5 Best Solar Companies in Georgia (2022 Rankings & Reviews)
In this EcoWatch guide on the best solar companies in Georgia, you’ll learn:
- How we evaluated local solar installers
- Who the best solar installers in Georgia are
- What the pros/cons and quick facts of each solar installer are
- What to look for in a solar installer as a Georgian
Why You Can Trust EcoWatch
Our content is created and advised by solar industry experts, giving you the information you need to make smart decisions about solar for your home.
No other site has access to the same data and insider information as EcoWatch, and you can rest assured our reviews and rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.
Nationwide Service
Average cost
SunPower
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Most efficient panels on the market
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National coverage
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Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
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Great warranty coverage
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Expensive
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Customer service varies by local dealer
Services Offered
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Solar Panels
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Solar Batteries
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EV Chargers
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System Monitoring
Regional Service
Average cost
Renu Energy Solutions
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Excellent reputation
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Many financing options
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Representatives are experts on local policies
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No leases or PPAs
Services Offered
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Solar Panels
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Solar Batteries
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EV Chargers
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Roofing Services
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Energy-Efficiency Audits
Local Service
Average cost
Creative Solar USA
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Representatives are experts on local policies
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Comprehensive service offerings
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Many years of experience
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No leases or PPAs
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Limited brands of solar equipment available
Services Offered
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Solar Panels
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Solar Batteries
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EV Chargers
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Community Solar
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Electrical Work
Regional Service
Average cost
Alternative Energy Southeast
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Pledges 10% of profits to environmental nonprofits
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Comprehensive service offerings
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Excellent workmanship and quality
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No leases or PPAs
Services Offered
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Solar Panels
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Solar Batteries
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Solar Roof Shingles
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EV Chargers
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Electrical Work
What Are the Best Solar Companies in Georgia?
Let’s take a quick glance at each solar company that earned a spot in the top five with a link to our solar company matching tool. Since we have so much brand authority in the solar space, we have access to the best deals, prices and companies. Let us share the love and help you to start producing clean, renewable energy.
Company | Solar Services | Warranty Coverage | BBB Rating | Year Founded |
Renu Energy Solutions | Solar panel, battery and EV charger installations; roofing; energy audits | 25-year manufacturer, product and performance warranties | A+ | 2010 |
Solar SME | Solar panel and battery installations; community solar; electrical contracting | 25-year manufacturer and workmanship warranties | A | 2014 |
SunPower | Solar panel, battery and EV charger installations | 25-year manufacturer, product and performance warranties | A+ | 1985 |
Creative Solar USA | Solar panel, battery and EV charger installations; community solar; electrical contracting | 25-year manufacturer, 10-year electrical and 5-year workmanship warranties | A | 2008 |
Alternative Energy Southeast | Solar panel, battery, solar roof and EV charger installations; electrical contracting | 25-year manufacturer and workmanship warranties | A+ | 2007 |
How Did We Select These Solar Companies?
So, how did we land on these five installers as the best solar companies in Georgia? Let’s get into the nitty-gritty. Here’s what we considered when ranking the providers above:
Warranty
Warranties can be tricky with solar since most solar energy systems are built with parts from a handful of different manufacturers. Say you had LG panels, Enphase inverters and a Tesla Powerwall. If your system stops working one day, who do you call? We’ve heard horror stories of customers being passed back and forth for months between manufacturers and installers looking to avoid the blame and hassle of troubleshooting. Challenges like this make the breadth and comprehensiveness of a warranty more important than the length.
For example, a 25-year manufacturer warranty (which seems great on paper) would not cover any of the following:
- Wiring or connectivity issues between parts
- Roof issues
- Bird, critter or tree damage to parts
- An underperforming system (if your system doesn’t produce as much energy as estimated by a company)
Rather, the standard warranty we’d recommend for Georgians (who receive heavy rain and extreme temperatures) is a 25-year manufacturer warranty along with a 10-year workmanship (or labor) warranty.
Years in Business
Experience matters. The solar industry is hot globally, but still developing in Georgia; a lot of players are looking to get involved. On top of the industry experience that provides trust in a smooth and reliable process, we stress industry experience for another reason: your warranty.
What use is a warranty if the company you choose goes out of business in a few short years? We always recommend picking a solar installer you know will still have its lights on for decades to come.
Services Offered
Most solar companies advertise solar panels as their primary offering, yet the breadth of secondary services offered can really show which companies know their stuff. We always love companies that offer electrical contracting, energy efficiency and roofing, because it shows that they value efficiency and energy-saving strategies over a big sale. Further, larger chains may focus more on selling solar leases and PPAs in high volumes. We consider how comprehensive a solar company’s services are when determining its rank.
Service Area and Headquarters
Yes, obviously it’s important to find a solar company that offers services in your area. However, what most customers don’t think about is that the further the solar project is from your company’s headquarters, the more money it will cost to get your solar electricians and equipment from point A to point B (gas, transportation costs, travel time) resulting in greater overall costs.
For example, if you live in Brunswick, it may actually be more expensive to hire a solar company based out of Atlanta than it would be to hire a company based in Jacksonville, Florida. The EcoWatch Rating rewards solar companies that are more likely to be available and feasible for the average reader in Georgia, regardless of location.
Industry Affiliations
A solar panel company’s industry affiliations can offer insight into its legitimacy, ethics and qualifications. We generally rank solar contractors higher which maintains industry credentials, such as membership in the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), a B Corp certification or affiliation with other professional associations or solar manufacturers.
Customer Experience
Customer satisfaction may be the most important factor to consider when we evaluate solar companies. Many will talk a big game, throw millions into marketing and will even write fake customer reviews to make it seem like every customer is happy as a clam. But when it comes down to what’s most important, delivering reliable, sustainable and more affordable renewable energy, we stop at nothing to make sure we understand the full picture.
Solar Pricing and Financing
The cost of solar panels is almost always the main consideration for homeowners considering making the switch to solar power. Though we won’t rank a solar installation company higher if they are “cheaper,” we do give more weight to companies offering thorough financing options more likely to offer flexibility and customization to the average customer.
When we say “thorough,” here’s what we mean:
- Offers resources on solar incentives like the federal tax credit and applying to those
- Offers flexible interest rates, down-payment options and loan partners
- Educates the customer on financing options to find the plan with best value
The cost of solar panels will be different for every home, even if you use the same installation company as your neighbor.
1) Renu Energy Solutions
Renu Energy Solutions has over a decade of experience as a premier solar provider throughout North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia.
It earned the top rating on our list as no solar company in Georgia can match Renu Energy Solutions’: breadth of services (including roofing, efficiency and energy storage), solar financing flexibility ($0-down loans), selection of the best solar panels (SunPower, LG, REC, etc.), strong warranty, and consistently satisfied customers. It holds an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and a 4.7 average across hundreds of Google Reviews.
The biggest downside for customers in Georgia is that most of Renu’s experience comes outside of the state. However, Georgia doesn’t have too many solar policies to navigate, lowering the risk that you’ll experience snags in the process with a company new to the region.
See below for a review from a real customer of Renu energy.
Pros of Renu Energy Solutions
- Services offered include solar as well as roofing, energy audits and more
- Comprehensive manufacturer, labor and production warranties
- Excellent customer service
- Selection of top solar brands
Cons of Renu Energy Solutions
- Headquartered outside of Georgia
- No lease or power purchase agreement (PPA) option
Facts and Figures: Renu Energy Solutions
EcoWatch Rating | 4.5 |
BBB Rating | A+ |
Year Founded | 2010 |
Service Area | Entire state of Georgia |
Headquarters | Charlotte, North Carolina |
Solar Services | Solar panel, battery and EV charger installations; roofing; energy audits |
Brands of Solar Equipment Offered | LG, REC, SolarEdge, Tesla, Enphase, Generac, SunPower |
Financing Options | Cash payments, $0-down solar loans |
Warranty Coverage | 25-year manufacturer, workmanship and performance warranties |
2) Solar SME
They say the best advertising is word of mouth, and Solar SME is no exception. A growing number of referral customers are finding their way to Solar SME through friends, neighbors and coworkers who rave about its ability to help customers lower their electricity rates sustainably through solar, storage and energy efficiency.
Solar SME demonstrates that it understands the future of solar is in storage, offering a plethora of the industry’s best solar batteries including the LG Chem, Tesla Powerwall, Panasonic EverVolt, Enphase Encharge and Generac PWRCell. That’s at least three more options than the average company in Georgia.
Similar to Renu Energy Solutions, Solar SME’s experience is mostly outside of Georgia. Though we’ll say again, Georgia’s solar policy doesn’t present too many challenges to the average customer. We wouldn’t expect this to be an issue.
Pros of Solar SME
- Services offered extend to community solar, energy audits, roofing and more
- Lengthy manufacturer and workmanship warranty coverage
- Wide selection of technology, including excellent energy storage options
Cons of Solar SME
- Headquartered outside of Georgia
Facts and Figures: Solar SME
EcoWatch Rating | 4.5 |
BBB Rating | A |
Year Founded | 2014 |
Service Area | Entire state of Georgia |
Headquarters | Duncanville, Texas |
Solar Services | Solar panel and battery installations; community solar; electrical contracting |
Brands of Solar Equipment Offered | Panasonic, REC, Enphase, LG, Generac |
Financing Options | Cash payments, loans, leases, PPAs |
Warranty Coverage | 25-year manufacturer and workmanship warranties |
3) SunPower
SunPower has been the leading American solar company since the ‘80s. It has designed high-quality solar technology for rocket scientists with NASA and currently manufactures the most efficient solar panels on the market, offering services in all 50 states.
SunPower manufactures and installs every major aspect of a solar panel system (the only solar company that can make this claim), meaning all the parts are designed to be compatible and covered under the same warranty. This can save a lot of headaches for customers if they ever experience issues down the line.
So why isn’t SunPower No. 1 on our list of the best solar companies in Georgia? Well, the way SunPower can offer service in every state is through a network of certified dealers and installers of SunPower products. Usually there are a handful per state. For Georgians, the installer you end up with will depend a lot on where you live. This can restrict your options when it comes to trusting a contractor with something as important as solar.
Click here to read our full SunPower review.
Pros of SunPower
- Most efficient solar panels on the market
- Comprehensive warranty that covers all aspects of the system
- Excellent customer service
Cons of SunPower
- Installation quality will depend on your dealer
- Limited selection of brands
See how SunPower’s Performance panels perform in the shade in the below video:
Facts and Figures: SunPower
EcoWatch Rating | 4.5 |
BBB Rating | A+ |
Year Founded | 1985 |
Service Area | Entire state of Georgia |
Headquarters | San Jose, California |
Solar Services | Solar panel, battery and EV charger installations |
Brands of Solar Equipment Offered | SunPower |
Financing Options | Cash payments, loans, leases, PPAs |
Warranty Coverage | 25-year manufacturer, product and performance warranties |
4) Creative Solar USA
Based in Kennesaw, Georgia, Creative Solar USA earns our EcoWatch award for the best local company in Georgia. The benefits of going local?
- Experience navigating local policies like net metering
- More personalized installations
- Intimate knowledge of climate for weatherizing best practices
- Opportunity for a relationship with your provider long after installation
Yes, yes, this last one sounds cliche, but it’s an underrated consideration. Solar is a long-term investment (systems will last 25+ years), and on the off chance that issues do arise years after your installation, having a lasting relationship with your provider rather than a transactional one will ensure your needs are met quickly, smoothly and pleasantly decades down the line.
Aptly named Creative Solar USA earns this award because of its 15+ years of industry experience in Georgia, flexible financing with $0-down options, and broad range of creative, custom services.
Solar panels should always be supplemental to an efficient, well-designed home energy system. By offering roofing, energy efficiency, solar lights, electrical contracting and more, Creative Solar USA demonstrates its understanding of catering to the customer rather than the sale.
Pros of Creative Solar USA
- Flexible financing options
- Wide range of electrical and contracting expertise, including ground-mounted solar systems, custom agricultural projects, utility-scale and government projects
- Many years of experience
Cons of Creative Solar USA
- Limited selection of brands
- No lease/PPA option
- Only five years of workmanship warranty coverage
Facts and Figures: Creative Solar USA
5) Alternative Energy Southeast
Alternative Energy Southeast is about as close a tie to the best local solar provider in Georgia as you can get. So, what else sets AES apart? While Creative Solar USA focuses more on flexible financing options, Alternative Energy Southeast brings out the big guns when it comes to workmanship, quality and additional services, offering exceptional engineering solutions for:
- Design & architecture
- Energy efficiency
- Solar roofs
- Solar space heating & air conditioning
- Commercial EV chargers
In addition to home solar, AES specializes in commercial solar installations, helping industrial and government buildings alike go solar. Visit the AES website to see the completed range of installations like the ACC Firestation, Atlanta Metropolitan Library, Regions Bank, National Guard Readiness Center, Hampton Inn and more.
AES even guarantees quoted production figures or you’ll get a check for the difference. Add 15 years of local experience and you get Georgia’s solar veteran.
Watch how AES is trying to accelerate the future of solar by using robots for installations.
Pros of Alternative Energy Southeast
- Pledges 10% of profits towards environmental nonprofits
- Wide selection of electrical and commercial services
- Excellent workmanship and quality
Cons of Alternative Energy Southeast
- Limited financing options
- No lease/PPA
Facts and Figures: Alternative Energy Southeast
EcoWatch Rating | 4.0 |
BBB Rating | A |
Year Founded | 2008 |
Service Area | Entire state of Georgia |
Headquarters | Kennesaw, Georgia |
Solar Services | Solar panel, battery and EV charger installations; community solar; electrical contracting |
Brands of Solar Equipment Offered | Varies |
Financing Options | Cash payments, loans |
Warranty Coverage | 25-year manufacturer, 10-year electrical and 5-year workmanship warranties |
How Do I Find a Reputable Georgia Solar Company With EcoWatch?
While other sites connect you with as many companies as they can, we chose to only present the most reputable. EcoWatch’s unmatched brand authority gives us inside access to the best prices and options available, connecting you directly with solar contractors who can provide quotes on solar panel costs, design and installation timelines.
What Are The Most Important Factors to Consider in Georgia?
Georgia has a humid subtropical climate with heavy rains, hot summer, tornadoes and cyclones. This can put a lot of wear and tear on a rooftop solar system. For this reason, we recommend giving special consideration to companies with:
- Experience with weatherization
- Workmanship and roof warranties
- Local knowledge of weather and policy
- Industry experience rather than a newcomer on the Georgia scene
Related Topics
EcoWatch FAQ: Best Solar Companies in Georgia
At EcoWatch, we routinely get questions about Georgia solar. Here are a few that routinely pop into our inboxes, along with our answers. If you have specific questions that aren’t answered here, reach out to our team of solar experts at solar@ecowatch.com.
The Peach State gets a lot of sunshine. Coupled with utilities like Georgia Power that are relatively solar-friendly, solar can well be worth it in Georgia so long as your roof receives enough sunlight and is fit for a solar array. And as an added bonus, solar power systems also increase your home value.
Your utility company will matter far less in Georgia than in other states when selecting a solar company. Why? Since Georgia Power services 155 of Georgia’s 159 counties, there isn’t nearly as much variation in the policies, relationships, and logistics behind net metering, local incentives, and policy as there are in neighboring states like Mississippi (for context, Mississippi has 297 public utility providers — each one will have a different level of experience working with the various solar companies throughout the state).
Bigger national providers in Georgia (like Sunpro and SunPower) are not necessarily better in Georgia. The benefits of a larger company typically include better technology, speed of service, and warranty coverage. Smaller companies may offer more personalized service, better prices (in some cases), and more intimate knowledge of local weather and policy.
Solar panel installations vary in size and scope, so the most reputable company for the job will depend on what you’re looking for. As far as we’re concerned, the five companies listed above are in a five-way tie for most reputable in Georgia.
We find it unnecessary to list the worst of the worst, but we’re happy to explain why certain clean energy companies didn’t make the cut. You may find solar technology providers Hannah Solar, Solar Plus, Sunpro Solar, Better Tomorrow Solar, Global Solar Energy, etc. on competing sites. We didn’t leave them off because they’re bad companies. Rather, we chose only to highlight the best of the best. Review our criteria to see how we rated Georgia’s solar providers.