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

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

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

Average Peninsula homeowner saves $1,526/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 Peninsula

Hoping to go solar but still deciding on which solar company would be the best one for your needs? Although it can be hard to find a solar company, the search will pay off because going solar has many good benefits. On average, your family can save $18,000 over 20 years with solar panels. And because solar panels last about 25 to 30 years, you can save will be well above that overall.


In this article, we’ll review the top Peninsula solar installers so you can find the best one for your home’s clean energy needs.To start getting free quotes from the best solar companies in Peninsula, you can click "get quote" 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 Peninsula

Best Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Heritage Sustainable Energy

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

Services Offered

  • Service icon Cleaning and Maintenance
  • Service icon Panel Installation

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 Family-Operated Business
  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • 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 Community Solar Projects
  • Service icon Panel Installation
  • Service icon Financing Assistance

Website: http://cbssolar.com/
Address: 16880 Front St, Copemish, MI 49625
Phone: 2313782936
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Bear River Electric

  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Pros icon Family-Operated Business
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • 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

Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Peninsula

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


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 Peninsula

For many people considering switching to solar, the decision of which solar company to hire depends on pricing.Some main factors that influence how much it will cost to install solar panels on your home and how much it could save you over time include:

  • The kind of solar panels you’re planning on getting: Some have higher prices, so that will shape your budget for your solar project.
  • Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit, which can save you some money, allows you to deduct 0 of the cost of installing your solar panel system from your taxes. Plus, not including incentives, you can save about $18,000 over 20 years on your energy bills.
  • How much energy you use: If your household regularly uses a lot of energy, you'll see more savings from installing solar panels.
  • The amount of sunlight your area gets: Thanks to Peninsula’s relatively low amount of average daily sunlight, you might not see as many savings on your energy bills.

There are lots of good benefits of solar in spite of the upfront cost of installation. It can help the environment and your wallet. Plus, it can increase the value of your home, giving you even more benefits if you want to sell your home later.

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Solar Incentives in Peninsula

Adopting solar power has a lot of great benefits. Not only can it help preserve the planet, but you can also save a decent amount of money on your installation with various government incentives.State and city solar incentive programs vary by location and, sometimes, utility company. A lot of states offer rebates for solar panels, in addition to the federal solar tax credit. Our article on solar incentives goes over more detailed information on the incentives you can find in Peninsula.

Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Peninsula

One reason so many consider going solar is to help reduce their environmental impact.But how much can switching to solar actually affect the environment? In Peninsula, where the energy generation produces a lot of greenhouse gasses, going solar can have a huge impact on the planet since solar power is an abundant source of clean energy.Once you go solar, your carbon dioxide emissions can be cut by about 90 pounds a year. As you can see, investing in solar has so many other rewards beyond saving money. One of the main ones is that you can help save the planet too.

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 Peninsula, MI Solar Company Rankings FAQs

What is the top solar company in Peninsula?

The top local solar company in Peninsula is Heritage Sustainable Energy, with a rating of 3.00 stars.

What are some of the major advantages and disadvantages of switching to solar?

The greatest advantages of solar power are that it can lower or, in some cases, 100% cut your electricity bills, improve the value of your home and reduce your carbon footprint. The main disadvantages are that solar panels can be costly to install, you may not save as much if you don’t use a lot of electricity and it doesn’t work for all roof types and locations.

How long does it take to see a return on your investment after getting solar panels?

Solar panels generally pay for themselves in about 14.9 years, but your solar payback period will vary based on your utility costs. The higher your typical power bill, the faster your solar panel system will recoup your installation costs.

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

Solar panel capacity is how much 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 how much energy they need.

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.