"Yellowlite did a great job. They were competitive against other solar installers, and then offered an end of the year discount that made them the winning bid. Gross cost was $2.53/W, and I will get 26% back as a tax credit. It took ~8 weeks from signing contract to install, and installation took 3 days for the electrician, 1 day for rooftop crew. They were very flexible and great to work with. For example, instead of routing conduit on the roof to connect two separate panel sections, I asked them to go through the attic, and they made the change without a second thought. The quality was great, and the electrician took his time to make the installation look good. The city inspector didn't spend much time looking at the system once he knew it was YellowLite--he was already familiar with their quality. Although the final 20% was earned for them upon startup, I did have to chase down permitting status with the utility, but only lost 1.5 weeks of solar (in cloudy February)."
"I had a gas furnace, A/C and thermostat installed. I went through a long process deciding who to hire. After checking credentials, reviews, testimonials and interviewing four contractors, I chose Brandon Heating and Air Conditioning. Adam came out and explained everything from load calculations to the install process. The technicians were professional, courteous and polite. They wore shoe covers, put down tarp and worked diligently until the job was complete. They did a thorough clean-up. I highly recommend Brandon Heating and Air."
"Great! They scheduled within about a week of the inspection. But after only an hour's work beginning at the curb, they found an existing damaged drain we hadn't known about. A quick hose check showed it serves 2 of 3 downspouts, so they cleaned it and connected their new curb outlet. With most of the quoted job not needed, we had them connect the last downspout that we hadn't planned on at this time. Final hose check showed strong clear flow out to the curb from the farthest downspout. The public sidewalk panel was replaced exactly as found. It was all done in one morning and still saved us 1/3 from the estimate. That's much of the cost of a replacement water heater, so we'll soon hire them for that thanks to quality of work and savings."
"YellowLite installed my solar system (36 panels, 91% of my energy requirements) in mid-Feb 2020. I have not paid a utility bill since then, and still have a $500 credit on my net metering. Not bad for an all-electric tri-level home, where I keep the AC set on 72F all summer..... I used the EnergySage website to gather quotes and do my research. Of the four quotes (one outside of EnergySage), YellowLite was the best system in terms of energy generation, as well as least expensive by a wide (about 20K) margin. The installation crew were very efficient and professional, as were all the folks who were involved in the project planning, surveys and service initiation. Communication was a bit spotty before project installation, but things really took off from there and I honesty cannot recommend YellowLite highly enough. Installation took less than one day. The SolarEdge app lets you see exactly what your system is generating every hour of every day. It's so wonderful to wake up every day and know I did something wonderful for Mother Earth, and it's paying me personal dividends as well. Even on an overcast November day, my system is producing SOLAR ENERGY. And if you do your research, you will likely find that if you need financing to go solar, your monthly loan payments will be about the same as you are currently paying to your energy provider; the difference is when your loan payments are completed, you will have FREE ENERGY for years to come. If you are thinking of a solar system, DON'T WAIT!! Your free electricity and your solar energy tax credit (22% in 2021) are waiting!!"
"On Thursday, the technician (David) came to my house to look at two projects: replacing a leaking electric water heater, and installing a new gas line (in my crawlspace) to my masonry fireplace so I can convert from wood to gas logs. He explained my options, and quoted prices for these options. I asked if he could do the work on the upcoming Saturday, and he scheduled this before he left! I ordered the gas tankless water heater and the gas line to my fireplace. By the way, I had 3 different plumbers look at this work, WyattWorks had the lowest prices. On Saturday David and Alex arrived early in the morning and worked past 6:30 PM to complete both jobs. The installations were great. Everything to code, and with neat, high quality workmanship and thoroughly tested. They cleaned up the work areas and hauled away my old water heater. In other words, a typical WyattWorks job."
"I have first hand knowledge of what it’s like to work with Equinox Solar. The owner is personable and very knowledgeable. His team, top notch professionals who showed up on time and got the job done in a timely fashion. I would absolutely recommend this company, and I even plan to work with them further in the future."
"Tre did a phenomenal job installing our solar panels. It was snowing and freezing the day he came out and he worked nonstop for over 10 hours to get the instalation complete. We officially passed our inspection. Im so pleased with the quality of work."
"Well we were going to do a ground mount using re-purposed metal, but there was not enough of it. So Renewable Engineered Systems designed a system for the roof of the house. We Worked with Brian Brown who helped us decide what to use. The solar panel system is very neat. Get to watch my power everyday.
"I called Mark from Advanced Air Solutions Saturday morning with an issue with my AC unit. They came out within 2 hours and assessed the issue. He had my Air conditioner up and running with an hour. I will be using Mark for my future HVAC needs. Thanks Mark!"
Homeowners replace their solar panels after 25 years. That said, you don’t necessarily need to replace them at the 25-year mark. You’ll notice a declining ability to produce electricity over time. Most homeowners spring for a replacement when they notice their energy bills creeping up to regular levels or when solar panel repairs are extensive, frequent, and no longer economical.
Although solar panels harness the sun's power, they come at an environmental cost. The manufacturing process requires large amounts of water and involves hazardous materials like cadmium, silicon, and gallium arsenide. These materials don’t pose safety hazards while the panels are in use but can pose a problem when left in landfills. Over time, hazardous materials can leach into the environment. This is why recycling solar panels whenever possible is better than taking them to landfills.
The best way to save money on solar panels is to take advantage of federal and state solar incentives. For example, the solar investment tax credit (ITC) offered by the federal government can save 30% of your total—if you can take the entire credit, which is based on income taxes owed—or an average of around $9,000. You can check the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE) for state and local incentives that could save you even more.
A few disadvantages of installing solar panels on your roof include the high up-front costs and the potential for increased property taxes. Installing solar panels can increase the home’s value, which in turn can mean higher taxes. Depending on your area, you should check with your local tax offices for more information. Another potential pitfall is roof leaks from a poor installation, but this shouldn’t be an issue if you hire a reputable company.
Insurance companies aren’t against solar panels, but they may have concerns about the risks and costs of insuring solar. The type of policy, where you live, and the insurance company itself matter. Extreme weather can damage solar panels, and faulty installation or electrical malfunctions pose a fire risk—this, in turn, can increase insurance company liability and payouts. However, you’re likely to keep coverage as long as you have a pro install the solar system, keep it maintained, can pass a solar panel inspection, and update your homeowners policy to include solar.
The Akron, OH homeowners’ guide to solar panel services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
There are a few factors to consider when it comes to solar panel repair costs. This guide breaks down the prices of solar panel removal, repair, and replacement.
Find out how much it costs to remove solar panels, including average prices, key cost factors, and tips to save money on your solar panel removal project.
There are three types of solar panels: monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and thin-film. Before choosing one for your home, here are the pros and cons of each.
If you’re making the switch to solar energy, you’ll want to know the difference between solar panels versus solar shingles. Here are the pros and cons of each.