Best 5 Solar Companies in Pawtucket, RI

Pawtucket residents are intentional about protecting the environment and living sustainably. That's why many people are purchasing panels from the top solar installers for their homes. While embracing solar power comes with upfront costs, local homeowners could ultimately save $1,100 per kilowatt on their electric bills. A professional installer can help you select the best panels to maximize your savings. Discover Pawtucket's top-rated solar companies and learn vital decision-making tips on this page.

Ranking Methodology

Our team has thoroughly vetted dozens of solar installers near Pawtucket, keeping in mind the following criteria:

• Educational approach: Solar technicians must be knowledgeable. They should utilize their years of experience answer your questions on how to maintain your system and optimize its performance.
• Professional licenses and credentials: Each installer on our list meets state and city licensing requirements and stays up to date with industry best practices. Many of them have served the Pawtucket community for over 15 years.
• Customer feedback and reviews: Most Pawtucket solar contractors have both positive and critical reviews. However, a good review ratio demonstrates a company's dependability and responsiveness to issues.
• Panel quality and brand offerings: The leading solar companies stay up-to-date with new technology, providing equipment from reliable, innovative manufacturers.
• Warranty and service offerings: Solar contractors should stand behind their equipment and services with warranties. We evaluated how each contractor responds to issues and warranty claims, focusing on timeliness and customer happiness.

Benefits of Solar Energy

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

• Reduced carbon footprint: The sun is a highly abundant clean energy source, meaning you can lower or beat your home's dependence on non-renewable sources.
• Better energy independence: Solar energy can keep your home functioning through emergencies and blackouts. You can use your solar energy anytime with optional battery storage.
• Lowered energy bills: You can skip the expensive cost of grid-tied power by producing some electricity right where you use it. Plus, many states provide net metering which can allow you to sell your unused energy back to credit part of your bill.

What Solar Incentives Are Available to Pawtucket Homeowners?

The state of Rhode Island offers a range of solar incentives to help reduce your solar system costs. Check out a breakdown of applicable solar programs where you live.

How To Choose the Best Solar Company in Pawtucket

The price and performance of solar panels often hinge on which company mounted them. Consider all of these aspects in your service provider search.

Licensing and Training

To work on a solar energy system in Rhode Island, an installer will need both a State Electrical Contractor's License and at least a Journeyperson's License from the Department of Labor and Training. Check a company's website 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 Pawtucket

Your solar modules' style will impact how much energy 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 have a low cost and are excellent for non-traditional roofs, but aren't recommended for large home installations.

Additional components, such as battery storage and electric vehicle (EV) chargers, will raise your overall installation costs. However, they might make your solar system more efficient and convenient to use. Not all solar companies include these add-ons, so look for a contractor that installs them if it's crucial for you.

You can expect to pay about $20,350 on average for a five-kilowatt solar energy system in Pawtucket. Check the table in this section to get an idea of how much Pawtucket solar companies might quote for your specific solar system's price.

Financing Solar Energy in Pawtucket

Solar installers use multiple different financing options to lower your costs and increase your savings. Though some providers offer unique payment plans, the most common are solar loans, cash payments, solar leases and power purchase agreements (PPAs). Most solar experts recommend paying cash or using a solar loan. Cash payments require 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. Much like a home or auto loan, you'll pay a set monthly rate with potentially $0 down. Solar leases involve paying a set monthly rate to use rooftop panels. A PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) allows you to pay a monthly rate determined by the energy you use, as with an electric bill. We generally don’t recommend these two choices because you won't own the system and cannot use solar incentives. Ask each provider you're evaluating about the financing options it offers. A salesperson can help you determine the most suitable option for your pocketbook.

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

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 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