15 Best Solar Companies in Columbus, MI (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in Columbus based on:
- Customer review scores
- Service area for Columbus, MI
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Columbus homeowner saves $1,350/year with solar panels
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Best Solar Companies in Columbus
When you’re on the hunt for the best solar companies in Columbus, sorting through so many options can be daunting, but it can pay off since adopting solar energy can offer so many fantastic benefits. After 20 years of offsetting your energy costs with a solar system, you can save about $16,000 on your utility bills.
Here, we’ll give you a list of some of the top solar companies in Columbus to make your choice much easier.Read on to see our picks for the best solar companies in the city, or connect with a certified solar company in your area right away by clicking the 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
Outstanding Local Installer
The Green Panel
- Outstanding customer service
- Excellent reputation
- Great warranty coverage
- No leases or PPAs
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Columbus
Strawberry Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
Michigan Solar Solutions
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
- Skilled Repairs
- Battery Storage
The Green Panel
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Solar Carports
- Financing Assistance
- Tesla Powerwall
Solar On Inc
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Family-Operated Business
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Orange Cell Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Tesla Powerwall
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
North Coast Solar
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
Solar Solutions of America Inc
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
SunLiving Solar
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
GreenLancer
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
Water Winter Solar Installers Co
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Skilled Repairs
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- System Decommissioning
Modern Mill Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
Ryter Cooperative Industries
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
Srinergy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Carports
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
Spark Building Solutions
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
CRESIT Energy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Financing Assistance
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Columbus
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Columbus 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 Columbus
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 Columbus
For lots of homeowners, the decision to invest in solar energy comes down to the cost.The installation cost is just one important factor you should consider when looking into installing solar panels. How much it'll cost and how much you can save depend on things including:
- Incentives: Tax-paying citizens who buy and install a solar energy system this year can save 0 of their total solar spend by using the federal solar investment tax credit. You can also save about $16,000 on your energy bills over 20 years not including incentives.
- Energy consumption: Installing solar panels may be too pricey an option for households that don’t use too much energy each month.
- The amount of sunlight your home gets: Because of Columbus’s high amount of average daily sunlight, you should be able to save a decent amount on your electric bills.
- Your household's power bills: Because of fairly high monthly energy bills in Columbus, you could save about $1,400 a year with solar.
Solar is a worthwhile investment for most homeowners. You can produce your own power instead of paying for it from the grid and make use of solar incentives and rebates, all while helping the planet.
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Solar Incentives in Columbus
One of the benefits of installing a solar panel system is receiving federal and potentially state incentives.State and city solar incentive programs vary by location and, sometimes, utility company. A lot of states offer rebates for solar panels, in addition to the federal solar tax credit. Check out our article on solar incentives to find out what incentives are available to you.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Columbus
Lots of people want to do what they can for the planet, which for many is the primary motivation to install a solar system.But how much can switching to solar actually affect the environment? The more energy you use, the the more the environment will benefit from you switching to solar as you won’t need to rely on traditional energy sources as much.In fact, if you install solar panels, you could reduce your carbon dioxide emissions by about 100 pounds each year. If you care about the environment, you’ll most likely understand that there are many good things about adopting solar energy other than just saving money on bills. You can also help preserve the environment, which some would argue is worth more.
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
Outstanding Local Installer
The Green Panel
- Outstanding customer service
- Excellent reputation
- Great warranty coverage
- No leases or PPAs
EcoWatch's Columbus, MI Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar company is the best near me?
The best local solar company in Columbus is Strawberry Solar, with a rating of 4.60 stars.
What are the main pros and cons of adopting solar power?
A few of the biggest pros are that it lets you spend less on your power bills, it’s eco-friendly, and it gives you a significant 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.
Is it worth putting solar panels on my roof?
Solar panels can be a great investment for many homeowners, but admittedly, they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get enough sunlight or your energy bills are already reasonably low, solar panels might not be for you.
How efficient are solar panels?
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 less of them to meet 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.