Best 3 Solar Companies in Jonesboro, AR

With Jonesboro's clear skies and little rainfall, it's a perfect area for families and businesses aiming to harness the additional sunlight by buying panels from one of the best solar companies. While switching to solar energy comes with upfront costs, local homeowners could ultimately save $770 per kilowatt on their electric bills. A professional installation team can help you select the best panels to maximize your savings. In this guide, we'll showcase Jonesboro's best solar installers and offer advice for your company choice, so you can find the right one for your home.

Ranking Methodology

We analyzed a multitude of Jonesboro solar installers, using the following criteria to choose the top-notch:

• Experience and professional licensure: Each installer on our list meets state and city licensing requirements and stays up to date with industry best practices. Many of them have served the Jonesboro community for a decade or longer.
• Customer reviews and feedback: Most Jonesboro solar providers have both favorable and unfavorable reviews. However, a good review ratio reflects a company's trustworthiness and responsiveness to issues.
• Warranty and service offerings: Solar contractors 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.
• Educational programs and business model: Solar technicians must be good teachers. They should tap into their years of experience answer your questions on how to look after your system and optimize its performance.
• Panel brands and quality: The leading solar companies remain current on new technology, providing equipment from reliable, innovative manufacturers.

Benefits of Solar Energy

Solar energy comes with multiple perks. Here are some highlights.

• Reduced carbon footprint: Using clean solar power lowers your dependence on conventional, less environmentally-friendly sources.
• Smaller power bills: Producing some or all of your own power will save you money on your electric bills long-term. Plus, some states offer net metering programs that make it possible for you to sell your unused energy back to the grid, generating additional credits toward your energy bill.
• Better energy independence: Solar panel systems can keep your home running through emergencies and blackouts. You can use your solar energy anytime with an optional battery backup system.

What Solar Incentives Are Available to Jonesboro Homeowners?

The state of Arkansas offers a range of solar incentives to help offset your solar system costs. Check out a breakdown of eligible solar programs where you live.

How To Choose the Best Solar Company in Jonesboro

The more comprehensive your company research is, the better your solar installation will ultimately operate. Consider all of these aspects in your company search.

Licensing and Training

Solar installers in Arkansas must be licensed electricians to install PV systems or licensed plumbers to install water heating systems. Depending on their specific licensure, your contractor will have at least 4-5 years of experience and verify their educational credentials with the state Contractors Licensing Board. Check for private accreditations from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), one of the solar sector's most credible trade groups. Its program includes certifications for both solar photovoltaic and water heating installers.

Cost of Solar Panels in Jonesboro

Your solar panels' type will impact how much energy you can generate. Monocrystalline panels are among the highest quality and cost the most but perform the best. Polycrystalline panels offer you a budget panel with a traditional design, but at the cost of less power generation. Thin-film panels have a low cost and are excellent for non-traditional roofs, but aren't recommended for large home installations.

If you need to charge an electric car or use your solar power in inclement weather, you can pay extra for add-ons. By choosing the right components, you can make your panel array more productive and user-friendly. Not every solar company offers these extras, so look for a contractor that installs them if it's crucial for you.

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

Financing Solar Energy in Jonesboro

There are a plethora of ways to pay for new solar panels, and the right one will minimize your overhead. A few of the most common options include power purchase agreements (PPAs), loans, leases, and cash payments. We suggest 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 solid option if you don’t want to make a big initial investment. You can pay for your system in 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 rate to rent your panels, while a power purchase agreement lets you pay a variable rate based on only the energy you use. We generally advise against these options since you will not have ownership of your system and are disqualified from solar incentives, but they might be suitable in certain circumstances. We recommend working with a provider that offers multiple financing options. Talk to each salesperson about what's available, and acquire more than one estimate for the best odds of keeping within your financial plan.

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

A 26% federal solar tax credit applies to new residential solar equipment purchased through 2032. Further incentives may be available through city and state governments, usually in the form of rebates and special financing programs.

Sources

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