3 Best Solar Companies in Columbia, MS (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 3 in Columbia based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Columbia, MS
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Columbia homeowner saves $1,777/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Columbia
As a homeowner in Columbia, you may be interested in switching to solar and curious about the best solar companies in your local area. Solar could be a good idea since it has lots of perks. Because solar panels generate their own electrical power, they can vastly bring down your electricity bill each month, if not entirely eliminate it. In fact, you could look forward to about $21,000 of savings over 20 years.
In this article, we’ll help you narrow in on the top companies in your area.To receive free quotes from the best solar companies in Columbia, you can click "get quote" 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
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Columbia
A-Z Solar Services
Informative Resources- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Off-Grid Solar Systems- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Grid-Tied Solar System
SolaTrue of New Orleans, LA
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Family-Operated Business
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Permit Assistance
- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
Solar Alternatives, Inc.
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
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 Mississippi 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
For most homeowners, whether or not to invest in a solar energy system depends the most on the cost.The installation cost is just one important factor you should take into account when looking into installing solar panels. How much it'll cost and how much you can save depend on things including:
- Typical energy usage: The more electricity your household uses on average and the steeper your current power bills are, the more likely you'll benefit from making the switch to solar.
- Average daily sunlight: Since Columbia gets lots of sunlight, your solar panel system will most likely be able to produce enough energy to power your whole home, which influences how much you can save on your energy bills.
- Your income and budget: This shapes what model of solar panels you can afford.
- How much energy costs for you: The average household in Columbia pays around $1,800 a year on electricity alone, so you could be looking at that much in savings.
So is a solar system worth it? Whether you want to reduce your electricity costs, greenhouse gas emissions or both, solar panels are a good investment for many Columbia homeowners.
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Solar Incentives in Columbia
Adopting solar power has a lot of wonderful benefits. Not only can it help preserve the environment, but you can also save a good amount of money on your installation with various government incentives.These incentives typically include cash rebates, tax benefits and/or performance-based incentives. They can cut how much you pay for installing solar panels by 0, upwards of 50% depending on where you live. You can find out about the incentives available to you in our article on solar incentives
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Columbia
There are many reasons to switch to solar power, like saving some money on utility bills and helping to lower your carbon footprint.Something many might be asking themselves is how much can they really help preserve the environment by switching to solar power anyway? Using clean energy for electricity in place of burning fossil fuels is an effective way to reduce your carbon footprint if you're concerned about Columbia's sizable level of greenhouse gas emissions.Although solar panel manufacturing emits carbon dioxide, the panels make up for it by considerably reducing the amount of CO2 you would have released if you still used traditional energy. In Columbia, you can reduce your carbon footprint by 90 pounds a year with solar panels. For those 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 Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
EcoWatch's Columbia, MS Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar panel installer is the best near me?
The best local solar company in Columbia is A-Z Solar Services, with a rating of 3.00 stars.
Are solar panels really 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 recycle safely once they’ve reached the end of their lifespan. Making solar panels requires 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 9.9 years, but your solar payback period will vary depending on your utility costs. The higher your typical power bill, the quicker your solar panel system will recoup your installation costs.
When is the best time of year to install solar panels?
You can install solar panels whenever it's convenient for you, but consider doing so 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.