15 Best Solar Companies in Ellicott City, MD (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in Ellicott City based on:
- Customer review scores
- Service area for Ellicott City, MD
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Ellicott City homeowner saves $1,197/year with solar panels
Updated February 01, 2024
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Ellicott City
Hoping to go solar but trying to figure out which solar panel installer would be best for your needs? Although it can be hard to pick a solar company, the effort will pay off because going solar has many good perks. On average, your family can save $14,000 over 20 years after installing a solar panel system. And since solar panels last about 25 to 30 years, your total cost savings will be well above that overall.
As you start your search for the best solar companies in Ellicott City, you might notice that there are a lot of providers to choose from. So, we’ve put together a curated list of the top solar companies in the area.If you’d like to get free, no-obligation quotes from the top Ellicott City solar companies, you can click the button below to learn more.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
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 Ellicott City
Paradise Energy Solutions
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Commercial Panels
- Battery Storage
- Maintenance
- Consultation
- Residential Panels
MSSI - Maryland Solar Solutions, Inc
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Carports
- Financing Assistance
- Maintenance
- Commercial Panels
- Skilled Repairs
- Residential Panels
Solar-Verse
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Residential Panels
- Consultation
EDGE Energy
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
- Residential Panels
- Cleaning
- Energy Efficiency Audit
- Commercial Panels
410 Energy Solutions
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Solar Roof Assessment
- Residential Panels
- Financing Assistance
- Maintenance
Sunburst Solar LLC
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Residential Panels
- Permit Assistance
- Consultation
- Skilled Repairs
- Financing Assistance
Solar Energy Services, Inc.
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Residential Panels
- Consultation
- Commercial Panels
- Maintenance
GreenBrilliance
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
- Residential Panels
- Maintenance
- Commercial Panels
The Solar Brokers USA
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Residential Panels
- Consultation
Advanced Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Residential Panels
- Commercial Panels
- Permit Assistance
Advanced Green Home Solutions
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Commercial Panels
- Full-Service
- Residential Panels
- Energy Efficiency Audit
Power Factor
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Residential Panels
- Commercial Panels
- Financing Assistance
- Emergency Services
American Sentry Solar
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Professional reinstallation
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Integrated roofing
- Residential Panels
- Energy storage solutions
- Business installations
- Home installations
Suntuity Solar
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Residential Panels
- Financing Assistance
- Permit Assistance
- Commercial Panels
- Consultation
Glim Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Roof Assessment
- Consultation
- Maintenance
- Residential Panels
- Financing Assistance
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Ellicott City
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Ellicott City 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 Ellicott City
Below are some the criteria we examined specifically for Maryland 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 Ellicott City
For many people, the decision of which solar company to hire comes down to how much it’ll cost.The installation cost is just one important factor you should keep in mind when looking into installing solar panels. How much it'll cost and how much you can save depend on things including:
- Electricity consumption: The average home in Ellicott City uses a decent amount of, and so may save on their energy bills.
- System size and type: Some models are more expensive than others, so the one you want can raise or lower your initial investment. Plus, the more solar panels you need to buy, the more it'll cost.
- Average daily sunlight: Since Ellicott City gets a decent amount of average daily sunlight, your solar panels can generally generate enough energy to power your whole home, which affects how much your electricity bills will be.
- Your household's power bills: Based on the high monthly electricity bills in Ellicott City, you could save about $1,400 a year with solar.
There are many wonderful benefits of solar even with the upfront cost of installation. It can help the Earth and your wallet. Additionally, it can increase the value of your home, giving you even more benefits if you choose to sell your home later.
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Solar Incentives in Ellicott City
Switching to solar power has many wonderful benefits. Not only can it help preserve the Earth, but you can also save a good amount of money on your installation with various government incentives.Regardless of where you live, you can take advantage of the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which will allow you to claim 0 of your project costs when you file taxes, reducing the amount of taxes you owe that year. Additionally, there may be some state and city incentives that stack with the ITC too. For more information about local incentives, see our article on solar incentives.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Ellicott City
Switching to solar energy can have a meaningful effect on the environment.Something many might be wondering about is how much can they really help preserve the environment by going solar anyway? As stated by the EPA, electricity generation is the second largest source of greenhouse gas emissions and about 62% of our electricity comes from burning fossil fuels. Using solar power can help bring down that number in a city like Ellicott City that is responsible for a fair amount of carbon dioxide emissions each year.Since solar panels don’t release carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere when creating electricity, they’re a good trade for traditional energy sources. In fact, you could be looking at reducing your carbon dioxide emissions by about 60 pounds each year. For homeowners who care about the environment, the upfront cost of solar is a small price to pay for the offset carbon emissions.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
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 Ellicott City, MD Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar company is the best near me?
The best local solar company in Ellicott City is Paradise Energy Solutions, with a rating of 3.00 stars.
Are solar panels actually good for the environment?
Solar panels can be bad for the environment when manufacturers use toxic chemicals in the construction. Chemicals can make solar panels difficult to dispose of safely once they’ve reached the end of their lifespan. Solar panel manufacturing requires a lot of energy as well. The energy payback period is about 1 to 4 years.
Is it worth installing solar panels on my house?
Solar panels can be a great investment for a majority of homeowners, but frankly, they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get a lot of direct sunlight or your power bills are already pretty low, solar panels might not be for you.
What is the best type of solar panel?
The different types of solar panels are monocrystalline, polycrystalline and thin-film. Monocrystalline panels are more efficient but also cost more. Polycrystalline panels are cheaper but also less efficient than monocrystalline. Thin-film solar panels are flexible, so they can be used where the other types can’t, such as on curved surfaces or cars, but they are also less efficient. The best one for you depends on your budget, roof configuration and desired energy output.
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.