4 Best Solar Companies in Altoona, PA (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 4 in Altoona based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Altoona, PA
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Altoona homeowner saves $1,431/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Altoona
Hoping to obtain energy freedom in Altoona? Installing solar panels can be a rewarding home project since you can enjoy a lot of perks when you switch to solar power. While solar is a great investment, you’ll be able to make that expense back and then some, all while helping to protect the planet. In fact, you could end up with savings of about $17,000 over 20 years.
Here, we’ll narrow down some of the top solar companies in Altoona to make your decision a little easier.To get free quotes from the leading solar companies in Altoona, click the "get quote" button below.
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Altoona
Envinity, Inc.
Reliable Customer Support- Clear Pricing Policy
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Cleaning and Maintenance- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
Sun Directed
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Tesla Powerwall
Elk Creek Solar
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Financing Assistance
- Battery Storage
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Skilled Repairs
- Panel Installation
Green Solar Systems LLC
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Consultation
- Permit Assistance
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Altoona
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Altoona based on criteria such as its reputation in the industry, customer reviews, services, warranty coverage and financing. Using this solar methodology, we used the data we collected to rate and rank each company and narrow down our picks for the best solar companies in Altoona
Below are some the criteria we examined specifically for Pennsylvania solar companies
- Brand reputation and certifications (20%): We take each company's Better Business Bureau (BBB) score into consideration, as well as how long the installer has been in business (at least 5 years is required, 10 preferred) and what type of solar certifications it holds.
- Customer reviews (20%): Trust is a top priority at EcoWatch, so we take customer experience under close consideration. We scour different review sites and customer testimonials when ranking our top solar companies, checking sites such as Trustpilot and Google Reviews. We also consider any potential complaints or lawsuits filed against these companies and award or remove points accordingly.
- Warranty (20%): A company earns a perfect score in this category if it offers 25-year warranties that cover performance, product and workmanship. The industry standard that we measure companies against is 25-year product and performance warranties, along with a 10-year workmanship warranty. We also look closely into the track record of the post-installation support each company provides in terms of honoring its contracts
- Solar services (10%): All of the companies we review install solar panels, but we award companies higher points if they offer additional services for customers, like battery installation, energy-efficiency audits, and EV chargers.
- Pricing and financing (10%): It's hard to get exact quotes for solar projects, but we use marketplace research to determine how each company prices its equipment and installation services. Additionally, companies that offer more help for panel financing — like in-house loans, leases, or PPAs — score higher than those that don't.
- Availability (10%): The bigger the service area, the higher the company will score.
- Transparency and accessibility (5%): Solar installers that offer free consultations and easy contact methods score higher in this category.
- Environmental, social and corporate governance factors (5%): A company earns a perfect score in this category if it offers public data disclosure, addresses end-of-life (EOL) products or processes, and demonstrates a commitment to uplifting the communities that it serves.
The Cost and Benefits of Solar in Altoona
While solar panels can save you a good amount of money on electricity bills over time, it’s necessary to know the upfront costs.The overall price and potential savings vary depending on a few key factors such as:
- Incentives: Something that can reduce the cost of your solar project is the solar investment tax credit (ITC), which is a tax credit that’s equal to a percentage of the project cost. You can also save on your power bills, which can result in an average of $17,000 of savings over 20 years.
- The type of solar panels you can afford: This is dependent on your income and budget.
- How much energy costs for you: The typical household in Altoona spends around $1,500 a year on power alone, so you could be looking at that much in savings.
- How much electricity your household consumes: Households that use lots of power each month may require more solar panels and, therefore, more upfront cost, but will also enjoy more savings over time.
Solar is a fruitful investment for most homeowners. You can make your own energy instead of paying for it from a utility company and benefit from solar incentives and rebates, all while helping the planet.
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Solar Incentives in Altoona
Because solar power is a cleaner source of energy than fossil fuels, there are several government incentives available to encourage people to make the switch.Everyone can take advantage of the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which allows you to claim 0 of how much your solar project cost on your tax return, reducing the amount of taxes you owe that year. Plus, there may be some local incentives that can save you some extra money too. Check out our article on solar incentives to see what incentives you can benefit from.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Altoona
There are tons of reasons to make the switch to solar energy, like saving money on electricity bills and helping to reduce your carbon footprint.You may be asking yourself – how much does going solar help the environment anyway? In a city like Altoona where energy use is rather high, going solar is a good plan for homeowners who are eco-conscious.Since solar panels don’t release carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere when creating electricity, they’re a good alternative to nonrenewable energy sources. In fact, you could reduce your carbon dioxide emissions by about 50 pounds each year. If you want to do what you can for the environment, you’ll most likely recognize that there are many advantages to adopting solar energy other than just saving money on electricity. You can also help protect the environment, which some would argue is invaluable.
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
EcoWatch's Altoona, PA Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the best solar installer in Altoona?
The highest-rated local solar company in Altoona is Envinity, Inc., with a rating of 3.00 stars.
What is the negative environmental impact of solar panel manufacturing?
Producing solar panels requires chemicals and produces toxic waste that can be harmful for the environment, which is the main downside of solar panels.
How long does it take to see a return on your investment after installing solar panels?
The average payback period for solar panel installation is about 13.9 years, but the exact period varies depending on the cost of electricity where you are, incentives and net metering programs.
How often do solar panels have to be replaced?
On average, the lifespan of solar panels is about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but efficiency decreases by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a higher amount of energy production.
Our goal is to reach as many people as we can with sensible solutions like solar energy. Our team of full-time local researchers collects solar price and installation data for every city in America then compiles it to create these digestible city guides. If you want to read our solar expert’s opinion on the top solar companies featured here, follow this link.
Company research was conducted by Melissa Smith and Karsten Neumeister. Local data analysis was conducted by James Savino. See something we missed or could do better? Email the editor.