17 Best Solar Companies in Columbia, MI (Mar 2023 Review)

We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 17 in Columbia based on:

  • Customer review scores
  • Solar installers near you
  • Company policies and services offered
  • Accreditations and certifications

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated March 14, 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

When you're trying to find the best solar companies in Columbia, sifting through all the options can be daunting, but it can pay off since switching to solar power can offer so many good perks. While solar is a great investment, you'll be able to make that amount back and then some, all while doing your part for the environment. In fact, you could be looking at saving about $22,000 over 20 years.

The cost of installing solar panels can vary substantially according to your home's configuration and your household energy needs. If you're ready to start receiving free, no-obligation quotes from the best Columbia solar companies, 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
ecowatch badge icon
Michigan Solar Solutions, M46, Riverdale, Mi 48877 logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

Michigan Solar Solutions, M46, Riverdale, Mi 48877

  • Pros icon Educational sales approach
  • Pros icon Locally owned and operated
  • Pros icon More transparent pricing than competitors
  • Pros icon Excellent reputation
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Panels
  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services

Website: http://www.michigansolarsolutions.com/
Address: 11780 NW Monroe Rd, Riverdale, MI 48877
Phone: (248) 923-3456
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon
Solect Energy, LLC logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

Solect Energy, LLC

  • Pros icon Can browse portfolio on website
  • Pros icon Educational sales approach
  • Pros icon Excellent reputation
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Batteries
  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services
  • Service icon Solar Roof Shingles
  • Service icon Solar Panels

Website: https://solect.com/
Address: 0340 E 200 S, Lagrange, IN 46761-8860
Phone: (260) 499-3051
Experienced Installer
ecowatch badge icon
Helios Solar, LLC logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

Helios Solar, LLC

  • Pros icon Can browse portfolio on website
  • Pros icon NABCEP-certified technicians
  • Pros icon Educational sales approach
  • Pros icon Licensing and credentials transparency
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Batteries
  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services
  • Service icon Solar Panels

Website: http://www.helios-power.com
Address: 248 W Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49007-3735
Phone: (269) 343-5560
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon
Strawberry Solar logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

Strawberry Solar

  • Pros icon More transparent pricing than competitors
  • Pros icon Offers a free quote process
  • Pros icon Educational sales approach
  • Pros icon Can browse portfolio on website
  • Pros icon Assists with maximizing rebate
  • Pros icon Excellent reputation
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services
  • Service icon Solar Panels

Website: http://www.strawberrysolar.com/
Address: 4444 2nd Ave, Detroit, MI 48201
Phone: (313) 960-7900
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon
Scholl Electric LLC logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

Scholl Electric LLC

  • Pros icon Family owned and operated
  • Pros icon Excellent reputation
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Panels
  • Service icon Maintenance and Repairs
  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services

Website: http://schollelectric.net/
Address: 7300 Carter Rd, Spring Arbor, MI 49283
Phone: (517) 750-1034
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon
Rustic Resource Enterprises Inc logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

Rustic Resource Enterprises Inc

  • Pros icon Offers a free quote process
  • Pros icon Educational sales approach
  • Pros icon Excellent reputation
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services
  • Service icon Solar Panels

Website: https://www.google.com/aclk
Address: Hanover, MI, MI MI
Phone: (517) 960-9072
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon
Tiger Solar logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

Tiger Solar

  • Pros icon More transparent pricing than competitors
  • Pros icon Educational sales approach
  • Pros icon Custom system designs
  • Pros icon Can browse portfolio on website
  • Pros icon NABCEP-certified technicians
  • Pros icon Excellent reputation
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services
  • Service icon Solar Panels

Website: https://tigersolar.com/
Address: 848 W River Center Dr NE STE B, Comstock Park, MI 49321
Phone: (616) 419-8369
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon
Oak Electric Service, Inc. logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

Oak Electric Service, Inc.

  • Pros icon Licensing and credentials transparency
  • Pros icon More transparent pricing than competitors
  • Pros icon Educational sales approach
  • Pros icon Family owned and operated
  • Pros icon NABCEP-certified technicians
  • Pros icon Assists with maximizing rebate
  • Pros icon Excellent reputation
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Maintenance and Repairs
  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services
  • Service icon Solar Panels

Website: http://oakelectric.com/
Address: 5492 Dixie Hwy, Waterford Twp, MI 48329
Phone: (800) 964-7070
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon
Solar Mounts LLC logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

Solar Mounts LLC

  • Pros icon Educational sales approach
  • Pros icon More transparent pricing than competitors
  • Pros icon Excellent reputation
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Batteries
  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services
  • Service icon Solar Roof Shingles
  • Service icon Solar Panels

Website: https://www.solarmounts.com/
Address: 300 Woolley Dr, Marshall, MI 49068
Phone: (844) 757-7225
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon
The Green Panel logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

The Green Panel

  • Pros icon Educational sales approach
  • Pros icon Assists with maximizing rebate
  • Pros icon Has an online quote form
  • Pros icon Excellent reputation
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Batteries
  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services
  • Service icon Solar Panels

Website: https://www.google.com/aclk
Address: Brighton, MI, MI MI
Phone: (866) 821-1373
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon
Mid-America Solar, LLC logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

Mid-America Solar, LLC

  • Pros icon Offers a free quote process
  • Pros icon Educational sales approach
  • Pros icon Speedy and efficient installations
  • Pros icon Custom system designs
  • Pros icon Assists with maximizing rebate
  • Pros icon Excellent reputation
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Panels
  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services

Website: https://mid-americasolar.com/
Address: 1971 E Beltline Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525
Phone: (877) 606-9191
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon
Quality Solar logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

Quality Solar

  • Pros icon Educational sales approach
  • Pros icon More transparent pricing than competitors
  • Pros icon Custom system designs
  • Pros icon Excellent reputation
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Panels
  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services

Website: http://www.qualitysolar.com/
Address: 529 32nd St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49548
Phone: (888) 783-7194
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon
Fast Solar Company logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

Fast Solar Company

  • Pros icon More transparent pricing than competitors
  • Pros icon Excellent reputation
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Batteries
  • Service icon Solar Panels
  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services

Website: https://www.google.com/aclk
Address: Grand Blanc, MI, MI MI
Phone: (989) 708-7337
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon
Michigan Solar Solutions logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

Michigan Solar Solutions

  • Pros icon Educational sales approach
  • Pros icon Locally owned and operated
  • Pros icon More transparent pricing than competitors
  • Pros icon Excellent reputation
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Panels
  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services

Website: https://www.google.com/aclk
Address: Riverdale, MI, MI MI
Phone: (989) 833-5333
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon
PowerPanel logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

PowerPanel

  • Pros icon Educational sales approach
  • Pros icon More transparent pricing than competitors
  • Pros icon Excellent reputation
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services
  • Service icon Solar Panels

Website: https://in.powerpanel.com/
Address: 900 S Glaspie St, Oxford, MI 48371
Phone: (248) 572-6277
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon
GEM Energy logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

GEM Energy

  • Pros icon Can browse portfolio on website
  • Pros icon Educational sales approach
  • Pros icon Excellent reputation
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services
  • Service icon Solar Panels

Website: http://rlgbuilds.com/companies/gem-energy/
Address: 6842 Commodore Dr, Walbridge, OH 43465
Phone: (419) 720-2700
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon
CRESIT Energy logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

CRESIT Energy

  • Pros icon Educational sales approach
  • Pros icon More transparent pricing than competitors
  • Pros icon Excellent reputation
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services
  • Service icon Solar Panels

Website: http://www.cresitenergy.com/
Address: 4082 Biddle Ave, Wyandotte, MI 48192
Phone: (734) 283-4595

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 Columbia

Solar panels run off a free energy source — the sun — but before you can take advantage of this you must first pay to install your panels. Some 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 include:

  • Incentives: Tax-paying citizens who purchase and install a solar system this year can save 30% of their overall solar costs by taking advantage of the federal solar investment tax credit. You can also save about $22,000 on your energy bills over 20 years excluding incentives.
  • Average daily sunlight: Since Columbia doesn't get a lot of average daily sunlight, your solar system may not be able to produce enough energy to power your whole home, which impacts how much your electricity bills will be.
  • 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.
  • System size and type: Some models are more pricy than others, so the one you want to get can raise or lower your upfront cost. Plus, the more solar panels you need, the more it'll cost.

Though a solar panel system costs a sizable chunk of money upfront, it can save you a considerable amount over time. The question of how much, though, depends on a number of factors, such as the kind of solar panels you get and your energy consumption.

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Solar Incentives in Columbia

Although solar power is typically a big investment, it can save you a substantial amount of money in the long term due to lower power bills and government incentives. There are several federal, state and local rebates and tax credits that let you earn some money in return after paying for a solar panel system. For detailed information about incentives that apply to you, visit our our article on solar incentives.

Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Columbia

There are a few important reasons why homeowners are considering solar energy: for the good of their bank accounts and the planet. A question many might be wondering about is how much can they really help protect the environment by going solar anyway? If your family consumes a lot of energy, you can have an even greater impact on the planet by switching to solar energy. While making solar panels emits carbon dioxide, the panels make up for it by greatly lowering 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. As you can see, going solar has so many other rewards besides saving money. One of the main ones is that you can help save the planet too.

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 power company is the best near me?

In Columbia, Michigan Solar Solutions, M46, Riverdale, Mi 48877 is the best local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 5.00 stars, so it's a good choice if you're looking to install solar panels on your home.

What are a few of the biggest pros and cons of adopting solar power?

The main advantages of solar power are that it can lower or, in some cases, totally eradicate your electricity bills, raise your home's value and bring down your carbon footprint. The main disadvantages are that solar panels can be pricey 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.

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 8.7 years, but the exact period depends on the cost of electricity where you are, incentives and net metering programs.

How long do solar panels last?

Even though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they stop working completely. What this means is the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can decide to replace them once you've had them for that long or you can continue to use them at a lower efficiency after that time.

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.

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