3 Best Solar Companies in Traverse City, MI (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 3 in Traverse City based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Traverse City, MI
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Traverse City homeowner saves $1,549/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Traverse City
Thinking of going solar but not sure which solar company would be best for you? Although it can be challenging to settle on a solar company, the effort will pay off because going solar has many good benefits. With good amounts of average daily sunlight in Traverse City, the solar industry is growing steadily. An underrated reason for this growth has been national programs that help with residential and commercial solar panel installation.
In this article, we’ll help you find the top companies in your area.For an idea of how much you might have to pay to put up solar panels on your roof, you can get a free, no-obligation quote from one of the top solar companies in Traverse City by clicking the "get quote" 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 Traverse City
Heritage Sustainable Energy
Reliable Customer Support- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Cleaning and Maintenance- Panel Installation
CBS Solar
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Family-Operated Business
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Community Solar Projects
- Financing Assistance
Bear River Electric
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Family-Operated Business
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Traverse City
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Traverse City 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 Traverse City
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 Traverse City
For most homeowners, whether or not to invest in a solar energy system boils down to the cost.The overall price and potential savings vary depending on some important factors such as:
- How much energy your household consumes: Homes that use plenty of energy each month may need more solar panels and, consequently, be more expensive, but will also benefit more over time.
- Your income and budget: This shapes what type of solar panels you can purchase.
- Incentives: Those who purchase and install a solar energy system this year can save 0 of their solar installation costs by using the federal solar investment tax credit. You can also save about $18,000 on your electricity bills over 20 years without incentives.
- The amount of sunlight your roof gets: This, plus how your roof is set up, affects affect how much energy your solar panels can produce.
So is a solar system worth it? Whether you’d like to reduce your energy bills, greenhouse gas emissions or both, solar panels are a good investment for many Traverse City homeowners.
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To find out how much you can help the environment and your wallet by switching to solar, try out the calculator below. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Traverse City, MI.
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Solar Incentives in Traverse City
There are many good reasons why you should switch to solar. One of them includes some government incentives that can help save you some money.When you install a solar panel system, you can take advatage of the federal tax credit, or ITC. This credit currently lowers your tax bill by 0 of the cost of your solar panels. Plus, there are often some regional incentives that you can use to further save. Take a look at our article on solar incentives to see what incentives you can take advantage of.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Traverse City
Installing solar panels can have a positive impact on the environment.Something many people might be asking themselves is how much can they really help save the environment by going solar anyway? One thing you should consider is your overall carbon footprint. For example, if you spend lots of time commuting to work and have an electric vehicle, you can install solar panels on your home to power your EV and therefore help offset your carbon emissions.In Traverse City, the average resident can lower their carbon footprint by 100 pounds a year once they go solar. The good things about solar power are abundant — just like solar power is! That's why so many homeowners have been happy with using solar energy.
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 Traverse City, MI Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the best solar panel installer in Traverse City?
In Traverse City, Heritage Sustainable Energy is the top local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 3.00 stars, so it's a great choice if you're planning to add solar panels to your house.
Are solar panels actually eco-friendly?
Manufacturing solar panels needs to use chemicals and produces toxic waste that can be harmful for the environment, which is the main downside of solar panels.
How long does it take for solar to pay for itself?
Solar panels usually pay for themselves in about 14.7 years, but your solar payback period will depend on your utility costs. The higher your typical power bill, the quicker your solar panel system will pay for itself.
How often do solar panels need to be replaced?
Even though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they are completely unusable. What this means is their energy production will have decreased by about 0.8% each year since installing them. You can opt to replace them after having 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.