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Josephine NesbitHome improvement writer
Josephine Nesbit is a contributing writer for USA TODAY Homefront. She specializes in home impr...
Updated Jun 22, 2024
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We've ranked the top 10 solar companies that operate within 50 miles of Ashland. We base our ranking off average customer ratings weighted against the number of reviews. For more information, check out our full methodology.
High-quality solar panel installation in Ashland, California, requires choosing a solar installer that is certified, qualified and experienced. To help you find the ideal team, we’ve compiled a list of the top solar panel companies in Ashland.
Prior to choosing an installer, request referrals from others, evaluate potential companies and collect multiple quotes to identify the ideal company for your requirements. You can look for a local solar company in Ashland or select a well-known national brand.
Although solar panels are a big upfront investment, you can lower your energy bills over the long run. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), changing to solar energy enables Ashland homeowners to save $1,100 on average each year.
Various solar companies offer different products. Make sure to look at each company and get quotes from all before scheduling your solar panel installation.
Look for Ashland solar companies that have at least 3.5 out of 5 stars based on customer feedback on Google Reviews and similar sites. Make sure the company has a high rating on Better Business Bureau (BBB) when choosing a solar company.
Look at reviews to get insight into other homeowners’ experiences with a company, and be on the lookout for consistent bad reviews.
Below are additional solar installation companies that didn’t make our top picks based on their distance, ratings or service offerings.
The Ashland region gets plenty of sunlight, which is ideal for homeowners to benefit from solar energy. Here are some of the major reasons to choose solar:
Based on our survey conducted in October 2023, the typical national cost of solar panel installation is $11,743.
What you'll pay to install solar panels depends on factors such as your region, sunlight levels, roof positioning, shading, system size and labor. The price increases if you select any add-ons like batteries, animal guards or solar trackers.
Drawing from data from NASA, the EIA and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), installing solar panels in Ashland averages around $7,314.
Installing solar panels means sizable spending upfront, but you can recoup those costs through major reductions in your energy bills down the road.
Homeowners in Ashland who fully switch to solar energy can anticipate saving money. However, it takes time to recoup the initial investment, and factors such as rainfall and tree coverage affect the time it takes to see returns on your investment in solar panels.
Switching to solar not only saves money but also lowers your carbon emissions and environmental footprint. Our calculations using NASA and EPA data show the projected CO2 emission reductions attainable by going solar.
Experts Ready to Help
Ashland homeowners can benefit from various solar incentives. Specific programs are available statewide to all California residents, whereas others differ based on utility company, city and municipality.
Accessible solar incentives for California homeowners, per DSIRE, include:
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. |
Consider these key points before hiring a solar installation expert.
Your household's energy use and the solar system's production ratio determine the appropriate panel system size for you. Larger residences tend to use more power and will potentially need larger solar installations. An undersized system faces the risk of inadequate energy generation to fully power your home.
Your solar installation project may be subject to applicable codes and permits by your state. You'll need to acquire the required permits from your local building department, as well as arrange an inspection.
Not all residences get similar amounts of sunlight. The tree density, precipitation levels and severe weather can impact solar reception. If your home doesn't get enough sun, it may require extra panels with higher wattage.
To store additional energy, many panel systems come equipped with a solar battery. This feature becomes critical during storms and helps to prevent power loss. However, using battery storage may lead to increased overall installation expenses.
Multiple solar panel varieties exist, each differing in life expectancy, design and efficiency. These factors impact pricing, the frequency of replacing panels and the amount of roof space 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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