Best 5 Solar Companies in Summerville, SC

With Summerville's clear skies and little rainfall, it's a perfect area for homeowners and businesses hoping to harness the extra sunlight by purchasing panels from one of the best solar companies. Solar experts take a distinctively educational approach, helping homeowners understand the underlying technology and tune it to their preferences. In this guide, we'll showcase Summerville's best solar companies and offer tips for your company choice, so you can find the perfect one for your home.

Ranking Methodology

Our team has carefully researched dozens of solar providers near Summerville, emphasizing the following criteria:

• Warranty and service offerings: Solar providers 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 reliable, innovative manufacturers.
• Educational programs and business model: Solar technicians must be good teachers. They should tap into their years of experience answer your questions on how to maintain your system and maximize its performance.
• Customer feedback and reviews: Most Summerville solar contractors have both favorable and unfavorable reviews. However, a good review ratio demonstrates a company's dependability and responsiveness to issues.
• Experience and professional licensure: 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 Summerville community for a decade or longer.

Benefits of Solar Energy

Solar energy offers several advantages that will enhance your home for years to come.

• Better energy independence: Adding a battery backup or storage system lets you have dependable energy during storms and grid outages.
• Reduced carbon footprint: Using clean solar power lowers your dependence on conventional, less environmentally-friendly sources.
• Lowered energy bills: You can avoid the added cost of grid-tied power by generating 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 Summerville Homeowners?

Governments and power companies often reward 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 Summerville

The more thorough your company research is, the better your solar system will ultimately work. Make your choice based on the following crucial aspects.

Licensing and Training

South Carolina law draws a difference between mechanical and general contractors for solar energy work. A licensed mechanical contractor can install or repair any solar PV system rated for between 50 and 600 volts if they have an electrical Certificate of Authorization. If a company installs solar thermal systems, they need a Certificate of Authorization in plumbing and a supervising licensed plumber on their team. Solar providers can also earn certificates from trade groups and standards organizations. The most prestigious ones in the industry come from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners. Most company websites will prominently display earned credentials, but you should also ask your estimator for more information.

Cost of Solar Panels in Summerville

Different solar panel types look and perform differently. Monocrystalline panels cost more than other options, but they generate the most power and generally have the highest quality. Polycrystalline panels produce less power, but start at a more budget-friendly price point. Thin-film panels work well for small projects like RVs and sheds, but they're not ideal for larger installations due to their low performance.

If you'd like to charge an electric vehicle (EV) or use your solar power in cloudy weather, you can pay extra for accessories. By selecting the right components, you can make your system more efficient and convenient to use. Not all solar companies include these add-ons, so look for a provider that sells them if it's important for you.

You can plan to spend about $17,250 on average for a five-kilowatt solar energy system in Summerville. Use the table in this section to get an idea of how much Summerville solar companies might quote for your specific solar system's price.

Financing Solar Energy in Summerville

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, power purchase agreements (PPAs), solar loans and solar leases. Most solar experts recommend a cash payment or using a solar loan. Cash payments demand a large up-front sum, but they save you from 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 as little as $0 down. Solar leases allow you to pay a monthly fee to rent your panels, while a power purchase agreement lets you pay a variable rate based on only the energy you use. We generally don't recommend these options since you won't own your system and are disqualified from solar incentives, but they might be suitable in specific circumstances. Ask each installer you're evaluating about the financing options it offers. A salesperson can help you determine the optimal option for your financial situation.

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

You are eligible for a 26% federal solar tax credit for new solar energy equipment until the year 2032. Municipal and state governments and utility companies might also offer discounts, rebates, and specialized financing options that could save you more.

Sources

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