Best 5 Solar Companies in Stillwater, OK

With Stillwater's clear skies and below-average rainfall, it's a great area for families and businesses looking to harness the additional sunlight by buying panels from one of the best solar companies. While embracing solar power comes with upfront costs, local homeowners could ultimately save $890 per kilowatt on their electric bills. A professional technician can help you choose the best panels to maximize your savings. In this guide, we'll show you Stillwater's best solar companies and offer advice for your company choice, so you can find the ideal one for your residence.

Ranking Methodology

We assessed dozens of Stillwater solar companies, using the following criteria to determine the superior:

• Professional licenses and credentials: Each installer on our list meets state and city licensing requirements and keeps current with industry best practices. Many of them have been a part of the Stillwater community for a decade or longer.
• Warranty and service offerings: Solar companies should stand behind their equipment and services with warranties. We evaluated how each installer responds to issues and warranty claims, focusing on timeliness and customer satisfaction.
• Panel brands and quality: The premier solar companies remain current on new technology, offering equipment from cutting-edge and trustworthy manufacturers.
• Customer reviews and feedback: Most Stillwater solar contractors have both favorable and unfavorable reviews. However, a good review ratio indicates a company's trustworthiness and responsiveness to issues.
• Educational approach: Solar technicians must be knowledgeable. They should use their years of experience answer your questions on how to care for your system and optimize its performance.

Benefits of Solar Energy

Solar energy comes with multiple perks. Let's look at a few of them.

• Reduced carbon footprint: Using solar is a surefire way to minimize your carbon footprint and home fossil fuel dependency.
• Better energy independence: Solar panel systems with battery storage systems function through power outages and emergencies, and you won't have to depend on the power grid for your safety and comfort.
• Lowered energy bills: With solar panels, you generate power without paying the tacked-on costs of grid-tied power. Going off-grid can eliminate your bills completely. 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 Stillwater Homeowners?

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

How To Choose the Best Solar Company in Stillwater

The more thorough your company investigation is, the better your solar installation will ultimately operate. Here are some key items to consider while searching for a solar specialist.

Licensing and Training

So long as a contractor has an electrician's license from the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board, they may perform solar energy work. Oklahoma doesn't treat solar projects as different from any other electrical job. Solar providers can also obtain 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 Stillwater

Your solar panels' type will impact how much power you can generate. 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 battery storage and electric vehicle (EV) chargers, will add to your overall installation costs. However, they might make your solar system more efficient and convenient to use. Not every solar provider offers these additional features, so look for a provider that sells them if it's essential for you.

A majority of Stillwater homeowners opt for solar systems sized for five kilowatts (kW) of electrical capacity. These systems cost about $15,650 to set up, considering both materials and labor. You can find more specific solar cost information in the table.

Financing Solar Energy in Stillwater

Choosing the correct financing plan will affect your overall solar system cost and possible savings. Common payment options include cash payments, leases, power purchase agreements, and loans. We recommend 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 have full ownership of your system and can apply for solar panel incentives to reduce 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 spend more in total due to accruing interest. 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 generally don’t recommend these two choices because you won't own the system and are disqualified from using solar incentives. Look for contractors that offer several payment plans to find the right fit for your pocket.

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

A 26% federal solar tax credit applies to new residential solar equipment purchased through 2032. Additional incentives may be available through local governments, usually in the form of rebates and special financing programs.

Sources

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