Top 7 Best Solar Companies in North Carolina (2024 Reviews)

Here’s what you’ll learn in this guide to the best solar installers in North Carolina:

  • What are the best solar companies in North Carolina?
  • How do I choose a solar installer in North Carolina?
  • How do I save money on solar panels in North Carolina?
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North Carolina is one of the best places in the country to convert to solar energy. The cost of solar equipment is below average, energy consumption is quite high and the local solar incentives are excellent. While going solar is an easy decision that saves the average North Carolina resident $24,794 or more on energy bills after their panels are paid for, choosing the best solar installer is challenging, especially since there are nearly 100 to choose from in the state.

In this guide, we’ll be discussing what we believe are the best solar companies in North Carolina. We’ll explain why we trust each of them, what they can deliver in terms of equipment and customer service and what we believe you should prioritize looking for in a solar installation company in North Carolina.

What Are the Best Solar Companies in North Carolina?

We’ve spent hours upon hours reviewing dozens of solar providers, and we believe the following are the best solar companies in North Carolina overall:

Compare North Carolina’s Top-Rated Solar Providers

Overall, we recommend SunPower or Blue Raven Solar to most North Carolina residents, as we feel these providers offer the best quality for the money. We’ll include some key information about these installers and the others on our list in the table below so that you can compare them side-by-side.

Solar Providers Superlative Our Score Avg Cost ($–$$$$$) Warranty Financing Options Get Quote
SunPower Best National Provider 5/5 $$$$ Varies – minimum of 25 years for equipment, workmanship and production Cash, solar loan, solar lease, PPA Get Quote
Blue Raven Solar Best Financing Options 4.5/5 $$ 25 years for equipment and performance; 10 years for workmanship Cash and solar loans Get Quote
ADT Solar Best Warranty Coverage 4/5 $$$ 25 years for equipment, workmanship and production Cash or solar loan
Solar SME Best Regional Provider 4.5/5 $$$ 25 years for equipment, production and workmanship Cash, solar loan, solar lease, PPA Get Quote
Renu Energy Solutions Best Customer Service 4/5 $$$ 25 years for equipment and production Cash, solar loan Get Quote
8M Solar Best Local Installer 5/5 $$ 25 years for equipment and production; 20 years for workmanship Cash, solar loan Get Quote
NC Solar Now Most Local Experience 4.5/5 $$ 25 years for equipment and production; 12 years for workmanship Cash, solar loan Get Quote
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SunPower

Best National Provider

Nationwide Service

EcoWatch rating

Average cost

Read full review now

Pros

  • Most efficient panels on the market
  • National coverage
  • Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
  • Great warranty coverage

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Customer service varies by local dealer
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Blue Raven Solar

Best Solar Financing

Regional Service

EcoWatch rating

Average cost

Read full review now

Pros

  • Industry-leading in-house financing
  • Competitive pricing
  • Excellent reputation

Cons

  • Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
Badge icon

Solar SME

Outstanding Regional Installer

Regional Service

EcoWatch rating

Average cost

Pros

  • Great warranty coverage
  • Comprehensive service offerings
  • Offers products from leading manufacturers

Cons

  • Some reported communication issues
Badge icon

Renu Energy Solutions

Outstanding Regional Installer

Regional Service

EcoWatch rating

Average cost

Pros

  • Excellent reputation
  • Many financing options
  • Representatives are experts on local policies
  • No leases or PPAs

Cons

  • Doesn’t have a formal workmanship warranty
  • Less equipment brand options available
Badge icon

8M Solar

Outstanding Local Installer

Local Service

EcoWatch rating

Average cost

Pros

  • Competitive pricing
  • Representatives are experts on local policies
  • Offers products from leading manufacturers
  • Great warranty coverage

Cons

  • Some reported issues with financing partners
Badge icon

NC Solar Now

Outstanding Local Installer

Local Service

EcoWatch rating

Average cost

Pros

  • Locally owned and operated
  • Competitive pricing
  • NABCEP-certified technicians

Cons

  • Less customization than competitors offer
  • Slightly limited service area

Watch Below: Learn Why North Carolina Is the Perfect State To Go Solar

How To Save Money When Hiring A Solar Company In North Carolina

At about $3.21 per watt, the average price for a North Carolina solar system is between $17,976 to $31,458 after the federal investment tax credit. This price may be lower than the average solar system price, but many homeowners still look for ways to save as much money as possible.

Luckily, the state of North Carolina and local utility companies offer several different incentive programs to help you save money and there are other money-saving tricks to employ.

North Carolina Incentives and Rebates

Your solar panels will save you money on your monthly energy bill, but one of the best ways to save money on your new solar system is to cash in on incentive programs and rebates. Every North Carolina resident can benefit from the 30% back from the federal solar tax credit, but there is even more money to be saved.

We’ve included a brief list of incentives below that you may be eligible for, but also have an entire page dedicated to how North Carolina’s solar incentives can help to reduce the cost of going solar.

North Carolina Solar Incentive Description
North Carolina Property Tax Abatement Even though solar panels will increase your property’s value, you will not be taxed on this increase.
North Carolina Net Metering Policy Overproduction from your solar panels may be credited toward future energy bills.
Duke Energy Solar Rebate Duke Energy customers can get monetary incentives by installing solar panels.
Financing Program for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency North Carolina law states that solar loan programs cannot go above 8% interest rate and must have a maximum term of 20 years.
Local North Carolina Incentives More local incentives may be available in your area. Ask your solar contractor for more information.

System Size

To save the most money on your solar system, don’t buy a system that is too large. North Carolina does have good net energy metering policies that will credit extra energy production towards your next energy bill, but you still don’t need to invest in a large system that consistently produces more energy than you can use. This will be even more valuable as the new net metering 3.0 policy falls into place.

Instead, evaluate your monthly energy usage and determine the right-sized system for your home. You can easily do this by reviewing your monthly energy statements, but you should also ask local solar installers for their opinions because they know the area best.

Community Solar in North Carolina

If you want to benefit from solar energy but do not want to pay the high upfront costs for solar electricity, you should consider community solar. It may still be a work in progress, but some North Carolina communities have community solar gardens that will save you money on your energy bills.1 If you are a renter or have another constraint that limits your solar-building capabilities, all you need to do is pay for the monthly subscription.

Currently, this perk is available in cities such as Fayetteville, Greensboro and Durham. So if you reside in other areas, such as Raleigh and Asheville, you may need to install your own solar panels.

Read Also: Calculate How Much You Can Save By Going Solar

EcoWatch Solar NC

Will Solar Increase Your Home Value In North Carolina?

Yes, solar panels do increase your home’s value. Monthly energy savings are likely the driving force behind your desire for solar panels, but it’s important to keep the other benefits you can reap from your solar panel system in mind. When you install solar panels on your home, you will see an increase in your home’s value. The best part? You don’t have to pay taxes on that increase.

According to data gathered from Zillow, the average North Carolina home is valued at $320,324, and at the average 4.1% property value increase2, homeowners will see $13,123 added to the value of their home. This makes solar panels an excellent investment in North Carolina, and one you will see should you sell your home.

Should North Carolina Residents Hire a Professional Solar Installer Or DIY?

best solar installer NC

Solar panel installation is expensive, so you — like many other North Carolina residents – may have considered a DIY solar installation. If you install your own PV panels you may save money now, but if you aren’t careful as you undergo the installation process, you could cost yourself thousands of dollars in damage to your home.

Save Your Home From Roof Damage

Even if you have extensive DIY home improvement experience, there is always the chance that you could damage your home when you install solar panels. When you hire professional solar installers, your solar panels will be installed correctly and without damage to your roof and home.

Install Solar Panels to Building Codes and Pass Building Inspections

To install solar panels, you have to get certain permits and pass inspections before you can receive permission to operate. If you do not install your panels correctly, you could potentially be fined or have to remove your panels altogether.

By hiring professionals, you are guaranteed to pass all your inspections and are much less likely to run into any problems with building permits.

Benefit from Workmanship Warranties

Most professional solar installers have workmanship warranties that will cover the cost to fix your solar panels or shingles if any were damaged during installation. If you install your panels yourself, you’ll miss out on this protection.

Even if you have product or performance warranties from your manufacturer, you may not be able to benefit from these. Your solar panels’ manufacturer could come back and claim that the problem is poor installation and not the product, which means you’d have to pay to fix your panels by yourself.

What Should North Carolina Residents Look For in a Solar Installer?

As you look for the right solar installer for your home, it’s important to find a company that checks all your boxes. Quality solar panels and expert installation should be your top priority, but you should also consider:

  • Warranty coverage
  • Years in business
  • Services offered
  • Service area and headquarters
  • Industry affiliations
  • Customer experience
  • Solar pricing and financing

Warranty Coverage

A reputable solar energy system is backed by a strong warranty, and every single company on our list of best solar panels in North Carolina comes with an industry-excellent 25-year warranty. Not all warranties are equal, but any company that offers a separate workmanship warranty alongside product or performance warranties should be at the top of your list.

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. However, photovoltaic installations are considered home improvement projects, and insurance companies often extend coverage to such incidents.

Years in Business

A company’s age is not always the best indicator of its services, but many solar veterans have ten or more years in business to their names. We advise homeowners to look for companies that have more experience because these companies have likely installed more solar panels in North Carolina, and thus, have the expertise needed to advise you on your home solar project.

The most experienced solar provider on our list is SunPower, but that doesn’t mean you should count out newer companies such as ADT because this company alone has installed more than 55,000 solar panels.

Services Offered

Many solar companies primarily install solar panels, but additional services — such as electrical contracting, roofing and energy efficiency audits and upgrades — show how much industry knowledge and experience a provider brings to the table.

Local companies, such as NC Solar Now and 8M Solar, offer more services than just solar panel installation. North Carolina residents can trust these providers to do more than just install solar panels and move on. Instead, these companies want to do more for your home and will quickly come to your aid should your panels need repairs.

Service Area and Headquarters

north carolina best solar companies

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?

Local companies – such as NC Solar Now, 8M Solar and Covenant Solar – are located in North Carolina. Not only do local installers know the area best, but it means that you won’t have to scramble to find an electrician to do maintenance on your panels should your system break down.

Industry Affiliations

A solar provider’s industry affiliations reflect its service scope, ethics and qualifications. You should look for these certifications because it indicates a company upholds industry standards and follows solar installation best practices.

  • 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 operate with the proper business and contracting licenses.

Customer Experience

One of the best ways to research a company is to read its reviews. You can look at the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Google Reviews or Yelp because you will find honest reviews from real North Carolina customers. If you look for ADT, for example, you might find that customers rave about how smooth the solar installation process was, but others complain about pushy sales pitches and poor communication after installation.

Solar Pricing and Financing

Cost is one of the biggest concerns that solar shoppers have as they research solar panel options. Solar panel systems are expensive, and not every homeowner wants to pay top dollar for a high-efficiency panel from SunPower. Instead, some homeowners may want more affordable options, such as the panels and financing packages offered from Blue Raven.

You can get a good sense of financing options if you gather quotes from reputable solar companies. As you get quotes and talk to solar representatives, you should look for:

  • Companies that focus on education on solar incentives, such as rebates, renewable energy credits, the federal tax credit and application assistance, such as 8M Solar
  • Flexibility with down payments, payment plans, interest rates and loan partners, such as SunPower
  • No obligation, free quotes and no upselling, like with NC Solar Now

Methodology: How We Reviewed the Best Solar Companies in North Carolina

Since there’s so much competition within the solar industry in the area — with around 100 installers servicing the state — our process for finding the best solar companies in North Carolina was a long and involved one. We assessed dozens of companies based on six primary criteria, which we then weighted to bring you the best of the best.

We’ll explain the criteria we used below, as well as why we feel each was an important factor in our decision.

  • Local reputation and reviews (20%): With so many solar installers in the area and so much demand — the state is the fourth most popular place to go solar — it’s natural that some companies enter the solar space to capitalize. Unfortunately, some of these companies are less interested in quality installations than they are in profit. We assess each company’s local reputation and read through dozens of reviews to see where the company excels and where it tends to fall short of customer expectations.
  • Pricing and financing (20%): The all-in cost of going solar in North Carolina is between $4,000 and $6,000 higher than the national average, with the typical system totaling $33,705 before incentives. To help direct homeowners toward affordable solar solutions, we look for installers that maintain average or below-average pricing. We also prioritize installers that accept a multitude of financing options, as more options mean more availability for more homeowners.
  • Warranty coverage (20%): North Carolina sees a lot of extreme weather every year, including severe winds, hurricanes, tropical storms and above-average annual rainfall. For this reason, we feel that the workmanship warranty should be above-average, so we prefer companies that have labor warranties longer than ten years. Equipment and efficiency warranties are always helpful, too, and can help provide peace of mind that your above-average energy consumption will continue to be offset.
  • Services offered (20%): We look for companies that offer a wealth of services both in and outside of the solar industry. Although solar batteries aren’t terribly popular in the Old North State because of the excellent net metering policy, EV chargers and energy efficiency home improvements are popular. We rank companies higher that offer a wider range of services that will appeal to more residents. We’re putting added emphasis on companies that install batteries, as well, as the new net metering policy in California, which will soon be adopted in North Carolina as well, will make batteries far more valuable for residents, especially given that the average monthly electricity consumption in NC is 160 kWh higher — around 18% higher — than the national average.
  • Company experience (10%): With such a high demand for solar equipment in NC, lots of companies have cropped up in the past few years to take advantage. We try our best to recommend companies with a minimum of ten years of experience. This not only helps ensure that your system will be installed properly and stand up to the severe weather conditions in the area, but it also reduces the risk of your installer going out of business and voiding your precious warranty coverages.
  • Brand quality (10%): Finally, we look at the solar equipment brands offered by each installer. Specifically, we look for companies that include budget options to help keep the above-average installation costs down, as well as high-efficiency options that are more likely to offset and even eliminate the above-average electric bills in North Carolina.

The cost information presented in this article is derived from a comprehensive analysis, incorporating data from multiple industry sources. The average cost per watt per state was calculated based on figures from Consumer Affairs, Energy Sage, and Berkeley Lab’s Electricity Markets & Policy Department. Additionally, monthly energy consumption and the average monthly cost of electricity were sourced from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, ensuring a well-rounded and accurate representation of the information presented.

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 from our North Carolina readers about the best local solar installers. If you have specific questions that aren’t answered here, reach out to our team of solar experts at solar@ecowatch.com.

Blog author image
Article author
Dan Simms is an experienced writer with a passion for renewable energy. As a solar and EV advocate, much of his work has focused on the potential of solar power and deregulated energy, but he also writes on related topics, like real estate and economics. In his free time — when he's not checking his own home's solar production — he enjoys outdoor activities like hiking, mountain biking, skiing and rock climbing.
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Expert reviewer
Tom Peters is a commercial renewable energy developer and financial planner. He was a successful commercial real estate developer for 30 years before starting a solar development subsidiary for a Northeast regional roofing company in 2010. He has written white papers for the USDA on the creative use of renewable energy tax incentives and participated on the Steering Committee of the White House Rural Council to introduce Cross Laminated Timber manufacturing to the U.S. Tom enjoys sculpting, reading and writing on the subjects of environmental justice and spiritual evolution.

Comparing authorized solar partners

EcoWatch rating
Average cost
Pros
Cons
BBB Rating
Year founded
Service Area
Brands of Solar Equipment Offered
  • 5.0
    • Most efficient panels on the market
    • National coverage
    • Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
    • Great warranty coverage
    • Expensive
    • Customer service varies by local dealer
    A+
    Best National Provider
    1985
    SunPower Panels

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