15 Best Solar Companies in Ann Arbor, MI (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in Ann Arbor based on:
- Customer review scores
- Service area for Ann Arbor, MI
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Ann Arbor homeowner saves $1,311/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Ann Arbor
Looking for the top solar companies in Ann Arbor? Installing solar panels is an exciting home addition that many homeowners find valuable for their wallets, communities and the planet. Though Ann Arbor may not have a reputation for sunshine like Florida, it's a surprisingly hot place for solar growth, so several of the best solar companies in the country have opened up there to help residents adopt renewable energy.
As you set out on your search for the best solar companies in Ann Arbor, you might realize that there are a great number of providers to choose from. So, we’ve accumulated a carefully curated list of the top solar companies in the area.To get free quotes from the leading solar companies in Ann Arbor, click the "get quote" 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
Solar Veteran
Michigan Solar Solutions
- Great warranty coverage
- Outstanding customer service
- Offers products from leading manufacturers
- Slightly limited service offerings
- No leases or PPAs
Outstanding Local Installer
Strawberry Solar
- Outstanding customer service
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Educational, no-pressure sales approach
- Limited warranty coverage
- No leases or PPAs
- Limited brands of solar equipment available
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Ann Arbor
The Green Panel
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Solar Carports
- Battery Storage
- Tesla Powerwall
Strawberry Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
Sumpter Solar Services, LLC.
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
Srinergy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Carports
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
Harvest Solar
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
Spark Building Solutions
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
Solar On Inc
- Informative Resources
- Family-Operated Business
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
Motor Capital Solar Solutions
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- System Decommissioning
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Skilled Repairs
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
Absolute Solar
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
GreenLancer
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Solar Energy Detroit
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Battery Storage
North Coast Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
Water Winter Solar Installers Co
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- System Decommissioning
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Battery Storage
- Skilled Repairs
- Panel Installation
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
SunLiving Solar
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Permit Assistance
CRESIT Energy
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Ann Arbor
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Ann Arbor 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 Ann Arbor
Below are some the criteria we examined specifically for Michigan 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 Ann Arbor
Even though solar panels can save you a decent chunk of change on energy over time, it’s necessary to consider the upfront costs.The overall price and potential savings vary depending on a few key factors such as:
- The model of solar panel system you can afford: This is dependent on what your budget is.
- How much you spend on energy: The typical family in Ann Arbor pays around $1,400 a year on energy alone, so you could end up with that much in savings.
- Incentives: Something that can reduce the cost of your solar project is the solar investment tax credit (ITC), which is a tax credit that’s equal to a percentage of the project cost. You can also save a decent amount of money on your energy bills, which can give you an average of $16,000 of savings over 20 years.
- How much sunlight your roof gets: This, plus how your roof is set up, affects affect how much electricity your solar panels can generate.
So is a solar system worth it? Whether you’re trying to reduce your energy bills, greenhouse gas emissions or both, solar panels are a worthwhile investment for many Ann Arbor homeowners.
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Solar Incentives in Ann Arbor
If you’re considering making the switch to solar power, several government incentives and subsidies can drastically bring down the installation costs and speed up the return on your investment.You can qualify for the federal solar investment tax credit (ITC) for the tax year you turn on your a solar panel system. You can also potentially stack the ITC with other state and city rebates and benefits. In our article on solar incentives, you can read about the incentives you qualify for in Ann Arbor.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Ann Arbor
One of the reasons so many people are thinking of adopting solar energy is to help reduce their environmental impact.Many homeowners might be wondering how much exactly they can impact the environment by switching to solar in Ann Arbor, though. A significant thing to think about is your overall carbon footprint. For example, if you have a long commute, your footprint may be larger, so switching to solar energy for your house can help offset that.If you go solar, your carbon footprint can be lowered by about 100 pounds each year. If you care about the environment, you’ll most likely find that there are many advantages to adopting solar energy other than just saving money on bills. You can also help protect the environment, which some would argue is invaluable.
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
Solar Veteran
Michigan Solar Solutions
- Great warranty coverage
- Outstanding customer service
- Offers products from leading manufacturers
- Slightly limited service offerings
- No leases or PPAs
Outstanding Local Installer
Strawberry Solar
- Outstanding customer service
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Educational, no-pressure sales approach
- Limited warranty coverage
- No leases or PPAs
- Limited brands of solar equipment available
EcoWatch's Ann Arbor, MI Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar installation company is the best near me?
The top local solar company in Ann Arbor is The Green Panel, with a rating of 4.60 stars.
What is the negative environmental impact of making solar panels?
Making solar panels uses chemicals and produces toxic waste that can be harmful for the environment, which is the main downside of solar panels.
How long does it take to see a return on your investment after installing solar panels?
The average payback period for solar panel installation is about 17.3 years, but the exact period varies by local electricity costs, incentives and net metering programs.
What is solar panel capacity and how much do I need for my house?
Solar panel capacity is rated depending on how many watts of power they generate under standard testing conditions. Since each panel can generally produce about 250 to 400 watts per hour, the average home will need 20 to 35 panels.
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.