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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 Wellesley. 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 Wellesley, Massachusetts, you'll need a properly certified, skilled and experienced solar installer. We've put together a list of the best solar companies in Wellesley to help you find the right one.
Before choosing an installer, ask others for recommendations, screen potential installers and obtain multiple quotes to find the right company for your requirements. You can look for a local solar company in Wellesley or decide on an established national brand.
Although solar panels are a big upfront investment, you can cut your energy bills over the long run. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) indicates that switching to solar energy allows Wellesley homeowners to save about $1,000 per year.
Many solar companies offer different products. Take the time to compare each company and get quotes from all before arranging your solar panel installation.
Seek out Wellesley solar companies with at least 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).
Reviewing previous customer reviews will provide a sense of how other homeowners viewed the company, so be wary 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.
Even areas with variable sun amounts, including rainier and overcast places such as Wellesley, can still see the benefits of solar panels. Key reasons to switch to solar include these:
Our survey from October 2023 showed that the national average price of solar panel installation is $11,743.
The price of installing solar panels differs based on several elements, including your location, sunlight access, roof direction, shading, system dimensions and labor. Be prepared to pay extra if you pick any extras like solar trackers, animal guards or batteries.
Drawing from data from the EIA, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and NASA, installing solar panels in Wellesley averages around $12,529.
While solar panel installation might be a substantial initial cost, you are positioned to see major savings on your electricity costs over time.
Homeowners in Wellesley who transition fully to solar energy can anticipate saving money. However, it takes time to recover the initial investment, and variables such as rainfall and tree coverage impact the time it takes to see returns on your investment in solar panels.
Beyond cost savings, changing 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.
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Homeowners in Wellesley can enjoy several solar incentives. Some are available statewide for all Massachusetts residents, and others are based on your municipality, city and utility company.
According to the DSIRE, these are the solar incentives available for Massachusetts residents:
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 |
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 |
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 solar panel installation professional, 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. Bigger households use more electricity and might require bigger solar setups. An undersized system may be unable to fully energize your house.
Specific permits and state or local laws could affect your solar project. You’ll need to secure the proper permits through your local building department and arrange an inspection.
Not every house gets the same amount of sun. Local tree coverage, rainfall and severe weather conditions can limit sunlight. If your home lacks sufficient sunlight, you may need more panels with increased wattage.
For extra power storage, many panel systems come equipped with a solar battery. This feature becomes critical during storms and helps to mitigate power loss. However, using battery storage may lead to increased setup expenses.
Several solar panel varieties are available, each varying in design, life expectancy and efficiency. These factors affect pricing, the frequency of replacing panels 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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