15 Best Solar Companies in Chapel Hill, NC (2023 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in Chapel Hill based on:
-
Customer review scores - Service area for Chapel Hill, NC
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Average Chapel Hill homeowner saves $1,487/year with solar panels
Updated September 15, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Chapel Hill
Choosing the best solar panel installation company for your home is a huge decision, but it's one that can reap a lot of rewards in Chapel Hill. While solar panels are a sizable investment, you'll be able to make that expense back and then some, all while helping to protect the planet. In fact, you could end up with savings of about $18,000 over 20 years.
If you're considering going solar, the first step to take is to find the best solar companies in Chapel Hill and compare quotes. That's why we did the hard work and came up with a list of the best solar companies to make your life easier. Continue reading to see our picks for the top solar companies in the city, or get connected to a trusted solar company in your area right away 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
Outstanding Regional Installer
Renu Energy Solutions
- Excellent reputation
- Many financing options
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- No leases or PPAs
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Chapel Hill
Yes Solar Solutions
-
Prompt Service Delivery - Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Family-Operated Business
- Clear Pricing Policy
-
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
-
Integrated roofing - Business installations
- Energy storage solutions
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
Renu Energy Solutions
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Business installations
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
- Skilled repairs
- Integrated roofing
Freedom Solar Power
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Integrated roofing
- End-to-end services
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Energy storage solutions
- Expert panel installation
Cypress Creek Renewables
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Energy storage solutions
Just One Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Energy storage solutions
- Tailored solutions
Jim's Solarguard
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Family-Operated Business
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Business installations
Strata Clean Energy, LLC
- Informative Resources
- Family-Operated Business
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
- Energy storage solutions
Ecoplexus, Inc
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Business installations
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
Carolina Solar Energy III, LLC
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Family-Operated Business
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
Southern Energy Management
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Energy storage solutions
- Skilled repairs
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Integrated roofing
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
Ovanova
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Energy storage solutions
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
Triangle Solar JB
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
- Integrated roofing
PE Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Skilled repairs
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
Noon Solar
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
- Tailored solutions
- End-to-end services
- Skilled repairs
- Energy storage solutions
- Expert panel installation
Quick Solar Solutions
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Chapel Hill
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Chapel Hill 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 Chapel Hill
Below are some the criteria we examined specifically for North Carolina 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 Chapel Hill
The cost of installing solar panels has decreased greatly over the past several years, but it's still a large investment for most homeowners. The cost and possible savings vary depending on a few key factors such as:
- Your home's orientation toward the sun: This, plus how your roof is set up, affects affect how much electricity your solar panels can produce.
- Incentives: Those who buy and install a solar system this year can save 30% of their installation costs by taking advantage of the federal solar investment tax credit. You can also save about $18,000 on your electricity bills over 20 years without incentives.
- average energy usage: The more electricity your household consumes on average and the larger your current electricity bills are, the more likely you'll benefit from switching to solar.
- The model of solar panels you want: Some are more highly priced, so that will influence your budget for your solar project.
Solar is a fruitful investment for most homeowners. You can make your own energy instead of paying for it from the grid and take advantage of solar incentives, all while helping the environment.
Solar Savings Calculator for {{ solarcalc.name }}
For an idea of both how much you could save and impact the environment by installing solar panels, you can test out the calculator below. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Chapel Hill, NC.
| {{ solarcalc.time_period|number:0 }} -year savings | {{ solarcalc.total_savings()|currency }} |
| Estimated cost | {{ solarcalc.array_cost() | currency }} |
| Estimated incentives | {{ solarcalc.incentive_savings() | currency }} |
| Payback period | {{ solarcalc.payback_period()|number:1 }} years |
| CO2 emissions prevented | {{ solarcalc.CO2_total()|number:0 }} lbs |
| Miles driven equivalent | {{ solarcalc.CO2_total()/0.78|number:0 }} mi |
Switching to solar in {{ solarcalc.name }} can save you {{ solarcalc.total_savings() | currency }} over the course of {{ solarcalc.time_period|number:0 }} years. This means that with an average cost of {{ solarcalc.array_cost() | currency }}, it would take {{ solarcalc.payback_period()|number:1 }} years to recover the cost of of your solar array.
Solar Incentives in Chapel Hill
To increase the adoption of solar power, incentives are offered by the government — and even some utility companies — to help make solar more affordable and accessible. There are several federal, state and local rebates and tax credits that can earn you anywhere from 30% to 50% of your money in return after installing a solar panel system. In our article on solar incentives, you can see the incentives you qualify for in Chapel Hill.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Chapel Hill
There are many reasons to switch to solar energy, like saving on electricity bills and helping to lower your carbon footprint. But how much can using solar energy instead of traditional energy actually affect the environment? How much energy you use is a significant factor to consider. The more electricity your home uses, the greater your impact when you go solar. Since solar panels don't release CO2 emissions into the atmosphere when generating electricity, they're a good substitute for nonrenewable energy sources. In fact, you could lower your carbon dioxide emissions by about 60 pounds each year. The benefits of solar power are plentiful — just like solar power is! That's why so many Chapel Hill residents have been happy with committing to solar.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Outstanding Regional Installer
Renu Energy Solutions
- Excellent reputation
- Many financing options
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- No leases or PPAs
EcoWatch's Chapel Hill, NC Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the best solar panel company in Chapel Hill?
The top local solar company in Chapel Hill is 8MSolar, with a rating of 4.07 stars.
What are the best and worst things about solar power?
The biggest advantages of solar power are that it can reduce or, for some, totally erase your electricity bills, raise the value of your home and cut back on your carbon footprint. The biggest disadvantages are that solar panels can be costly to install, you may not save a lot if you don't use a lot of electricity and whether you can install solar panels depends on your roof configuration.
How long does it take to see a return on your investment after getting solar panels?
Solar panels generally pay for themselves in about 9.6 years, but your solar payback period will vary depending on your utility costs. The more your typical electricity bill, the faster your solar panel system will recoup your installation costs.
How often do solar panels need to be replaced?
On average, solar panels can last about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but efficiency decreases by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a higher 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.