6 Best Solar Companies in North Carolina (2022 Rankings & Reviews)

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.

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

Outstanding Local Installer

5/5

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Local Service

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

Outstanding Local Installer

4.5/5

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Local Service

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

Best Warranty Coverage

4/5

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Regional Service

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

Best Solar Financing

4.5/5

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Regional Service

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

Outstanding Regional Installer

4/5

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Regional Service

6. Outstanding National Provider: SunPower

SunPower is a national company that provides services from coast to coast. The company installs its in-house manufactured solar panels which are consistently among the most efficient in the business. SunPower has a history dating back 30 years as a leader of the U.S. solar industry. 

Pros for SunPower

SunPower has a national presence and installs some of the industry’s best products:

• Most efficient solar panels
• All-inclusive warranty covers all aspects of system
• Widespread availability

Cons for SunPower

SunPower does have its drawbacks as a national provider, including:

• Quality of your installation will depend on your area
• Can be more expensive than most options

Facts and Figures: SunPower

Best National Provider

5/5

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Nationwide Service

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 Preferred Partners

Here is a list of preferred partners in this area.

Best National Provider

5/5

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Nationwide Service

Best Solar Financing

4.5/5

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Regional Service

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See also: Calculate how much you can save by going solar

Read More About Going Solar

• What Should You Know About North Carolina’s Solar Market?
• How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in North Carolina?
• Is Solar Worth It in North Carolina?