Best 5 Solar Companies in St. Clair Shores, MI

St. Clair Shores homeowners are increasingly using solar panels to power their homes and heat their water. 243 homes in the area already utilize a solar PV or water heating system. Expert installers will therefore have the precise experience you need to join the solar bandwagon with confidence. In this guide, we'll showcase St. Clair Shores' best solar companies and offer advice for your company choice, so you can find the right one for your home.

Ranking Methodology

We evaluated a multitude of St. Clair Shores solar companies, using the following criteria to select the superior:

• Reviews and feedback from customers: Most St. Clair Shores solar providers have both favorable and unfavorable reviews. However, a good review ratio demonstrates a company's reliability and responsiveness to issues.
• Educational programs and business model: Solar technicians must be good teachers. They should tap into their years of experience answer your questions on how to care for your system and maximize its performance.
• Professional licensure and experience: Each company on our list complies with state and city licensing requirements and keeps current with industry best practices. Many of them have been a part of the St. Clair Shores community for more than a decade.
• Service offerings and warranties: 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 happiness.
• Panel brands and quality: The top solar companies stay up-to-date with new technology, providing equipment from cutting-edge and trustworthy manufacturers.

Benefits of Solar Energy

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

• Better energy independence: Photovoltaic solar panel systems with energy storage systems operate through power outages and emergencies, and you won't have to depend on your power company for your safety and comfort.
• Reduced carbon footprint: Using clean solar power means you're less dependent on fossil fuels, which emit harmful greenhouse gasses.
• Lowered energy bills: Solar panels allow you to generate your own energy to power your home, reducing your regular electricity costs. You can eliminate your bills completely if you go off-grid. Plus, a significant number 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 St. Clair Shores Homeowners?

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

How To Choose the Best Solar Company in St. Clair Shores

The more informed your provider search is, the better your solar panels will ultimately function. Consider all of these aspects 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 certifications. Two of the most respected 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 St. Clair Shores

Different solar panel types look and perform differently. Monocrystalline panels offer the best energy production but cost more than other options and generally have the highest quality. Polycrystalline panels produce less power, but start at a more budget-friendly price point. Thin-film panels work well for small projects like RVs and sheds, but they're not ideal for larger installations due to their low performance.

If you want to charge an electric car or use your solar power in dark weather, you can pay extra for add-ons. By selecting the right components, you can make your system more effective and user-friendly. Not every solar contractor includes these additional features, so look for a company that installs them if it's crucial for you.

Generally speaking, it costs about $20,300 for a five-kilowatt solar array in St. Clair Shores. This table lists more specific prices for different solar panel types and system components in your area.

Financing Solar Energy in St. Clair Shores

There are numerous ways to pay for new solar panels, and the right one will minimize your overhead. A few of the most common options include power purchase agreements (PPAs), leases, loans, and cash payments. We advise making a cash payment or using a solar loan for the best 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 installments while still enjoying energy bill savings and solar incentives. However, you’ll spend more in total due to accruing interest. Solar leases allow you to use your panels for a fixed monthly rate, while PPAs let you pay just for the energy you use, similar to 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. Ask each business you're evaluating about the financing options it offers. A salesperson can help you determine the optimal option for your financial situation.

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

You can claim a 26% federal solar tax credit from the IRS for new residential solar systems purchased before 2032. Additionally, local governments and utilities 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