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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 Wakefield. 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 Wakefield, Massachusetts, requires you to hire a solar company that is certified, qualified and experienced. To guide your search for the right installer, we've gathered a list of the top solar companies in Wakefield.
Prior to choosing an installer, request referrals from others, assess potential companies and collect multiple quotes to determine the best company for your requirements. You can choose a local solar company in Wakefield or select a well-known national brand.
While putting in solar panels requires a substantial initial investment, it can reduce your energy bills over time. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) indicates that switching to solar energy allows Wakefield homeowners to save an average of $970 annually.
The products from different solar technicians aren't all the same. Make sure to compare companies and get quotes before you book your solar panel installation.
Focus your search on Wakefield solar companies that have a minimum of 3.5 out of 5 stars in customer ratings on Google Reviews and similar review websites. The company should also have a high rating on Better Business Bureau (BBB).
You should read through past customer reviews to gain insight into other homeowners' thoughts about the company. Watch for 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.
Places with differing amounts of sun, including those with more rain or cloud coverage like Wakefield, can still benefit from solar energy. Here are the biggest reasons for adopting solar power:
Per a survey we administered in October 2023, the average cost of installing solar panels across the country is $11,743.
The price of solar panel installation is influenced by your area, shading, system size, sunlight availability, labor costs and roof orientation. Opting for extras such as animal guards, solar trackers or batteries will raise the overall cost.
According to statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), NASA and the EIA the average expense to install solar panels in Wakefield is $12,674.
Putting in solar panels requires sizable spending upfront, but you can recoup those costs through major reductions in your energy bills down the road.
In Wakefield, you can expect to save money once you've fully switched to solar. But it takes time to make back the upfront costs, and factors like precipitation and tree coverage impact how soon you'll get a return on your solar investment.
Transitioning to solar not only saves money but also reduces 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
There are a number of solar incentives open to homeowners in Wakefield. Certain programs are applicable to all Massachusetts residents, while others are based on your municipality, city and utility company.
Accessible solar incentives to Massachusetts homeowners, as stated by DSIRE, include:
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.
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 more substantial solar installations. An undersized system might not manage to fully energize your house.
Required permits and local or state regulations could influence your solar project. Be sure to apply for necessary permits through your local building department and schedule an inspection.
Not all homes receive the same amount of sunlight. Tree coverage, rainfall and severe weather conditions in your area can impact sunlight access. If your home doesn’t get enough sunlight, then you may require more panels with more wattage capacity.
Many solar panel systems include a solar battery. Solar batteries store extra energy, which can be helpful for ensuring continuous power in bad weather. Opting for battery storage could raise the total cost.
There are several solar panel types available, with differences in efficiency, life expectancy and design. These aspects affect 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
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