9 Best Solar Companies in Sumter, SC (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 9 in Sumter based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Sumter, SC
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Sumter homeowner saves $1,648/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Sumter
Are you looking for energy freedom in Sumter? Installing solar panels can be a rewarding investment since there are lots of benefits when you switch to solar power. While solar power is a sizable investment, you’ll be able to make the cost back and then some, all while living more sustainably. In fact, you could be looking at saving about $20,000 over 20 years.
In this article, we’ll tell you about the top Sumter solar installers so you can find the best one for your home’s green energy needs.To get free quotes from the best solar companies in Sumter, 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 Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Outstanding Regional Installer
Renu Energy Solutions
- Excellent reputation
- Many financing options
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- No leases or PPAs
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Sumter
Renu Energy Solutions
Informative Resources- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Consultation- Financing Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Battery Storage
- Tesla Powerwall
- Panel Installation
South Coast Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Tesla Powerwall
- Consultation
Broker Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Carports
- Skilled Repairs
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Solar Panel Upgrades
- System Decommissioning
Sunpro Solar
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
Poly Energy
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
BroCo Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
SOLZA POWER - Solar + Roofing
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
Southern Coker Power
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
Greentech Renewables West Columbia
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Sumter
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Sumter 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 Sumter
Below are some the criteria we examined specifically for South Carolina 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 Sumter
While solar panels can save you a decent chunk of change on electricity bills over time, it’s necessary to consider the upfront costs.Some key things that influence the upfront cost and potential savings over time include:
- Energy consumption: Installing solar panels may be a high-cost investment for homes that don’t consume too much energy each month.
- Incentives: Along with the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which lets you receive a tax credit curretnly worth 0 of your total installation cost, your state or local government may offer additional tax exemptions, credits or rebates that can help you save even more. Aside from incentives, you can save an average of $20,000 over 20 years with your solar system, too.
- The type of solar panels you can afford: This is dependent on your income and budget.
- Your location: This influences how much sunlight your roof receives, which helps determine how many panels you need.
So is installing solar panels worth it? Whether you hope to lower your electric bills, greenhouse gas emissions or both, solar panels are a good investment for many Sumter homeowners.
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Solar Incentives in Sumter
If you’re planning on making the switch to solar power, a number of government incentives and state programs can greatly bring down the installation costs and speed up the return on your investment.There are several federal, state and local rebates and tax credits that let you earn anywhere from 0 to 50% of your money back after paying for solar panels. You can learn about the incentives you can use in our article on solar incentives
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Sumter
There are tons of reasons to trade traditional energy for solar power, like saving some money on electricity bills and helping to reduce your carbon footprint.Something many homeowners might be asking themselves is how much can they really help preserve the environment by going solar anyway? The amount of energy you use is an important factor to keep in mind. The more power your household consumes, the bigger your impact when you make the switch to solar power.Because solar panels don’t release carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere when generating electricity, they’re a good swap for traditional energy sources. In fact, you could be looking at reducing your carbon dioxide emissions by about 60 pounds each year. If you want to do what you can for the environment, you’ll likely recognize that there are many advantages to adopting solar energy other than just saving money on electricity. You can also help protect the environment, which some would argue is invaluable.
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 Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Outstanding Regional Installer
Renu Energy Solutions
- Excellent reputation
- Many financing options
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- No leases or PPAs
EcoWatch's Sumter, SC Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar panel installer is the best near me?
In Sumter, Renu Energy Solutions is the best local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 4.60 stars, so it's a solid choice if you're planning on installing solar panels on your roof.
Are solar panels actually eco-friendly?
Solar panels can be harmful 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. 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 can be a good investment for many homeowners, but admittedly, they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get a lot of direct sunlight or your energy bills are already fairly low, solar panels might not be for you.
How often do solar panels need to be replaced?
Even though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they should be disposed of. What this means is how much energy they produce will have decreased by about 0.8% each year since installing them. You can decide to replace them after having them for that long or you can keep using them at a lower efficiency after that time.
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.