3 Best Solar Companies in Grayling, MI (2024 Reviews)

We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 3 in Grayling based on:

  • Customer review scores
  • Service area for Grayling, MI
  • Company policies and services offered
  • Accreditations and certifications

Average Grayling homeowner saves $1,759/year with solar panels

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated April 21, 2024

Why you can trust EcoWatch

We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

Best Solar Companies in Grayling

As a homeowner or business owner in Grayling, you may be considering switching to solar and wondering about the best solar companies in your local area. Solar could be a good choice since it comes with lots of perks. While solar is a great investment, you’ll be able to make the cost back and then some, all while living more sustainably. In fact, you could look forward to saving about $21,000 over 20 years.


In this article, we’ll review the top Grayling solar installers so you can make the best choice for your home’s renewable energy needs.To get free quotes from the leading solar companies in Grayling, click the "get quote" button below.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0
  • 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

★★★★★
4.5
  • Great warranty coverage
  • Outstanding customer service
  • Offers products from leading manufacturers
  • Slightly limited service offerings
  • No leases or PPAs

Outstanding Local Installer

Strawberry Solar

★★★★★
4.5
  • 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 Grayling

Best Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Bear River Electric

  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Family-Operated Business
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Panel Installation

Website: http://www.briverelectric.com/
Address: 352 Creekside Dr, Petoskey, MI 49770
Phone: 2313476311
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Heritage Sustainable Energy

  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Panel Installation
  • Service icon Cleaning and Maintenance

Website: https://heritagesustainable.com/
Address: 121 E Front St, Traverse City, MI 49684
Phone: 2319353659
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

CBS Solar

  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Pros icon Family-Operated Business
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Panel Installation
  • Service icon Community Solar Projects
  • Service icon Financing Assistance

Website: http://cbssolar.com/
Address: 16880 Front St, Copemish, MI 49625
Phone: 2313782936

Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Grayling

EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Grayling 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 Grayling


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 Grayling

For a lot of homeowners, the decision to invest in solar energy boils down to the cost.A few important factors that determine how much it will cost to install a solar panel system on your home and how much it could save you over time include:

  • Choice of solar panels: The kind of solar panels you choose will affect your total cost. High-efficiency monocrystalline panels will cost more upfront but can also save you more money over the lifetime of your system. If you don’t need to maximize efficiency, you can go with a higher number of more affordable panels.
  • Your city: This affects how much sunlight your roof receives, which helps determine how many panels you need.
  • How much you spend on energy: The typical household in Grayling pays around $1,300 a year on energy use alone, so you could gain that much in savings.
  • Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit currently lets you decrease your taxes by 0 of the project cost. Your state and city may also have incentives and rebates that you can use. Additionally, you can save about $21,000 over 20 years on your utility bills, before factoring in incentives.

Although a solar panel system costs a decent chunk of money upfront, it can save you thousands of dollars over time. The question of how much, though, depends on several factors, like the kind of solar panels you get and your local electricity rates.

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Solar Incentives in Grayling

Although a solar power system is typically a large investment, it can save you a substantial amount of money over time due to lower utility bills and government incentives.State and city solar incentives vary by location and, sometimes, utility company. A lot of states offer rebates for solar panels, in addition to the federal solar tax credit. In our article on solar incentives, you can see the incentives you qualify for in Grayling.

Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Grayling

One of the reasons so many homeowners consider going solar is to help lower their environmental impact.But you may be curious – how much exactly can you help the planet by making the switch to solar? A significant thing to keep in mind is your overall carbon footprint. For example, if you spend a lot of time driving to work, your footprint may be bigger, so adopting solar power for your house can help offset that.Since solar panels don’t release greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere when producing electricity, they’re a good alternative to traditional energy sources. In fact, you could reduce your carbon dioxide emissions by about 90 pounds each year. Since solar power is renewable and generates electricity without free from carbon dioxide emissions, installing solar panels is one easy step you can take to help the environment.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0
  • 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

★★★★★
4.5
  • Great warranty coverage
  • Outstanding customer service
  • Offers products from leading manufacturers
  • Slightly limited service offerings
  • No leases or PPAs

Outstanding Local Installer

Strawberry Solar

★★★★★
4.5
  • 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 Grayling, MI Solar Company Rankings FAQs

Which solar panel installer is the best near me?

In Grayling, Bear River Electric is the most reputable local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 3.00 stars, so it's a good choice if you're planning on installing solar panels on your roof.

What are a few of the main advantages and disadvantages of adopting solar power?

A few of the biggest pros are that it reduces your power bills, it’s a sustainable source of energy, and it can give you a significant return on your investment (ROI). The most notable cons are that solar panels don’t produce electricity at night, the startup costs are high and solar panels can be an eyesore.

Are solar panels worth it?

Solar panels can be a fruitful investment for lots of homeowners, but honestly, 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.

What is solar panel capacity and how much do I need for my house?

Solar panel capacity is the amount of energy the panels can create under ideal conditions (a sunny day around noon). The average household has to get between 20 and 35 panels to cover their energy needs.

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.