Best 3 Solar Companies in Prattville, AL

With Prattville's clear skies and below-average rainfall, it's an ideal area for families and businesses seeking to harness the added sunlight by buying panels from one of the best solar companies. If you reside in one of the area's numerous old homes, you might doubt your electrical system would accommodate solar panels. However, technological advancements and knowledgeable installers can help these homeowners access sustainable, clean power. Discover Prattville's top-rated solar companies and learn essential decision-making tips on this page.

Ranking Methodology

We evaluated a multitude of Prattville solar providers, using the following criteria to determine the best:

• Experience and professional licensure: Each company on our list complies with state and city licensing requirements and stays up to date with industry best practices. Many of them have been a part of the Prattville community for a decade or longer.
• Service offerings and warranties: Solar installers should stand behind their systems and services with warranties. We evaluated how each provider responds to issues and warranty claims, focusing on promptness and customer happiness.
• Panel brands and quality: The best solar companies remain current on new technology, providing equipment from cutting-edge and trustworthy manufacturers.
• Educational approach and support: Solar technicians must be good teachers. They should tap into their years of experience address your questions on how to maintain your system and improve its performance.
• Feedback and reviews from customers: Most Prattville solar contractors have both favorable and unfavorable reviews. However, a good review ratio indicates a company's reliability and responsiveness to issues.

Benefits of Solar Energy

Solar energy comes with multiple advantages. Let's look at a few of them.

• Better energy independence: Solar energy can keep your home powered through blackouts and emergencies. You can use your solar energy anytime with an optional battery backup system.
• Reduced carbon footprint: Using clean solar power lowers your dependence on conventional, less environmentally-friendly sources.
• Lowered energy bills: With solar panels, you create power without paying the tacked-on costs of grid-connected power. Going off-grid can eliminate your bills completely. Plus, a significant amount of states offer net metering, which permit you to earn money by selling your unused energy back to the grid.

What Solar Incentives Are Available to Prattville Homeowners?

Alabama's public agencies and power companies offer multiple solar incentives to help reduce your solar system costs. Here's a breakdown of eligible solar programs where you live.

How To Choose the Best Solar Company in Prattville

The more comprehensive your company research is, the better your solar system will ultimately perform. Here are some essential aspects to consider while searching for a solar company.

Licensing and Training

Alabama licenses solar contractors with similar requirements to electricians. They must have at least 4 years of field experience and file an application with the state's Electrical Contractors Board. Look for private accreditations from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), among the solar industry's most respected trade groups. Its program includes certifications for both solar photovoltaic and water heating installers.

Cost of Solar Panels in Prattville

Different solar panel types look and perform differently. Monocrystalline panels offer the best energy production but cost more than other options and generally have the highest quality. Polycrystalline panels produce less power, but start at a more budget-friendly price point. Thin-film panels work well for small projects like RVs and sheds, but they're not ideal for larger installations due to their low performance.

You can also add electric car (EV) chargers and battery backup systems. These will increase your total installation cost, but they can increase your solar system's performance. Not all solar contractors provide these additional features, so look for a provider that installs them if it's a priority for you.

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

Financing Solar Energy in Prattville

There are a plethora of ways to pay for a solar energy system, and the right one will help you decrease overhead. A few of the most common options include leases, power purchase agreements (PPAs), loans, and cash payments. We recommend making a cash payment or using a solar loan for the highest 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 own your system and can apply for solar panel incentives to reduce your total costs. Solar loans are another good option if you don’t want to make a big initial investment. You can pay for your system in monthly installments while still benefiting from energy bill savings and solar incentives. However, you’ll spend more in total due to accruing interest. Solar leases allow you to pay a monthly fee to rent your panels, while a PPA lets you pay a variable rate based on only the energy you use. We generally don't recommend these options since you will not have ownership of your system and are disqualified from solar incentives, but they might be appropriate in certain circumstances. Ask each business you're evaluating about the payment plans it offers. A representative can help you determine the optimal option for your pocketbook.

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

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