Alabama is a Fantastic Place for Residential Solar – Here are the Top Companies to Call
Alabama enjoys more than 200 sunny days per year on average, making it a fantastic place to install rooftop solar panels. With solar energy adoption growing steadily across the Yellowhammer State, the solar possibilities – and potential savings – continue expanding for Alabama homeowners.
Choosing the right installation company is key to realizing the benefits of solar in Alabama. The ideal solar provider brings top-tier expertise, high-quality equipment, strong warranties and competitive pricing tailored to your needs.
As a long-time Alabama resident and solar industry analyst, I‘ve researched the local market extensively to determine the top solar installers currently operating in the state. Based on factors like experience, reputation, affordability and service capabilities, the following five companies stand out as the best options for rooftop solar in Alabama right now:
Top 5 Residential Solar Companies in Alabama
- Solar Technology Alabama
- Southern Solar Systems
- SunPower Corporation
- Eagle Solar and Light
- Creative Solar USA
With over a decade serving homeowners across Alabama, Solar Technology Alabama (https://solartechnologyalabama.com/) stands as my top pick for residential solar installations in the state. I chose them based on superb customer service, highly customized solutions to fit each home‘s unique needs, top safety and craftsmanship standards, and an unbeatable 25-year warranty protecting against defects.
While Solar Tech Alabama offers a full spectrum of solar solutions – including systems for grid-tied, off-grid, RV and backup power applications – they specialize in high-efficiency rooftop installations for homes and businesses. Their use of cutting-edge panel technology from trusted brands like Q Cells, Longi and Canadian Solar ensure you‘ll maximize solar output and energy bill savings based on your roof type and electricity usage patterns.
As an Alabama-based company performing all work in-house, Solar Tech Alabama‘s installers have invaluable insight into local building codes, permitting, weather patterns and utility policy when designing your custom system. And with advanced battery storage options from LG Chem and Tesla now available, you can take full advantage of your solar even when the sun‘s not shining while reducing reliance on the traditional grid.
For over nine years, Southern Solar Systems (https://southernsolarsys.com) has brought specialized solar expertise and quality equipment to residential and commercial clients across Alabama. This locally owned operation based in Huntsville offers a full range of solar services alongside other renewable solutions like geothermal heat pumps.
With advanced training certification from industry leaders like the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), Southern Solar‘s team can walk you through all technical considerations when transitioning to solar, from panel siting and placement to electrical connections and metering. Their installers take extra care to waterproof penetrations and flashings around your rooftop array, providing assurance that your system can withstand Alabama‘s climate while keeping your home protected.
While pricing is very competitive, especially thanks to the 30% federal tax credit, what sets Southern Solar apart is their commitment to education and customization during each installation. They won‘t just try to sell you on the biggest system but rather analyze your budget and lifestyle needs to right-size a solution that optimizes savings. And with robust warranty coverage alongside responsive, long-term maintenance and monitoring, you gain invaluable peace of mind.
Boasting the highest efficiency panels on the U.S. residential market (typically 22-24% versus the 15-18% industry average), SunPower (https://us.sunpower.com) has provided best-in-class solar solutions to over 500,000 homeowners globally since 1985. While the company handles major commercial projects worldwide, they also partner with a network of authorized local dealers to deliver tailored rooftop systems across Alabama.
SunPower panels, made in the USA at their cutting-edge factories, are engineered at the micro-level to squeeze every last drop of performance, even on hot summer afternoons when output typically drops. And that superior efficiency directly translates to faster payback on your system as more of the sun‘s energy gets converted to bill-lowering electricity.
While their premium panels come at a higher upfront price, SunPower‘s massive R&D budget has paid off with an unmatched 25-year warranty covering not just equipment failures but also output and labor. So you can count on decades of hassle-free solar production. And right now, taking advantage of the 30% federal tax credit plus additional local incentives can make the world‘s best solar panels surprisingly affordable.
SunPower dealers also offer flexible payment options like low-interest loans and solar leases (with pre-qualified approval) to align easier ownership with your budget. And their online design tools let you forecast savings and payback timelines based on your actual roof and electricity profile before even contacting a dealer.
Since 2013, family-owned Eagle Solar & Light (https://eaglesolarandlight.com) has provided quality solar installations and exceptional warranty coverage across Alabama. They specialize in both home installations and larger commercial projects up to the megawatt scale.
The company has a well-earned, outstanding reputation thanks to their combination of high-caliber equipment – they work closely with top brands like QCells, Longi, and Hyundai – plus workmanship warranties protecting against any deficiencies for 25 years. This exceeds protections offered even by much larger national companies.
Based in Birmingham, Eagle Solar & Light performs most system maintenance and repairs in-house, allowing fast response if any issues arise despite their stringent quality control standards during initial builds. Their crews take extra precautions to meet local building codes and manufacturer specifications at every project phase, from assessing your site to component selection to the final interconnection process.
While Eagle Solar & Light is not the least expensive option available, they emphasized customer education over hard selling. Their professional team works closely with you to match the right system size and features to your consumption needs so that going solar pencils out financially. Local supply chain advantages also help keep project costs very reasonable compared to competitors.
The family-owned team at Creative Solar USA (https://creativesolarusa.com) takes deep pride in providing personalized service and education while delivering optimal rooftop solar solutions for home and business owners across the state. Their mantra "from design to install, we do it all" means you get a true turnkey experience.
Operating out of Birmingham since 2008, Creative Solar handles everything in-house – including permits and paperwork – to reduce headaches during what can be an overwhelming process for newcomers to solar. Their expertise transcends just PV equipment into full-service electrical work, and they hold multiple Alabama business licenses for a smooth, code-compliant install.
When it comes to warranties, Creative Solar provides strong 25-year coverage for manufacturer defects. But what sets them apart is an exceptional guarantee against any leaks or water damage around roof penetrations over the same period – offering valuable peace of mind against installation mistakes.
While Creative Solar USA competes well on price thanks to wise wholesale equipment purchases, their website lacks the transparency seen at some competitors. So be sure to inquire about current deals, financing options, and any available local incentives not yet advertised that could enhance the savings potential.
What To Look For in an Alabama Solar Company
With those five top providers profiled, let‘s examine a few key points to weigh when evaluating prospective solar installers to find the optimal match.
Strong Workmanship & Equipment Warranties
Alabama‘s climate exposes rooftop solar equipment to extreme weather risks ranging from summer thunderstorms and high winds to even tornadoes. So opting for installers that provide exceptionally long product and workmanship warranties gives essential financial protection. Never settle for less than 25 years of coverage.
Battery Storage Options
To maximize your clean energy ‘self-sufficiency‘ and offset nighttime electricity draws from the grid, adding a home battery bank lets you tap stored solar from sunnier parts of the day. While still a significant investment, economical lithium battery options continue dropping, so choose a solar provider offering integrated storage.
High-Efficiency Panels
To combat Alabama‘s hot and humid summers when solar productivity dips, using the highest efficiency panels possible ensures your system can still meet household demands. Opt for cutting-edge monocrystalline offerings from reputable brands with real-world efficiency above 20%
Experience & Training
No energized electrical project on your roof should be a rookie learning process. Only use properly licensed, insured, extensively experienced installers that follow rigorous safety protocols and pursue regular training updates on equipment and best practices.
Customization Is Key
Declare war on pushy sales pitches for oversized arrays and rigged cost savings claims. Quality solar installers start by assessing your household‘s unique consumption patterns and budget to right-size a system, not maximize profits. Demand personalized options.
Solar Energy Continues Gaining Steam in Alabama
So why has residential solar adoption accelerated so rapidly in Alabama over the past five years? For starters, the state enjoys 40% more sunny days per year than the average nationally – providing essentially free fuel for solar panels. Plus, investing in rooftop solar helps homeowners slash exposure to volatile utility prices long-term.
And the unique incentives now available make going solar very attractive:
Federal Solar Tax Credit – Enjoy a generous 30% credit reducing system costs through the end of 2023 before it steps down incrementally.
Property Tax Exemption – Alabama fully exempts the added value solar installations bring to your home‘s assessment.
Solar Sales Tax Exemption – Buy equipment without any state sales tax applied.
Net Metering – Receive energy bill credits when feeding excess solar back to the grid for neighbors to use.
At the same time, this nascent marketplace lacks the cutthroat competition you might find out west, meaning smaller local companies still dominate over large national operators. These tight-knit installers offer superior service and can pass significant cost advantage compared to bigger corporations saddled with massive bureaucratic overhead.
That combination translates into solar payback timelines averaging well under 10 years in Alabama. So take control over your energy costs while contributing to local job growth by going solar this year!
Key Takeaways: Choosing the Best Solar Company in Alabama
Look for reputable local installers with strong roots in their community, top safety standards and competitive yet transparent pricing.
Demand long 25+ year warranties guarding against both equipment failures and improper workmanship that could lead to leaks or storm damage.
Maximize savings by integrating high-efficiency panels and battery storage for use during high-demand evening hours.
Beware salespeople who won‘t invest time understanding your household‘s unique needs and constraints. Quality solar requires customization.
Leverage federal and state solar incentives this year before tax credits start stepping down.
Ready to explore rooftop solar options for your Alabama home? Reach out today for a free consultation!
