Best 5 Solar Companies in Gary, IN

With Gary's clear skies and below-average rainfall, it's an excellent area for families and businesses aiming to harness the additional sunlight by purchasing panels from one of the best solar companies. With all the options to choose from in this concrete jungle, you might feel swamped searching for the right provider. On this page, we'll showcase Gary's premier solar companies and offer expert advice for your solar journey.

Ranking Methodology

Our team has meticulously studied dozens of solar installers near Gary, emphasizing the following criteria:

• Feedback and reviews from customers: Most Gary solar providers have both favorable and unfavorable reviews. However, a good review ratio reflects a company's reliability and responsiveness to issues.
• Certifications and credentials: Each company on our list meets state and city licensing requirements and stays up to date with industry best practices. Many of them have been a part of the Gary community for more than a decade.
• Educational programs and business model: Solar technicians must be excellent teachers. They should tap into their years of experience answer your questions on how to look after your system and improve its performance.
• Panel quality and brand offerings: The top solar companies keep up with new technology, providing equipment from cutting-edge and trustworthy manufacturers.
• Service offerings and warranties: Solar installers should stand behind their products and services with warranties. We evaluated how each installer responds to issues and warranty claims, focusing on promptness and customer happiness.

Benefits of Solar Energy

Solar energy provides multiple perks. Here are some highlights.

• Lowered energy bills: Solar panels allow you to generate your own energy to power your home, minimizing your regular electricity costs. You can eliminate your bills completely if you go off-grid. Plus, a significant amount of states have adopted net metering, which permit you to earn money by selling your unused energy back to the grid.
• Better energy independence: Adding a solar battery storage system lets you have trustworthy energy during storms and grid outages.
• Reduced carbon footprint: Solar is the universe's most abundant clean energy source, meaning you can lower or beat your home's dependence on non-renewable sources.

What Solar Incentives Are Available to Gary Homeowners?

The state of Indiana offers several solar incentives to help offset your solar system costs. Here is a breakdown of relevant solar programs where you live.

How To Choose the Best Solar Company in Gary

The price and performance of solar panels often rely on the solar company that installed them. Consider each of these aspects in your company search.

Licensing and Training

In Indiana, there are no electrical or solar contracting licenses at the state level, though cities and counties might adopt their own licensing programs. Check for private accreditations from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), one of the solar sector's most respected trade groups. Its program includes certifications for both solar photovoltaic and water heating installers.

Cost of Solar Panels in Gary

Your photovoltaic panels' style will affect how much electricity you can produce. Monocrystalline panels are among the highest quality and perform the best but cost the most. Polycrystalline panels generate less, but they're a great traditional option for low budgets. Thin-film panels are excellent for non-traditional roof shapes and cost the least, but don't work well for large residential installations.

You can also add electric car (EV) chargers and battery backup systems. These will increase your total installation cost, but they can enhance your solar system's performance. Not every solar company provides these optional components, so look for a provider that sells them if it's crucial for you.

You can plan to spend about $20,500 on average for a five-kilowatt solar energy system in Gary. Check the table in this section to get an idea of what amount Gary solar companies might quote for your specific solar system's price.

Financing Solar Energy in Gary

Solar contractors offer multiple different financing options to increase your savings and lower your costs. Though some providers offer unique payment plans, the most common are solar loans, solar leases, power purchase agreements (PPAs) and cash payments. Though it requires a large up-front payment, cash is the most affordable choice because it doesn't accrue interest and qualifies you for incentives. Solar loans are the second most effective option. As with a home or auto loan, you'll pay a monthly rate towards system ownership, including interest. You can still apply for cost-saving solar incentives, and depending on your lender, you could put as little as $0 down. Solar leases let you use your panels for a fixed monthly rate, while PPAs let you pay only for the energy you use, akin to an electric bill. Both options disqualify you for solar incentives and don't grant you system ownership. Solar experts generally don't recommend them, but they might be suitable in some cases. We recommend working with a company that offers multiple financing options. Ask each representative about what's available, and secure 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 Gary.

You are eligible for a 26% federal solar tax credit for new solar energy devices until the year 2032. City and state officials and utility companies might also offer rebates, discounts, and specialized financing options that could save you more.

Sources

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