Best 5 Solar Companies in Royal Oak, MI

With Royal Oak's clear skies and little rainfall, it's an ideal area for families and businesses aiming to harness the additional sunlight by purchasing panels from one of the best solar companies. 245 homes in the area already employ a solar photovoltaic or water heating system. Expert installers will therefore have the precise experience you need to join the solar bandwagon with confidence. On this page, we'll showcase Royal Oak's top solar installers and give valuable advice for your solar journey.

Ranking Methodology

Our team used the following criteria to assess the best Royal Oak solar companies.

• Educational programs and business model: Solar technicians must be knowledgeable. They should utilize their years of experience answer your questions on how to care for your system and maximize its performance.
• Panel quality and brand offerings: The leading solar companies remain current on new technology, providing equipment from reliable, innovative manufacturers.
• Certifications and licenses: Each contractor 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 Royal Oak community for a decade or longer.
• Customer reviews and feedback: Most Royal Oak solar providers have both positive and critical reviews. However, a good review ratio demonstrates a company's dependability and responsiveness to issues.
• Warranty and service offerings: Solar contractors should stand behind their products and services with warranties. We evaluated how each contractor responds to issues and warranty claims, focusing on timeliness and customer happiness.

Benefits of Solar Energy

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

• Smaller power bills: Producing some or all of your own electricity will save you money on your electric bills long-term. Plus, some states offer net metering programs that enable you to sell your extra energy back to the grid, generating additional credits toward your energy bill.
• Reduced carbon footprint: Solar is a highly abundant clean energy source, meaning you can lower or beat your home's dependence on "traditional" sources.
• Better energy independence: Adding a solar battery storage system lets you have reliable energy during storms and grid outages.

What Solar Incentives Are Available to Royal Oak Homeowners?

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

How To Choose the Best Solar Company in Royal Oak

Choosing a company is the first step toward an effective and cost-efficient solar array. Consider all of these factors in your service provider search.

Licensing and Training

Michigan law has a de facto licensing requirement for solar photovoltaic installers. In other words, the law doesn't explicitly require solar installers to be licensed, 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 certifications. Two of the most prestigious are the PV Installation Professional and Solar Heating Installer certificates, granted 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 Royal Oak

The kind of solar panels you select decides how much electricity you can produce. Monocrystalline panels and high-quality and cost more but give you the best performance. Polycrystalline panels produce less power, but they're worth it if you want a traditional panel style without the high cost. Thin-film panels aren't recommended for large residential installations, but they are ideal for small projects like converting RVs and sheds.

Additional components, 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 add-ons, so look for a provider that installs them if it's important for you.

You can plan to spend about $20,300 on average for a five-kilowatt solar energy system in Royal Oak. Check the table in this section to get an idea of how much Royal Oak solar companies might quote for your specific solar system's price.

Financing Solar Energy in Royal Oak

There are a plethora of ways to pay for a solar energy system, and the right one will minimize your overhead. A few of the most common options include leases, loans, cash payments, and power purchase agreements (PPAs). Though it requires a large up-front payment, cash is the most economical choice because it doesn't accrue interest and qualifies you for incentives. Solar loans are the next best option. As with a home or auto loan, you'll pay a monthly rate towards system ownership, including interest. You can still apply for money-saving solar incentives, and depending on your lender, you could put as little as $0 down. Solar leases allow you to use your panels for a set monthly rate, while PPAs let you pay just for the energy you use, much like 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 suggest working with a company that offers multiple financing options. Speak with each agent about what's available, and acquire more than one estimate for the best odds of keeping within your financial plan.

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

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