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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 Westport. 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 Westport, Connecticut, requires you to hire a solar company that is properly certified, trained and experienced. To assist your search for the right installer, we've put together a list of the leading solar companies in Westport.
Prior to choosing an installer, ask others for recommendations, evaluate potential installers and collect multiple quotes to find the best company for you. You can pick a local Westport solar company or use a well-known national brand.
While putting in solar panels requires a significant initial investment, it can decrease your energy bills over time. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports that changing to solar energy allows Westport homeowners to save an average of $1,200 annually.
Solar companies do not all offer identical services and products. You should compare different companies and ask for quotes before arranging your solar panel installation.
When looking into Westport solar companies, search for those with at least 3.5 out of 5 stars on sites like Google Reviews and similar platforms, as well as a good reputation on Better Business Bureau (BBB).
Look at reviews to learn about other homeowners’ experiences with a company, and take note of mutiple bad reviews.
Below are additional solar installation companies that didn’t make our top picks based on their distance, ratings or service offerings.
Places with different sunshine levels, including rainy or cloudy areas like Westport, can still use solar power. The major reasons to go solar are:
Our survey from October 2023 found that the national average price of solar panel installation is $11,743.
The price of solar panel installation varies based on several factors, such as where you live, availability of sunlight, roof direction, shading, system size and labor. Be prepared to pay more if you select extras like batteries, animal guards or solar trackers.
Based on data from NASA, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the EIA, installing solar panels in Westport typically costs $11,749.
Although installing solar panels requires a substantial investment to start, you can see significant savings on your energy bills in the future.
In Westport, 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, switching to solar energy lowers 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
There are several solar incentives open to homeowners in Westport. Various programs extend to all Connecticut residents, while others are determined by your utility company, municipality and city.
The following solar incentives are available for Connecticut residents, as listed in DSIRE:
Name / Incentive Type | Incentive Amount/Details |
---|---|
Property Tax Incentive Local Option - Property Tax Exemption for Renewable Energy Systems | Varies (local option) |
Property Tax Incentive Property Tax Exemption for Renewable Energy Systems | 100% of value added by renewable system |
Sales Tax Incentive Sales and Use Tax Exemption for Solar and Geothermal Systems | 100% exemption |
Rebate Program Residential Solar Investment Program | Customer-owned (EPBB): Up to 10 kW PTC: $0.358/W 10 to 20 kW PTC: $0.207/W Incentive is reduced accordingly for Design Factors below 75%. Minimum design factor is 60%. Third-Party-Owned (PBI): Up to 20 kW PTC: $0.03/kWh for 6 years Minimum Design Factor 60% |
Green Building Incentive Connecticut Green Energy Building Solutions | See Website |
Loan Program Smart-E loans | See Website |
Sales Tax Incentive Sales and Use Tax Exemption for Energy-Efficient Products | 100% exemption |
Loan Program Energy Conservation Loan | Single family homes (1-4 family units): $25,000 Landlord Loan: $40,000 |
Solar Renewable Energy Credit Program The United Illuminating Company - Small ZREC Tariff | $98.18 per ZREC (for Year 6 round of solicitation) |
Solar Renewable Energy Credit Program Eversource - Small ZREC Tariff | $100.74 per REC (for Year 7 round of solicitation)Tariff for Small ZREC determined through PURA |
Loan Program Energy Efficiency Fund (Electric and Gas) - Residential Energy Efficiency Financing | $25,000 |
Rebate Program (Electric and Gas) Residential Rebate Program | Ductless Heat Pump: $500 Refrigerators/Freezers, Room A/Cs, Dishwashers, Clothes Washers, Dehumidifiers: Incentive Included in Retail Price Central A/C: $200 Air Source Heat Pumps: $500 Heat Pump Water Heater: $750 Lighting: Incentive Included in Retail Price Geothermal Heat Pumps: $500-$1,500 High Efficiency Furnace, Natural Gas Boiler, and Boiler Circulator Pump: Instant Discounts of $25-$800 |
PACE Financing Local Option - Residential Sustainable Energy Program | Locally determined |
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. |
Before choosing a solar panel installation expert, go over these important questions.
The right solar system size for you relies on how much energy your household utilizes, as well as the system's energy production ratio. More energy-intensive households often need more extensive solar installations. If the system isn't expansive enough, it might not generate sufficient electricity to power your whole home.
Your solar plans may be impacted by certain regulatory requirements and state or local laws. You must acquire proper permits through your local building department and arrange for an inspection.
Not every house gets the same level of sunlight. Trees, rainfall and severe weather conditions can limit sunlight. If your home lacks enough sunlight, you may need more panels with increased wattage.
A solar battery allows the storage of extra power in solar panel systems. This is especially useful when you're trying to prevent power loss under cloudy skies. Incorporating battery storage might bump up the cost of installation.
You can select from several types of solar panels, each differing in efficiency, design and life expectancy. These factors not only affect the price, but also how quickly you’ll need to replace panels and the amount of space the panels take up 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
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