6 Best Solar Companies in Nelson, MI (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 6 in Nelson based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Nelson, MI
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Nelson homeowner saves $1,788/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Nelson
Thinking of going solar but trying to figure out which company would be the best one for your needs? Although it can be difficult to pick a solar company, the search will pay off because going solar has many good perks. While solar panels are a great investment, you’ll be able to make that expense back and then some, all while helping to protect the planet. In fact, you could be looking at saving about $21,000 over 20 years.
As you begin your search for the best solar companies in Nelson, you might see that there are a great number of providers to choose between. So, we’ve put together a curated list of the top solar companies in the area.To get an idea of how much it could cost to put solar panels on your roof, you can click the button below to be connected to a certified installer near you.
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 Nelson
Tiger Solar
Clear Pricing Policy- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Financing Assistance- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
Agathon Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
- Permit Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Battery Storage
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Panel Installation
Quality Solar
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Mid-America Solar, LLC
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Carports
- Panel Installation
Sol Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
NovaTerra Energy
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Permit Assistance
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Nelson
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Nelson 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 Nelson
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 Nelson
For the majority of homeowners, whether or not you should invest in solar energy depends the most on the cost.Some significant things that affect the upfront cost and potential savings over time include:
- Choice of solar panels: The kind of solar panels you choose will affect your total cost. High-efficiency monocrystalline panels are more expensive upfront but can also lead to more savings over the lifetime of your system. If space isn't a constraint for your project, you can go with a higher number of more affordable panels.
- Energy consumption: Installing solar panels may be too steep of an investment for homes that don’t use a lot of energy per month.
- Incentives: Along with the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which gives you a tax credit currently worth 0 of your total installation cost, your local government may offer additional tax exemptions, credits or rebates that will help you save even more. Not including incentives, you can save an average of $21,000 over the first 20 years with your system, too.
- The cost of energy for you: If your local energy rates are quite high, there's a good chance you'll see a higher return on your investment in a solar system. In Nelson, you can save an average of $1,254 a month on your electricity bills.
Solar is a fruitful investment for most homeowners. You can generate your own electricity instead of paying for it from the grid and benefit from solar incentives and rebates, all while helping the environment.
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Solar Incentives in Nelson
There are many reasons why going solar is a great investment. One of them includes some government incentives that can help save you some money.There are quite a few federal, state and local rebates and tax credits that can earn you anywhere from 0 to 50% of your money back after paying for solar panels. In our article on solar incentives, you can read about the incentives you qualify for in your area.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Nelson
There are many reasons to make the switch to solar power, like saving on electricity bills and helping to reduce your carbon footprint.But – how much exactly can you help by making the switch to solar? As reported by the EPA, electricity generation is the second biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions and about 62% of our electricity is generated by burning fossil fuels. Switching to a clean energy source like solar power can help bring down that statistic in a city like Nelson that generates a large amount of carbon dioxide emissions each year.In Nelson, the average household can reduce their carbon footprint by 100 pounds a year after going solar. As you can see, investing in solar has so many other perks outside of saving money. One of the major ones is that you can help save the Earth 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 Nelson, MI Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar installation company is the best in Nelson?
The best local solar company in Nelson is Tiger Solar, with a rating of 4.90 stars.
What are the best and worst things about solar power?
The greatest advantages of solar power are that it can reduce or, for some, 100% eradicate your electricity bills, improve the value of your home and cut back on your carbon footprint. The biggest disadvantages are that solar panels can be expensive to install, you may not save as much if you don’t use a lot of electricity and whether you can install solar panels depends on your roof configuration.
Is it worth installing solar panels on my roof?
Solar panels can be a great investment for lots of homeowners, but honestly, they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get enough sunlight or your energy bills are already reasonably low, solar panels might not be for you.
How long do solar panels last?
Although the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they stop working completely. What this means is the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can opt 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.