy, a lot of panel systems come equipped with a solar battery. This feature is invaluable in cloudy conditions and helps to prevent power loss. However, adding battery storage can result in higher installation costs.
You can choose from several types of solar panels, each differing in design, life expectancy and efficiency. 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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