Best 5 Solar Companies in Somerville, MA

The Somerville community is committed to safeguarding the planet and living greener lifestyles. That's why many homeowners are purchasing panels from the best solar professionals for their homes. 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 select the best panels to maximize your savings. Discover Somerville's best solar companies and learn crucial decision-making strategies on this page.

Ranking Methodology

We evaluated a multitude of Somerville solar providers, using the following criteria to choose the finest:

• Certifications and credentials: Each provider 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 Somerville community for over 15 years.
• Customer reviews and feedback: Most Somerville solar companies have both positive and critical reviews. However, a good review ratio demonstrates a company's reliability and responsiveness to issues.
• Panel quality and brand offerings: The premier solar companies remain current on new technology, providing equipment from reliable, innovative manufacturers.
• Educational approach and support: Solar technicians must be good teachers. They should tap into their years of experience address your questions on how to care for your system and improve its performance.
• Warranty and service offerings: Solar providers should stand behind their products and services with warranties. We evaluated how each company responds to issues and warranty claims, focusing on promptness and customer satisfaction.

Benefits of Solar Energy

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

• Lowered energy bills: You can dodge the expensive cost of grid-tied power by producing some electricity right where you use it. Plus, many states provide net metering which can allow you to sell your unused energy back to help pay for your energy bill.
• Better energy independence: Solar panel systems can keep your home functioning through blackouts and emergencies. You can use your solar energy anytime with an optional battery backup system.
• Reduced carbon footprint: Solar is the universe's most abundant clean energy source, meaning you can reduce or eliminate your home's dependence on fossil fuels.

What Solar Incentives Are Available to Somerville Homeowners?

Governments and power companies often reward homeowners for adopting solar. Here are some of the rebates, tax credits or other programs you could qualify for.

How To Choose the Best Solar Company in Somerville

The more thorough your company research is, the better your solar installation will ultimately perform. Make your choice based on the following important considerations.

Licensing and Training

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

Cost of Solar Panels in Somerville

The type of solar panels you purchase decides how much electricity 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 meant for large home installations, but they're excellent for small projects like sheds and RVs.

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

Generally speaking, it costs about $20,300 for a five-kilowatt solar array in Somerville. This table displays more specific pricing information for different solar panel types and system components in your area.

Financing Solar Energy in Somerville

There are numerous ways to pay for a solar energy system, and the right one will help you decrease overhead. A few of the most common options include loans, leases, power purchase agreements (PPAs), and cash payments. Most solar experts recommend a cash payment 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. Much like a car or home loan, you'll pay a set monthly rate with as little as $0 down. 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 suitable in particular circumstances. We advise working with an installer that offers multiple financing options. Ask each consultant about what's available, and secure more than one estimate for the best odds of staying within your spending limits.

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

A 26% federal solar tax credit applies to new home solar systems purchased through 2032. Further 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