Best 5 Solar Companies in Milton, GA

Milton homeowners are increasingly using solar panels to power their homes and heat their water. With all the options to choose from in this vibrant community, you might feel overwhelmed searching for a good company. In this article, we'll highlight Milton's best solar providers and offer suggestions for your company choice, so you can find the ideal one for your household.

Ranking Methodology

Our team has thoroughly vetted dozens of solar providers near Milton, focusing on the following criteria:

• Reviews and feedback from customers: Most Milton solar providers have both positive and critical reviews. However, a good review ratio reflects a company's trustworthiness and responsiveness to issues.
• Panel quality and brand offerings: The best solar companies remain current on new technology, providing equipment from innovative, dependable manufacturers.
• Service offerings and warranties: Solar contractors should stand behind their systems and services with warranties. We evaluated how each contractor responds to issues and warranty claims, focusing on timeliness and customer satisfaction.
• Educational programs and business model: Solar technicians must be excellent teachers. They should tap into their years of experience address your questions on how to care for your system and optimize its performance.
• Professional licenses and credentials: Each contractor on our list complies with state and city licensing requirements and stays up to date with industry best practices. Many of them have served the Milton community for over 15 years.

Benefits of Solar Energy

Solar energy offers multiple perks. Here are some highlights.

• Reduced carbon footprint: Using clean solar power reduces your dependence on fossil fuels, which release greenhouse gases that damage the environment.
• Lowered energy bills: You can skip the expensive cost of grid-tied power by creating some electricity right where you use it. Plus, many states offer net metering which can allow you to sell your unused energy back to help pay for your energy bill.
• Better energy independence: Adding a battery storage system lets you have reliable energy during grid outages and storms.

What Solar Incentives Are Available to Milton Homeowners?

Georgia homeowners who go solar could qualify for special financing, tax credits, reimbursements and rebates. Here are just a few of the area's incentive offerings.

How To Choose the Best Solar Company in Milton

The more comprehensive your company research is, the better your photovoltaic system will ultimately operate. Here are some important factors to keep in mind while searching for a solar company.

Licensing and Training

Georgia doesn't have solar-specific contractors' licenses, but the law does require solar installers to be licensed electrical contractors. The Georgia Secretary of State manages licenses and business filings. Solar providers can also earn accreditations from trade groups and standards organizations. The most prestigious ones in the industry come from the NABCEP. Most company websites will prominently display earned credentials, but you should also ask your estimator for more information.

Cost of Solar Panels in Milton

The kind of solar panels you choose decides how much energy you can produce. Monocrystalline panels and high-quality and give you the best performance but cost more upfront. Polycrystalline panels work with a tried-and-true mechanism and cost less, but produce less power. Thin-film panels aren't recommended for large residential installations, but they are ideal for small projects like converting RVs and sheds.

Additional components, such as battery storage and electric vehicle (EV) chargers, will add to your overall installation costs. However, they might make your solar system more efficient and convenient to use. Not every solar company includes these add-ons, so look for a provider that installs them if it's a priority for you.

You can expect to pay about $18,700 on average for a five-kilowatt solar energy system in Milton. Check the table in this section to get an idea of how much Milton solar companies might quote for your specific solar system's price.

Financing Solar Energy in Milton

There are a plethora of ways to pay for new solar panels, and the right one will lower your costs. A few of the most common options include leases, cash payments, power purchase agreements (PPAs), and loans. We recommend making a cash payment or securing 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 cut 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 installments while still benefiting from energy bill savings and solar incentives. However, you’ll pay more in total due to accruing interest. Solar leases involve paying a set monthly rate to use rooftop panels. A PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) enables you to pay a monthly rate determined by the energy you use, akin to 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. We advise working with an installer that offers multiple financing options. Talk to each agent about what's available, and obtain more than one estimate for the best odds of keeping within your budget.

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

A 26% federal solar tax credit applies to new residential solar equipment purchased through 2032. Extra 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