3 Best Solar Companies in Athens, AL (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 3 in Athens based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Athens, AL
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Athens homeowner saves $914/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Athens
Thinking of going solar but still deciding on which solar panel installer would be the best one for you? Although it can be challenging to settle on a solar company, the effort will pay off because going solar has many fantastic perks. With an average energy bill of $1,356 per month in Athens, switching to solar power can reduce your monthly bills by about that much.
If you want to make use of the many perks of solar, we’re here to help you narrow down your options to find the Athens solar installer that’s the right price for you.If you’d like to get free, no-obligation quotes from the best Athens solar installers, you can click the button below to learn more.
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Athens
Southern Solar Systems, Inc.
Informative Resources- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Panel Installation- Permit Assistance
Solar Technology Alabama
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Panel Installation
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Cleaning and Maintenance
ACE, LLC SOLAR
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Athens
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Athens 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 Athens
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 Athens
For many homeowners, whether or not to invest in solar energy comes down to the cost.Some main factors that affect the cost of installing solar panels on your home and how much money you could save over time are:
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit, which everyone in the U.S. is eligible for, allows you to deduct 0 of the cost of installing your solar panel system from your taxes. Plus, not including incentives, you can save about $11,000 over 20 years on your energy bills.
- Choice of solar panels: The type of solar panels you want will affect your total cost. High-efficiency monocrystalline panels are more expensive upfront but can also save you more money over the lifetime of your system. If space isn't a constraint for your project, you can go with a higher number of more affordable panels.
- Your location: This affects the average daily sunlight your roof gets, which helps determine how many panels you need.
- average energy usage: The more energy your household consumes on average and the greater your current energy bills are, the more benefits you’ll see from going solar.
Solar is a fruitful investment for most homeowners. You can generate your own power instead of paying for it from a utility company and take advantage of solar tax credits and rebates, all while helping protect the planet.
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Solar Incentives in Athens
In an effort to increase the number of homes and businesses that use solar power, incentives are offered by the government – and even some utility companies – to help make going solar more economical and accessible.In addition to the federal solar investment tax credit, there are also some local incentives, which in the majority of cases, can be claimed in addition to the federal incentive, so you get to save even more. Check out our article on solar incentives to find out what incentives you can take advantage of.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Athens
One of the most compelling reasons to adopt solar power is to cut your reliance on nonrenewable energy sources like burning fossil fuels, which are damaging for the environment.A question many homeowners might be thinking about is how much can they really help the environment by switching to solar power anyway? For those who want to help preserve the planet, going solar is an easy choice, especially since Athens produces a high amount of carbon dioxide emissions from its energy generation.After you go solar, your carbon emissions can be reduced by about 10 pounds every year. If you want to do your part for the environment, you’ll no doubt recognize that there are many advantages to adopting solar energy other than just saving money on bills. You can also help protect the environment, which some would argue is invaluable.
EcoWatch's Athens, AL Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar installation company is the best in Athens?
In Athens, Southern Solar Systems, Inc. is the top local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 3.00 stars, so it's a good choice if you're looking to install solar panels on your roof.
What are the best and worst things about solar power?
A few of the biggest pros are that it reduces your electricity bills, it’s good for the environment, and it gives you a significant return on your investment (ROI). The most notable cons are that solar panels don’t work as well when there’s limited direct sunlight, there is a high upfront cost and solar panels aren’t always aesthetically pleasing.
How long does it take for solar to pay for itself?
Solar panels usually pay for themselves in about 21.4 years, but your solar payback period will vary depending on your utility costs. The more your typical power bill, the faster your solar panel system will recoup your installation costs.
What is solar panel capacity and how much do I need for my house?
Solar panel capacity is rated depending on how many watts of power they produce under standard testing conditions. Since each panel can typically produce about 250 to 400 watts per hour, the average household will need 20 to 35 panels.
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.