4 Best Solar Companies in Athens, AL (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 4 in Athens based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Athens, AL
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Average Athens homeowner saves $914/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Athens
When deciding on the best solar installers, Athens homeowners have more options than ever before, which can be a lot to consider, but we’re here to make adopting solar power easier. Since energy bills are increasing each year, many homeowners are considering investing in solar to save money on electricity for their homes.
In this article, we’ll introduce you to the top Athens solar installers so you can make the best choice for your home’s clean energy needs.To help you figure out if solar panels are a good idea for your home, you can get a free, no-obligation quote from one of the best solar companies in Athens 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
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 Athens
SolStar Power
Informative Resources- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Off-Grid Solar Systems- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
Southern Solar Systems, Inc.
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Permit Assistance
Solar Technology Alabama
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Cleaning and Maintenance
ACE, LLC SOLAR
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Athens
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Athens 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 Athens
Below are some the criteria we examined specifically for Alabama 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 Athens
When picking a solar company, most homeowners or business owners worry about the costs the most.The cost and possible savings vary depending on a few key factors such as:
- 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 $11,000 over the first 20 years with your system, too.
- Choice of solar panels: The kind of solar panels you want will affect your total cost. High-efficiency monocrystalline panels will cost more upfront but can also lead to more savings over the lifetime of your system. If you don’t need to maximize efficiency, you can opt for a higher number of more affordable panels.
- Where your home is: This affects the average daily sunlight your roof gets, which helps determine how many panels you need.
- How much power your household needs: If your home needs to use a lot of energy, you'll reap more rewards from switching to solar.
Because of solar panels decreasing in cost as well as local and federal solar incentives, they are a cost-effective investment for the majority of homeowners.
Solar Savings Calculator for {{ solarcalc.name }}
For an idea of both how much you could save and impact the environment by installing a solar panel system, you can test out the calculator below. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Athens, AL.
| {{ solarcalc.time_period|number:0 }} -year savings | {{ solarcalc.total_savings()|currency }} |
| Estimated cost | {{ solarcalc.array_cost() | currency }} |
| Estimated incentives | {{ solarcalc.incentive_savings() | currency }} |
| Payback period | {{ solarcalc.payback_period()|number:1 }} years |
| CO2 emissions prevented | {{ solarcalc.CO2_total()|number:0 }} lbs |
| Miles driven equivalent | {{ solarcalc.CO2_total()/0.78|number:0 }} mi |
Switching to solar in {{ solarcalc.name }} can save you {{ solarcalc.total_savings() | currency }} over the course of {{ solarcalc.time_period|number:0 }} years.
Solar Incentives in Athens
There are several reasons why you should switch to solar. One of them involves some government incentives you can take advantage of.There are several federal, state and local rebates and tax credits that may earn you a decent amount of money back after buying solar panels. In our article on solar incentives, you can read about the incentives you qualify for near you.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Athens
One of the most compelling reasons to adopt solar power is to cut your reliance on nonrenewable energy sources like burning fossil fuels, which are damaging for the environment.A question many homeowners might be thinking about is how much can they really help the environment by switching to solar power anyway? For those who want to help preserve the planet, going solar is an easy choice, especially since Athens produces a high amount of carbon dioxide emissions from its energy generation.In fact, if you install solar panels, you could be looking at reducing your carbon dioxide emissions by about 10 pounds each year. If you want to do your part for the environment, you’ll no doubt recognize that there are many advantages to adopting solar energy other than just saving money on bills. 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 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 Athens, AL Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar installation company is the best in Athens?
In Athens, SolStar Power is the top local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 3.00 stars, so it's a great choice if you're looking to install solar panels on your home.
What are the pros and cons of solar power?
A few of the biggest pros are that it reduces your electricity bills, it’s good for the environment, and it can provide a significant return on your investment (ROI). The most notable cons are that solar panels don’t produce electricity at night, the startup costs are high and solar panels can be an eyesore.
How long does it take for solar to pay for itself?
The average payback period for solar panel installation is about 21.4 years, but the exact period varies depending on local electricity costs, incentives and net metering programs.
How much solar panel capacity do I need for my house?
Solar panel capacity is the amount of energy the panels can create under ideal conditions (a sunny day around noon). The average household has to get between 20 and 35 panels to account for how much energy they need.
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.