15 Best Solar Companies in Columbia, MI (2023 Reviews)

We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in Columbia based on:

  • Customer review scores
  • Service area for Columbia, MI
  • Company policies and services offered
  • Accreditations and certifications

Average Columbia homeowner saves $1,812/year with solar panels

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated September 15, 2023

Why you can trust EcoWatch

We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

Best Solar Companies in Columbia

If you're a homeowner looking to make use of the solar incentives in Columbia, it can be hard to narrow down which installer to go with. But, the process is worth it since switching to solar power is often a great choice. Because solar panels generate their own power, they can greatly bring down your electricity bill each month, if not totally eliminate it. In fact, you could end up with about $22,000 of savings over 20 years.

If you're thinking about going solar, the first step you should take is to find the best solar companies in Columbia and compare quotes. That's why we took the time and put together a list of the best solar companies so you don't have to. If you're ready to start receiving free, no-obligation quotes from the top Columbia solar installers, you can click the button below to learn more.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.5

  • Great warranty coverage
  • Outstanding customer service
  • Offers products from leading manufacturers
  • Slightly limited service offerings
  • No leases or PPAs

Outstanding Local Installer

Strawberry Solar

★★★★★
4.5

  • 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 Columbia

Best Local Installer
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EcoWatch Rating

4.5/5

The Green Panel

  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Tailored solutions
  • Service icon Expert panel installation
  • Service icon End-to-end services
  • Service icon Business installations
  • Service icon Energy storage solutions
  • Service icon Integrated roofing
  • Service icon Home installations

Website: https://www.thegreenpanel.com/
Address: 8273 Grand River Ave Suite #160, Brighton, MI 48114
Phone: 8666338553
Outstanding Local Installer
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EcoWatch Rating

4.6/5

Michigan Solar Solutions

  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Energy storage solutions
  • Service icon Tailored solutions
  • Service icon Business installations
  • Service icon Home installations
  • Service icon Expert panel installation
  • Service icon Skilled repairs

Website: https://www.michigansolarsolutions.com/locations/wixom.html
Address: 3260 Old Farm Ln, Commerce Charter Twp, MI 48390
Phone: 2489233456
Outstanding Local Installer
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EcoWatch Rating

4.8/5

Harvest Solar

  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Home installations
  • Service icon Business installations
  • Service icon Expert panel installation
  • Service icon Tailored solutions

Website: https://harvestsolar.com/
Address: 2218 E High St, Jackson, MI 49203
Phone: 5177888800
Outstanding Local Installer
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EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Sesame Solar

  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Expert panel installation
  • Service icon Business installations
  • Service icon Tailored solutions
  • Service icon Home installations

Website: http://sesame.solar/
Address: 1300 Falahee Rd, Jackson, MI 49203
Phone: 7344078844
Outstanding Local Installer
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EcoWatch Rating

4.8/5

Rustic Resource Enterprises Inc

  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Energy storage solutions
  • Service icon Expert panel installation
  • Service icon Integrated roofing
  • Service icon Tailored solutions
  • Service icon Home installations
  • Service icon Business installations

Website: http://www.rusticresource.com/
Address: 11290 Strait Rd, Hanover, MI 49241
Phone: 5179609072
Outstanding Local Installer
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EcoWatch Rating

4.4/5

The University of Michigan Solar Car Team

  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Tailored solutions
  • Service icon Home installations

Website: https://www.solarcar.engin.umich.edu/
Address: 2603 Draper Dr, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
Phone: 7347642257
Outstanding Local Installer
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EcoWatch Rating

4.9/5

Solar Mounts LLC

  • Pros icon Prompt Service Delivery
  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Tailored solutions
  • Service icon Home installations
  • Service icon Business installations
  • Service icon Integrated roofing
  • Service icon Expert panel installation

Website: https://www.solarmounts.com/
Address: 300 Woolley Dr, Marshall, MI 49068
Phone: 8447577225
Outstanding Local Installer
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EcoWatch Rating

4.7/5

Absolute Solar

  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Tailored solutions
  • Service icon Expert panel installation
  • Service icon Business installations
  • Service icon Home installations
  • Service icon Integrated roofing

Website: http://www.absolutesolarpower.com/
Address: 4063 Grand Oak Dr A-107, Lansing, MI 48911
Phone: 5175805840
Outstanding Local Installer
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EcoWatch Rating

4.4/5

Sumpter Solar Services, LLC.

  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Skilled repairs
  • Service icon Business installations
  • Service icon Tailored solutions
  • Service icon Home installations
  • Service icon Expert panel installation

Website: http://sumptersolarservices.com/
Address: 299 Industrial Park Dr, Belleville, MI 48111
Phone: 7345127508
Outstanding Local Installer
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EcoWatch Rating

4.8/5

NovaTerra Energy

  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Expert panel installation
  • Service icon Tailored solutions
  • Service icon Energy storage solutions
  • Service icon Business installations
  • Service icon Home installations

Website: http://www.novaterraenergy.com/
Address: 523 W Ionia St Suite E, Lansing, MI 48933
Phone: 5178968802
Outstanding Local Installer
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EcoWatch Rating

4.9/5

Mid-America Solar, LLC

  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Home installations
  • Service icon Business installations
  • Service icon Tailored solutions
  • Service icon Expert panel installation
  • Service icon Integrated roofing

Website: https://mid-americasolar.com/
Address: 901 S Bridge St #557, DeWitt, MI 48820
Phone: 8776069191
Outstanding Local Installer
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EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Stoneacre Energy Solutions (SESPOWER INC)

  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Business installations
  • Service icon Expert panel installation
  • Service icon Tailored solutions
  • Service icon Skilled repairs
  • Service icon Energy storage solutions
  • Service icon Home installations

Website: http://www.sespower.com/
Address: 833 S Raab Rd, Swanton, OH 43558
Phone: 4194914685
Outstanding Local Installer
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EcoWatch Rating

4.2/5

Sol Solar

  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Home installations
  • Service icon Tailored solutions
  • Service icon Business installations
  • Service icon Expert panel installation

Website: http://www.gosolsolar.com/
Address: 5786 W Saginaw Hwy, Lansing, MI 48917
Phone: 2694490929
Outstanding Local Installer
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EcoWatch Rating

4.3/5

Srinergy

  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Business installations
  • Service icon Tailored solutions
  • Service icon Expert panel installation
  • Service icon Energy storage solutions
  • Service icon End-to-end services
  • Service icon Home installations
  • Service icon Integrated roofing

Website: https://www.srinergy.com/
Address: 24371 Catherine Industrial Dr, Novi, MI 48375
Phone: 2482574054
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

4.7/5

First Solar PGT2

  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Home installations

Website: http://firstsolar.com/
Address: 28380 Tracy Rd, Walbridge, OH 43465
Phone: 4196628500

Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Columbia

EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Columbia 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 Columbia


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 Columbia

For lots of homeowners, whether or not you should invest in solar panels boils down to the cost. Some important things that influence the upfront cost and potential savings over time include:

  • Your income and budget: This guides what model of solar panels you can buy.
  • Your home's power bills: Based on the fairly high monthly energy bills in Columbia, you could save about $1,400 a year with solar.
  • Your home's orientation toward the sun: This, plus your roof configuration, affects affect how much energy your solar panels can make.
  • 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 federal taxes. Additionally, not including incentives, you can save about $22,000 over 20 years on your energy bills.

Because of solar panels now being cheaper than ever as well as local and federal solar incentives, they are a sound investment for most homeowners.

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Solar Incentives in Columbia

Although a solar power system is typically a large investment, it can save you much money over time because of lower energy bills and government incentives. In addition to the federal solar investment tax credit, there are also some state- and city-level benefits, which in most cases, can be claimed in addition to the federal incentive, so you get to save even more. You can find out about the incentives you can take advantage of in our article on solar incentives

Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Columbia

A lot of people want to do what they can to help the environment, which in many cases is the main reason for installing solar panels. But you may be wondering — how much exactly can you help the planet by going solar? The more energy you use, the better off the planet will be from you switching to solar as you won't have to use as much nonrenewable energy. While solar panel production emits carbon dioxide, the panels make up for it by significantly decreasing the amount of CO2 you would have produced if you still used traditional energy. In Columbia, you can reduce your carbon footprint by 100 pounds a year with solar panels. If you care about the environment, you'll most likely recognize that there are many advantages to adopting solar power other than just saving money on bills. You can also help preserve the environment, which some would argue is priceless.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.5

  • Great warranty coverage
  • Outstanding customer service
  • Offers products from leading manufacturers
  • Slightly limited service offerings
  • No leases or PPAs

Outstanding Local Installer

Strawberry Solar

★★★★★
4.5

  • 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 Columbia, MI Solar Company Rankings FAQs

Which solar installation company is the best near me?

In Columbia, Sesame Solar is the top local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 3.00 stars, so it's a solid choice if you're looking to install solar panels on your roof.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of solar power?

A few of the biggest pros are that it decreases your electricity bills, it's environmentally friendly, and it can give you a decent return on your investment (ROI). The most notable cons are that solar panels don't produce electricity at night, the installation cost is pricey and solar panels aren't always aesthetically pleasing.

How long does it take to see a return on your investment after buying solar panels?

Solar panels generally pay for themselves in about 8.7 years, but your solar payback period will depend on your utility costs. The more your typical energy bill, the faster your solar panel system will pay for itself.

How efficient is a solar panel system?

Solar panel efficiency is the amount of solar energy that is converted into electricity. Most panels today have an efficiency rating between 15 and 20%. If your panels are more efficient, you'll need fewer of them for your home's energy needs.

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.