3 Best Solar Companies in East Bay, MI (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 3 in East Bay based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for East Bay, MI
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average East Bay homeowner saves $1,607/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in East Bay
When choosing between the best solar installers, East Bay homeowners have more providers to choose from than ever before, which can be a lot to take in, but we’re here to make switching to solar energy that much easier. Because of East Bay's decent level of sunshine on average, the solar industry has been growing steadily.
The cost of installing solar panels can change significantly according to your home’s configuration and your overall energy usage.We suggest shopping around to get multiple quotes and comparing them to find the best installer for your home. To receive free quotes from the top solar panel companies in East Bay, 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 East Bay
Heritage Sustainable Energy
Clear Pricing Policy- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Panel Installation- Cleaning and Maintenance
CBS Solar
- Informative Resources
- Family-Operated Business
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Community Solar Projects
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
Bear River Electric
- Family-Operated Business
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in East Bay
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in East Bay 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 East Bay
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 East Bay
For many readers, the decision of which solar company to choose comes down to total costs.There are quite a few factors you should consider when trying to determine costs and your potential savings, including:
- Your income and budget: This shapes what type of solar panels you can get.
- Your current electric bills: Solar panels can substantially lower, or entirely eliminate, your utility bills. In East Bay, you can save an average of $1,254 a month.
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit currently allows you to decrease your taxes by 0 of the project cost. Your state may also have incentives and rebates that you can use. Additionally, you can save about $19,000 over 20 years on your utility bills, not including incentives.
- The amount of sunlight your area gets: Due to East Bay’s relatively low amount of average daily sunlight, you might not see as many savings on your power bills.
There are many great benefits of solar even with the upfront cost of installation. It can help the Earth and your wallet. Additionally, it can raise the value of your home, giving you even more benefits if you decide to sell your home later.
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For an estimate of both how much you could save and help protect the Earth by installing a solar panel system, you can play around with the calculator below. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for East Bay, MI.
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Solar Incentives in East Bay
If you’re considering switching to solar power, various government incentives and subsidies can dramatically bring down the installation costs and expedite the return on your investment.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 can save even more. Check out our article on solar incentives to find out what incentives are available to you.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in East Bay
One of the best reasons to adopt solar power is to reduce your reliance on traditional energy sources like burning fossil fuels, which are destructive for the environment.Many homeowners might be wondering how much exactly they can impact the environment by switching to solar in East Bay, though. One thing that can dramatically affect your carbon footprint is how long your commute is and how much you drive generally. If you install solar panels and drive an electric car, you can vastly decrease your carbon dioxide emissions by charging your car at home.In East Bay, the average person can reduce their carbon footprint by 90 pounds a year once they go solar. The good things about solar power are abundant — just like solar power is! That's why so many people have been happy with committing to solar.
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 East Bay, MI Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar power company is the best near me?
In East Bay, Heritage Sustainable Energy is the most reputable local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 3.00 stars, so it's a solid choice if you're planning on installing solar panels on your roof.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of solar power?
The biggest advantages of solar power are that it can decrease or, in some cases, totally cut your electricity bills, raise your home’s value and reduce your carbon footprint. The main disadvantages are that solar panels can be pricey to install, you may not save a lot 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 for solar to pay for itself?
Solar panels generally pay for themselves in about 14.1 years, but your solar payback period will vary based on your utility costs. The more your typical energy bill, the quicker your solar panel system will recoup your installation costs.
How often do solar panels need to be replaced?
Although the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they stop working completely. What this means is how much energy they produce will have decreased by about 0.8% each year since installing them. You can decide to replace them after having 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.