According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, Tennessee homeowners have a choice of over 40 installation businesses for their solar energy systems (SEIA). Selecting the finest installer for your requirements can be difficult because all of these installers offer various quality systems, warranty coverage, and equipment.
So that you don’t have to, we’ve done all of the installers in TN’s service area research. The businesses listed below are the ones we believe provide Tennessee residents the finest overall options:
Solar company:
ADT Solar
read our review
Solar company:
Shine Solar
read our review
Solar company:
GES Solar
read our review
How Can You Save Money In Tennessee When Hiring A Solar Company?
Before any incentives, the average cost of solar panel installations in Tennessee is about $29,880. This assumes a per-watt cost of $2.49, which is considerably less than the national average of $2.66, and an average system size of 12 kW, which is significantly more than most Americans actually use.
The high cost of solar systems in Tennessee may make switching to solar energy unaffordable for many locals. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to choose an installer without breaking the bank. These consist of:
- Pick a high-efficiency solar panel manufacturer.
- Think about adding a battery to go with your solar panels.
- Obtain several estimates
Utilize all the incentives at your disposal.
First of all, every solar client in the United States, including Tennessee, may presently save thousands of dollars, on average, by utilizing the solar incentives available in their area. The accessible benefit programs in the Volunteer State are fewer than those in most states, but they’re still a terrific approach to lower the expenses of your effective system.
Pick a Brand of High-Efficiency Panels
Selecting a solar installation that offers high-efficiency panel brands is a fantastic additional approach to cut costs. Although Tennessee has somewhat more sunny days than the national average each year, its citizens also consume significantly more energy monthly than the national average. Increased-efficiency panels are necessary because of high consumption to reduce utility costs.
Choosing a panel with an efficiency of at least 20% will assist keep initial expenses low and still satisfy your needs, as opposed to increasing the size of your system to make production match demand.
Company nuances
Sadly, Tennessee is one of the few states that does not have net metering, also known as net energy metering. A program known as net energy metering allows you to receive credit for all excess production and to use those credits for free whenever you need to draw power from the grid. One of the best benefits of solar power is net metering, which makes it feasible to completely eliminate energy expenditures.
Installing a solar energy storage system can increase your initial outlay of cash, but in states without the policy, like Tennessee, spending more on a battery can frequently result in long-term financial savings.
Obtain Several Quotes
Finally, we advise you to request a couple free quotations from local businesses. You’ll find a wide range of system prices based on equipment and labor costs given by each of Tennessee’s more than 40 solar contractors. Quotes from two installers for the same system can differ by hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
We advise you to request quotes from at least three of the installers mentioned above or from other businesses you find online. Then you may evaluate products based on price and value and pick the one that works best for you and your house.
Use our solar calculator for more information on how much your system will cost and how much you can save.
Will Solar Boost Your Tennessee Home’s Value?
Yes, it is anticipated that adding solar panels to your home will increase its value in Tennessee. According to Zillow’s estimates, installing solar can increase the value of your property by an average of 4.1%. 6 Tennessee property owners should anticipate an average increase of roughly $12,710.7 with an average property value of about $310,000.
Due to Tennessee’s partial exemption from property taxes, the value rise will not have the same tax implications as other house upgrades of same value.
Also worth mentioning is the possibility of decreased property value increases in Nashville and Memphis as a result of solar conversion. Unfortunately, local utility companies have levied taxes on the accounts of solar consumers, which makes solar less desirable and less valuable. Examples of these firms include Nashville Electric Company and Memphis Light Gas & Water.
The property value gain is anticipated to be slightly higher due to higher property values in other significant cities where comparable levies are not levied, such as Antioch and Murfreesboro.
Should Tennessee residents go with a pro or do it themselves for solar installation?
Many Tennessee residents think about doing their own solar panel installation because solar conversion expenses there are close to $30,000. From a purely financial standpoint, DIY solar systems tend to cost between $10,000 and $15,000. As a result, they are more enticing.
DIY Panels Score Less Efficiently
First off, DIY-installable panels, such as those made by Renogy and WindyNation, generally have lower efficiency ratings. Between 15% and 20% is the common efficiency range for DIY brands, with 15% being the average. Professionally installed panels have efficiencies of up to 22.7% and an average efficiency of above 20%.
In TN, panel efficiency is important for two reasons. The efficiency rating firstly establishes the amount of sunlight that may be used to generate power. Greater efficiencies result in more power, which over time results in greater savings.
Second, you’ll typically save more money with high-efficiency panels than you would with a DIY setup. This is partly because Tennessee uses more energy than usual, which results in higher-than-average power costs.
Self-Serve System Warranties not as attractive
Your solar project’s warranty coverage is an important factor to take into account in Tennessee. All three warranty choices are important:
In the event that a product or piece of equipment is faulty, equipment warranties serve to protect your system.
By providing efficiency warranties, you can prevent your panels from deteriorating faster than you had intended.
Workmanship guarantees aid in preventing panel or property damage during the installation process. In Tennessee, where rainfall is above average and severe weather can reveal even small installation problems, damages can be common.
For DIY systems, the warranty typically lasts five to 10 years for the equipment and efficiency but does not cover workmanship. With an average of 25 years for equipment and panel manufacture and 10 years for workmanship, professional panels provide much superior protection.
Installations Done Yourself Are More Likely to Cause System and Property Damage
And last, DIYers are much more prone to make mistakes when installing solar panels. Over time, even small problems might become very problematic. Particularly, Tennessee experiences rainfall that is between 1.5 and two times more than the national average, increasing the likelihood of roof leaks and water damage.
Even while a professional installation will initially cost more, if problems arise with a DIY installation, you may end up saving money on system and home repairs. An skilled specialist will also provide you confidence that your system won’t have any significant problems, which is valuable on its own, in our opinion.
What Qualities Should a Tennessee Solar Installer Have?
It might be overwhelming to choose a solar installer in a region like Tennessee where there are numerous possibilities. To help you make a decision a little bit easier, we advise focusing on a few specific qualities. These consist of:
- Strong guarantee protection
- Display brands
- Local reputation and experience
In the paragraphs that follow, we’ll discuss why these factors are so important.
Dependable warranty coverage
As was already said, solar warranties are an important factor in determining whether your system is installed correctly and is capable of meeting your energy needs. All three of the available solar warranties are beneficial, however in Tennessee we advise giving production warranties priority.
Because TN citizens have some of the highest energy needs in the nation, production is extremely important.
Your panels must have a high production capacity in order to match use and save you the most money on your electricity costs. It is exceptional that an efficiency warranty, also known by other names like performance guarantees, ensures adequate energy generation for a minimum of 25 years.
The greatest businesses will compensate you if your system doesn’t live up to expectations.
Panel Brands Available
Next, for the same reasons why efficiency warranties are so crucial, we advise giving businesses that carry premium solar panel brands priority. More energy may be generated in all scenarios with increased power production capacity, which over time results in higher electric bill savings.
Experience and reputation in the area
Finally, we advise searching for businesses with at least five years of local experience and a good track record with clients.
We’re seeing more and more businesses spring up to satisfy the need in places like TN, where the solar industry is really starting to take off.
Young businesses aren’t always negative, but their inexperience often causes delays and poses a risk of installation problems. Additionally, they run the risk of failing and nullifying your warranties.
Conclusion
The best method to guarantee you receive high-quality service and a low risk of problems during the installation process is to select an installer with years of expertise in Tennessee especially and a good reputation among clients.
