13 Best Solar Companies in Gainesville, GA (2023 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 13 in Gainesville based on:
-
Customer review scores - Service area for Gainesville, GA
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Gainesville homeowner saves $1,553/year with solar panels
Updated May 04, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Gainesville
Do you want energy freedom in Gainesville? Installing solar panels can be a rewarding home project since you can enjoy lots of benefits when you go solar. Solar power isn't just good for the environment — your budget will thank you too. After switching to solar power, you can save an average of $18,000 over 20 years, and this doesn't even include incentives.
If you want to start making use of the many perks of solar, we can help you narrow down your options to find the Gainesville solar installer that's right for you. To get free quotes from the best solar companies in Gainesville, you can click "get quote" below.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Gainesville
Average Cost
SunPower
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Most efficient panels on the market - National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
-
Expensive - Customer service varies by local dealer
Services Offered
-
Solar Panels - Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- System Monitoring
Average Cost
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- System Monitoring
Average Cost
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
Average Cost
Renu Energy Solutions
- Excellent reputation
- Many financing options
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- No leases or PPAs
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- Roofing Services
- Energy-Efficiency Audits
Average Cost
Solar SME
- Great warranty coverage
- Comprehensive service offerings
- Offers products from leading manufacturers
- Some reported communication issues
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- Electrical Work
- Community Solar
Average Cost
Creative Solar USA
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Comprehensive service offerings
- Many years of experience
- No leases or PPAs
- Limited brands of solar equipment available
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- Community Solar
- Electrical Work
Average Cost
Alternative Energy Southeast
- Pledges 10% of profits to environmental nonprofits
- Comprehensive service offerings
- Excellent workmanship and quality
- No leases or PPAs
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- Solar Roof Shingles
- EV Chargers
- Electrical Work
Average Cost
Sunpro Solar
- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- Energy-Efficiency Upgrades
Average Cost
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- Energy-Efficiency Upgrades
- Maintenance & Repairs
Average Cost
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
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- Solar Roof Shingles
- System Monitoring
South Coast Solar
- Informative Resources
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Integrated roofing
- Expert panel installation
- Skilled repairs
- Business installations
- Energy storage solutions
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
Southern View Energy
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Energy storage solutions
- Business installations
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
- Integrated roofing
Ecowareness
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Gainesville
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Gainesville 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 Gainesville
Below are some the criteria we examined specifically for Georgia 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 Gainesville
Even though solar panels can save you a good amount of money on power bills over time, it's necessary to consider the upfront costs. The installation cost is just one important factor you should consider when looking into installing solar panels. How much it'll cost and how much you can save depend on things such as:
- Incentives: One thing that can make your solar project cost less is the solar investment tax credit (ITC), which is a tax credit that lets you deduct from your taxes a percentage of the project cost. You can also save on your utility bills, which can give you an average of $18,000 of savings over 20 years.
- Average daily sunlight: Since Gainesville gets lots of sunlight, your solar panel system will most likely be able to generate enough energy to power your whole home, which affects how much your electricity bills will be.
- average energy usage: The more power your home uses on average and the steeper your current power bills are, the more money you could save by going solar.
- System size and type: Some models are more costly than others, so the one you get can raise or lower your upfront cost. Plus, the more solar panels you need, the more it'll cost.
Even though a solar panel system costs a decent chunk of money upfront, it can save you thousands of dollars in the long term. The question of how much, though, depends on a number of factors, like the size of your solar panel system and incentives.
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Solar Incentives in Gainesville
Switching to solar power has a lot of great benefits. Not only can it help preserve the planet, but you can also save a good amount of money on your installation with various government incentives. These incentives mostly consist of cash rebates, tax credits and/or solar renewable energy credits. They can cut the cost of installing solar panels by 30%, upwards of 50% depending on your location. Our article on solar incentives has more in-depth information on the incentives you can take advantage of in Gainesville.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Gainesville
Many want to do their part to help the environment, which often is the main reason they're interested in installing a solar system. Many homeowners might be wondering how much exactly they can impact the environment by switching to solar in Gainesville, though. How much energy you use is an important factor to keep in mind. The more energy your home uses, the greater your impact when you make the switch to solar power. If you go solar, your carbon dioxide emissions can be reduced by about 90 pounds a year. Since solar energy is plentiful and generates electricity without free from carbon dioxide emissions, making the switch to solar power is one easy step you can take to help the environment.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
EcoWatch's Gainesville, GA Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar power company is the best in Gainesville?
In Gainesville, Sunshine Solar is the most reputable local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 5.00 stars, so it's a solid choice if you're looking to add solar panels to your home.
Are solar panels really good for the environment?
Manufacturing solar panels needs to use chemicals and produces toxic waste that can be harmful for the environment, which is the main negative thing about solar panels.
How long does it take to see a return on your investment after buying solar panels?
The average payback period for solar panel installation is about 9.2 years, but the exact period is influenced by local electricity costs, incentives and net metering programs.
How much solar panel capacity do I need for my house?
Solar panel capacity is how much energy the panels can produce under ideal conditions (a sunny day around noon). The average household requires between 20 and 35 panels to cover 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.