Best 5 Solar Companies in Pinellas Park, FL

How To Choose the Best Solar Company in Pinellas Park

Choosing a company is the first step toward a well-oiled and valuable solar array. Consider each of these aspects in your company search.

Licensing and Training

Once an electrical professional in Florida has four years of field experience, including one year as an apprentice, they can take two exams to earn a CV license with the Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board. The Sunshine State also allows electrical contractors to install solar panels, but they may need to subcontract some tasks to a licensed roofer. You should also visit a company's website to learn about its private certifications. Two of the most respected 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 Pinellas Park

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 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'd like to charge an electric vehicle (EV) or use your solar power in inclement 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 providers provide these optional components, so look for a contractor that sells them if it's important for you.

If you're a resident of Pinellas Park and are considering getting a five-kilowatt solar energy system, you could plan to spend about $16,050 for materials and labor. See more information on specific component and solar panel costs in the table.

Financing Solar Energy in Pinellas Park

There are many ways to pay for a solar energy system, and the right one will minimize your overhead. A few of the most common options include cash payments, loans, leases, and power purchase agreements (PPAs). Most solar experts recommend paying cash 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. Like a home or auto loan, you'll pay a set monthly rate with as little as $0 down. Solar leases involve paying a set monthly rate to use rooftop panels. A PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) permits you to pay a monthly rate determined by the energy you use, like an electric bill. We usually don’t recommend these two options because you won't own the system and are disqualified from using solar incentives. Ask each company you're evaluating about the payment options it offers. A consultant can help you determine the best option for your pocketbook.

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

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