3 Best Solar Companies in Manistee, MI (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 3 in Manistee based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Manistee, MI
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Manistee homeowner saves $1,781/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Manistee
When deciding on the best solar panel installers, Manistee homeowners have more options to choose from than ever before, which can be overwhelming, but we’re here to make switching to solar energy simpler. The average home can save $21,000 over 20 years with solar panels. And because solar panels have a lifespan of about 25 to 30 years, the amount of money you'll save in the long run will be much higher than that overall.
Here, we’ll list out some of the best solar companies in Manistee to make your decision a little easier.Interested in seeing the cost of installing solar panels on your roof? Click "get quote" below to get a free, no-obligation quote from a top-rated Manistee solar installer.
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 Manistee
CBS Solar
Informative Resources- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Family-Operated Business
- Free Quotes
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Community Solar Projects- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
Heritage Sustainable Energy
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Lake Michigan Wind & Sun Ltd
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Manistee
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Manistee 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 Manistee
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 Manistee
When deciding on a solar company, most homeowners or business owners wonder about the costs the most.Some important things that determine how much it will cost and how much you could save include:
- How much energy costs for you: The typical family in Manistee spends around $1,300 a year on power alone, so you could be looking at that much in savings.
- Incentives: Along with the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which lets you deduct 0 of your overall installation cost, your local government may offer additional tax exemptions, credits or rebates that can help you save even more. Aside from incentives, you can save an average of $21,000 over 20 years with your system, too.
- Your energy consumption: If your household uses a lot of energy, you'll see more savings from installing solar panels.
- The kind of solar panels you want: More efficient models have higher prices, so that will determine your budget for your solar project.
Solar is a rewarding investment for most homeowners. You can make your own electricity instead of paying for it from a utility company and benefit from solar tax credits and rebates, all while helping the planet.
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Solar Incentives in Manistee
Since solar power is a cleaner source of energy than traditional energy sources, there are several government incentives in place to encourage people to make the switch.On top of the federal tax credit incentive, there are also some state- and city-level benefits, which in almost all cases, can be claimed in addition to the federal incentive, so you can save even more. Our article on solar incentives has more detailed information on the incentives you can benefit from in Manistee.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Manistee
Installing solar panels can have a positive impact on the environment.Something many people might have in mind is how much can they really help save the environment by switching to solar power anyway? 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 larger, so adopting solar energy for your home can help offset that.After you go solar, your carbon emissions can be lowered by about 100 pounds each year. As you can see, investing in solar has so many other perks beyond saving money. One of the main ones is that you can help save the environment 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 Manistee, MI Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar installation company is the best near me?
In Manistee, CBS Solar is the top local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 3.00 stars, so it's a solid choice if you're looking to add solar panels to your house.
What are the pros and cons of solar power?
The biggest advantages of solar power are that it can reduce or, for some, totally eradicate your electricity bills, raise your home’s value and cut back on your carbon footprint. The greatest disadvantages are that solar panels can be expensive to install, you may not save a lot if you don’t use a lot of electricity and whether you can install solar panels depends on your roof configuration.
Are solar panels worth it?
Solar panels can be a good investment for a majority of homeowners, but frankly, they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get a lot of direct sunlight or your electricity bills are already pretty low, solar panels might not be for you.
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 their energy production will have decreased significantly after that point. You can 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.