Best 4 Solar Companies in Florence, AL

With Florence's clear skies and little rainfall, it's a great area for homeowners and businesses seeking to harness the additional sunlight by buying panels from one of the best solar installers. If you're contemplating going solar, you might be worried about expensive upfront costs. By working with a skilled installer, you'll have both the economic and technical support you need for a smooth transition. On this page, we'll highlight Florence's most reputable solar contractors and share valuable advice for your solar journey.

Ranking Methodology

Our team has carefully researched dozens of solar providers near Florence, emphasizing the following criteria:

• Service offerings and warranties: Solar providers should stand behind their equipment and services with warranties. We evaluated how each company responds to issues and warranty claims, focusing on promptness and customer satisfaction.
• Panel brands and quality: The best solar companies stay up-to-date with new technology, offering equipment from reliable, innovative manufacturers.
• Feedback and reviews from customers: Most Florence solar providers have both favorable and unfavorable reviews. However, a good review ratio indicates a company's reliability and responsiveness to issues.
• Certifications and licenses: Each installer on our list complies with state and city licensing requirements and keeps current with industry best practices. Many of them have been a part of the Florence community for more than a decade.
• Educational programs and business model: Solar technicians must be knowledgeable. They should tap into their years of experience address your questions on how to look after your system and maximize its performance.

Benefits of Solar Energy

Solar energy offers numerous advantages that will enhance your home for years to come.

• Better energy independence: Adding a solar battery storage system lets you have reliable energy during storms and grid outages.
• Reduced carbon footprint: Adopting solar is a surefire way to decrease your carbon footprint and home fossil fuel dependency.
• Lowered energy bills: Solar panels let you generate your own energy to power your home, lowering your monthly electricity costs. You can eliminate your bills completely if you go off-grid. Plus, a significant number of states have adopted net metering, which permit you to earn money by selling your unused energy back to the grid.

What Solar Incentives Are Available to Florence Homeowners?

Governments and power companies often reward homeowners for embracing solar. Here are some of the rebates, tax credits or other programs you could qualify for.

How To Choose the Best Solar Company in Florence

The purchase price and performance of solar panels often rely on the solar company that mounted them. Consider each of these factors in your contractor search.

Licensing and Training

Alabama licenses solar contractors with similar requirements to electricians. They must have at least 4 years of in-the-field experience and file an application with the state's Electrical Contractors Board. You should also visit a company's website to learn about its private certifications. Two of the most respected are the Solar Heating Installer and PV Installation Professional certificates, granted by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP). Some companies don't publish this information online, so you should also ask your estimator about them.

Cost of Solar Panels in Florence

Your solar modules' type will impact how much electricity you can produce. Monocrystalline panels are among the highest quality and perform the best but cost the most. Polycrystalline panels generate less, but they're a great traditional option for low budgets. Thin-film panels are excellent for non-traditional roof shapes and cost the least, but don't work well for large residential installations.

If you need to charge an electric car or use your solar power in cloudy weather, you can pay extra for add-ons. By selecting the right components, you can make your panel array more productive and convenient to use. Not all solar contractors offer these extras, so look for a contractor that installs them if it's important for you.

Generally speaking, it costs about $17,450 for a five-kilowatt solar array in Florence. This table displays more specific prices for different solar panel types and system components in your area.

Financing Solar Energy in Florence

Choosing the best financing solution will affect your overall solar system cost and potential savings. Common payment options include leases, cash payments, loans, and power purchase agreements. We advise making a cash payment or securing a solar loan for the best return on investment (ROI). Cash payments require a hefty sum up-front, but you’ll pay the least long-term by avoiding interest. You’ll also have full ownership of your system and can apply for solar panel incentives to reduce your total costs. Solar loans are another solid option if you don’t want to make a big initial investment. You can pay for your system in installments while still enjoying energy bill savings and solar incentives. However, you’ll pay more in total due to accruing interest. Solar leases allow you to pay a monthly fee to rent your panels, while a power purchase agreement lets you pay a fluctuating rate based on only the energy you use. We generally advise against these options since you won't own your system and are disqualified from solar incentives, but they might be appropriate in particular circumstances. Look for providers that offer several payment plans to find the right fit for your pocket.

The table below lists the average payback periods for different capacities of solar systems in Florence.

The IRS allows you to claim a 26% federal tax credit for solar panels on total system costs, so long as you purchase it before 2032. Local governments and utilities might also offer their own rebates, financing programs, and incentives that could save you more money.

Sources

• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
• U.S. Department of Energy