Best 3 Solar Companies in Terre Haute, IN

With Terre Haute's clear skies and little rainfall, it's a great area for families and businesses aiming to harness the additional sunlight by purchasing panels from one of the best solar installers. While embracing solar power comes with upfront costs, local homeowners could ultimately save $920 per kilowatt on their electric bills. A professional company can help you select the best panels to maximize your savings. Discover Terre Haute's top-rated solar companies and learn vital decision-making advice on this page.

Ranking Methodology

Our team has carefully researched dozens of solar installers near Terre Haute, keeping in mind the following criteria:

• Experience and professional licensure: 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 been a part of the Terre Haute community for more than a decade.
• Educational approach: 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.
• Service offerings and warranties: Solar providers should stand behind their equipment and services with warranties. We evaluated how each company responds to issues and warranty claims, focusing on promptness and customer happiness.
• Panel quality and brand offerings: The leading solar companies stay up-to-date with new technology, offering equipment from reliable, innovative manufacturers.
• Reviews and feedback from customers: Most Terre Haute solar providers have both positive and critical reviews. However, a good review ratio reflects a company's reliability and responsiveness to issues.

Benefits of Solar Energy

Solar energy offers several advantages that will enhance your home for years to come.

• Reduced carbon footprint: Using clean solar power reduces your dependence on fossil fuels, which release greenhouse gases that damage the environment.
• Better energy independence: Adding a solar battery storage system lets you have reliable energy during grid outages and storms.
• Lowered energy bills: With solar energy systems, you generate power without paying the tacked-on costs of grid-connected power. Going off-grid can eliminate your bills completely. 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.

What Solar Incentives Are Available to Terre Haute Homeowners?

Indiana's public agencies and power companies offer multiple solar incentives to help offset your solar system costs. Here is a breakdown of applicable solar programs where you live.

How To Choose the Best Solar Company in Terre Haute

Choosing a company is the first step toward an effective and valuable solar array. Here are some key items to keep in mind while shopping for a solar company.

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. Solar installers can also earn certifications 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 Terre Haute

Your solar panels' type will impact how much energy you can generate. 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 have a low cost and are excellent for non-traditional roofs, but aren't recommended for large home installations.

Additional system add-ons, such as electric vehicle (EV) chargers and battery storage, will increase your overall installation costs. However, they might make your solar system more efficient and convenient to use. Not all solar contractors provide these extras, so look for a company that sells them if it's essential for you.

If you're a resident of Terre Haute and are considering getting a five-kilowatt solar energy system, you could expect to pay about $20,500 for parts and installation. Find more information on specific component and solar panel costs in the table.

Financing Solar Energy in Terre Haute

Solar companies use multiple different financing options to increase your savings and lower your costs. Though some providers offer unique payment plans, the most common are cash payments, solar loans, power purchase agreements (PPAs) and solar leases. We recommend paying with cash 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 have full ownership of 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 monthly installments while still enjoying energy bill savings and solar incentives. However, you’ll pay more in total due to accruing interest. Solar leases allow you to pay a monthly fee 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 certain circumstances. We suggest working with a contractor 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 Terre Haute.

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 discounts, rebates, 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