17 Best Solar Companies in Detroit, MI (2023 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 17 in Detroit based on:
-
Customer review scores - Solar installers near you
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Updated March 14, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best solar companies in Detroit
Searching for the top solar companies in Detroit? Installing solar panels is an exciting project that many homeowners find beneficial for their wallets, communities and the planet. Because solar panels generate their own power, they can vastly reduce your electricity bill each month, if not completely eliminate it. In fact, you could look forward to about $16,000 of savings over 20 years.
As you set out on your search for the best solar companies in Detroit, you'll find that there are a lot of providers to choose between. So, we've accumulated an expertly curated list of the top solar companies in the area. We suggest shopping around for several quotes and comparing them to see which is the best installer for your home. To get started with free quotes from pre-screened solar installers in Detroit, click the link 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 Detroit
Local Service
Forest City Solar Solutions
-
More transparent pricing than competitors - Offers a free quote process
- Educational sales approach
- Custom system designs
- Can browse portfolio on website
- NABCEP-certified technicians
- Excellent reputation
-
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
-
Maintenance and Repairs - Commercial Solar Services
- Solar Panels
- Solar Roof Shingles
Local Service
Pearlwind
- Offers a free quote process
- NABCEP-certified technicians
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Batteries
- Commercial Solar Services
- Solar Panels
Local Service
Strawberry Solar
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Offers a free quote process
- Educational sales approach
- Can browse portfolio on website
- Assists with maximizing rebate
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Commercial Solar Services
- Solar Panels
Local Service
Scholl Electric LLC
- Family owned and operated
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Maintenance and Repairs
- Commercial Solar Services
Local Service
Rustic Resource Enterprises Inc
- Offers a free quote process
- Educational sales approach
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Commercial Solar Services
- Solar Panels
Local Service
Oak Electric Service, Inc.
- Licensing and credentials transparency
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Educational sales approach
- Family owned and operated
- NABCEP-certified technicians
- Assists with maximizing rebate
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Maintenance and Repairs
- Commercial Solar Services
- Solar Panels
Local Service
Solar Mounts LLC
- Educational sales approach
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Batteries
- Commercial Solar Services
- Solar Roof Shingles
- Solar Panels
Local Service
The Green Panel
- Educational sales approach
- Assists with maximizing rebate
- Has an online quote form
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Batteries
- Commercial Solar Services
- Solar Panels
Local Service
Fast Solar Company
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Batteries
- Solar Panels
- Commercial Solar Services
Local Service
PowerPanel
- Educational sales approach
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Commercial Solar Services
- Solar Panels
Local Service
GEM Energy
- Can browse portfolio on website
- Educational sales approach
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Commercial Solar Services
- Solar Panels
Local Service
CRESIT Energy
- Educational sales approach
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Commercial Solar Services
- Solar Panels
Local Service
Sesame Solar
- Educational sales approach
- Custom system designs
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Commercial Solar Services
- Solar Panels
Local Service
Solar Source
- Educational sales approach
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
Local Service
First Solar
- Educational sales approach
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
Local Service
Nihil Ultra Corp
- Educational sales approach
- Makes charitable contributions
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Commercial Solar Services
- Solar Panels
Local Service
Patriot Solar Group LLC
- Can browse portfolio on website
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Commercial Solar Services
- Solar Roof Shingles
- Solar Panels
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 Detroit
When picking a solar company, most homeowners or business owners wonder about the costs the most. 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 such as:
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit currently allows you to decrease your taxes by 30% of the project cost. Your state and city may also have incentives and rebates that you can take advantage of. Additionally, you can save about $16,000 over 20 years on your utility bills, before factoring in incentives.
- The cost of electricity in your area: If your local energy rates are quite high, there's a good chance you'll have a higher return on your investment in a solar panel system. In Detroit, you can save an average of $84 a month on your electricity bills.
- average energy usage: The more power your home uses on average and the greater your current power bills are, the more money you could save by making the switch to solar.
- The kind of solar panels you can purchase: This is dependent on how much you're willing to spend upfront.
So is a solar panel system worth it? Whether you're trying to reduce your electric bills, carbon emissions or both, solar panels are a great investment for many Detroit homeowners.
Solar Savings Calculator for {{ solarcalc.name }}
Adopting a renewable source of energy can considerably impact both the environment and your bills. To see how much, try out the calculator below. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Detroit, MI.
| {{ solarcalc.time_period|number:0 }} -year savings | {{ solarcalc.total_savings()|currency }} |
| Estimated cost | {{ solarcalc.array_cost() | currency }} |
| Estimated incentives | {{ solarcalc.incentive_savings() | currency }} |
| Payback period | {{ solarcalc.payback_period()|number:1 }} years |
| CO2 emissions prevented | {{ solarcalc.CO2_total()|number:0 }} lbs |
| Miles driven equivalent | {{ solarcalc.CO2_total()/0.78|number:0 }} mi |
Switching to solar in {{ solarcalc.name }} can save you {{ solarcalc.total_savings() | currency }} over the course of {{ solarcalc.time_period|number:0 }} years. This means that with an average cost of {{ solarcalc.array_cost() | currency }}, it would take {{ solarcalc.payback_period()|number:1 }} years to recover the cost of of your solar array.
Solar Incentives in Detroit
If you're planning on making the switch to solar energy, a variety of government incentives and state programs can dramatically lower your project costs and expedite the return on your investment. In addition to the federal tax credit incentive, there are also some local incentives, which in most cases, stack with the federal incentive, so you can save even more. For comprehensive information about incentives for homeowners in Detroit, visit our our article on solar incentives.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Detroit
Installing solar panels can have a positive impact on the environment. Many homeowners might be wondering how much exactly they can impact the environment by switching to solar in Detroit, though. Regardless of your location, you can help the planet by switching to solar energy, but homes that consume lots of energy will have an even bigger impact. In Detroit, the average household can lower their carbon footprint by 100 pounds a year after going solar. Since solar power is renewable and makes electricity without releasing carbon emissions, making the switch to solar power is one easy step you can take to help protect the planet.
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 Detroit, MI Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar company is the best near me?
In Detroit, Forest City Solar Solutions is the most reputable local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 5.00 stars, so it's a good choice if you're looking to add solar panels to your home.
What are the pros and cons of solar power?
The greatest advantages of solar power are that it can lower or, in some cases, completely erase your electricity bills, improve the value of your home and bring down your carbon footprint. The greatest disadvantages are that solar panels can be expensive to install, you may not see as many savings if you don't use a lot of electricity and whether you can install solar panels depends on your roof configuration.
How long does it take to see a return on your investment after buying solar panels?
Solar panels generally pay for themselves in about 12.0 years, but your solar payback period will vary depending on your utility costs. The more your typical electricity bill, the quicker your solar panel system will recoup your installation costs.
What is the best kind of solar panel?
The different types of solar panels are monocrystalline, polycrystalline and thin-film. Monocrystalline panels are more efficient but also more costly. Polycrystalline panels are cheaper but also less efficient than monocrystalline. Thin-film solar panels are flexible, so they can be used where the other types can't, like on curved surfaces or cars, but they are also less efficient. The best one for you depends on your budget, roof layout and desired energy output.
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.