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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 Silver Firs. 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 Silver Firs, Washington, requires you to hire a solar installer that is certified, trained and experienced. To assist your search for the right installer, we've gathered a list of the highest-ranking solar companies in Silver Firs.
Prior to picking an installer, ask others for recommendations, vet potential installers and get multiple quotes to find the ideal company for you. You can choose a local Silver Firs solar company or select a well-known national brand.
While installing solar panels requires a substantial initial investment, it can lower your energy bills over time. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) shows that switching to solar energy allows Silver Firs homeowners to save an average of $750 every year.
Not every solar company has the same offerings. Before booking your solar panel installation, weigh different companies' offerings and get quotes from each.
Seek out Silver Firs solar companies with a minimum of 3.5 out of 5 stars on Google Reviews and comparable customer review platforms. The company should also have a good rating on Better Business Bureau (BBB).
You should read through past customer reviews to gain insight into other homeowners' thoughts about the company. Take note of repeated negative feedback as a potential warning sign.
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 Silver Firs, can still see the benefits of solar panels. Major reasons to adopt solar are:
According to the results of our survey performed in October 2023, the median cost for solar panel installation nationally is $11,743.
What you'll pay to install solar panels depends on factors such as your region, sunlight levels, roof alignment, shading, system size and labor. The cost increases if you choose any add-ons like solar trackers, batteries or animal guards.
In Silver Firs, solar panel installation costs around $11,028, per data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), NASA and the EIA.
Solar panel installation is a major initial investment, but you can expect to see big savings reflected in your energy bills over time.
In Silver Firs, you can plan to save money after going completely to solar. However, it takes time to recover the initial investment, and factors such as rain and tree coverage affect how long it takes to see a return on your solar investment.
In addition to monetary savings, adopting solar energy reduces your carbon footprint and environmental impact. We've calculated the approximated CO2 emission reductions you can realize by going solar based on data from NASA and the EPA.
Experts Ready to Help
Homeowners in Silver Firs can enjoy several solar incentives. Certain are available statewide for all Washington residents, and others differ by your municipality, utility company and city.
Here are solar incentives accessible for 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 consider these questions prior to hiring a solar panel installation company.
The size of your system depends on your household’s energy consumption and the solar panel system's production ratio. Larger households often consume more energy and may require a bigger setup. If the system isn’t large enough, it may lack enough energy to power your entire house.
Your solar plans may be impacted by specific permits and state or local rules. You must acquire proper permits through your local building department and schedule an inspection.
Not all homes get the same amount of sun. Local tree coverage, precipitation and harsh weather can affect sunlight access. If your property doesn’t get adequate sunlight, then you may need additional panels with higher wattage.
Many solar panel systems include a solar battery. Solar batteries save extra energy, which can be helpful for ensuring continuous power during storms. Opting for battery storage could increase the cost of installation.
There are multiple solar panel types available, with differences in efficiency, life expectancy and design. These aspects impact not just the cost, but also panel replacement frequency and roof space requirements.
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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