15 Best Solar Companies in Oakland, MI (2023 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in Oakland based on:
-
Customer review scores - Service area for Oakland, MI
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Oakland homeowner saves $1,301/year with solar panels
Updated September 15, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Oakland
If you're on the hunt for the best solar companies in Oakland, sifting through so many options can be demanding, but it can pay off since adopting solar power can offer so many fantastic benefits. Over 20 years of offsetting your energy costs with a solar system, you can save about $15,000 on your power bills.
In this article, we'll help you find the best options in your area. To help you figure out if solar panels are worth it for your home, you can get a free, no-obligation quote from one of the best solar companies in Oakland by clicking the button below.
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 Oakland
Michigan Solar Solutions
-
Free Quotes - Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
-
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
-
Home installations - Energy storage solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Skilled repairs
- Business installations
- Tailored solutions
Strawberry Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Business installations
- Home installations
- Energy storage solutions
- Tailored solutions
The Green Panel
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Integrated roofing
- Energy storage solutions
- Business installations
- End-to-end services
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
Orange Cell Solar
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Integrated roofing
- Energy storage solutions
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
Solar Solutions of America Inc
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
- Integrated roofing
- Business installations
- Home installations
Solar On Inc
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Family-Operated Business
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Integrated roofing
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
Water Winter Solar Installers Co
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
- Business installations
- Skilled repairs
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
Ease Solar
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Energy storage solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
The Solar RAQ
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Business installations
- Tailored solutions
- Integrated roofing
- Energy storage solutions
- Expert panel installation
Oak Electric Service, Inc.
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Business installations
- Skilled repairs
- Integrated roofing
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
- End-to-end services
Solar Source
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
Modern Mill Solar
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Energy storage solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Business installations
- Integrated roofing
Solar Energy Detroit
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- End-to-end services
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
- Integrated roofing
North Coast Solar
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
- Integrated roofing
- Business installations
Motor Capital Solar Solutions
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled repairs
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Integrated roofing
- Home installations
- Business installations
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Oakland
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Oakland 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 Oakland
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 Oakland
For many people considering switching to solar, the decision of which solar company to choose depends on pricing. There are quite a few factors you should take into consideration when determining the overall cost and how much you can save, including:
- How much energy your household consumes: Homes that need a lot of energy each month may call for more solar panels and, as a result, more upfront cost, but will also benefit more over time.
- Choice of solar panels: The type of solar panels you buy 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 you don't need to maximize efficiency, you can opt for a higher number of more affordable panels.
- Incentives: Tax-paying citizens who install a solar energy system this year can save 30% of their total solar spend by using the federal solar investment tax credit. You can also save about $15,000 on your utility bills over 20 years excluding incentives.
- The amount of sunlight your roof gets: If your rooftop gets limited direct sunlight, your solar panel system won't be able to generate as much energy, which will give you lower savings on energy bills than someone with a roof that gets lots of sunlight.
Solar is a worthwhile investment for most homeowners. You can generate your own energy instead of paying for it from a utility company and benefit from solar incentives and rebates, all while helping preserve the planet.
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Solar Incentives in Oakland
If you're considering making the switch to solar power, a number of government incentives and solar rebates can drastically bring down the installation costs and speed up the return on your investment. There are a lot of federal, state and local rebates and tax credits that earn a decent amount of money in return after installing a qualifying system. In our article on solar incentives, you can find out about the incentives you qualify for in your area.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Oakland
One reason so many people are thinking of going solar is to help bring down their environmental impact. You may be trying to figure out — how much does going solar help the planet anyway? In a city like Oakland where commute times can be very long, installing solar panels can help help reduce the carbon footprint of being on the road a lot. Even though solar panel production releases carbon dioxide emissions, the panels make up for it by greatly lowering the amount of CO2 you would have produced if you still used traditional energy. In Oakland, you can reduce your carbon footprint by 100 pounds a year with solar panels. Since solar energy is plentiful and produces electricity without CO2 emissions, making the switch to solar power is one easy step you can take to help preserve the planet.
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 Oakland, MI Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar installation company is the best in Oakland?
The best local solar company in Oakland is RG Resource Technologies, with a rating of 3.00 stars.
What are the pros and cons of solar power?
A few of the biggest pros are that it reduces your electricity bills, it's good for the environment, 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 startup costs are high and solar panels aren't always aesthetically pleasing.
How long does it take to see a return on your investment after installing solar panels?
The average payback period for solar panel installation is about 12.1 years, but the exact period depends on the cost of electricity where you are, incentives and net metering programs.
How much solar panel capacity do I need for my house?
Solar panel capacity is rated depending on how much power they produce under standard testing conditions. Since each panel can typically 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.