11 Best Solar Companies in Plainwell, MI (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 11 in Plainwell based on:
- Customer review scores
- Service area for Plainwell, MI
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Plainwell homeowner saves $1,857/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Plainwell
Hoping to go solar but still deciding on which company would be best for your needs? Although it can be hard to settle on a solar company, the search will pay off because going solar has many good perks. Over 20 years of offsetting your energy costs with a solar system, you can save about $22,000 on your electricity bills.
If you want to start making use of the great number of perks of solar, we can help you narrow down your options to find the Plainwell solar installer that’s in the right price range for you.Continue reading to see our picks for the top solar companies in the city, or get connected to a vetted solar company near you right away by clicking the button below.
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 Plainwell
Helios Solar LLC
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
Climax Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
- Permit Assistance
Tiger Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
Absolute Solar
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
Agathon Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Permit Assistance
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Financing Assistance
- Battery Storage
Wellspring Solar
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Family-Operated Business
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Panel Installation
Sol Solar
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- 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
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Permit Assistance
Rustic Resource Enterprises Inc
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Mid-America Solar, LLC
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Carports
- Panel Installation
Solect Energy, L.L.C.
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Financing Assistance
- Grid-Tied Solar System
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Plainwell
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Plainwell 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 Plainwell
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 Plainwell
We know that for lots of homeowners, the decision to invest in solar rests on installation costs.Some important factors that determine how much it will cost to install solar panels on your home and how much it could save you over time are:
- The amount of sunlight your home gets: Due to Plainwell’s high amount of average daily sunlight, you should be able to save a decent amount on your power bills.
- Incentives: Something that can save you money on your solar project is the solar investment tax credit (ITC), which is a tax credit that’s equal to a percentage of the project cost. You can also save a decent amount of money on your power bills, which can give you an average of $22,000 of savings over 20 years.
- Electricity consumption: The average household in Plainwell uses a decent amount of, and as a result may save on their energy bills.
- Your income and budget: This determines what type of solar panels you can get.
Solar is a worthwhile investment for most homeowners. You can make your own power instead of paying for it from the grid and make use of solar incentives and rebates, all while helping preserve the planet.
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Solar Incentives in Plainwell
Because solar power is better for the environment than fossil fuels, there are a number of government incentives available to encourage its adoption.You can qualify for the federal solar investment tax credit (ITC) for the tax year you turn on your a solar panel system. You can also possibly pair the ITC with other local rebates and benefits. Our article on solar incentives goes over more detailed information on the incentives you can take advantage of in Plainwell.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Plainwell
There are a few big reasons why homeowners want to invest in solar energy: to put more money in their bank account and to help the planet.But how much can switching to solar actually help the environment? The more energy your house uses, the better off the planet will be from you switching to solar since you won’t have to use as much nonrenewable energy.Though solar panel production emits carbon dioxide, the panels make up for it by considerably decreasing the amount of CO2 you would have been responsible for if you still used nonrenewable energy. In Plainwell, you can reduce your carbon footprint by 100 pounds a year with solar panels. Since solar energy is renewable and makes electricity without releasing carbon emissions, making the switch to solar power is one easy step you can take to help protect the environment.
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 Plainwell, MI Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar panel installer is the best near me?
The best local solar company in Plainwell is Helios Solar LLC, with a rating of 4.90 stars.
What are the pros and cons of solar power?
A few of the biggest pros are that it decreases your electricity bills, it’s environmentally friendly, and it can give you 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?
Solar panels usually pay for themselves in about 12.2 years, but your solar payback period will depend on your utility costs. The more your typical power bill, the quicker your solar panel system will recoup your installation costs.
How efficient are solar panels?
Solar panel efficiency is the amount of energy from the sun that is converted into electricity. Most panels today have an efficiency rating between 15 and 20%. If your panels are more efficient, you'll need less of them to meet your home's 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.