4 Best Solar Companies in Decatur, AL (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 4 in Decatur based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Decatur, AL
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Decatur homeowner saves $810/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Decatur
Looking for the top solar companies in Decatur? Installing a solar panel system is an exciting project that many homeowners find beneficial for their wallets, communities and the planet. Additionally, environmentally conscious leadership has laid the foundation for a growing solar market, and plenty of the best solar companies are hoping to capitalize on it. That's why Decatur provides so many options for solar installers.
In this article, we’ll help you narrow in on the top companies in your area.We suggest shopping around to get quite a few quotes and comparing them to see which is the best installer for your home. To get started with free, no-obligation quotes from the top solar panel companies in Decatur, click the link 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 Decatur
Solar Technology Alabama
Free Quotes- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Off-Grid Solar Systems- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
Southern Solar Systems, Inc.
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
SolStar Power
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
ACE, LLC SOLAR
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Decatur
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Decatur 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 Decatur
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 Decatur
The cost of installing solar panels has dropped significantly in the past few years, but it’s still a large investment for most homeowners.A few important factors that influence how much it will cost to install solar panels on your home and how much money you could save over time are:
- Choice of solar panels: The kind of solar panels you buy 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 opt for a higher number of more affordable panels.
- Where your home is: This affects the average daily sunlight your roof gets, which helps determine how many panels you need.
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit currently lets you lower your taxes by 0 of the project cost. Your state and even local utility companies may also have incentives and rebates that you can use. Additionally, you can save about $10,000 over 20 years on your utility bills, before factoring in incentives.
- Your energy bills: This will determine how much you can save. In Decatur, the average homeowner can save about $1,400 a year on their electricity bills.
As a result of the cost of solar panels being lower than before as well as various solar incentives, they are a solid investment for most homeowners.
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For an idea of both how much you could save and impact the Earth by installing a solar panel system, you can try out the calculator below. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Decatur, AL.
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Solar Incentives in Decatur
If you’re planning on switching to solar energy, a number of government incentives and subsidies can drastically bring down the cost of the project and speed up the return on your investment.Regardless of where you live, you can take advantage of the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which allows you to claim 0 of how much you paid for your solar installation on your tax return, reducing the amount of taxes you owe that year. Additionally, there may be some local incentives that can save you some extra money too. Our article on solar incentives goes over more detailed information on the incentives you can benefit from in Decatur.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Decatur
Replacing nonrenewable energy with solar power is a compelling way to do your part for a cleaner and more sustainable future.But how much can installing solar panels actually affect the environment? The more power your house uses, the the more the environment will benefit when you switch to solar as you won’t need to rely on traditional energy sources as much.In Decatur, the average resident can reduce their carbon footprint by 9 pounds a year once they go solar. For those who care about the environment, the upfront cost of solar is a small price to pay for offsetting your carbon emissions.
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 Decatur, AL Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar panel installer is the best near me?
The highest-rated local solar company in Decatur is Solar Technology Alabama, with a rating of 3.00 stars.
What are some of the biggest advantages and disadvantages of adopting solar power?
A few of the biggest pros are that it lets you spend less on your power bills, it’s a sustainable source of energy, and it can give 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 can look clunky on your roof.
Are solar panels worth it?
Solar panels can be a good investment for lots of homeowners, but honestly, they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get a lot of direct sunlight or your electricity bills are already fairly low, solar panels might not be for you.
What is solar panel capacity and how much do I need for my house?
Solar panel capacity is how much energy the panels can create under ideal conditions (a sunny day around noon). The average household requires between 20 and 35 panels to cover their energy needs.
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.