3 Best Solar Companies in Traverse City, MI (2025 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 overlooked reason for this growth has been national incentives that support 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.
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Traverse City
CBS Solar
Family-Operated Business- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Financing Assistance- Community Solar Projects
- Panel Installation
Bear River Electric
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
Heritage Sustainable Energy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- 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
The cost of putting up solar panels has decreased significantly in the past few years, but it’s still a substantial investment for most homeowners.The overall price and potential savings vary depending on a few important factors such as:
- How much electricity your household consumes: Homes that use a lot of electricity each month may need more solar panels and, consequently, more upfront cost, but will also benefit more over time.
- Your income and budget: This shapes what kind of solar panels you can afford.
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit currently allows you to reduce your taxes by 0 of the project cost. Your state may also have incentives and rebates that you can benefit from. Additionally, you can save about $18,000 over 20 years on your utility bills, before factoring in incentives.
- Where your home is: This influences how much sunlight your roof receives, which helps determine how many panels you need.
Solar is a worthwhile investment for most homeowners. You can make your own energy instead of paying for it from the grid and take advantage of solar incentives and rebates, all while helping the environment.
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Solar Incentives in Traverse City
Switching to solar power has lots of considerable benefits. Not only can it help preserve the planet, but you can also save a good amount of money on your installation with various government incentives.Regardless of what state you live in, you can take advantage of the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which allows you to claim 0 of how much you paid for your solar installation on your tax return, lowering the amount of taxes you owe that year. Plus, there may be some state and city incentives that stack with the ITC too. Our article on solar incentives goes over more information on the incentives you can take advantage of in Traverse City.
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 household can lower their carbon footprint by 100 pounds a year after going solar. The advantages of solar power are plentiful — just like solar power is! That's why so many people have been happy with using solar energy.
EcoWatch's Traverse City, MI Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the top solar panel company in Traverse City?
In Traverse City, CBS Solar 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.
What is the negative environmental impact of solar panel manufacturing?
Making solar panels uses chemicals and produces toxic waste that can be dangerous for the environment, which is the main drawback of solar panels.
How long does it take for solar to pay for itself?
The average payback period for solar panel installation is about 14.7 years, but the exact period depends on the cost of electricity where you are, incentives and net metering programs.
How long do solar panels last?
Although the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they stop working completely. What this means is their energy production will have decreased by about 0.8% each year since installing them. You can decide 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.