3 Best Solar Companies in Highland Lakes, AL (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 3 in Highland Lakes based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Highland Lakes, AL
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Highland Lakes homeowner saves $1,812/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Highland Lakes
If you’re trying to find the best solar companies in Highland Lakes, sorting through so many options can be demanding, but it can pay off since switching to solar power can offer so many great benefits. Solar panels aren't just good for the environment — your wallet will thank you too. After switching to solar power, you can save an average of $22,000 over 20 years, and this doesn't even include incentives.
In this article, we’ll let you in on the top Highland Lakes solar installers so you can make the best decision for your home’s clean energy needs.To get free quotes from the best solar companies in Highland Lakes, you can click "get quote" below.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Highland Lakes
Vulcan Solar Power, LLC
Clear Pricing Policy- Free Quotes
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Panel Installation- Consultation
- Permit Assistance
Eagle Solar & Light
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
Small Tech Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Highland Lakes
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Highland Lakes based on criteria such as its reputation in the industry, customer reviews, services, warranty coverage and financing. Using this solar methodology, we used the data we collected to rate and rank each company and narrow down our picks for the best solar companies in Highland Lakes
Below are some the criteria we examined specifically for Alabama solar companies
- Brand reputation and certifications (20%): We take each company's Better Business Bureau (BBB) score into consideration, as well as how long the installer has been in business (at least 5 years is required, 10 preferred) and what type of solar certifications it holds.
- Customer reviews (20%): Trust is a top priority at EcoWatch, so we take customer experience under close consideration. We scour different review sites and customer testimonials when ranking our top solar companies, checking sites such as Trustpilot and Google Reviews. We also consider any potential complaints or lawsuits filed against these companies and award or remove points accordingly.
- Warranty (20%): A company earns a perfect score in this category if it offers 25-year warranties that cover performance, product and workmanship. The industry standard that we measure companies against is 25-year product and performance warranties, along with a 10-year workmanship warranty. We also look closely into the track record of the post-installation support each company provides in terms of honoring its contracts
- Solar services (10%): All of the companies we review install solar panels, but we award companies higher points if they offer additional services for customers, like battery installation, energy-efficiency audits, and EV chargers.
- Pricing and financing (10%): It's hard to get exact quotes for solar projects, but we use marketplace research to determine how each company prices its equipment and installation services. Additionally, companies that offer more help for panel financing — like in-house loans, leases, or PPAs — score higher than those that don't.
- Availability (10%): The bigger the service area, the higher the company will score.
- Transparency and accessibility (5%): Solar installers that offer free consultations and easy contact methods score higher in this category.
- Environmental, social and corporate governance factors (5%): A company earns a perfect score in this category if it offers public data disclosure, addresses end-of-life (EOL) products or processes, and demonstrates a commitment to uplifting the communities that it serves.
The Cost and Benefits of Solar in Highland Lakes
Solar panels are powered by a free energy source — the sun — but before you can take advantage of this you will need to pay to set up your panels.The installation cost is just one important factor you should bear in mind when looking into installing solar panels. How much it'll cost and how much you can save depend on things such as:
- Electricity consumption: The average home in Highland Lakes uses a lot of energy, and therefore may see more savings on electricity bills than other places.
- How much sunlight your roof gets: If your roof doesn’t get a lot of direct sunlight, your solar panel system won’t be able to produce as much energy, which will give you lower savings on energy bills than a house with a roof that gets a lot of sunlight.
- Choice of solar panels: The kind of solar panels you are interested in getting will affect your total cost. High-efficiency monocrystalline panels are more expensive upfront but can also lead to more savings over the lifetime of your system. If you don’t need to maximize efficiency, you can go with a higher number of more affordable panels.
- Incentives: One thing that can make your solar project cost less is the solar investment tax credit (ITC), which is a tax credit that’s equal to a percentage of the project cost. You can also save a decent amount of money on your power bills, which can generate an average of $22,000 of savings over 20 years.
So is a solar panel system worth it? Whether you want to lower your electric bills, carbon dioxide emissions or both, solar panels are a good investment for many Highland Lakes homeowners.
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Solar Incentives in Highland Lakes
Since solar power is better for the environment than traditional energy sources, there are quite a few government incentives in place to encourage people to make the switch.Local solar incentive programs vary by location and, sometimes, utility company. Many states offer rebates for home solar power systems, in addition to the federal solar tax credit. In our article on solar incentives, you can find out about the incentives you qualify for near you.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Highland Lakes
One of the best reasons to tap into solar energy is to minimize your dependence on nonrenewable energy sources like burning fossil fuels, which are destructive for the environment.Many homeowners might be wondering how much exactly they can impact the environment by switching to solar in Highland Lakes, though. If your home consumes a lot of energy, you can have an even greater impact on the planet by switching to solar energy.When you go solar, your carbon dioxide emissions can be lowered by about 90 pounds every year. If you want to do what you can for the environment, you’ll no doubt get that there are many benefits of adopting solar power other than just saving money on bills. You can also help preserve the environment, which some would argue is invaluable.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
EcoWatch's Highland Lakes, AL Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar panel installer is the best in Highland Lakes?
In Highland Lakes, Vulcan Solar Power, LLC is the most reputable local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 3.00 stars, so it's a great choice if you're planning on installing solar panels on your house.
What is the negative environmental impact of making solar panels?
Manufacturing solar panels needs to use chemicals and produces toxic waste that can be dangerous for the environment, which is the main negative thing about solar panels.
How long does it take to see a return on your investment after installing solar panels?
The average payback period for solar panel installation is about 10.8 years, but the exact period varies by the cost of electricity where you are, incentives and net metering programs.
What is solar panel capacity and how much do I need for my house?
Solar panel capacity is the amount of energy the panels can create under ideal conditions (a sunny day around noon). The average household has to get between 20 and 35 panels to cover how much energy they need.
Our goal is to reach as many people as we can with sensible solutions like solar energy. Our team of full-time local researchers collects solar price and installation data for every city in America then compiles it to create these digestible city guides. If you want to read our solar expert’s opinion on the top solar companies featured here, follow this link.
Company research was conducted by Melissa Smith and Karsten Neumeister. Local data analysis was conducted by James Savino. See something we missed or could do better? Email the editor.