4 Best Solar Companies in Altoona, PA (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 4 in Altoona based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Altoona, PA
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Altoona homeowner saves $1,431/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Altoona
Hoping to obtain energy freedom in Altoona? Installing solar panels can be a rewarding home project since you can enjoy lots of perks when you switch to solar power. Because solar panels produce their own energy, they can greatly offset your electricity bill each month, if not totally eliminate it. In fact, you could be looking at about $17,000 of savings over 20 years.
If you’re thinking about going solar, the first step you should take is to find the best solar companies in Altoona and compare quotes. The great news is we went ahead and put together a list of the best solar companies to make your life easier.To get free quotes from the top solar companies in Altoona, click the "get quote" button 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 Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Altoona
Envinity, Inc.
Reliable Customer Support- Clear Pricing Policy
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Cleaning and Maintenance- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
Sun Directed
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Tesla Powerwall
Elk Creek Solar
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Financing Assistance
- Battery Storage
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Skilled Repairs
- Panel Installation
Green Solar Systems LLC
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Consultation
- Permit Assistance
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Altoona
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Altoona 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 Altoona
Below are some the criteria we examined specifically for Pennsylvania 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 Altoona
The cost of putting up a solar panel system has decreased significantly over the past several years, but it’s still a large investment for most homeowners.There are a few factors you should consider when trying to figure out how much it will cost and how much you can save, including:
- Incentives: One thing that can reduce the cost of your solar project is the solar investment tax credit (ITC), which is a tax credit that lets you deduct from your taxes a percentage of the project cost. You can also save a decent amount of money on your energy bills, which can result in an average of $17,000 of savings over 20 years.
- 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.
- How much energy costs for you: If your local utility rates are quite high, there's a good chance you'll see a higher return on your investment in solar panels. In Altoona, you can save an average of $1,477 a month on your electricity bills.
- Electricity consumption: The average home in Altoona uses a decent amount of, and therefore may save on their energy bills.
There are several good benefits of solar even with the upfront cost of installation. It can help the Earth and your finances. In addition, it can raise the value of your home, leading to even more benefits if you choose to sell your home later.
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Solar Incentives in Altoona
Although a solar power system is typically a big investment, it can save you much money over several years because of smaller utility bills and government incentives.There are several federal, state and local rebates and tax credits that may earn you some money back after paying for a solar panel system. Check out our article on solar incentives to find out what incentives you can benefit from.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Altoona
If you’re considering adding solar panels to your home, one of the primary reasons why may be to reduce your carbon dioxide emissions.You may be asking yourself – how much does going solar help the environment anyway? In a city like Altoona where energy use is rather high, going solar is a good plan for homeowners who are eco-conscious.Since solar panels don’t release carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere when creating electricity, they’re a good alternative to nonrenewable energy sources. In fact, you could reduce your carbon dioxide emissions by about 50 pounds each year. Since energy from the sun is abundant and produces electricity without free from carbon dioxide emissions, making the switch to solar power is one easy step you can take to help the environment.
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 Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
EcoWatch's Altoona, PA Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar panel installer is the best in Altoona?
In Altoona, Envinity, Inc. is the most reputable local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 3.00 stars, so it's a good choice if you're planning to add solar panels to your home.
Are solar panels actually bad for the environment?
Solar panels can be detrimental for the environment when manufacturers use toxic chemicals in the manufacturing process. Chemicals can make solar panels difficult to recycle safely once they’ve reached the end of their lifespan. Solar panel manufacturing needs a lot of energy as well. The energy payback period is about 1 to 4 years.
How long does it take for solar to pay for itself?
The average payback period for solar panel installation is about 13.9 years, but the exact period varies by the cost of electricity where you are, incentives and net metering programs.
How often do solar panels need to be replaced?
On average, solar panels can last about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but efficiency decreases by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a higher level of energy production.
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.