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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 Saugus. We base our ranking off average customer ratings weighted against the number of reviews. For more information, check out our full methodology.
Top-quality solar panel installation in Saugus, Massachusetts, requires you to hire a solar installer that is properly certified, trained and experienced. To assist your search for the best installer, we've gathered a list of the leading solar companies in Saugus.
Before selecting an installer, request recommendations from others, evaluate the installers you're considering and get quotes from multiple companies to find the one that is the best fit for your needs. You can go with a local solar company in Saugus or opt for an established national brand.
While solar panels require a big upfront investment, you can cut your energy bills over the long run. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), switching to solar energy allows Saugus homeowners to save $970 on average each year.
The products from different solar technicians aren't all the same. Be sure to compare companies and get quotes before you schedule your solar panel installation.
Look for Saugus solar companies that have at least 3.5 out of 5 stars based on customer critiques on Google Reviews and comparable sites. Make sure the company has a favorable rating on Better Business Bureau (BBB) when selecting a solar company.
Look at reviews to understand other homeowners’ experiences with a company, and be on the lookout for mutiple bad reviews.
Below are additional solar installation companies that didn’t make our top picks based on their distance, ratings or service offerings.
Even areas with fluctuating sun amounts, including rainier and cloudier places such as Saugus, can still see the benefits of solar panels. Major reasons to consider solar are:
Our survey from October 2023 found that the national median price of solar panel installation is $11,743.
The price of installing solar panels varies based on several factors, including your location, sunlight exposure, roof orientation, shading, system dimensions and labor. Be prepared to pay extra if you pick any accessories like animal guards, batteries or solar trackers.
According to numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), NASA and the EIA, solar panel installation in Saugus has a typical cost of $12,074.
Solar panel installation is a sizable initial investment, but you can expect to see considerable savings reflected in your energy bills with time.
In Saugus, you can anticipate saving money once you've gone completely to solar. But it takes time to make back the upfront costs, and factors like precipitation and tree coverage influence how soon you'll get a return on your solar investment.
Transitioning to solar not only saves money but also lowers your carbon emissions and environmental footprint. Our calculations using NASA and EPA data show the estimated CO2 emission reductions attainable by going solar.
Experts Ready to Help
Several solar incentives are offered to Saugus homeowners. Some programs are available to all Massachusetts residents, while others vary by municipality, city and utility company.
The following solar incentives are accessible to Massachusetts residents, as listed in DSIRE:
Name / Incentive Type | Incentive Amount/Details |
---|---|
Property Tax Incentive Renewable Energy Property Tax Exemption | Solar energy systems used for heating or cooling: out-of-pocket expenditures by the owner for the components and labor Wind, hydroelectric, geothermal, solar thermal, solar PV, and other solar energy systems: the assessed value of the system |
Personal Tax Credit Residential Renewable Energy Income Tax Credit | 15% |
Sales Tax Incentive Renewable Energy Equipment Sales Tax Exemption | 100% exemption |
Industry Recruitment/Support Alternative Energy and Energy Conservation Patent Income Tax Deduction (Personal) | 100% deduction |
Rebate Program Cape Light Compact- Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program | Appliances Refrigerator and Freezer Recycling: $125 Electric Clothes Dryers: $50 Clothes Washer: $350 Dehumidifiers: $30 Room Air Purifiers: $40 Room Air Conditioner: $40 Heating & Cooling Oil Heating System: Up to $800 Propane Heating Equipment: Up to $2,300 Oil Water Heater: Up to $400 Propane Water Heater: Up to $800 Heat Pump Water Heater: Up to $600 Central AC/Heat Pump: Up to $250/ton Mini-Split Heat Pump: Up to $250/ton Programmable Thermostats: Up to $25 WiFi Thermostat: Up to $100 Solar Domestic Hot Water heater: $500 - $1,500 Home Electronics Advanced Power Strips: Varies Home Insulation Limited Time Enhanced Incentive: 75% Year-Round Tenant Incentive: 100% Enhanced Residential Program: 100% Lighting LEDs: Varies Home Energy Assessment: Free |
Loan Program Mass Save - HEAT Loan Program | $25,000 ($50,000 for some expanded HEAT offerings) |
Performance-Based Incentive Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) Program | (Base compensation rate + compensation rate adders - greenfield subtractor) * total kWh generated - value of energy generated |
Loan Program Mass Solar Loan Program | Maximum required: $35,000; maximum possible: $60,000 |
Rebate Program Residential and Small-Scale Ground-Source Heat Pump Rebate Program | New GSHP Rebate: $2,000 per ton with adders to eligible applicants Retrofit Existing GSHP Rebate: varies with installation costs |
Rebate Program Commonwealth Woodstove Change-Out Program | Standard Residential: Pellet Stove: $1,000 - $1,750 Catalytic Woodstove: $750 - $1,250 Non-Catalytic Woodstove: $500-$1,250 Fully Automated Wood Stove: $1,500 - $1,750 Low-Income Residential: Pellet Stove: $2,500 - $3,250 Catalytic Woodstove: $2,250 - $2,750 Non-Catalytic Woodstove: $2,000-$2,750 Fully Automated Wood Stove: $2,750 - $3,250 |
PACE Financing Local Option - Energy Revolving Loan Fund | Financing amount locally determined; 20-year financing term |
Solar Renewable Energy Credit Program Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SREC-II) | Varies, depending on market supply and demand |
Rebate Program MuniHELPS - Offered by 17 Utilities through the MMWEC | Varies by utility |
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. |
When selecting a professional solar panel installation company, first review these important questions.
The size of your system is determined by your household’s energy consumption and the solar panel system's production ratio. Larger households generally use more energy and may require a bigger setup. If the system isn’t large enough, it may not produce enough energy to power your entire home.
Specific permits and state or local regulations could affect your solar project. You’ll need to apply for the proper permits through your local building department and book an inspection.
Not all homes get the same amount of sunlight. Nearby trees, rainfall and harsh weather can affect sunlight access. If your property doesn’t get sufficient sunlight, then you may need extra panels with higher wattage.
Many solar panel systems provide a battery. Solar batteries preserve extra power, which is incredibly helpful when you want to avoid power loss in a storm. Installing battery storage may increase the overall expense.
Multiple solar panel varieties are available, each differing in design, life expectancy 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
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