8 Best Solar Companies in Decatur, MI (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 8 in Decatur based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Decatur, MI
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Decatur homeowner saves $1,750/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Decatur
When deciding on the best solar panel installers, Decatur homeowners have more options to choose from than ever before, which can be too much to take in, but we’re here to make adopting solar power that much easier. What's especially making many homeowners consider switching to solar is their high energy bills that continue to increase each year.
Here, we’ll make a list of some of the top solar companies in Decatur to make your decision much easier.Keep reading to see our picks for the top solar companies in the city, or get connected with a trusted solar company in your area right away by clicking the 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 Decatur
Climax Solar
Informative Resources- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Prompt Service Delivery
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Panel Installation- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
- Permit Assistance
Helios Solar LLC
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Permit Assistance
- Consultation
Solar Energy Systems LLC
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
Wellspring Solar
- Family-Operated Business
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Panel Installation
Photon Electric LLC
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Panel Installation
Solect Energy, L.L.C.
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
Advanced Solar Distributor LLC.
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Consultation
- Permit Assistance
- Financing Assistance
Renewable Energy Systems, LLC
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Decatur
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Decatur 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 Decatur
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 Decatur
For the majority of homeowners, whether or not you should invest in solar energy boils down to the cost.There are quite a few factors you should consider when determining costs and your potential savings, including:
- The type of solar panels you want to get: More efficient panels are more costly, so that will affect your budget for your solar project.
- Incentives: Along with the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which lets you deduct 0 of your total installation cost, your local government may offer additional tax exemptions, credits or rebates that can help you save even more. Not including incentives, you can save an average of $21,000 over the first 20 years with your solar panels, too.
- How much power your home consumes: Households that need lots of energy each month may need more solar panels and, as a result, be more costly, but will also enjoy more savings over time.
- Where your home is: This affects how much sunlight your roof receives, which helps determine how many panels you need.
There are several wonderful benefits of solar despite the upfront cost of installation. It can help the environment and your wallet. Additionally, it can increase the value of your home, leading to even more benefits if you want to sell your home later.
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For an idea of both how much you could save and impact the Earth by switching to solar power, you can give the calculator below a try. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Decatur, MI.
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Solar Incentives in Decatur
There are lots of reasons why going solar is a great investment. One of them consists of some government incentives that can save you money.These incentives normally include cash rebates, tax breaks and/or solar renewable energy credits. They can lower the cost of going solar by 0, upwards of 50% depending on where you live. Our article on solar incentives goes over more information on the incentives you can benefit from in Decatur.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Decatur
If you’re planning on adding solar panels to your home, one of the main reasons why may be to reduce your reliance on nonrenewable energy.But how much can installing solar panels actually help the environment? Switching to solar energy for electricity rather than burning fossil fuels is a great way to lower carbon dioxide emissions if you want to help reduce Decatur's large level of greenhouse gas emissions.While solar panel production releases carbon dioxide emissions, the panels make up for it by significantly decreasing the amount of CO2 you would have been responsible for if you still used nonrenewable energy. In Decatur, you can reduce your carbon footprint by 100 pounds a year with solar panels. For people who are concerned about the environment, the upfront cost of solar is a small price to pay for reducing your carbon footprint.
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 Decatur, MI Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar company is the best in Decatur?
The best local solar company in Decatur is Climax Solar, with a rating of 4.40 stars.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of solar power?
A few of the biggest pros are that it decreases your electricity bills, it’s eco-friendly, and it can provide a good return on your investment (ROI). The most notable cons are that solar panels don’t work as well when there’s limited direct sunlight, they cost a lot upfront and solar panels aren’t always aesthetically pleasing.
Is it worth installing solar panels on my house?
Solar panels require a considerable upfront investment that will cost you several thousands of dollars, but whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a variety of factors like the cost of electricity near you and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.
How much solar panel capacity do I need for my house?
Solar panel capacity is rated depending on how much 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.