Best Solar Panel Installation Companies in Arkansas – CNET

Arkansas has affordable electricity rates, at less than 12 cents per kilowatt-hour in June 2023 — but solar panels might still make sense for your individual home energy situation.

Plenty of sunlight, strong net metering policies and affordable solar panel price make the path to energy independence a little easier in the Natural State. Arkansas averages 4.69 hours of peak sun per day, which is great for solar energy generation, and residential solar costs have decreased by 52% in the past 10 years. 

The Inflation Reduction Act passed by Congress in 2022 put forward a federal tax credit arming residents with more solar buying power. This credit, the residential clean energy credit, lets homeowners take advantage of a 30% rebate on all of the clean energy additions they make to their homes; that includes solar panel systems and solar batteries.

If you’re looking to go solar and save money on your energy bills, here’s what you need to know, starting with the best solar companies operating within Arkansas.

Arkansas solar panel companies

SunPower Solar

Best solar panels

If you’re looking for top-of-the-line solar panels, SunPower is your best choice. But don’t write it off if you’re looking for a less flashy installation that will get the job done. This year it started installing Qcells panels, which should make an installation from the longest-tenured company on our list available to more people.

Freedom Forever

Best for cash customers

Include Freedom Forever in your search if you want the backing of a national company that installs a wide variety of the most popular solar equipment available. Freedom Forever also extends a couple of products that take some of the pain and risk out of going solar, like a production guarantee and an escrow option with cash purchases. Online reviews say customer satisfaction has been low of late, though the company says that’s changing.

Tesla Solar

Most affordable

Tesla’s solar branch seems to be the least loved of Elon Musk’s ventures. Even Tesla’s Solar Roof seems to get more love.

If price is the thing you won’t budge on, consider Tesla. By all accounts, Tesla installs quality panels and makes the closest thing there is to a household name in solar storage: the Powerwall.

Where you might miss out is customer service. Discussion online seems to suggest Tesla’s service is a bit of a gamble.

Local solar panel companies in Arkansas

How to determine which solar company in Arkansas is best for me

Arkansas has just 16 solar developers and installers, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association. But you only need to pick one. The most important thing is not to just go with the first company that shows up at your door promising energy independence. Solar panels are a big, expensive investment. Here are some tips:

• Get a lot of quotes.
• Ask your friends and neighbors with solar panels about their experiences.
• Make sure installers have visited your home and are basing their quote on your property and needs.
• Consider each company’s customer reviews and reputation.

Cost of solar panels in Arkansas 

Here’s a look at the average cash price for a typical solar panel system in Arkansas before factoring in tax credits and incentives, according to data from FindEnergy.com.

The average total cash price, cost per watt and typical system size for a solar panel system in your state are displayed on the interactive map below, in accordance with data from FindEnergy.com. Prices shown don’t factor in tax credits or state incentives. Certain states don’t have any FindEnergy solar data and are grayed out on the map.

Read more: Just looking for an emergency backup? Check out portable solar panels and solar generators.  

Solar panel incentives and rebates in Arkansas

Thanks to tax incentives and net metering programs, choosing to power your home with solar energy can make your utilities more affordable. One of the most impactful includes the federal residential clean energy credit offering a 30% tax credit on solar systems purchased from 2022 until the end of 2032. The credit drops to 26% in 2033 and 22% in 2034 before phasing out in 2035. It’s important to point out though, that Arkansas does not offer property tax exemption. No exemption means a solar system may increase your home’s value and, therefore, your property taxes could increase.

Here’s a look at solar incentives available in Arkansas:

Solar financing options for Arkansas residents 

Explore the following payment options for purchasing a solar panel system. Review CNET’s solar buying guide and consider each option’s potential benefits and drawbacks.

Cash: If you want the quickest return on investment and to take advantage of tax incentives, consider making a cash purchase or a solar loan. The upfront costs of a cash purchase are high but have no interest or fees. 

Loan: If you don’t have the cash to pay for a system upfront but still want to own your own solar panels, consider a loan. Solar companies often have partners with lenders offering solar-specific loans, and you can also buy panels using home equity loans, home equity lines of credit or personal loans.

Lease or power purchase agreement: If you’re interested in lower upfront costs, you should explore solar lease and power purchase agreement options. While you won’t benefit from incentives, solar leases and PPAs provide the benefits of solar without ownership. In a solar lease, you pay a fixed monthly price to the solar company that owns the panels. In a PPA, you pay a price based on the energy used.

Installation factors to examine

Consider the following five questions when determining if installing solar panels is right for your home. 

• Are you part of an HOA? There are no laws prohibiting homeowners’ associations in Arkansas from banning solar panels. Check the rules of your HOA or other neighborhood association to ensure you follow any guidelines. 
• Do you own or rent your home? Renters may inquire with landlords about getting solar panels or pursue opportunities like community solar through subscription services. 
• Does your home insurance cover solar panels? Contact your homeowners insurance company to ensure your current policy covers solar panels. 
• What is the condition of your roof? Depending on the age and wear of your roof, maintenance and repairs may be necessary before installing solar panels. 
• Where is your home? Consider outdoor elements that may shade your roof, such as large trees or nearby buildings. Solar panels can generate some electricity while shaded but perform best in direct sunlight. 

How we found the best solar companies

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