This post is sponsored and contributed by Thumbtack, a Patch Brand Partner.

As a homeowner, investing in solar energy is an excellent way to save money on your electric bill and reduce your carbon footprint. Although solar panels typically cost you thousands of dollars to purchase and install upfront, there are many ways solar energy can benefit the environment — and your wallet — in the long run. Solar panels can also increase your home's value and are considered a long-term, low-risk investment.

Looking to learn more about installing solar panels at your home? Here are some commonly asked questions that will help you determine if going solar is the right decision for you.

SunPower, LG, REC and Panasonic are widely considered to make some of the best solar panels due to the high efficiencies, competitive pricing and 25-year warranty offered by each brand, according to Energysage. These companies combine durability and reliability with premium protection and fair prices — which are all important factors to consider when shopping for solar panels.

At some point, you may be faced with a decision: Save some money and buy "cheaper" solar panels, or spend a little more for the higher-quality solar panels. If you decide to invest a bit more money upfront in higher-quality panels and materials, you'll likely see a higher return on your investment in the long run. Plus, more-expensive panels may also be more efficient, meaning you'll need fewer panels for the same amount of energy output.

Leasing your solar panels is an extremely popular — and low-cost — option. However, many pros advise against it. Over time, you'll end up paying significantly more for your solar energy system, but you won't actually own anything. It also makes selling your home more complicated because the new owners would have to take on the solar lease.

If you're considering financing your solar panels, make sure to research your lender and review the financing plan very carefully. Consider credit unions and local lenders, and be sure to ask if they'll put a lien on your home. That can make refinancing hard.

Since installing a solar energy system is an involved process that requires skill and experience, you'll definitely want to hire a professional to get the job done. And thanks to Thumbtack — a convenient home services app used by millions — you can easily find a professional in the Temecula area to help you install or repair your solar panels.

While prices for going solar can be affected by numerous factors — including the type and number of solar panels required, the amount of energy that needs to be generated, the slope of your south-facing roof and more — the average fixed cost for solar panel installation and repair in the greater Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA region is $7,715, according to data obtained by Thumbtack.

Ready to be on your way to total solar power? Here are some top-rated solar panel installation and repair professionals in the Temecula area.

The average time period most people can expect, from signing a contract to running on solar power, is approximately three months. However, there are a number of factors that determine your solar power installation timeline:

If you're interested in hiring a pro from Thumbtack to install your solar panels, you can view the company profile and even message to ask about the installation process or project lead time. The pro can also provide you with an accurate quote.

In addition to getting solar panels installed, you can use Thumbtack to connect with other local pros to complete virtually any home task. You can hire a pool installation service, house cleaner, electrician, plumber, landscaper and pretty much any other professional you can think of to help you tackle that to-do list. Thumbtack professionals even have reviews, so you know exactly what other Temecula community members thought of their services.

Pricing data is based on projects requested on Thumbtack in the past 24 months as reported directly by the independent service professional or individual consumer.

This post is sponsored and contributed by Thumbtack, a Patch Brand Partner.