16 Best Solar Companies in Ann Arbor, MI (2023 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 16 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
Updated May 04, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Ann Arbor
Choosing the right solar panel installation company for your house is an important decision, but it's one that can save you a lot of money in Ann Arbor. Since Ann Arbor is a city where the solar industry is on the rise, it's no wonder you're considering installing solar panels.
As you start your search for the best solar companies in Ann Arbor, you'll find that there are many providers to choose from. So, we've put together a carefully curated list of the top solar companies in the area. To get an idea of how much you would pay to put up a solar panel system on your roof, you can get a free quote from one of the top solar companies in Ann Arbor by clicking the "get quote" button below.
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
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
Michigan Solar Solutions
- Great warranty coverage
- Outstanding customer service
- Offers products from leading manufacturers
- Slightly limited service offerings
- No leases or PPAs
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
Average Cost
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
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
Average Cost
The Green Panel
- Outstanding customer service
- Excellent reputation
- Great warranty coverage
- No leases or PPAs
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- Solar Carports
- Electrical Work
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
The University of Michigan Solar Car Team
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
Sur Energy Systems
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
Green Solar PAO
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
solarypsi
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
White Tail Solar
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
Sumpter Solar Services, LLC.
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled repairs
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
Greentech Renewables Detroit
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
Nova Consultants
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- End-to-end services
Srinergy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
- End-to-end services
The Green Panel
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
- End-to-end services
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
For many homeowners, whether or not to invest in solar energy depends the most on the cost. Some key things that affect the cost and possible savings include:
- The type of solar panel system you have the money for: This hinges on what your budget is.
- How much you spend on energy: The average family in Ann Arbor pays around $1,000 a year on power alone, so you could end up with that much in savings.
- Electricity consumption: The average home in Ann Arbor uses a decent amount of, and as a result may save on their energy bills.
- Incentives: One thing that can save you money on 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 lead to an average of $16,000 of savings over 20 years.
There are several wonderful benefits of solar despite the initial cost of installation. It can help the Earth and your bank account. Additionally, it can boost the value of your home, resulting in even more benefits if you choose to sell your home later.
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For an idea of both how much you could save and help the Earth by switching to solar power, you can play around with the calculator below. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Ann Arbor, MI.
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Solar Incentives in Ann Arbor
To increase the adoption of solar power, incentives are offered by the government — and even some utility companies — to help make solar more economically viable and accessible. You 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 local rebates and benefits. Our article on solar incentives goes over more detailed information on the incentives you can benefit from in Ann Arbor.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Ann Arbor
An important reason so many people are considering 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. Going solar is a sustainable choice for the environment, due to the fact that the biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the country is from burning fossil fuels for electricity, heat, and transportation — all of which can be powered by solar instead. In fact, if you adopt solar power, you could lower your carbon dioxide emissions by about 100 pounds each year. If you want to do your part for the environment, you'll no doubt understand that there are many good things about adopting solar power other than just saving money on bills. You can also help preserve the environment, which some would argue is priceless.
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 company is the best in Ann Arbor?
In Ann Arbor, Michigan Solar Solutions, M46, Riverdale, Mi 48877 is the top local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 5.00 stars, so it's a solid choice if you're looking to install solar panels on your roof.
What are a few of the advantages and disadvantages of installing solar panels?
The 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 disadvantages are that solar panels can be costly to install, you may not save as much if you don't use a lot of electricity and it doesn't work for all roof types and locations.
Is it worth putting solar panels on my roof?
Solar panels can be a beneficial investment for a majority of homeowners, but frankly, they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get enough sunlight or your electricity bills are already pretty low, solar panels might not be for you.
How efficient is a solar panel system?
In most cases, solar panels are about 15 to 25% efficient, which means they can convert that percentage of the energy from the sun into usable electricity.
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.