11 Best Solar Companies in College Park, MD (2023 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 11 in College Park based on:
-
Customer review scores - Service area for College Park, MD
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average College Park homeowner saves $1,343/year with solar panels
Updated May 04, 2023
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Best Solar Companies in College Park
As a homeowner in College Park, you may be considering switching to solar and curious about the best solar companies in your local area. Solar could be a fantastic choice since it has lots of perks. After 20 years of offsetting your energy costs with solar panels, you can save about $16,000 on your power bills.
In this article, we'll let you in on the top College Park solar installers so you can make the best choice for your home's solar energy needs. Continue reading to see our picks for the top solar companies in the city, or get connected to a trusted solar company in your area right away by clicking the button below.
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in College Park
Average Cost
SunPower
-
Most efficient panels on the market - National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
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Expensive - Customer service varies by local dealer
Services Offered
-
Solar Panels - Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- System Monitoring
Ipsun Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Recognized Excellence
- Informative Resources
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Business installations
- Skilled repairs
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Energy storage solutions
- Integrated roofing
- Tailored solutions
SmartRoof - Roofing and Solar
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Integrated roofing
- Business installations
- Skilled repairs
- Energy storage solutions
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
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
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
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
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
Metrosolarmatics
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Energy storage solutions
- Business installations
- Home installations
GREEN FOX SOLAR
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
Advanced Solar
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Integrated roofing
- Energy storage solutions
- Tailored solutions
Catholic Energies
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Integrated roofing
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in College Park
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in College Park 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 College Park
Below are some the criteria we examined specifically for Maryland 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 College Park
When choosing a solar company, most homeowners or business owners worry about the costs above all. A few main factors that affect how much it will cost to install solar panels on your home and how much money you could save over time are:
- 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 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 cost of energy for you: If your local electricity rates are high, there's a better chance you'll see a higher return on your investment in a solar panel system. In College Park, you can save an average of $76 a month on your electricity bills.
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit, which everyone in the U.S. is eligible for, lets you deduct 30% of the cost of your solar system installation from your taxes. In addition, not including incentives, you can save about $16,000 over 20 years on your energy bills.
- Your home's orientation toward the sun: This, plus your roof configuration, affects affect how much electricity your solar panels can produce.
Solar is a valuable investment for most homeowners. You can make your own power instead of paying for it from a utility company and make use of solar tax credits and rebates, all while helping protect the environment.
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Adopting green energy can substantially impact both the environment and your power bills. To see how much, use the calculator below. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for College Park, MD.
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Solar Incentives in College Park
Adopting solar power has lots of considerable benefits. Not only can it help protect the environment, but you can also save a decent amount of money on your installation with various government incentives. State and city solar incentives depend on the location and, sometimes, utility company. A lot of states offer rebates for solar power, in addition to the federal solar tax credit. Our article on solar incentives has more in-depth information on the incentives you can find in College Park.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in College Park
There are a few key reasons why homeowners are interested in solar energy: for the good of their bank accounts and the planet. A question many homeowners might be wondering about is how much can they really help protect the environment by going solar anyway? How much energy you use is a significant factor to think about. The more power your household consumes, the greater your impact when you make the switch to solar power. In College Park, the average homeowner can lower their carbon footprint by 60 pounds a year after going solar. If you want to do your part for the environment, you'll no doubt get that there are many benefits of adopting solar power other than just saving money on bills. You can also help preserve the environment, which some would argue is more valuable.
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
EcoWatch's College Park, MD Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the most reputable solar panel installation company in College Park?
The top local solar company in College Park is GreenBrilliance, with a rating of 5.00 stars.
Are solar panels really eco-friendly?
Solar panels can be detrimental for the environment when manufacturers use toxic chemicals in the manufacturing process. Chemicals can make solar panels difficult to recycle safely once they've reached the end of their lifespan. Making solar panels needs a lot of energy as well. The energy payback period is about 1 to 4 years.
How long does it take for solar to pay for itself?
The average payback period for solar panel installation is about 11.6 years, but the exact period depends on the cost of electricity where you are, incentives and net metering programs.
What is the best type of solar panel?
The different types of solar panels are monocrystalline, polycrystalline and thin-film. Monocrystalline panels are more efficient but also more expensive. Polycrystalline panels cost less 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, 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.