5 Best Solar Companies in Southside, AL (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 5 in Southside based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Southside, AL
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Southside homeowner saves $1,777/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Southside
Are you looking for energy freedom in Southside? Installing solar panels can be a rewarding home project since you can take advantage of a lot of benefits after adopting solar power. Plus, the solar industry is thriving in Southside, giving homeowners access to some of the most reputable solar panel companies in the country.
In this article, we’ll review the top Southside solar installers so you can find the best one for your home’s renewable energy needs.Read on to see our picks for the top solar companies in the city, or get connected with a certified solar company near you 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
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 Southside
Eagle Solar & Light
Reliable Customer Support- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Panel Installation- Consultation
- Battery Storage
Solar Technology Alabama
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Panel Installation
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
Vulcan Solar Power, LLC
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
Small Tech Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
Southern Solar Systems, Inc.
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Permit Assistance
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Southside
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Southside 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 Southside
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 Southside
Although solar panels can help save you a decent chunk of change on electricity bills over time, it’s important to consider the startup costs.Some key things that influence how much it will cost and how much you could save include:
- How much sunlight your roof gets: If your roof doesn’t get a lot of direct sunlight, your solar system won’t be able to make as much energy, which will leave you with lower savings on electricity bills than a house with a roof that gets a lot of sunlight.
- Your income and budget: This guides what kind of solar panels you can get.
- Incentives: Those who buy and install a solar system this year can save 0 of their total solar spend by using the federal solar investment tax credit. You can also save about $21,000 on your energy bills over 20 years not including incentives.
- How much power your home consumes: Households that need lots of electricity each month may require more solar panels and, consequently, be more costly, but will also save more on their energy bills over time.
There are many good benefits of solar in spite of the upfront cost of installation. It can help the environment and your wallet. Plus, it can increase the value of your home, resulting in even more benefits if you decide to sell your home later.
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Solar Incentives in Southside
In order to increase the number of homes and businesses that use solar power, federal, state and local governments – and even some utility companies – offer incentives to help make switching to solar power more economically viable and accessible.You are eligible for the federal solar investment tax credit (ITC) for the tax year you turn on your a solar panel system. You can also possibly use the ITC with other local incentives. Our article on solar incentives has more information on the incentives you can find in Southside.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Southside
There are tons of reasons to trade traditional energy for solar energy, like saving on utility bills and helping to lower your carbon footprint.You may be curious – how much does making the switch help the environment anyway? The more power your family uses, the better off the planet will be if you switch to solar as you won’t have to use as much nonrenewable energy.Once you go solar, your carbon dioxide emissions can be lowered by about 90 pounds a year. If you want to do your part for the environment, you’ll no doubt understand that there are many benefits of adopting solar power other than just saving money on bills. You can also help protect the environment, which some would argue is priceless.
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 Southside, AL Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar installation company is the best near me?
In Southside, Eagle Solar & Light is the best local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 3.00 stars, so it's a great choice if you're looking to add solar panels to your roof.
What are a few of the major pros and cons of switching to solar?
The advantages of solar power are that it can lower or, for some, entirely cut your electricity bills, improve your home’s value and reduce your carbon footprint. The disadvantages are that solar panels can be pricey to install, you may not save a lot if you don’t use a lot of electricity and whether you can install solar panels depends on your roof configuration.
Is it worth installing solar panels on my roof?
Solar panels call for 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 how much direct sunlight your roof gets.
What are the different types of solar panels?
The different types of solar panels are monocrystalline, polycrystalline and thin-film. Monocrystalline panels are more efficient but also cost more. Polycrystalline panels are cheaper but also less efficient than monocrystalline. Thin-film solar panels are flexible, so they can be used where the other types can’t, like on curved surfaces or cars, but they are also less efficient. The best one for you depends on your budget, roof layout and how much energy generation you want.
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.