13 Best Solar Companies in Eaton Rapids, MI (2023 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 13 in Eaton Rapids based on:
-
Customer review scores - Service area for Eaton Rapids, MI
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Eaton Rapids homeowner saves $1,747/year with solar panels
Updated May 04, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Eaton Rapids
Searching for the top solar companies in Eaton Rapids? Installing solar panels is an exciting project that many homeowners find valuable for their wallets, communities and the planet. Due to Eaton Rapids' decent level of sunshine on average, the solar industry has been growing steadily.
There are lots of installers to consider, but in this article, we'll help you pin down your options by recommending some of the best solar companies in Eaton Rapids. Want to see how much you would pay to install solar panels on your roof? Click "get quote" below to get a free, no-obligation quote from a top Eaton Rapids solar installer.
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 Eaton Rapids
Average Cost
SunPower
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Most efficient panels on the market - National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
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Expensive - Customer service varies by local dealer
Services Offered
-
Solar Panels - Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- System Monitoring
Average Cost
Michigan Solar Solutions
- Great warranty coverage
- Outstanding customer service
- Offers products from leading manufacturers
- Slightly limited service offerings
- No leases or PPAs
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
Average Cost
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
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
Average Cost
The Green Panel
- Outstanding customer service
- Excellent reputation
- Great warranty coverage
- No leases or PPAs
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- Solar Carports
- Electrical Work
Average Cost
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- Energy-Efficiency Upgrades
- Maintenance & Repairs
Average Cost
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- Solar Roof Shingles
- System Monitoring
EnerFusion
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Family-Operated Business
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
EnerFusion
- Family-Operated Business
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
Absolute Solar
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Integrated roofing
- Business installations
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
Sol Solar
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
Country Air & Solar Energy
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Energy storage solutions
- Business installations
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
5 Lakes Energy
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
TFS Wind & Solar Hybrid Systems
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Integrated roofing
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Eaton Rapids
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Eaton Rapids 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 Eaton Rapids
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 Eaton Rapids
For lots of homeowners, the decision to invest in solar energy depends the most on the cost. There are a few factors you should consider when determining the overall cost and how much you can save, such as:
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit currently allows you to decrease your taxes by 30% of the project cost. Your state may also have incentives and rebates that you can benefit from. Additionally, you can save about $21,000 over 20 years on your utility bills, not including incentives.
- Your energy bills: This will affect your savings. In Eaton Rapids, the average homeowner can save about $1,300 a year on their electricity bills.
- Your income and budget: This affects what model of solar panels you can get.
- The amount of sunlight your city gets: Due to Eaton Rapids' relatively low amount of average daily sunlight, you might not see as many savings on your electricity bills.
So is a solar system worth it? Whether you want to reduce your electricity costs, greenhouse gas emissions or both, solar panels are a worthwhile investment for many Eaton Rapids homeowners.
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For an estimate of both how much you could save and help the environment by switching to solar power, you can play around with the calculator below. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Eaton Rapids, MI.
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Solar Incentives in Eaton Rapids
Switching to solar power has a lot of great benefits. Not only can it help preserve the environment, but you can also save some money on your installation with various government incentives. When you install solar panels on your home, you can take advatage of the federal tax credit, or ITC. This credit currently lowers your tax bill by 30% of the cost of your solar panels. Plus, there are often some state and city incentives that you can benefit from to further cut back on the cost of solar of solar panels. In our article on solar incentives, you can see the incentives you qualify for in your area.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Eaton Rapids
One of the reasons so many are considering installing solar panels is to help reduce their environmental impact. But how much can using solar energy instead of traditional energy actually help the environment? In a city like Eaton Rapids where energy use is rather high, switching to solar energy is a fantastic plan for those who care about the planet. Although 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 traditional energy. In Eaton Rapids, you can reduce your carbon footprint by 100 pounds a year with solar panels. For homeowners who care about the environment, the upfront cost of solar is a small price to pay for the offset carbon emissions.
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 Eaton Rapids, MI Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the best solar installer in Eaton Rapids?
In Eaton Rapids, Michigan Solar Solutions, M46, Riverdale, Mi 48877 is the top local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 5.00 stars, so it's a solid choice if you're planning on installing solar panels on your home.
Are solar panels actually environmentally friendly?
Manufacturing solar panels requires chemicals and produces toxic waste that can be harmful for the environment, which is the main drawback of solar panels.
Are solar panels worth it?
Solar panels can be a fruitful investment for a majority of homeowners, but admittedly, they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get a lot of direct sunlight or your energy bills are already pretty low, solar panels might not be for you.
How much solar panel capacity do I need for my house?
Solar panel capacity is rated based on how many watts of power they produce under standard testing conditions. Since each panel can generally produce about 250 to 400 watts per hour, the average house 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.