15 Best Solar Companies in Needham, MA (Jul 2022 Review)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in Needham based on:
-
Customer review scores
-
Solar installers near you
-
Company policies and services offered
-
Accreditations and certifications
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!

Updated 7/19/2022
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best solar companies in Needham
Looking for the top solar companies in Needham? Installing a solar panel system is an exciting project that many homeowners find beneficial for their wallets, communities and the planet. Since Needham is a city with great potential for solar power, it's no wonder you're researching installing solar panels.
In this article, we'll list out the top Needham solar installers so you can make the best decision for your home's sustainable energy needs. To get free quotes from the leading solar companies in Needham, click the "get quote" button below.
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
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 Needham


Local Service
Alternative Energy Store, Inc.
-
Offers a free quote process
-
Educational sales approach
-
Excellent reputation
-
Some reports of long wait times for installation
Services Offered
-
Commercial Solar Services
-
Solar Roof Shingles
-
Solar Batteries
-
Solar Panels


Nationwide Service
Average Cost
SunPower
-
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


Local Service
Sunlight Solar Energy, Inc.
-
Can browse portfolio on website
-
NABCEP-certified technicians
-
More transparent pricing than competitors
-
Offers a free quote process
-
Educational sales approach
-
Some reported communication issues
Services Offered
-
Commercial Solar Services
-
Solar Batteries
-
Solar Panels


Regional Service
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


Nationwide Service
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


Local Service
Invaleon Technologies Corporation
-
Licensing and credentials transparency
-
Can browse portfolio on website
-
More transparent pricing than competitors
-
Educational sales approach
-
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
-
Commercial Solar Services
-
Solar Batteries
-
Solar Panels


Local Service
Boston Energy Concepts
-
Can browse portfolio on website
-
Licensing and credentials transparency
-
More transparent pricing than competitors
-
Offers a free quote process
-
Educational sales approach
-
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
-
Commercial Solar Services
-
Solar Batteries
-
Solar Panels


Local Service
Solar On Earth
-
Can browse portfolio on website
-
Educational sales approach
-
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
-
Commercial Solar Services
-
Solar Panels


Regional Service
Average Cost
Sunrun
-
Expansive service area
-
Many financing options
-
Some reported issues with customer service
-
Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
Services Offered
-
Solar Panels
-
Solar Batteries
-
EV Chargers
-
Energy-Efficiency Upgrades


Regional Service
Average Cost
Trinity Solar
-
Many financing options
-
Family-owned and -operated
-
Makes charitable contributions
-
Limited service area
-
Relatively short workmanship warranty
Services Offered
-
Solar Panels
-
Solar Batteries
-
Energy-Efficiency Upgrades


Regional Service
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


Local Service
GoSolar NH, LLC
-
Educational sales approach
-
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
-
Solar Panels


Local Service
Solectria Renewables, LLC
-
Educational sales approach
-
Custom system designs
-
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
-
Commercial Solar Services
-
Solar Batteries
-
Solar Panels


Local Service
SmartFlower North America, LLC
-
Educational sales approach
-
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
-
Commercial Solar Services
-
Solar Batteries
-
Solar Panels


Local Service
Newport Solar
-
Licensing and credentials transparency
-
Educational sales approach
-
More transparent pricing than competitors
-
Family owned and operated
-
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
-
Solar Panels
Solar Company Ranking Methodology
Click here to see a more detailed overview of our solar company ranking methodology.
The Cost and Benefits of Solar in Needham
The cost of installing a solar panel system has gone down greatly in the past few years, but it's still a significant investment for most homeowners. There are quite a few factors you should consider when trying to determine costs and your potential savings, such as:
- Choice of solar panels: The type of solar panels you get will affect your total cost. High-efficiency monocrystalline panels are more expensive upfront but can also save you more money over the lifetime of your system. If you don't need to maximize efficiency, you can go with a higher number of more affordable panels.
- The amount of sunlight your roof gets: This, and how your roof is set up, affects affect how much energy your solar panels can generate.
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit, which everyone in the U.S. is eligible for, lets you deduct 26% of the cost of your solar system installation from your federal taxes. Additionally, not including incentives, you can save about $22,000 over 20 years on your energy bills.
- Energy consumption: Installing a solar system may be too pricey an investment for households that don't consume a lot of energy per month.
So is buying solar panels worth it? Whether you hope to decrease your electric bills, carbon dioxide emissions or both, solar panels are a worthwhile investment for many Needham homeowners.
Solar Savings Calculator for {{ solarcalc.name }}
Use the calculator below to get a sense of how much installing a solar panel system could help the planet and your bank account. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Needham, MA.
{{ 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. This means that with an average cost of {{ solarcalc.array_cost() | currency }}, it would take {{ solarcalc.payback_period()|number:1 }} years to recover the cost of of your solar array.
Solar Incentives in Needham
Since solar power is more sustainable than burning fossil fuels, there are some government incentives in place to encourage its adoption. Regardless of where you live, you can take advantage of the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which lets you claim 26% of how much you paid for your solar installation on your tax return, lowering the amount of taxes you owe that year. Plus, there may be some local incentives that can save you some extra money too. You can learn about the incentives available to you in the table below.
Name | Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) Program |
Incentive Amount | (Base compensation rate + compensation rate adders - greenfield subtractor) * total kWh generated - value of energy generated |
Incentive Max | The ceiling price for the competitive procurement to determine the base compensation rate was $0.17/kWh. For systems 25 kW or less, the combination of a base compensation rate and adder may not exceed the base compensation rate for low-income projects less than or equal to 25 kW. |
Website | Visit here |
More Info | Click here |
Name | ITC |
Type | Tax Incentive |
Incentive Amount | 26% of installation cost |
Website | Visit here |
Name | Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SREC-II) |
Incentive Amount | Varies, depending on market supply and demand |
Incentive Max | 2017 compliance year: Alternative Compliance Payment Rate is $350 per MWh (~$0.35 per kWh) |
Website | Visit here |
More Info | Click here |
Name | Renewable Energy Property Tax Exemption |
Incentive Amount | 100% exemption for 20 years |
Incentive Max | Not specified |
Website | Visit here |
More Info | Click here |
Name | Residential Renewable Energy Income Tax Credit |
Incentive Amount | 15% |
Incentive Max | $1,000 |
Website | Visit here |
More Info | Click here |
Name | Mass Solar Loan Program |
Website | Visit here |
More Info | Click here |
Name | Local Option - Energy Revolving Loan Fund |
Website | Visit here |
More Info | Click here |
Name | Alternative Energy and Energy Conservation Patent Income Tax Deduction (Personal) |
Incentive Amount | 100% deduction |
Website | Visit here |
More Info | Click here |
Name | Reading Municipal Light Department - Residential Renewable Energy Rebates |
Incentive Amount | MLP Solar Rebate Program: $1.20 per watt Residential Renewable Energy Rebate Program: $1.00 per watt |
Incentive Max | MLP Solar Rebate Program: 50% of cost or $30,000, whichever is less Residential Renewable Energy Rebate Program: $2,000 |
Website | Visit here |
More Info | Click here |
Name | Renewable Energy Equipment Sales Tax Exemption |
Incentive Amount | 100% exemption |
Incentive Max | None |
Website | Visit here |
More Info | Click here |
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Needham
If you're planning on adding solar panels to your home, one of the primary reasons why may be to reduce your greenhouse gas emissions. You may be asking yourself — how much do solar panels do for the planet anyway? As reported by the EPA, electricity production is the second greatest source of greenhouse gas emissions and about 62% of our electricity is generated by burning fossil fuels. Using solar power can help lower that statistic in a city like Needham that accounts for a fair amount of carbon dioxide emissions each year. Because solar panels don't release greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere when creating electricity, they're a good trade for nonrenewable energy sources. In fact, you could reduce your carbon dioxide emissions by about 40 pounds each year. As you can see, using solar power has so many other perks outside of saving money. One of the primary ones is that you can help save the planet too.
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
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 Needham, MA Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the most reputable solar panel installation company in Needham?
In Needham, Alternative Energy Store, Inc. is the top local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 5.00 stars, so it's a good choice if you're planning on installing solar panels on your house.
What are some of the major advantages and disadvantages of installing solar panels?
The main advantages of solar power are that it can lower or, in some cases, 100% eradicate your electricity bills, improve your home's value and lower your carbon footprint. The main disadvantages are that solar panels can be expensive to install, you may not see as many savings if you don't use a lot of electricity and whether you can install solar panels depends on your roof configuration.
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 9.5 years, but the exact period varies by local electricity costs, incentives and net metering programs.
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 more expensive. Polycrystalline panels are cheaper but also less efficient than monocrystalline. Thin-film solar panels are flexible, so they can be used where the other kinds can't, such as on curved surfaces or cars, but they are also less efficient. The best one for you depends on your budget, the layout of your roof and desired energy output.
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.