Best 5 Solar Companies in Monroe, NC

Monroe homeowners are increasingly using solar panels to produce their electricity and heat their water. While embracing solar power comes with upfront costs, local homeowners could ultimately save $1,000 per kilowatt on their electric bills. A professional installation team can help you choose the best panels to maximize your savings. On this page, we'll show you Monroe's leading solar contractors and share expert advice for your solar journey.

Ranking Methodology

Our team has thoroughly vetted dozens of solar companies near Monroe, concentrating on the following criteria:

• 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 happiness.
• Panel brands and quality: The leading solar companies keep up with new technology, providing equipment from reliable, innovative manufacturers.
• Experience and professional licensure: 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 Monroe community for over 15 years.
• Educational programs and business model: Solar technicians must be knowledgeable. They should utilize their years of experience address your questions on how to care for your system and optimize its performance.
• Reviews and feedback from customers: Most Monroe solar companies have both favorable and unfavorable reviews. However, a good review ratio reflects a company's dependability and responsiveness to issues.

Benefits of Solar Energy

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

• Reduced carbon footprint: Using clean solar power lowers your dependence on fossil fuels, which release greenhouse gases that damage the environment.
• Lowered energy bills: Solar panels allow you to generate your own energy to power your home, minimizing your monthly electricity costs. Going off-grid can eliminate your bills completely. 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: Adding a solar battery storage system lets you have reliable energy during storms and grid outages.

What Solar Incentives Are Available to Monroe Homeowners?

North Carolina homeowners who upgrade to solar could qualify for special financing, reimbursements, rebates and tax credits. Here are just a few of the area's incentive offerings.

How To Choose the Best Solar Company in Monroe

The cost and performance of solar panels often depend on the solar company that installed them. Consider each of these factors in your company search.

Licensing and Training

A licensed electrical contractor in North Carolina may direct home solar PV installations in North Carolina if they have the pertinent classification from the North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors. 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, awarded 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 Monroe

Your solar panels' model will influence how much energy you can produce. Monocrystalline panels are among the highest quality and perform the best but cost the most. 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.

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

Generally speaking, it will cost about $17,550 for a five-kilowatt solar array in Monroe. This table lists more specific costs for different solar panel types and system components in your area.

Financing Solar Energy in Monroe

Choosing the correct financing plan will impact your overall solar system cost and expected savings. Common payment options include leases, power purchase agreements, loans, and cash payments. We advise making a cash payment or securing a solar loan for the highest 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 own 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 benefiting from energy bill savings and solar incentives. However, you’ll pay more in total due to accruing interest. Solar leases let you use your panels for a set monthly rate, while PPAs let you pay just for the energy you use, akin 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. We advise working with a provider that offers multiple financing options. Ask each representative 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 Monroe.

The IRS allows you to claim a 26% federal tax credit for solar panels on the full cost of the solar system, so long as you purchase it before 2032. City and state governments and utilities might also offer their own rebates, financing programs, and incentives that could save you more money.

Sources

• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
• U.S. Department of Energy