15 Best Solar Companies in Oakland, MI (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in Oakland based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Oakland, MI
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Oakland homeowner saves $1,301/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Oakland
When choosing between the best solar companies, Oakland homeowners have more choices than ever before, which can be too much to get a handle on, but we’re here to make adopting solar power less confusing. While solar power is a sizable investment, you’ll be able to make the cost back and then some, all while doing your part for the environment. In fact, you could look forward to saving about $15,000 over 20 years.
As you start your search for the best solar companies in Oakland, you might notice that there are many providers to choose between. So, we’ve accumulated a carefully curated list of the top solar companies in the area.Read on to see our picks for the best solar companies in the city, or connect with a vetted solar company in your area right away by clicking the 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 Oakland
Strawberry Solar
Clear Pricing Policy- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Battery Storage- Panel Installation
The Green Panel
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Tesla Powerwall
- Solar Carports
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
Solar On Inc
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Family-Operated Business
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Orange Cell Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Tesla Powerwall
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
Solar Solutions of America Inc
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
Water Winter Solar Installers Co
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Panel Installation
- System Decommissioning
- Skilled Repairs
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Consultation
SunLiving Solar
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Permit Assistance
North Coast Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
Modern Mill Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
Motor Capital Solar Solutions
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Battery Storage
- System Decommissioning
- Skilled Repairs
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Solar Energy Detroit
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Battery Storage
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
Srinergy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
- Solar Carports
GreenLancer
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Permit Assistance
- Skilled Repairs
Ryter Cooperative Industries
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
Spark Building Solutions
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Oakland
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Oakland 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 Oakland
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 Oakland
The cost of putting up solar panels has dropped greatly in the past few years, but it’s still a substantial investment for most homeowners.There are quite a few factors you should consider when determining how much it will cost and how much you can save, such as:
- How much energy your home consumes: Homes that use a lot of energy each month may need more solar panels and, therefore, more upfront cost, but will also save more on their energy bills over time.
- The kind of solar panels you want to get: Some are more highly priced, so that will shape your budget for your solar project.
- The amount of sunlight your roof gets: If your roof doesn’t get a lot of direct sunlight, your solar panels won’t be able to produce as much energy, which will leave you with lower savings on power bills than a house with a roof that gets a lot of sunlight.
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit currently lets you lower your taxes by 0 of the project cost. Your state may also have various incentives that you can take advantage of. In addition, you can save about $15,000 over 20 years on your utility bills, before factoring in incentives.
Solar is a fruitful investment for most homeowners. You can make your own energy instead of paying for it from the grid and make use of solar incentives and rebates, all while helping preserve the planet.
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Solar Incentives in Oakland
Switching to solar power has lots of considerable benefits. Not only can it help protect the planet, but you can also save a good amount of money on your installation with various government incentives.You qualify for the federal solar investment tax credit (ITC) for the tax year you turn on your a solar panel system. You can also potentially pair the ITC with other state and city rebates and benefits. Our article on solar incentives has more in-depth information on the incentives you can find in Oakland.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Oakland
Many want to do their part to help save the environment, which in many cases is the main reason they’re interested in installing solar panels.But you may be wondering – how much exactly can you help the planet by using solar power? The average person has a sizable carbon footprint. Between their car, which is responsible for over 10,000 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions every year, and powering their home, it can be overwhelming to figure out what to do. Installing solar panels is one of the easiest things you can do to help.Since solar panels don’t release carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere when generating electricity, they’re a good alternative to nonrenewable energy sources. In fact, you could lower your carbon dioxide emissions by about 100 pounds each year. As you can see, trading traditional energy for solar has so many other perks beyond saving money. One of the main ones is that you can help save the environment 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 Oakland, MI Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the top solar company in Oakland?
The highest-rated local solar company in Oakland is Strawberry Solar, with a rating of 4.60 stars.
Are solar panels really bad for the environment?
Solar panels can be harmful for the environment when manufacturers use toxic chemicals in the manufacturing process. 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.
Are solar panels worth it?
Solar panels require a large upfront investment that usually costs at least ten thousand dollars, but whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a variety of factors like local electricity rates and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.
How efficient are solar panels?
Solar panel efficiency is the amount of solar energy that is converted into electricity. Most panels today have an efficiency rating between 15 and 20%. If your panels are more efficient, you'll need less of them to meet your home's energy needs.
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.