11 Best Solar Companies in Columbia, MO (2023 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 11 in Columbia based on:
-
Customer review scores - Service area for Columbia, MO
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Columbia homeowner saves $1,477/year with solar panels
Updated September 15, 2023
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Best Solar Companies in Columbia
As a homeowner or business owner in Columbia, you may be interested in switching to solar energy and curious about the best solar companies in your area. Solar could be a great choice since it has many benefits. Because Columbia has a great capacity for solar power generation, installing solar panels is financially rewarding for many homeowners.
To help you navigate through the huge variety of Columbia solar installers, we've come up with a list of the top ones. To help you figure out if solar panels are worth it for your home, you can get a free, no-obligation quote from one of the best solar companies in Columbia by clicking the button below.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Columbia
Green Leaf Solar
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Reliable Customer Support - Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Home installations - Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
Modern Power LLC
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Business installations
- Energy storage solutions
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
Dogwood Solar
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Energy storage solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
Air & Water Solutions
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Skilled repairs
- Business installations
- Energy storage solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
Crescent Electric Supply Company
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Business installations
- Energy storage solutions
Solar Sam
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Business installations
- Integrated roofing
Agilix Solutions
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Energy storage solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
- Skilled repairs
Boone Electric Cooperative
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Energy storage solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
Missouri Solar Solutions
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Integrated roofing
- Home installations
- Energy storage solutions
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Business installations
Missouri Solar Applications
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
- Business installations
- End-to-end services
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
Athena Solar, LLC
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Integrated roofing
- Business installations
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Columbia
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Columbia 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 Columbia
Below are some the criteria we examined specifically for Missouri 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 Columbia
Solar panels run off a free energy source — the sun — but before you can take advantage of this you will need to pay to set up your system. The overall price and potential savings vary depending on a few important factors such as:
- 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 money on your power bills, which can result in an average of $18,000 of savings over 20 years.
- The amount of sunlight your city gets: Because of Columbia's high amount of average daily sunlight, you should be able to save a decent amount on your energy bills.
- System size and type: Some models are more expensive than others, so the one you get can raise or lower your initial investment. Plus, the more solar panels you need to get, the more it'll cost.
- Electricity consumption: The average household in Columbia uses a decent amount of, and so may save on their energy bills.
Solar is a fruitful investment for most homeowners. You can generate your own energy instead of paying for it from the grid and take advantage of solar incentives, all while helping the Earth.
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Solar Incentives in Columbia
Although installing solar panels is typically a $15,000 to $25,000 investment, it can save you a substantial amount of money over time because of smaller power bills and government incentives. State and city solar incentives vary by location and, sometimes, utility company. Many states offer rebates for solar power systems, in addition to the federal solar tax credit. In our article on solar incentives, you can read about the incentives you qualify for in Columbia.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Columbia
There are a few key reasons why people are considering solar energy: for the financial and environmental benefits. You may be asking yourself — how much do solar panels do for the environment anyway? The more power your house uses, the the more the environment will benefit when you switch to solar as you won't need to use as much nonrenewable energy. In Columbia, the average household can reduce their carbon footprint by 100 pounds a year after going solar. Since solar energy is plentiful and makes electricity without free from carbon dioxide emissions, adding solar panels to your home is one easy step you can take to help preserve the planet.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
EcoWatch's Columbia, MO Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar power company is the best near me?
The best local solar company in Columbia is Modern Power LLC, with a rating of 3.00 stars.
What are the best and worst things about solar power?
The greatest advantages of solar power are that it can decrease or, for some, completely erase your electricity bills, raise your home's value and cut back on your carbon footprint. The greatest disadvantages are that solar panels can be costly to install, you may not see as many savings if you don't use a lot of electricity and it doesn't work for all roof types and locations.
How long does it take for solar to pay for itself?
Solar panels typically pay for themselves in about 9.8 years, but your solar payback period will vary based on your utility costs. The higher your typical energy bill, the faster your solar panel system will pay for itself.
How often do solar panels have to be replaced?
On average, the lifespan of solar panels is about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but efficiency goes down by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a larger amount of energy production.
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.