14 Best Solar Companies in Van Buren, MI (2023 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 14 in Van Buren based on:
-
Customer review scores - Service area for Van Buren, MI
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Van Buren homeowner saves $1,314/year with solar panels
Updated May 04, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Van Buren
Are you looking for energy freedom in Van Buren? Installing solar panels can be a rewarding home project since you can take advantage of a lot of benefits when you go solar. Though Van Buren may not have a reputation for sunshine like Florida, it's a surprisingly hot place for solar growth, so several of the best solar companies in the country have opened up there to help residents adopt renewable energy.
There are lots of installers to choose from, but in this article, we'll help you pin down your options by recommending some of the best solar companies in Van Buren. To get an estimate of what it might cost to put solar panels on your roof, you can click the button below to be connected to a certified installer near you.
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 Van Buren
Average Cost
SunPower
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Most efficient panels on the market - National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
-
Expensive - Customer service varies by local dealer
Services Offered
-
Solar Panels - Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- System Monitoring
Average Cost
Michigan Solar Solutions
- Great warranty coverage
- Outstanding customer service
- Offers products from leading manufacturers
- Slightly limited service offerings
- No leases or PPAs
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
Average Cost
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
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
Average Cost
The Green Panel
- Outstanding customer service
- Excellent reputation
- Great warranty coverage
- No leases or PPAs
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- Solar Carports
- Electrical Work
Average Cost
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- Energy-Efficiency Upgrades
- Maintenance & Repairs
Average Cost
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- Solar Roof Shingles
- System Monitoring
Sumpter Solar Services, LLC.
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Skilled repairs
- Business installations
solarypsi
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
Green Solar PAO
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Business installations
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Integrated roofing
Greentech Renewables Detroit
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Energy storage solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
The University of Michigan Solar Car Team
- Informative Resources
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
White Tail Solar
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
Sur Energy Systems
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
Downriver Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Business installations
- Skilled repairs
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
- Energy storage solutions
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Van Buren
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Van Buren 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 Van Buren
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 Van Buren
When choosing a solar company, most homeowners or business owners think about the costs above all. Some significant things that influence the upfront cost and potential savings over time include:
- The model of solar panels you can buy: This is dependent on how much you're willing to invest upfront.
- Your current power bills: Solar panels can noticeably decrease, or totally eradicate, your utility bills. In Van Buren, you can save an average of $84 a month.
- Incentives: Tax-paying citizens who purchase and install a solar system this year can save 30% of their solar installation costs by using the federal solar investment tax credit. You can also save about $16,000 on your energy bills over 20 years not including incentives.
- Average daily sunlight: Since Van Buren doesn't get a lot of average daily sunlight, your solar system may not be able to produce enough energy to power your whole home, which affects how much you can save on your energy bills.
Thanks to solar panels now being cheaper than ever as well as several solar incentives, they are a worthwhile investment for the majority of homeowners.
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To find out how much you can help the environment and your wallet by making the switch to solar, try out the calculator below. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Van Buren, MI.
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Solar Incentives in Van Buren
There are many good reasons why adopting solar power is beneficial. One of them includes some government incentives that can save you money. When you install a solar panel system, you can claim the federal tax credit, or ITC. This credit currently lowers your tax bill by 30% of the cost of your solar panels. In addition, there are often some state and city incentives that you can use to further save. For detailed information about local incentives, see our article on solar incentives.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Van Buren
There are many reasons to make the switch to solar energy, like saving on utility bills and helping to reduce your carbon footprint. But how much can switching to solar actually affect the environment? The more energy you use, the the more the environment will benefit if you switch to solar since you won't need to rely on traditional energy sources as much. Because solar panels don't release CO2 emissions into the atmosphere when creating electricity, they're a good trade for nonrenewable energy sources. In fact, you could reduce your carbon dioxide emissions by about 100 pounds each year. The advantages of solar power are infinite — just like solar power is! That's why so many people have been happy with making the switch to solar.
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 Van Buren, MI Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar installation company is the best near me?
In Van Buren, Strawberry Solar is the top local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 5.00 stars, so it's a good choice if you're planning on installing solar panels on your house.
What are the pros and cons of going solar?
A few of the biggest pros are that it lets you spend less on your power bills, it's eco-friendly, and it provides a decent return on your investment (ROI). The most notable cons are that solar panels don't work as well when there's limited direct sunlight, they cost a lot upfront and solar panels aren't always aesthetically pleasing.
Is it worth installing solar panels on my home?
Solar panels need a considerable upfront investment that costs over ten thousand dollars, but whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a collection of factors like local electricity rates and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.
What is the best kind of solar panel?
There are three main types of solar panels: monocrystalline, polycrystalline and thin-film. As for efficiency and price, monocrystalline has the highest for both, then polycrystalline, and then thin-film. The best choice for you is highly influenced by the layout of your roof, your budget and how much energy generation you want.
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.