5 Best Solar Companies in North Carolina (2022 Rankings & Reviews)
We recommend vetted solar companies that have:
- Availability in your area
- Affordable pricing and financing options
- At least 5 years of experience
- Outstanding customer reviews
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Best Solar Companies in North Carolina
If you’re a home or business owner looking to take advantage of the many solar incentives in the Tar Heel state, it can be difficult to narrow down which installer to choose. Here, we’ll share five of the best solar companies in North Carolina to make your decision a little easier.
Jump to Section:
- Top 5 Solar Companies in North Carolina
- Best Overall: 8M Solar
- Best Local Provider: NC Solar Now
- Best Warranty: Sunpro Solar
- Most Affordable: Blue Raven Solar
Best Workmanship: Covenant Solar Review Criteria for Selecting the Top Solar Company in North Carolina - FAQ: Best Solar Companies in North Carolina
Regional Service
Average cost
Blue Raven Solar
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Industry-leading in-house financing -
Competitive pricing -
Excellent reputation -
Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
Industry-leading in-house financing 
Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022) Services Offered
-
Solar Panels -
System Monitoring
Solar Panels 
Regional Service
Average cost
Sunpro Solar
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Industry-leading warranty coverage -
Expansive service area -
Some reported communication issues -
No leases or PPAs
Services Offered
-
Solar Panels -
Solar Batteries -
EV Chargers -
Energy-Efficiency Upgrades
Local Service
Average cost
8M Solar
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Competitive pricing -
Representatives are experts on local policies -
Offers products from leading manufacturers -
Great warranty coverage -
Some reported issues with financing partners
Services Offered
-
Solar Panels -
Solar Batteries -
Removal & Reinstallation
Local Service
Average cost
NC Solar Now
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Locally owned and operated -
Competitive pricing -
NABCEP-certified technicians -
Less customization than competitors offer -
Slightly limited service area
Services Offered
-
Solar Panels -
Solar Batteries -
EV Chargers
Regional Service
Average cost
Covenant Solar
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Competitive pricing -
Outstanding customer service -
Educational, no-pressure sales approach -
No leases or PPAs
Services Offered
-
Solar Panels -
Solar Batteries -
Solar Roof Shingles -
EV Chargers -
Roofing Services
What Are the Top 5 Solar Companies in North Carolina?
Below is an “at a glance” look at each solar company the EcoWatch team reviewed. Because EcoWatch has so much brand authority in the solar space we get the best deals and best pricing for our readers.
We avoid including popular solar brands like Vivint Solar due to poor service or lawsuits. Some quality companies such as Cape Fear Solar Systems, Emerald Energy and Renu Energy Solutions are not included on our current list as we focused on in-depth analysis.
| Company | Service Area | Solar Services | Warranty Coverage | BBB Rating | Year Founded |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
8M Solar | Statewide; based in Wake Forest | Solar panels; backup batteries, repairs, removals and reinstalls | 25-year product and workmanship warranties | A+ | 2009 |
NC Solar Now | Statewide | Solar panels, backup batteries, ground-mounted solar panels and electric vehicle chargers | 25-year product warranty; lifetime warranty on roof penetrations | A+ | 2010 |
Sunpro Solar | Statewide; national provider | Solar panel, backup battery and EV charger installations | 25-year workmanship, production and product warranties | A+ | 2008 |
Blue Raven Solar | Statewide; national provider | Solar panel installation, energy monitoring | 25-year manufacturer and product warranties | A+ | 2014 |
Covenant Solar | Durham, Raleigh, Greensboro, Charlotte, Fayetteville, Apex, Cary, Wilmington, Winston-Salem, Chapel Hill and surrounding areas | Solar panel, solar roofs, roofing and backup battery installations | 25-year manufacturer and product warranties | A+ | 2011 |
The EcoWatch Ratings you’ll see below reflect our overall assessment of the company, but our rankings reflect the best solar companies in North Carolina, specifically. If you notice that a company lower on our list has a higher EcoWatch Rating, it’s likely because it’s a great company but there are better installers for this specific area.
1. Best Overall: 8M Solar
Based in Wake Forest, 8M Solar is one of the best solar companies in North Carolina if you’re looking for a straightforward way to go green and decrease monthly utility costs. 8M claims that its costs are, on average, 10% lower than competitor prices. Industry expertise, best-in-class technology, robust warranties and affordable pricing make 8M Solar a top choice.
Pros for 8M Solar
Consumers remark that this company offers excellent customer service, premium warranties and a wide product selection all while still being competitively priced. 8M Solar is responsive to questions, without upselling, and keeps you updated on the project status the entire time
- Quality customer experience and service
- Clear installation process without any surprises
- Gold standard warranties
Cons for 8M Solar
You can get a solar quote based on satellite imagery, with a variety of customizations for your solar project. However, the solar financing options are limited:
- Their third party financing partners have some customer service complaints
- Financing limited to cash purchase and solar loans; no PPA agreements
Facts and Figures: 8M Solar
| EcoWatch Rating | 5 |
| Better Business Bureau (BBB) Rating | A+ |
| Year Founded | 2009 |
| Service Area | Statewide; based in Wake Forest |
| Average Cost | $$$ |
| Solar Services | Solar panels, backup batteries, repairs, removals and reinstalls |
| Brands of Solar Equipment Offered | LG, Tesla, SunPower |
| Financing Options | Cash payments, loans |
2. Best Local Provider: NC Solar Now
NC Solar Now is a great all-around option for anyone looking to embrace the promise of clean solar power and energy efficiency. Along with responsive customer service, this solar provider also offers a wide range of solar products backed by quality warranties.
Pros for NC Solar Now
It is locally owned and operated, offers flexible pricing for both residential and commercial properties and can help you take advantage of all available solar incentives and rebates:
- Local companies often translate to responsive customer service through every step
- Streamlined and simple installation process
- Lifetime warranty on roof penetrations, 25-year product warranty
Cons for NC Solar Now
Though its installation process is simple, that has its limitations:
- Reduced capacity for customization
- Financing limited to cash purchase and solar loans
Facts and Figures: NC Solar Now
| EcoWatch Rating | 4.5 |
| BBB Rating | A+ |
| Year Founded | 2010 |
| Service Area | Statewide |
| Average Cost | $$ |
| Solar Services | Solar panels, backup batteries, ground-mounted solar panels and electric vehicle chargers |
| Brands of Solar Equipment Offered | SolarEdge, Enphase |
| Financing Options | Cash payments, loans |
3. Best Warranty: Sunpro Solar
Sunpro Solar is known nationally for its quality services while still maintaining that same gold standard at the state level. North Carolinians looking to go solar can’t go wrong with solar energy systems backed by Sunpro’s 25-year workmanship, production and product warranties. Read our full review of Sunpro Solar.
Pros for Sunpro Solar
Sunpro offers cost-effective pricing, some of the best solar panels on the market and an all-inclusive warranty that allows you to save big bucks on your home utility bills. SunPro takes a lot of pride in having first-class customer service and promises your satisfaction with the production of your system, or you’ll get a check for the difference:
- 25-year workmanship, production and product warranties
- Cost-effective pricing
- Delivers on customer satisfaction
Cons for Sunpro Solar
Sunpro’s size makes it vulnerable to issues in communication:
- Follow-up after installation can slip through the cracks due to company size
- Lacking online quotes or estimates
Facts and Figures: Sunpro Solar
| EcoWatch Rating | 4.0 |
| BBB Rating | A+ |
| Year Founded | 2008 |
| Service Area | Statewide; national provider |
| Average Cost | $$$ |
| Solar Services | Solar panel, solar battery, EV charger installations |
| Brands of Solar Equipment Offered | LG, Panasonic, Tesla Powerwall, Enphase |
| Financing Options | Cash payments, loans |
4. Most Affordable: Blue Raven Solar
Blue Raven Solar offers a comprehensive solar energy service, including surveying, solar panel system design, installation and more. The company also offers highly competitive pricing and excellent in-house solar financing options (including down). Check out our full review of Blue Raven Solar.
Pros for Blue Raven Solar
Blue Raven Solar boasts several of the high quality solar provider qualifiers that we love to see in our reviews, including:
- Consistent rave reviews as a local solar company preferred by North Carolinians
- Competitive pricing for installation
- Myriad of financing options makes solar energy systems accessible to all income levels
Cons for Blue Raven Solar
Even those that qualify as the best of the best locally have their areas of improvements, such as:
- An expansion of its services for better customization opportunities and backup batteries
- Quickly growing service areas may outpace ability to continually offer quality customer service
- Limited financing options when it comes to leases and PPAs
Facts and Figures: Blue Raven Solar
| EcoWatch Rating | 4.0 |
| BBB Rating | A+ |
| Year Founded | 2004 |
| Service Area | Statewide |
| Average Cost | $$ |
| Solar Services | Solar panels, solar battery installation (coming in 2022) |
| Brands of Solar Equipment Offered | Canadian Solar, Trina |
| Financing Options | Cash payments, loans |
5. Best Workmanship: Covenant Solar Review
Covenant Solar & Roofing, also known as Covenant Solar Tech, is a reliable choice for high-quality workmanship on your home. For those exploring rooftop solar energy options, Covenant offers a full spectrum of services and boasts immaculate customer reviews.
Pros for Covenant Solar
Covenant Solar is building a solid reputation for its combination of deals and honest service:
- Reasonable solar prices
- Consistent customer reviews boasting quality, comprehensive service
- Willing to educate, rather than upsell, new customers
Cons for Covenant Solar
Covenant Solar suffers from some of the growing pains of smaller providers, such as a need for:
- More financing options and resources
- Growing service area may limit ability to respond to customers in the future
- Financing options limited to cash payments and loans
Facts and Figures: Covenant Solar
| EcoWatch Rating | 4.0 |
| BBB Rating | A+ |
| Year Founded | 2011 |
| Service Area | Durham, Raleigh, Greensboro, Charlotte, Fayetteville, Apex, Cary, Wilmington, Winston-Salem, Chapel Hill and surrounding areas |
| Average Cost | $$$ |
| Solar Services | Solar panel, solar battery, EV charger installations; solar roofs; roofing repairs |
| Brands of Solar Equipment Offered | Q Cells, SolarEdge, Tesla |
| Financing Options | Cash payments, loans |
EcoWatch Criteria for Selecting the Top Solar Company in North Carolina
EcoWatch is a veteran in the environmental and renewable energy news sector, and we take our reporting and reviews seriously. You’ll find our review methods detailed more in-depth on our methodology page. However, here is an overview of the criteria we considered when analyzing and rating the installers above.
Warranty
A reputable solar energy system is backed by a strong warranty. Solar panels often come with these two types of warranties:
- A performance warranty on solar panels often guarantees 90% production for up to 10 years, then 80% until 25 years.
- An equipment warranty on solar panels usually guarantees 10 to 12 years of working without failing.
Keep in mind that solar panel warranties don’t cover severe weather damage or accidents that occurred on your property. Photovoltaic installations (also known as PV systems) are considered home improvement projects, and insurance companies often extend coverage to such incidents.
Years in Business
As the demand for clean energy arises, a consumer must exercise caution against choosing a fly by night solar provider with little to no experience. Such companies often disappear, and warranties remain unfulfilled.
Any solar provider experiencing a business boom cannot sustain itself if it does not expand its service area and selection of services with care. The solar industry experienced a year-over-year increase of 33% in 2021, according to CNBC. Experts predict that supply chain costs will lower its 2022 expected growth by 25%.
Always look at both years in business and the experience backing that. Many solar veterans have ten or more years in business to their names.
Services Offered
Many solar companies provide solar panels as their primary offering, but additional services, such as electrical contracting, roofing and energy-efficiency audits and upgrades show how much experience a provider brings to the table. At smaller companies, the person providing the quote is often the one also doing the installation, and at larger companies, third party solar contractors may be hired to do the job.
A reputable solar company will guide you through energy-efficiency strategies to save money on your electric bill. Providers should also be aware of both local and national regulations that impact the installation of your solar roof.
Service Area and Headquarters
Take note of both the solar provider’s service areas and headquarters. A company based out of state may have issues with communication if it relies on third party subcontractors. If you have a backup battery or inverter failure, will the company respond efficiently and investigate thoroughly? This is where reviews come in handy: Always read consumer reviews for each company in detail and from multiple sources.
Industry Affiliations
A solar provider’s industry affiliations reflect its service scope, ethics and qualifications. At EcoWatch, we provider higher ratings to companies affiliated with such organizations as:
- Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA)
- North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP)
- Certified B Corps
We also advise our readers to check IREC’s National Solar Licensing Database, as well as your state government’s licensing requirements. Your solar provider should be operating with the proper business and contracting licenses.
Customer Experience
One of the most important factors we consider at EcoWatch when we rank and review solar companies is previous customer experiences. We analyze the big picture for solar shoppers and educate you on avoiding greenwashing. Is the company addressing its negative reviews and responding with action to consumer concerns? Does the company address customer needs when shopping or try to upsell?
Solar Pricing and Financing
Cost is one of the biggest concerns that solar shoppers have when researching if home solar can cost-effectively reduce their energy bills. Sticker shock can be off putting as you decide if solar panels are really worth it for your residence, especially if solar companies are upselling products you don’t need.
Switching to solar power means that you have to carefully weigh the cost of solar panels as related to the energy needs of your home. Prices typically range from $10,000 to $20,000 for residential systems. A moderately sized system can be under $10,000 after applying for the federal solar tax credit.
At EcoWatch, we primarily look for comprehensive financing options that include the following:
- Availability and education on solar incentives, such as rebates, renewable energy credits, the federal tax credit, and application assistance
- Flexibility with down payments, payment plans, interest rates, and loan partners
- Salespeople that aren’t pushy
You can get a good sense of all this by gathering free quotes from reputable solar companies.
EcoWatch FAQ: Best Solar Companies in North Carolina
Understandably, several unanswered questions come to mind as you shop for home solar. Here are a few of the most common questions we get asked at EcoWatch.
North Carolina has a lot of reputable solar companies, so it’s hard to narrow down the list. The best home solar installation company in North Carolina will depend more on your specific energy needs and location. See if you can narrow down our list from there.
The EcoWatch editorial team carefully assessed the top solar companies in North Carolina based on the criteria we outlined above. We then weighed all of the scores based on these important factors and combined them to get our EcoWatch Rating. This score is designed to help you select a solar provider in North Carolina at a glance to best suit your renewable energy needs.
Yes, it certainly does. Photovoltaic panels can look similar aesthetically, but they vary in efficiency, durability, and affordability. Solar energy system customization by select solar installers can help you decide what is best for your home based on energy audits. Different solar brands may be best suited for your home.
North Carolina is based in a subtropical climate, so you may want solar panels that are more efficient. Monocrystalline panels possess black cells made of single crystals and provide higher efficiency, though at a higher price.
You may use our criteria, as described above, to help formulate your own assessment strategy. We recommend that homeowners gather quotes from several solar installation companies in North Carolina. What recommendations are they generally aligned on making for your solar system? Are any solar rebate programs or net metering available? For example, Duke Energy offers net metering.
Pay attention to the energy audit and energy savings recommendations made by the solar installer. Are they asking relevant questions about your interests and needs when it comes to solar solutions and savings? Or, are they trying to upsell you?
