15 Best Solar Companies in Raleigh, NC (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in Raleigh based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Raleigh, NC
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Raleigh homeowner saves $1,443/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Raleigh
As a homeowner in Raleigh, you may be planning on switching to solar power and wondering about the best solar companies in your city. Solar could be a fantastic idea since it comes with many perks. On average, you can save $17,000 over 20 years when you use solar power. And since solar panels have a lifespan of about 25 to 30 years, your total cost savings will be well above that overall.
As you set out on your search for the best solar companies in Raleigh, you might notice that there are many providers to choose between. So, we’ve put together a carefully curated list of the top solar companies in the area.If you’d like to get free, no-obligation quotes from the best Raleigh 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 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 Raleigh
NC Solar Now
Prompt Service Delivery- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Battery Storage- Panel Installation
8MSolar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- System Decommissioning
- Consultation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Tesla Powerwall
- Skilled Repairs
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
Emerald Energy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
Southern Energy Management
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Tesla Powerwall
- Skilled Repairs
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Yes Solar Solutions
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Family-Operated Business
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Tesla Powerwall
- Panel Installation
- Solar Carports
Noon Solar
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Consultation
Top Tier Solar Solutions
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Skilled Repairs
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
Wiring Solutions Plus LLC
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Quick Solar Solutions
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Tesla Powerwall
- Financing Assistance
- Permit Assistance
PE Solar
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
Greentech Renewables Raleigh
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
Just One Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
Green Home Systems
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
- Permit Assistance
- Battery Storage
Jim's Solarguard
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Family-Operated Business
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
Triangle Solar JB
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Raleigh
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Raleigh 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 Raleigh
Below are some the criteria we examined specifically for North 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 Raleigh
For lots of homeowners, the decision to invest in solar energy depends the most on the cost.Some important things that influence the cost and possible savings include:
- The model of solar panels you can afford: This hinges on what your budget is.
- Typical energy usage: The more electricity your home uses on average and the steeper your current energy bills are, the more money you could save by switching to solar.
- Incentives: Along with the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which gives you a tax credit currently worth 0 of your overall installation cost, your local government may offer additional tax exemptions, credits or rebates that will help you save even more. Not including incentives, you can save an average of $17,000 over 20 years with your system, too.
- How much you spend on energy: The typical household in Raleigh shells out around $1,500 a year on energy alone, so you could gain that much in savings.
Due to solar panels now being cheaper than ever as well as various solar incentives, they are a solid investment for most homeowners.
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Solar Incentives in Raleigh
In an effort to increase solar panel installation and usage, federal and local governments – and even some utility companies – offer incentives to help make solar power more financially viable and accessible.Local solar incentive programs depend on the location and, sometimes, utility company. A lot of states offer rebates for solar power, in addition to the federal solar tax credit. Our article on solar incentives goes over more detailed information on the incentives you can benefit from in Raleigh.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Raleigh
One of the best reasons to switch to solar energy is to minimize your reliance on nonrenewable energy sources like burning fossil fuels, which are damaging for the environment.A question many people might be wondering about is how much can they really help the environment by going solar anyway? In a city like Raleigh where commute times can be pretty long, going solar can help help reduce the carbon footprint of driving a lot.If you go solar, your carbon dioxide emissions can be reduced by about 60 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
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 Raleigh, NC Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the best solar panel company in Raleigh?
The highest-rated local solar company in Raleigh is NC Solar Now, with a rating of 5.00 stars.
What is the negative environmental impact of making solar panels?
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. Solar panel manufacturing requires a lot of energy as well. The energy payback period is about 1 to 4 years.
How long does it take to see a return on your investment after getting solar panels?
The average payback period for solar panel installation is about 13.6 years, but the exact period depends on the cost of electricity where you are, incentives and net metering programs.
How efficient are solar panels?
Solar panel efficiency is the amount of energy from the sun 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 fewer 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.