3 Best Solar Companies in Garfield, MI (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 3 in Garfield based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Garfield, MI
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Garfield homeowner saves $1,526/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Garfield
If you’re a homeowner looking to take advantage of the solar incentives in Garfield, it can be challenging to narrow down which company to decide on. But, the process is worth it since switching to solar power is typically a fantastic idea. Plus, proactive government support resulted in growing numbers of solar companies, setting the ground for a bright and fruitful future in the state.
In this article, we’ll list out the top Garfield solar installers so you can find the best one for your home’s renewable energy needs.If you’re ready to start receiving free, no-obligation quotes from the top Garfield solar companies, you can click the button below to learn more.
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 Garfield
Heritage Sustainable Energy
Reliable Customer Support- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Cleaning and Maintenance- Panel Installation
CBS Solar
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Family-Operated Business
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Community Solar Projects
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
Bear River Electric
- Reliable Customer Support
- Family-Operated Business
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Garfield
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Garfield 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 Garfield
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 Garfield
Solar panels are powered by a free energy source — the sun — but before you can take advantage of this you must first pay to install your system.There are a few factors you should consider when trying to determine how much it will cost and how much you can save, including:
- Electricity consumption: The average home in Garfield uses a decent amount of, and so may save on their energy bills.
- Your household's power bills: With fairly high monthly power bills in Garfield, you could save about $1,300 a year with solar.
- Your income and budget: This affects what kind of solar panels you can purchase.
- Incentives: Tax-paying citizens who buy and install a solar system this year can save 0 of their total solar spend by taking advantage of the federal solar investment tax credit. You can also save about $18,000 on your utility bills over 20 years excluding incentives.
So is buying solar panels worth it? Whether you hope to lower your energy bills, carbon emissions or both, solar panels are a worthwhile investment for many Garfield homeowners.
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For an idea of both how much you could save and help the environment by installing a solar panel system, you can try out the calculator below. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Garfield, MI.
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Solar Incentives in Garfield
There are many good reasons why you should switch to solar. One of them involves some government incentives you can take advantage of.Local solar incentive programs vary by location and, sometimes, utility company. A lot of states offer rebates for solar power, in addition to the federal solar tax credit. In our article on solar incentives, you can see the incentives you qualify for in Garfield.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Garfield
One of the best reasons to switch to solar power is to cut your dependence on nonrenewable energy sources like burning fossil fuels, which are destructive for the environment.A question many might be thinking about is how much can they really help the environment by switching to solar power anyway? How much energy you use is a key factor to consider. The more power your home uses, the bigger your impact when you switch to solar energy.Since solar panels don’t release CO2 emissions into the atmosphere when producing electricity, they’re a good alternative to traditional energy sources. In fact, you could look forward to lowering your carbon dioxide emissions by about 90 pounds each year. As you can see, trading traditional energy for solar has so many other perks beyond saving money. One of the major ones is that you can help save the planet too.
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 Garfield, MI Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the most reputable solar panel company in Garfield?
In Garfield, Heritage Sustainable Energy is the most reputable local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 3.00 stars, so it's a great choice if you're looking to add solar panels to your home.
What are some of the biggest advantages and disadvantages of installing solar panels?
A few of the biggest pros are that it lets you spend less on your electricity bills, it’s eco-friendly, and it provides a significant return on your investment (ROI). The most notable cons are that solar panels don’t work as well when there’s limited direct sunlight, the installation cost is pricey and solar panels aren’t always aesthetically pleasing.
How long does it take to see a return on your investment after buying solar panels?
Solar panels generally pay for themselves in about 14.9 years, but your solar payback period will depend on your utility costs. The more your typical power bill, the quicker your solar panel system will recoup your installation costs.
How often do solar panels need to be replaced?
Though 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 once you've had them for that long or you can keep using 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.