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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 Windham. 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 Windham, Connecticut, requires you to hire a solar company that is certified, qualified and experienced. To guide your search for the best possible installer, we've gathered a list of the leading solar companies in Windham.
Before settling on an installer, ask others for suggestions, evaluate the installers you're considering and obtain quotes from multiple companies to find the one that meets your needs. You can choose a local solar company in Windham or pick an established national brand.
Even though solar panels require a big initial investment, you can reduce your energy expenses in the long term by making the transition. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), adopting solar energy enables Windham homeowners to save a yearly average of about $1,100.
Solar companies do not all provide identical services and products. You should assess different companies and ask for quotes before arranging your solar panel installation.
Seek out Windham 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 good rating on Better Business Bureau (BBB).
Read through reviews to learn about other homeowners’ experiences with a company, and take note of consistent bad reviews.
Below are additional solar installation companies that didn’t make our top picks based on their distance, ratings or service offerings.
Regions with inconsistent sunshine, including those with increased rain or clouds like Windham, can still make use of solar energy. A few key motivations to transition to solar energy include these:
According to our survey conducted in October 2023, the typical national cost of solar panel installation is $11,743.
The cost of solar panel installation is influenced by your system size, labor costs, roof orientation, area, sunlight availability and shading. Choosing bonus features such as batteries, animal guards or solar trackers will raise the overall cost.
As per numbers from NASA, the EIA and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), solar panel installation in Windham has an average cost of $12,271.
While solar panel installation may be a substantial initial cost, you are positioned to see substantial savings on your electricity costs over time.
In Windham, you can expect to save 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 projected CO2 emission reductions achievable by going solar.
Experts Ready to Help
Windham homeowners can take advantage of various solar incentives. Particular programs are offered statewide to all Connecticut residents, and others depend on utility company, municipality and city.
Per the DSIRE, these are the solar incentives offered to Connecticut residents:
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 |
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. |
Take time to think through these questions prior to hiring a solar installation service provider.
The right solar system size for you is based on how much energy your household needs, as well as the system's energy production ratio. Houses with higher energy demands often need larger solar panel systems. If the system isn't expansive enough, it could struggle to generate sufficient electricity to power your whole home.
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 arrange for an inspection.
Not all residences get equal amounts of sunlight. Area tree cover, rainfall levels and extreme weather can impact solar reception. If your home doesn't get adequate sun, it may require more panels with higher wattage.
For extra power storage, many panel systems come equipped with a solar battery. This feature is invaluable when sunlight is scarce and helps to mitigate power loss. However, using battery storage could increase overall installation expenses.
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
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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