14 Best Solar Companies in Columbia, MI (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 14 in Columbia based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Columbia, MI
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Columbia homeowner saves $1,812/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Columbia
If you’re looking for the best solar companies in Columbia, combing through all the options can be overwhelming, but it can pay off since adopting solar energy can offer so many good perks. Plus, proactive government support led to surging numbers of solar companies, setting the foundation for a sustainable and profitable future in the state.
There are lots of installers to choose from, but in this article, we’ll help you get a handle on all your options by recommending some of the best solar companies in Columbia.To see how much you would have to pay to put up solar panels on your roof, you can get a free, no-obligation quote from one of the top solar companies in Columbia by clicking the "get quote" button below.
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
Solar Veteran
Michigan Solar Solutions
- Great warranty coverage
- Outstanding customer service
- Offers products from leading manufacturers
- Slightly limited service offerings
- No leases or PPAs
Outstanding Local Installer
Strawberry Solar
- Outstanding customer service
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Educational, no-pressure sales approach
- Limited warranty coverage
- No leases or PPAs
- Limited brands of solar equipment available
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Columbia
The Green Panel
Free Quotes- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Solar Carports- Panel Installation
- Tesla Powerwall
- Financing Assistance
- Battery Storage
Harvest Solar
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Permit Assistance
Rustic Resource Enterprises Inc
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Battery Storage
Absolute Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
Sumpter Solar Services, LLC.
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
NovaTerra Energy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Permit Assistance
Sol Solar
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
Stoneacre Energy Solutions (SESPOWER INC)
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Skilled Repairs
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
Srinergy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Solar Carports
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
Mid-America Solar, LLC
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Carports
- Panel Installation
Spark Building Solutions
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
Water Winter Solar Installers Co
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Skilled Repairs
- System Decommissioning
- Panel Installation
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Battery Storage
Solar Energy Detroit
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
CRESIT Energy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Panel Installation
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Columbia
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Columbia 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 Columbia
Below are some the criteria we examined specifically for Michigan 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 Columbia
While solar panels can help save you money on energy over time, it’s important to consider the startup costs.Some significant things that determine the cost and possible savings include:
- Your current electricity bills: Solar panels can significantly decrease, or entirely get rid of, your utility bills. In Columbia, you can save an average of $1,254 a month.
- How much energy you use: If your household regularly uses a lot of energy, you'll reap more rewards from going solar.
- Your income and budget: This shapes what kind of solar panels you can purchase.
- Your location: This influences how much sunlight your roof gets, which helps determine how many panels you need.
So is a solar panel system worth it? Whether you hope to decrease your electricity costs, greenhouse gas emissions or both, solar panels are a worthwhile investment for many Columbia homeowners.
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Solar Incentives in Columbia
If you’re planning on making the switch to solar energy, various government incentives and state programs can immensely bring down your project costs and speed up the return on your investment.Regardless of what state you live in, you can take advantage of the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which will let you claim 0 of how much your solar project cost when you file taxes, lowering the amount of taxes you owe that year. Additionally, there may be some state and city incentives that can save you some extra money too. You can learn about the incentives available to you in our article on solar incentives
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Columbia
There are a few big reasons why many people want to invest in solar energy: to help their wallet and the environment.You may be wondering – how much do solar panels do for the environment anyway? In a city like Columbia where energy use is rather high, going solar is a great idea for those who are worried about the state of the planet.In fact, if you install solar panels, you could lower your carbon dioxide emissions by about 100 pounds each year. As you can see, going solar has so many other benefits apart from saving money. One of the major ones is that you can help save the Earth too.
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
Solar Veteran
Michigan Solar Solutions
- Great warranty coverage
- Outstanding customer service
- Offers products from leading manufacturers
- Slightly limited service offerings
- No leases or PPAs
Outstanding Local Installer
Strawberry Solar
- Outstanding customer service
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Educational, no-pressure sales approach
- Limited warranty coverage
- No leases or PPAs
- Limited brands of solar equipment available
EcoWatch's Columbia, MI Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar company is the best near me?
The best local solar company in Columbia is The Green Panel, with a rating of 4.60 stars.
What is the negative environmental impact of making solar panels?
Solar panels can be harmful for the environment when manufacturers use toxic chemicals when they’re made. Chemicals can make solar panels difficult to dispose of safely once they’ve reached the end of their lifespan. Solar panel manufacturing needs a lot of energy as well. The energy payback period is about 1 to 4 years.
How long does it take for solar to pay for itself?
Solar panels usually pay for themselves in about 12.5 years, but your solar payback period will vary depending on your utility costs. The more your typical power bill, the quicker your solar panel system will pay for itself.
When should I install solar panels?
You can install solar panels whenever it's convenient for you, but consider doing it in the winter when the demand is less. With fewer homeowners switching to solar, you could potentially see faster installation times and more savings.
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.