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Best 5 Solar Companies in Hanford, CA
The best solar company in Hanford is SunPower by Quality Home Services.
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- Updated 2024-04-18 00:00:00
Hanford homeowners experience an average of 194 sunny days per year, making the city a perfect environment for solar panels. Many are working with top solar companies to get panels on their roofs. If you live in one of the area's many old homes, you might question whether your electrical system would accommodate solar panels. However, new technology and knowledgeable installers can help these homeowners access sustainable, clean power. On this page, we'll show you Hanford's premier solar providers and offer insightful advice for your solar journey.
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
- Builds custom, high-efficiency solar systems suited to each home
- Extensive coverage area throughout the country
- Offers energy storage and EV charger add-ons
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
- Provides system monitoring
- Offers diverse financing options for various budgets
- Provides EV and solar battery solutions
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
- Offers 7 panel brand options
- 25-year workmanship warranty
- Offers battery options
5 Best Solar Companies in Hanford
Brands are algorithmically curated from a database of local service providers near you. We require a minimum number of Google reviews and average ratings for provider inclusion.
SunPower by Quality Home Services
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
Kuubix Energy
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
CORE ENERGY GROUP
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
AltSys Solar Inc.
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
JP Electric & Solar
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
Ranking Methodology
Our team used the following criteria to assess the best Hanford solar companies.
- Professional licensure and experience: Each contractor on our list meets state and city licensing requirements and keeps current with industry best practices. Many of them have been a part of the Hanford community for more than a decade.
- Service offerings and warranties: Solar providers should stand behind their products and services with warranties. We evaluated how each company responds to issues and warranty claims, focusing on timeliness and customer happiness.
- Panel brands and quality: The leading solar companies stay up-to-date with new technology, providing equipment from reliable, innovative manufacturers.
- Educational approach and support: Solar technicians must be knowledgeable. They should use their years of experience address your questions on how to care for your system and maximize its performance.
- Customer feedback and reviews: Most Hanford solar companies have both favorable and unfavorable reviews. However, a good review ratio shows a company's trustworthiness and responsiveness to issues.
Facts about Hanford
- Average Max Temperature:80°F
- Solar Payback Period:8 years
- Average Daily Sunlight:70%
- Homes Powered by Solar:10,774
- Average Annual Energy Bill:$1,361
- Solar Power per Capita:98.3%
Benefits of Solar Energy
Solar energy provides multiple advantages that will enhance your home for years to come.
- Lowered energy bills: You can avoid the premium cost of grid-tied power by producing some electricity at home. Plus, many states provide net metering which can allow you to sell your unused energy back to credit part of your bill.
- Reduced carbon footprint: Utilizing solar is a surefire way to lower your carbon footprint and home fossil fuel dependency.
- Better energy independence: Solar panel systems with battery storage systems operate through power outages and emergencies, and you won't have to depend on the power grid for your safety and comfort.
What Solar Incentives Are Available to Hanford Homeowners?
California agencies and electric companies offer numerous solar incentives to help cut your solar system costs. Check out a breakdown of eligible solar programs where you live.
Incentive Type:Property Tax Incentive
Website:http://www.boe.ca.gov/proptaxes/active-solar-energy-system.htm#Description
Incentive Amount:
100% of system value; 75% of system value exemption for dual-use equipment
Incentive Type:PACE Financing
Website:https://wrcog.us/DocumentCenter/View/4469/CPP-V2-2018-FINAL
Incentive Amount:
Eligible products can be financed for up to 25 years, depending on the useful life of the eligible product.
Minimum financing: $5,000
The financing may not exceed fifteen percent (15%) of the market value of the property, up to the first seven hundred thousand dollars ($700,000) of the property’s market value, and ten percent (10%) of the remaining value of the Property above seven hundred thousand dollars ($700,000) minus any PACE assessment on the propertyThe total amount of any annual property taxes and assessments shall not exceed five percent (5%) of the property's fair market value, determined at the time program financing is approved.
Incentive Type:PACE Financing
Incentive Amount:
Locally determined
Incentive Type:Rebate Program
Website:https://www.selfgenca.com/
Incentive Amount:
For projects 30 kW or larger, 50% of incentive will be received up-front; 50% will be received based on actual kWh production over the first 5 years. For projects under 30kW, 100% of the incentive will be paid up front.
Incentives will step down over time. See below for incentive amounts.
Incentive Type:Feed-in Tariff
Incentive Type:Feed-in Tariff
Website:https://www.ladwp.com/fit
Incentive Amount:
$0.17/kWh adjusted by a time of delivery multiplier
Base price will step down over time as certain MW goals are met
Incentive Type:Rebate Program
Website:http://www.gosolarcalifornia.ca.gov/solarwater/index.php
Incentive Amount:
Step 1 Incentive Rates (contact utility to determine current incentive levels):
Single Family Residential Incentives:
Systems that displace natural gas: $29.85 per estimated therm displaced
Systems that displace electricity or propane: Funding has been exhausted
Commercial/Multifamily Incentives:
Systems that displace natural gas: $20.19 per estimated therm displaced
Systems that displace electricity or propane: $0.42 per estimated kWh displaced *** Note, funding has been exhausted in this category for SCE and PG&E
Solar Pool heating: $5.00 per estimated therm displaced
Incentive Type:Personal Tax Credit
Website:https://www.ecowatch.com/solar/ev-appliance-solar-tax-credit-calculator
Incentive Amount:
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.
How To Choose the Best Solar Company in Hanford
Choosing a company is the first step toward an effective and valuable solar system. Make your choice based on the following important considerations.
Licensing and Training
California requires solar companies to hold licenses for each type of equipment they install, which can include solar HVAC, boilers, pool heaters, photovoltaic (PV) systems, and water heaters. Contractors must complete a highly comprehensive educational series, gain four years of field experience, and pass written exams to secure a license. You should also visit a company's website to learn about its private credentials. Two of the most prestigious are the PV Installation Professional and Solar Heating Installer certificates, backed 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 Hanford
Your solar modules' model will impact how much energy you can produce. 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 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 vehicle (EV) or use your solar power in cloudy weather, you can pay extra for add-ons. By choosing the right components, you can make your panel array more effective and convenient to use. Not every solar contractor includes these additional features, so look for a provider that installs them if it's important for you.
Most Hanford homeowners opt for solar systems sized for five kilowatts (kW) of electrical capacity. These systems cost about $17,350 to install, considering both parts and installation. You can find more specific solar cost information in the table.
| Solar Panel Cost | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Solar Monocrystalline | $1,200.71 |
| Solar Polycrystalline | $936.56 |
| Thin-Film | $547.53 |
| Solar Battery | $768.46 |
| Solar Home EV Charger | $2,881.71 |
Financing Solar Energy in Hanford
Solar providers offer multiple different financing options to lower your costs and increase your savings. Though some providers offer unique payment plans, the most common are solar loans, cash payments, power purchase agreements (PPAs) and solar leases. Most solar experts recommend a cash payment or using a solar loan. Cash payments demand a large up-front sum, but they save you from paying interest, grant you system ownership, and qualify you for cost-saving solar incentives. Solar loans have the same benefits, though you'll pay more in total due to interest and fees. Much like a car or home loan, you'll pay a set monthly rate with potentially $0 down. 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 appropriate in specific circumstances. We recommend working with an installer that offers multiple financing options. Speak with each agent about what's available, and secure more than one estimate for the best odds of staying within your budget.
The table below lists the average payback periods for different capacities of solar systems in Hanford.
You can claim a 26% federal solar tax credit from the IRS for new residential solar systems purchased before 2032. Additionally, utilities and local governments may have their own rebates and financing plans that could reduce your total cost even more.
| Solar System Capacity | Estimated Payback period |
|---|---|
| 1 kW | 1.4 years |
| 2 kW | 2.7 years |
| 5 kW | 6.8 years |
| 10 kW | 13.7 years |
Frequently Asked Questions about Solar in Hanford
On average, Hanford homeowners pay approximately $1,361 per year for energy. Once you pay off your solar array, you could save $1,534.50 per kilowatt you produce.
Yes, solar energy is readily available in Hanford. A growing number of local homes are already using solar power on-site or through utility grids, and California has about 74255 jobs comprising its solar economy.
Yes, solar energy systems will raise your property value. According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), for every dollar you save on energy bills, your home value rises by $20. So, if your panels save you $600 per year on energy costs, your property could appreciate $12,000.
Today's solar installations are remarkably durable, lasting up to 25 years. Monocrystalline options and other high-end models tend to live longer than cheaper models.
A typical Hanford solar home has a 2.9-kW panel array, but you might need a smaller system if your energy needs are more demanding. Solar professionals will evaluate your property's energy consumption and roof shading to suggest the proper system for you.
Most Hanford homeowners pay back a solar loan in 7.9 years. You can shorten the payback period by paying off extra loan principal each month.
Net metering is a billing mechanism that credits solar homeowners for any excess electricity they generate and return to the grid.
Some states or utilities oblige you to participate in net metering when installing your solar system, while others give you a choice. Either way, once you participate, you'll get a check or bill credit for your excess generation at a wholesale or retail rate.
The main differences between a PPA and traditional financing are that you pay a fluctuating monthly rate based on your energy usage and don't own your system. Your service provider installs and maintains the panels, and you pay for the generated electricity for 10–25 years. Afterward, you can extend the agreement or buy the system.
You might look into a PPA if you don’t want to be responsible for maintaining your panels and don’t want to invest in a system, but keep in mind you won’t be paying toward ownership or be able to access any cost-saving solar incentives. Many solar experts don’t recommend PPAs. Our guide covers other financing options above.
Sources
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