Best 3 Solar Companies in Brunswick, OH

Brunswick homeowners are increasingly using solar panels to produce their electricity and heat their water. While switching to solar energy comes with upfront costs, local homeowners could ultimately save $700 per kilowatt on their electric bills. A professional installer can help you select the best panels to maximize your savings. In this article, we'll showcase Brunswick's best solar installers and offer tips for your company choice, so you can find the ideal one for your home.

Ranking Methodology

Our team focuses on the following criteria to determine the best Brunswick solar companies.

• Experience and professional licensure: Each contractor on our list complies with state and city licensing requirements and stays up to date with industry best practices. Many of them have served the Brunswick community for more than a decade.
• Service offerings and warranties: Solar contractors should stand behind their equipment and services with warranties. We evaluated how each company responds to issues and warranty claims, focusing on promptness and customer satisfaction.
• Reviews and feedback from customers: Most Brunswick solar installers have both favorable and unfavorable reviews. However, a good review ratio indicates a company's reliability and responsiveness to issues.
• Educational approach and support: Solar technicians must be knowledgeable. They should use their years of experience address your questions on how to look after your system and optimize its performance.
• Panel quality and brand offerings: The best solar companies remain current on new technology, providing equipment from reliable, innovative manufacturers.

Benefits of Solar Energy

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

• Better energy independence: Photovoltaic solar panel systems with battery storage systems operate through power outages and emergencies, and you won't have to depend on the grid for your safety and well-being.
• Lowered energy bills: You can dodge the premium cost of grid-tied power by generating some electricity right where you use it. Plus, many states offer net metering which can allow you to sell your unused energy back for credits on your bill.
• Reduced carbon footprint: Using clean solar power lowers your dependence on conventional, less environmentally-friendly sources.

What Solar Incentives Are Available to Brunswick Homeowners?

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

How To Choose the Best Solar Company in Brunswick

Choosing a company is the first step toward a well-oiled and valuable solar array. Consider all of these criteria in your business search.

Licensing and Training

Ohio may require a solar installer to hold a state contractors' license, but only for commercial work. For home solar panel installations, cities can establish their own licensing or regulatory requirements. Look for private accreditations from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), one of the solar industry's most reputed trade groups. Its program includes certifications for both solar photovoltaic and water heating installers.

Cost of Solar Panels in Brunswick

The style of solar panels you choose decides how much energy you can produce. Monocrystalline panels and high-quality and give you the best performance but cost more upfront. Polycrystalline panels work with a tried-and-true mechanism and cost less, but produce less power. Thin-film panels aren't meant for large home installations, but they're excellent for small projects like sheds and RVs.

Additional system add-ons, 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 all solar providers include these add-ons, so look for a provider that installs them if it's essential for you.

Most Brunswick homeowners choose solar systems sized for five kilowatts (kW) of electrical capacity. These systems run about $17,050 to install, considering both parts and installation. You can see more specific solar cost information in the table.

Financing Solar Energy in Brunswick

Choosing the correct financing option will influence your overall solar system cost and potential savings. Common payment options include cash payments, leases, loans, and power purchase agreements. Most solar experts recommend a cash payment or using a solar loan. Cash payments demand 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. Similar to a car or home loan, you'll pay a set monthly rate with as little as $0 down. Solar leases allow you to pay a monthly rate to rent your panels, while a power purchase agreement lets you pay a fluctuating rate based on only the energy you use. We generally advise against these options since you won't own your system and are disqualified from solar incentives, but they might be appropriate in specific circumstances. Look for contractors that offer multiple 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 Brunswick.

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