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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 Burien. 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 Burien, Washington, requires hiring a solar installer that is certified, qualified and experienced. To help you find the right team, we’ve compiled a list of the leading solar companies in Burien.
Prior to choosing an installer, ask others for recommendations, vet potential installers and get multiple quotes to find the right company for you. You can go with a local Burien solar company or select an established national brand.
Although solar panels need a big initial investment, you can cut your energy expenses in the long run by making the transition. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), adopting solar energy enables Burien homeowners to save a yearly average of about $750.
Not every solar company extends the same offerings. Before booking your solar panel installation, compare different companies' offerings and get multiple quotes.
Look for Burien 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 high rating on Better Business Bureau (BBB).
Looking at previous customer reviews will provide a sense of how other homeowners viewed the company, so take note if you see a pattern of negative reviews.
Below are additional solar installation companies that didn’t make our top picks based on their distance, ratings or service offerings.
Places with varied sunshine levels, including rainy or cloudy areas like Burien, can still use solar power. The major reasons to adopt solar energy are:
According to our survey conducted in October 2023, the median national cost of solar panel installation is $11,743.
The cost of installing solar panels varies based on several factors, including your location, sunlight access, roof direction, shading, system dimensions and labor. Be prepared to pay extra if you choose any add-ons like solar trackers, batteries or animal guards.
Per statistics from the EIA, NASA and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) the mean cost to install solar panels in Burien is $10,925.
Solar panel installation is a sizable initial investment, but you can expect to see considerable savings reflected in your energy bills after some time.
In Burien, 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, switching to solar power also shrinks 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
Multiple solar incentives are available to Burien homeowners. Certain programs are offered to all Washington residents, while others vary by utility company, city and municipality.
Here are solar incentives offered to Washington residents, as listed by DSIRE.
Name / Incentive Type | Incentive Amount/Details |
---|---|
Feed-in Tariff Renewable Energy Cost Recovery Incentive Payment | FY 2021: $0.02/kWh - $0.10/kWh |
Sales Tax Incentive Renewable Energy Sales and Use Tax Exemption | 100% exemption for sales of forest derived biomass used as fuel; 100% exemption for solar photovoltaic systems 10 kilowatts or less, and solar thermal systems; 75% exemption for other qualified systems |
Green Building Incentive Evergreen Sustainable Development Standard for Affordable Housing | See Website |
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 reflect on these questions prior to hiring a solar installation service provider.
Your solar panel system's size is contingent upon your home's energy consumption and the system's production capacity. Larger homes use more electricity and may require larger solar panel systems. An undersized system may be unable to fully energize your house.
Required permits and local or state laws could influence your solar project. Be sure to apply for necessary permits through your local building department and plan an inspection.
Not all homes have the same amount of sun. Local tree coverage, rainfall and extreme weather can affect sunlight access. If your property doesn’t get sufficient sunlight, then you may need more panels with higher wattage.
To conserve excess power, many panel systems come equipped with a solar battery. This feature becomes critical when sunlight is scarce and helps to mitigate power loss. However, using battery storage could increase overall installation expenses.
Multiple solar panel varieties exist, each differing in life expectancy, design and efficiency. These factors impact pricing, the rate of panel replacement 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
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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