Consider energy costs and potential savings before getting a residential solar quote
You’ve been thinking about home solar power, but you don’t know where to start. Fortunately, its pretty easy to get quotes for residential solar panels. Before you pick up the phone or the computer mouse, however, gather the following information, which will impact the cost of solar panels:
1. Pull your last three months of electricity bills – you’re looking at not only the cost, but the average kilowatt-hours (kWh) you use.
2. Walk around your home and consider the angle and position of the sun. Do you have good exposure during daylight hours? Are there branches overhanging your roof that you can trim to avoid shading? Here in the Northern Hemisphere, solar panels are usually installed on the south facing side of the roof to maximize exposure to sunlight.
3. Consider whether you can take any additional energy saving measures, whether installing LED or CFL lights or Energy-Star rated appliances.
4. Think about whether you will be selling your home within the next decade, and consider the potential increase in property value when you install solar panels: for every $1 in annual electricity costs saved, your home appreciates $20 (save $1000 annually, and that’s a $20,000 jump in property value!)
5. Find out if any neighbors or other people in your area are also thinking about going solar. Its possible to negotiate a group discount either on your own, or using a service like One Block Off the Grid.
Time to go solar at your home?
So, how do you get quotes for residential solar panels?
Now that you are armed with the information listed above, there are a number of web sites that can help you find solar panels for sale. Choose from any (or all) of these sites:
- Get Solar
- Solar Quote
- Clean Energy Quotes
- Solar Panel Info
- Buyer Zone
- Residential Solar 101
- Sungevity
You can also pull your local phone book and shop local. Several things to keep in mind before you decide to buy solar panels from a particular company, however:
1. Is the quoted price inclusive of installation and maintenance?
2. What type of warranty is offered?
3. Will they help you maximize local, state and federal tax credits and incentives? Some will actually even fill out the paperwork for their customers!
4. Is there an incentive to you if you send additional customers their way?
Get a residential solar panel quote today
You’ll find most solar panel companies excited to help and willing to work with you.
Best of luck with your home solar power project!
Tags: buy solar panels, cost solar panels, find solar panels for sale, home solar power, quotes residential solar panels, residential solar panels, residential solar quote
June 17th, 2010 at 8:09 pm
Great article! I would like to mention though that another company I've found to be really helpful in providing free solar installation quotes for residential property is Global Solar Center (http://www.globalsolarcenter.com/). In addition to the solar quote they provided me with all the information I needed regarding payback period,tax rebates and other government incentives.
August 27th, 2010 at 2:05 pm
Hi Stephanie,
Thanks for including Residential Solar 101 on your list of sites to visit for homeowners who are looking to go solar. We really appreciate it, and would be happy to help any of your visitors get a free quote from a local solar installer anywhere in the US. They can visit our free solar quote page to get started.
Thanks again!
David
Residential Solar 101
September 29th, 2010 at 10:45 pm
Dear Sir,
I am Jerry from GPT Solar. GPT Solar is manufacturer of photovoltaic products, providing a wide range of high quality photovoltaic products with competitive price.
Our product range includes Solar Cell, Solar Panel (Monocrystalline, Polycrystalline and CIS), Controller, Inverter; Solar LED Marker, Solar Landscaping LED String, and Solar Light etc. For more information, you are welcome to visit our website at: http://www.GPTSolar.com .
Should any of these items be of interest to you, please feel free to contact me. I will be happy to give you a quotation upon receipt of your detailed requirements.
I’m looking forward to hearing from you soon.
Have a nice day!
Best regards,
Jerry Deng
Jerry Deng
XIAMEN GPT SOLAR
TEL: 0086-592-2561661
FAX: 0086-592-2561663
E-MAIL: Jerry@GPTSolar.com
WEBSITE: Http://www.GPTSolar.com
November 10th, 2010 at 4:11 pm
Thanks for the reference/shout out, Stephanie! Seems great minds think alike… We share three out of your five action items on our “5 Things to Do Before You Get Solar” blog post:
http://www.getsolar.com/blog/f.....olar/3687/
Thanks again,
Adam
March 8th, 2011 at 2:53 pm
In life, one must keep a balance between short and long term gains and I think that ever since I installed my solar energy system, I have had both. Everyone needs to move faster on this and the government needs to support this industry’s growth because it is inevitable. Lets all start learning more about this technology and doing what we can to help the environment.
March 14th, 2011 at 12:39 am
I run a similar quote comparison site in Brisbane, Australia.
Its the only way to get proper accredited solar installers to quote on your system
July 4th, 2011 at 12:28 pm
Our company are Photovoltaic solar panel installers working all over Scotland , UK . We offer free advise and design for all our customers
September 28th, 2011 at 4:32 pm
I like your website. I am looking for a florida solar installer.
September 29th, 2011 at 11:25 am
I am looking for a MA solar installer
September 29th, 2011 at 11:29 am
I am looking for a MA solar installer.
October 3rd, 2011 at 10:17 am
I like your website. I am looking for a place where I can learn to DIY Solar Install. I find that Solar Installers are ripping off customer by charging 3 to 4 times the going rate.