Best 5 Solar Companies in Grand Island, NE

Grand Island homeowners are increasingly using solar panels to produce their electricity and heat their water. Local homeowners might choose solar to break free of high power costs from sources like coal. An experienced solar contractor can help you install and optimize a system that meets your energy needs without being too expensive. Discover Grand Island's top-rated solar companies and learn essential decision-making strategies on this page.

Ranking Methodology

Our team has screened dozens of solar providers near Grand Island, focusing on the following criteria:

• Customer feedback and reviews: Most Grand Island solar installers have both positive and critical reviews. However, a good review ratio shows a company's dependability and responsiveness to issues.
• Professional licensure and experience: Each company 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 Grand Island community for over 15 years.
• Panel brands and quality: The top solar companies keep up with new technology, providing equipment from innovative, dependable manufacturers.
• Educational approach and support: Solar technicians must be knowledgeable. They should use their years of experience answer your questions on how to care for your system and improve its performance.
• Service offerings and warranties: Solar companies should stand behind their products 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 offers multiple perks. Here are some highlights.

• Reduced carbon footprint: Using clean solar power reduces your dependence on conventional, less environmentally-friendly sources.
• Better energy independence: Solar energy can keep your home powered through blackouts and emergencies. You can use your solar energy anytime with optional battery storage.
• Lowered energy bills: With a solar array, you create power without paying the tacked-on costs of grid-tied power. Going off-grid can eliminate your bills completely. Plus, a significant amount of states offer net metering, which permit you to earn money by selling your unused energy back to the grid.

What Solar Incentives Are Available to Grand Island Homeowners?

Nebraska agencies and electric companies offer a number of solar incentives to help lower your solar system costs. Here's a breakdown of relevant solar programs where you live.

How To Choose the Best Solar Company in Grand Island

The more informed your company research is, the better your solar installation will ultimately perform. Consider all of these aspects in your business search.

Licensing and Training

In Nebraska, the state's Electrical Division issues and manages licenses to solar contractors, with some cities requiring supplemental licenses or endorsements for a contractor to perform solar work. Solar installers can also earn certifications from trade groups and standards organizations. The most recognized ones in the industry come from the NABCEP. Most company websites will prominently display earned credentials, but you should also ask your estimator for more information.

Cost of Solar Panels in Grand Island

Your solar modules' style will affect how much power you can generate. Monocrystalline panels are among the highest quality and cost the most but perform the best. Polycrystalline panels offer you a budget panel with a traditional design, but at the cost of less power generation. Thin-film panels are excellent for non-traditional roof shapes and cost the least, but don't work well for large residential installations.

If you'd like to charge an electric vehicle (EV) or use your solar power in inclement weather, you can pay extra for add-ons. By choosing the right components, you can make your system more effective and convenient to use. Not all solar contractors offer these extras, so look for a contractor that installs them if it's important for you.

If you're a resident of Grand Island and are looking into a five-kilowatt solar energy system, you could expect to pay about $17,900 for materials and labor. See more information on specific component and solar panel costs in the table.

Financing Solar Energy in Grand Island

Solar installers use multiple different financing options to increase your savings and lower your costs. Though some providers offer unique payment plans, the most common are cash payments, solar leases, power purchase agreements (PPAs) and solar loans. Though it involves a large up-front payment, cash is the most cost-effective choice because it doesn't accrue interest and qualifies you for incentives. Solar loans are the second most effective option. As with a car or home loan, 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) lets you pay a monthly rate based only on the energy you use, akin to an electric bill. We usually don’t recommend these two options because you won't own the system and cannot use solar incentives. We suggest working with a company that offers multiple financing options. Talk to each salesperson about what's available, and obtain more than one estimate for the best odds of keeping within your spending limits.

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

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 rebates and financing plans 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