Best 5 Solar Companies in Cedar Park, TX

With Cedar Park's clear skies and below-average rainfall, it's a perfect area for homeowners and businesses looking to harness the added sunlight by buying panels from one of the best solar companies. 2,992 homes in the area already employ a solar PV or water heating system. Professional installers will therefore have the exact experience you need to jump on the solar bandwagon with confidence. Discover Cedar Park's best solar companies and learn crucial decision-making strategies on this page.

Ranking Methodology

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

• Service offerings and warranties: Solar contractors should stand behind their products and services with warranties. We evaluated how each company responds to issues and warranty claims, focusing on timeliness and customer satisfaction.
• Panel quality and brand offerings: The leading solar companies stay up-to-date with new technology, offering equipment from cutting-edge and trustworthy manufacturers.
• Educational programs and business model: Solar technicians must be excellent teachers. They should tap into their years of experience answer your questions on how to look after your system and maximize its performance.
• Certifications and credentials: Each company on our list complies with state and city licensing requirements and keeps current with industry best practices. Many of them have served the Cedar Park community for a decade or longer.
• Customer feedback and reviews: Most Cedar Park solar companies have both positive and critical reviews. However, a good review ratio reflects a company's trustworthiness and responsiveness to issues.

Benefits of Solar Energy

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

• Reduced carbon footprint: Using clean solar power lowers your dependence on fossil fuels, which release greenhouse gases that damage the environment.
• Lowered energy bills: With a solar array, you create power without paying the tacked-on costs of grid-tied power. Going off-grid can eliminate your bills completely. Plus, a significant amount of states have adopted net metering, which permit you to earn money by selling your unused energy back to the grid.
• Better energy independence: Solar panel systems with battery backups and storage systems operate through blackouts and emergencies, and you won't have to depend on the electrical grid for your safety and well-being.

What Solar Incentives Are Available to Cedar Park Homeowners?

Texas homeowners who go solar could qualify for tax credits, special financing, reimbursements and rebates. Here are just a few of the area's incentive programs.

How To Choose the Best Solar Company in Cedar Park

The purchase price and effectiveness of solar panels often hinge on the provider that mounted them. Here are some key items to keep in mind while shopping for a solar specialist.

Licensing and Training

All solar installers in Texas must have a state electrical contractors' license from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. The Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners regulates plumbing regulations and licensing standards for solar thermal installers. You should also visit a company's website to learn about its private credentials. Two of the most recognized are the Solar Heating Installer and PV Installation Professional certificates, backed 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 Cedar Park

Your solar modules' type will impact how much electricity you can produce. Monocrystalline panels are among the highest quality and perform the best but cost the most. Polycrystalline panels generate less, but they're a great traditional option for low budgets. Thin-film panels are excellent for non-traditional roof shapes and cost the least, but don't work well for large residential installations.

You can also add battery backups and electric vehicle (EV) chargers. These will increase your total installation cost, but they can boost your solar system's efficiency. Not all solar providers include these add-ons, so look for a provider that installs them if it's a priority for you.

You can expect to pay about $16,650 on average for a five-kilowatt solar energy system in Cedar Park. Check the table in this section to get an idea of what amount Cedar Park solar companies might quote for your specific solar system's price.

Financing Solar Energy in Cedar Park

Choosing the best financing solution will influence your overall solar system cost and possible savings. Common payment options include leases, cash payments, power purchase agreements, and loans. Though it requires a large up-front payment, cash is the most economical choice because it qualifies you for solar incentives and doesn't accrue interest. Solar loans are the second most effective option. As with a car or home loan, you'll pay a monthly rate towards system ownership, including interest. You can still apply for cost-saving solar incentives, and depending on your lender, you could put as little as $0 down. 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 usually don’t recommend these two choices because you won't own the panels and are disqualified from using solar incentives. We suggest working with a contractor that offers multiple financing options. Ask each agent about what's available, and get more than one estimate for the best odds of keeping within your budget.

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

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. Local governments and utilities might also offer their own financing programs, rebates, 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