Best 5 Solar Companies in Lawrence, MA

With Lawrence's clear skies and little rainfall, it's a perfect area for homeowners and businesses hoping to harness the added sunlight by buying panels from one of the best solar companies. While embracing solar power comes with upfront costs, local homeowners could ultimately save $1,200 per kilowatt on their electric bills. A professional technician can help you choose the best panels to maximize your savings. In this guide, we'll showcase Lawrence's best solar companies and offer tips for your company choice, so you can find the perfect one for your home.

Ranking Methodology

Our team has thoroughly vetted dozens of solar contractors near Lawrence, concentrating on the following criteria:

• Panel quality and brand offerings: The leading solar companies remain current on new technology, offering equipment from cutting-edge and trustworthy manufacturers.
• Experience and professional licensure: Each provider 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 Lawrence community for more than a decade.
• Educational programs and business model: Solar technicians must be good teachers. They should utilize their years of experience answer your questions on how to maintain your system and maximize its performance.
• Warranty and service offerings: Solar contractors should stand behind their products and services with warranties. We evaluated how each provider responds to issues and warranty claims, focusing on promptness and customer happiness.
• Customer reviews and feedback: Most Lawrence solar companies have both positive and critical reviews. However, a good review ratio reflects a company's dependability and responsiveness to issues.

Benefits of Solar Energy

Solar energy comes with multiple benefits. Let's look at a few of them.

• Lowered energy bills: Solar panels let you generate your own energy to power your home, reducing your regular electricity costs. 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.
• Better energy independence: Solar energy can keep your home running through emergencies and blackouts. You can use your solar energy anytime with optional battery backup.
• Reduced carbon footprint: Utilizing solar is a surefire way to reduce your carbon footprint and home fossil fuel dependency.

What Solar Incentives Are Available to Lawrence Homeowners?

Massachusetts homeowners who choose solar could qualify for reimbursements, rebates, tax credits and special financing. Here are just a few of the local incentive programs.

How To Choose the Best Solar Company in Lawrence

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

Licensing and Training

Massachusetts requires new solar PV systems in the Commonwealth to be installed by a licensed electrician and new solar water heaters to be installed by a construction supervisor. Check a company's website for private accreditations from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), among the solar industry's most trusted trade groups. Its program includes certifications for both solar photovoltaic and water heating installers.

Cost of Solar Panels in Lawrence

The kind of solar panels you choose dictates how much power you can generate. 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.

You can also add battery backups and electric vehicle (EV) chargers. These will increase your total installation cost, but they can enhance your solar system's performance. Not every solar contractor offers these add-ons, so look for a provider that installs them if it's crucial for you.

Most Lawrence homeowners select solar systems sized for five kilowatts (kW) of electrical capacity. These systems cost about $20,300 to set up, considering both parts and installation. You can see more specific solar cost information in the table.

Financing Solar Energy in Lawrence

There are various ways to pay for a new solar system, and the right one will minimize your overhead. A few of the most common options include leases, power purchase agreements (PPAs), cash payments, and loans. Though it requires a large up-front payment, cash is the most cost-effective choice because it qualifies you for solar incentives and doesn't accrue interest. Solar loans are the runner-up option. As with a car loan or mortgage, 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 involve paying a set monthly rate to use rooftop panels. A PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) permits you to pay a monthly rate based only on the energy you use, as with an electric bill. We usually don’t recommend these two options because you won't own the panels and are disqualified from using solar incentives. Look for installers that offer multiple payment plans to find the right fit for your budget.

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

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 financing plans and rebates that could reduce your total cost even more.

Sources

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