Best 5 Solar Companies in Dearborn Heights, MI

Dearborn Heights homeowners are increasingly using solar panels to generate energy and heat their water. While going solar comes with upfront costs, local homeowners could ultimately save $820 per kilowatt on their electric bills. A professional company can help you select the best panels to maximize your savings. In this article, we'll highlight Dearborn Heights' best solar companies and offer advice for your company choice, so you can find the perfect one for your home.

Ranking Methodology

Our team has screened dozens of solar providers near Dearborn Heights, keeping in mind the following criteria:

• Educational approach: Solar technicians must be good teachers. They should tap into their years of experience answer your questions on how to look after your system and maximize its performance.
• Experience and professional licensure: Each provider on our list meets state and city licensing requirements and keeps current with industry best practices. Many of them have served the Dearborn Heights community for over 15 years.
• Customer reviews and feedback: Most Dearborn Heights solar installers have both favorable and unfavorable reviews. However, a good review ratio indicates a company's trustworthiness and responsiveness to issues.
• Panel brands and quality: The premier solar companies stay up-to-date with new technology, offering equipment from innovative, dependable manufacturers.
• Warranty and service offerings: Solar companies should stand behind their equipment and services with warranties. We evaluated how each installer responds to issues and warranty claims, focusing on promptness and customer satisfaction.

Benefits of Solar Energy

Solar energy comes with multiple perks. Here are some highlights.

• Lowered energy bills: Solar panels let you generate your own energy to power your home, minimizing your monthly electricity costs. You can eliminate your bills completely if you go off-grid. Plus, a significant number of states offer 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 functioning through emergencies and blackouts. You can use your solar energy anytime with an optional battery storage system.
• Reduced carbon footprint: Solar is one of the universe's most abundant clean energy sources, meaning you can minimize or conquer your home's dependence on non-renewable sources.

What Solar Incentives Are Available to Dearborn Heights Homeowners?

Michigan's public agencies and power companies offer numerous solar incentives to help offset your solar system costs. Below is a breakdown of available solar programs where you live.

How To Choose the Best Solar Company in Dearborn Heights

The more comprehensive your company research is, the better your solar system will ultimately perform. Consider each of these factors in your business search.

Licensing and Training

Michigan law has a de facto licensing requirement for solar photovoltaic installers. In other words, there's no explicit requirement for solar installers to have a license, but workers dealing with electrical wiring jobs do need a license. Solar thermal systems must be installed by a licensed mechanical contractor. You should also visit a company's website to learn about its private accreditations. Two of the most recognized are the Solar Heating Installer and PV Installation Professional certificates, backed by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP). Some companies don't publish this information online, so you should also ask your estimator about them.

Cost of Solar Panels in Dearborn Heights

The style of solar panels you purchase decides how much electricity you can produce. Monocrystalline panels and high-quality and cost more but give you the best performance. Polycrystalline panels work with a tried-and-true mechanism and cost less, but produce less power. Thin-film panels aren't the best for large residential installations, but they are excellent accessories for non-traditional roofs.

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

You can expect to pay about $20,300 on average for a five-kilowatt solar energy system in Dearborn Heights. Check the table in this section to get an idea of what amount Dearborn Heights solar companies might quote for your specific solar system's price.

Financing Solar Energy in Dearborn Heights

There are various ways to pay for new solar panels, and the right one will help you decrease overhead. A few of the most common options include cash payments, leases, loans, and power purchase agreements (PPAs). Most solar experts recommend paying cash or using a solar loan. Cash payments require a large up-front sum, but they help you avoid 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 potentially $0 down. Solar leases allow you to pay a monthly rate 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. Look for contractors that offer several payment plans to find the right fit for your financial needs.

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

A 26% federal solar tax credit applies to new residential solar equipment 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