11 Best Solar Companies in Portage, MI (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 11 in Portage based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Portage, MI
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Portage homeowner saves $1,667/year with solar panels
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Best Solar Companies in Portage
On the hunt for the best solar companies in Portage? Installing solar panels is an exciting home addition that many homeowners find beneficial for their wallets, communities and the planet. Additionally, environmentally conscious leadership has laid the foundation for a growing solar market, and a great number of the best solar companies are aiming to capitalize on it. That's why Portage provides many options for solar installers.
There are tons of installers to consider, but in this article, we’ll help you pin down your options by recommending some of the best solar companies in Portage.Want to see how much it’d cost to install solar panels on your roof? Click "get quote" below to get a free, no-obligation quote from a top Portage 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 Portage
Helios Solar LLC
Clear Pricing Policy- Prompt Service Delivery
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Permit Assistance- Consultation
- Panel Installation
Climax Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Permit Assistance
- Financing Assistance
Wellspring Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Family-Operated Business
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Panel Installation
Tiger Solar
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
- Battery Storage
Solar Energy Systems LLC
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
Harvest Solar
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
Photon Electric LLC
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
Solect Energy, L.L.C.
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Panel Installation
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Financing Assistance
Rustic Resource Enterprises Inc
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
Renewable Energy Systems, LLC
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
Sol Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Portage
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Portage 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 Portage
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 Portage
For many people, the decision of which solar installer to hire comes down to total costs.The cost and possible savings vary depending on some important factors such as:
- System size and type: Some models are more costly than others, so the one you decide on can raise or lower your upfront cost. Plus, the more solar panels you need, the more it'll cost.
- How much you spend on energy: The average household in Portage spends around $1,300 a year on home energy use alone, so you could end up with that much in savings.
- Incentives: Tax-paying citizens who install a solar energy system this year can save 0 of their installation costs by taking advantage of the federal solar investment tax credit. You can also save about $20,000 on your utility bills over 20 years excluding incentives.
- Electricity consumption: The average household in Portage uses a decent amount of, and so may save on their energy bills.
There are lots of great benefits of solar even with the upfront cost of installation. It can help the environment and your wallet. Plus, it can raise the value of your home, resulting in even more benefits if you want to sell your home later.
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Solar Incentives in Portage
Adopting solar power has lots of considerable benefits. Not only can it help protect the environment, but you can also save a good amount of money on your installation with various government incentives.In addition to the federal tax credit incentive, there are also some local incentives, which in almost all cases, can be claimed in addition to the federal incentive, so you can save even more. You can find out about the incentives available to you in our article on solar incentives
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Portage
One of the best reasons to switch to solar energy is to reduce your dependence on traditional energy sources like burning fossil fuels, which are destructive for the environment.But you may be wondering – how much exactly can you help the planet by using solar power? If your home uses a lot of energy, you can help the environment even more by switching to solar energy.Even though solar panel production releases carbon dioxide emissions, the panels make up for it by significantly decreasing the amount of CO2 you would have released if you still used nonrenewable energy. In Portage, you can reduce your carbon footprint by 100 pounds a year with solar panels. If you care about the environment, you’ll likely understand that there are many advantages to adopting solar power other than just saving money on bills. You can also help preserve the environment, which some would argue is worth more.
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 Portage, MI Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the most reputable solar panel company in Portage?
In Portage, Helios Solar LLC is the top local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 4.90 stars, so it's a good choice if you're planning to add solar panels to your home.
What is the negative environmental impact of solar panels?
Solar panels can be harmful for the environment when manufacturers use toxic chemicals when they’re made. Chemicals can make solar panels difficult to recycle safely once they’ve reached the end of their lifespan. Making solar panels uses a lot of energy as well. The energy payback period is about 1 to 4 years.
Is it worth installing solar panels on my house?
Solar panels can be a good investment for lots of homeowners, but truthfully, they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get enough sunlight or your power bills are already fairly low, solar panels might not be for you.
What is the efficiency of 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 for 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.