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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 Burlington. We base our ranking off average customer ratings weighted against the number of reviews. For more information, check out our full methodology.
To get a high-quality solar panel installation in Burlington, North Carolina, you'll need a properly certified, skilled and experienced solar installer. We've compiled a list of the leading solar companies in Burlington to help you choose the right one.
Prior to choosing an installer, request referrals from others, evaluate potential companies and collect multiple quotes to identify the best company for your needs. You can look for a local solar company in Burlington or select a well-known national brand.
Even though solar panels are a significant upfront investment, you can reduce your energy bills over the long run. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports that transitioning to solar energy lets Burlington homeowners to save about $1,300 per year.
The services from different solar technicians vary. Take the time to compare companies and get quotes before you set up your solar panel installation.
When evaluating Burlington solar companies, search for those with a minimum of 3.5 out of 5 stars on sites like Google Reviews and similar platforms, as well as a positive reputation on Better Business Bureau (BBB).
Looking at previous customer testimonials can provide insight into other homeowners' experiences dealing with the solar company. Frequent poor reviews are worth noting as a possible red flag.
Below are additional solar installation companies that didn’t make our top picks based on their distance, ratings or service offerings.
Burlington and the surrounding area receive plenty of sunlight, which allows homeowners to utilize solar energy. Here are the biggest reasons for going solar:
Based on our survey conducted in October 2023, the typical national cost of solar panel installation is $11,743.
The price of solar panel installation is influenced by your roof orientation, shading, system size, area, sunlight availability and labor costs. Opting for extras such as solar trackers, batteries or animal guards will increase the overall cost.
According to data from NASA, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the EIA, installing solar panels in Burlington generally runs about $17,117.
Putting in solar panels means considerable spending upfront, but you can recoup those costs through big reductions in your energy bills down the line.
Homeowners in Burlington who transition fully to solar energy can anticipate saving money. However, it takes time to recover the initial investment, and things such as rainfall and tree coverage impact the time it takes to see returns on your investment in solar panels.
Adopting solar not only saves money but also reduces your carbon emissions and environmental footprint. Our calculations using NASA and EPA data show the estimated CO2 emission reductions achievable by going solar.
Experts Ready to Help
A variety of solar incentives are offered to Burlington homeowners. Various programs are available to all North Carolina residents, whereas others differ by municipality, city and utility company.
The following solar incentives are available for North Carolina residents, as listed in DSIRE:
Name / Incentive Type | Incentive Amount/Details |
---|---|
Rebate Program Duke Energy - NC Solar Rebate Program | Residential: $0.60/W-AC Nonresidential: $0.50/W-AC Nonprofit: $0.75/W-AC |
Property Tax Incentive Property Tax Abatement for Solar Electric Systems | Residential systems: 100% of the appraised value All other systems: 80% of the appraised value |
Property Tax Incentive Active Solar Heating and Cooling Systems Exemption | No more than conventional equipment |
Rebate Program EnergyUnited (Electric) Residential Energy Efficiency Program | Heat Pumps (15 SEER): $150/unit Heat Pumps (16 SEER): $300/unit |
Rebate Program Duke Energy (Electric) - Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program | Central Air Conditioning or Heat Pump: $300 - $400 + $50 with added smart thermostat Geothermal Heat Pump: $400 + $50 with added smart thermostat Heat Pump Water Heater: $350 Attic Insulation or Attic Air Sealing: $250 Duct Sealing: $100 Variable-Speed Pool Pumps: $300 |
Performance-Based Incentive NC GreenPower Production Incentive | Varies by technology and system size PV larger than 5 kW: must enter bid process Wind up to 10 kW: $0.09/kWh Wind larger than 10 kW: must enter bid process |
Loan Program Local Option - Financing Program for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency | See Website |
Green Building Incentive Local Option - Green Building Incentives | Authorized by legislation for green buildings. Actual permit process to be determined by local government. |
Rebate Program Duke Energy Progress - Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program | Central A/C or Heat Pump: $300 - $400 + 50 with smart thermostat Geothermal Heat Pumps: $400 + 50 with smart thermostat Heat Pump Water Heater: $350 Attic Insulation & Air Sealing: $250 Duct Sealing: $100 Pool Pump: $300 |
Loan Program Piedmont EMC - Residential Solar and Energy Efficiency Loan Program | $10,000 |
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 evaluate 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 may require more substantial solar installations. An undersized system may be unable to fully energize your house.
Your solar plans may be impacted by specific permits and state or local laws. You must secure proper permits through your local building department and coordinate an inspection.
Not all homes have the same amount of sun. Local tree coverage, precipitation and severe weather can affect sunlight access. If your property doesn’t get adequate sunlight, then you may need more panels with higher wattage.
To store additional energy, a lot of panel systems feature a solar battery. This feature is essential in cloudy conditions and helps to prevent power loss. However, adding battery storage may lead to increased setup expenses.
Several solar panel varieties exist, each differing 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.
Our guide explores the best solar companies available. Trinity and Elevation top our list for their services, and Sunrun rounds it out with its leasing options.
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