15 Best Solar Companies in Cullowhee, NC (2023 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in Cullowhee based on:
-
Customer review scores - Service area for Cullowhee, NC
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Cullowhee homeowner saves $1,562/year with solar panels
Updated September 15, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Cullowhee
If you're a home or business owner looking to make the most of the solar incentives in Cullowhee, it can be difficult to narrow down which installer to decide on. But, the hard work is worth it since switching to solar power is often a fantastic choice. Because Cullowhee has a great capacity for solar energy generation, going solar is financially rewarding for many homeowners.
There are plenty of installers to consider, but in this article, we'll help you get a handle on all your options by recommending some of the best solar companies in Cullowhee. Want to see the cost of installing a solar system on your roof? Click "get quote" below to get a free, no-obligation quote from a top-rated Cullowhee solar installer.
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 Cullowhee
Rhino Renewables Solar & Electric
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Reliable Customer Support - Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Home installations - Business installations
- Skilled repairs
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
- Integrated roofing
- End-to-end services
- Energy storage solutions
Renu Energy Solutions
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Energy storage solutions
- Integrated roofing
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Skilled repairs
- Home installations
HAYNES Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Business installations
- Tailored solutions
- Energy storage solutions
- Skilled repairs
Perfection Solar
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Energy storage solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Integrated roofing
STG Solar
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Integrated roofing
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
SolFarm Solar Co.
- Informative Resources
- Fair Employee Wages
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Skilled repairs
- Professional reinstallation
- Integrated roofing
- End-to-end services
- Tailored solutions
Asheville Solar Company LLC
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Energy storage solutions
- Tailored solutions
- Integrated roofing
- Business installations
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
Elite Roof and Solar
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- End-to-end services
- Expert panel installation
- Integrated roofing
- Energy storage solutions
- Tailored solutions
- Skilled repairs
- Home installations
- Business installations
Buckingham Electric Inc.
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled repairs
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
Pisgah Energy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
- Integrated roofing
- Energy storage solutions
- Business installations
EnergySmith US
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Energy storage solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
Sugar Hollow Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Integrated roofing
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- End-to-end services
- Energy storage solutions
- Business installations
Appalachian Solar and Minisplit
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
Encōr Solar - Asheville, NC
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Integrated roofing
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
R A Thomas Electric
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled repairs
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Cullowhee
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Cullowhee 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 Cullowhee
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 Cullowhee
Solar panels run off a free energy source — the sun — but before you can take advantage of this you must first pay to set up your system. Some key things that affect the upfront cost and potential savings over time include:
- Energy consumption: Solar may be too pricey an option for families that don't need too much energy per month.
- Your income and budget: This determines what kind of solar panels you can afford.
- Your location: This influences how much sunlight your roof gets, which helps determine how many panels you need.
- How much energy costs for you: If your local electricity rates are quite high, there's a good chance you'll get a higher return on your investment in a solar panel system. In Cullowhee, you can save an average of $114 a month on your electricity bills.
There are lots of great benefits of solar even with the upfront cost of installation. It can help the Earth and your finances. In addition, it can increase the value of your home, resulting in even more benefits if you choose to sell your home later.
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Solar Incentives in Cullowhee
Although a solar power system is typically a big investment, it can save you a significant amount of money over the lifespan of your solar panels because of reduced energy bills and government incentives. These incentives mostly take the form of cash rebates, tax credits and/or performance-based incentives. They can cut the cost you pay for going solar by 30%, upwards of 50% depending on where you live. For comprehensive information about incentives for homeowners in Cullowhee, check out our article on solar incentives.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Cullowhee
Many want to do their part for the planet, which for many is the primary motivation to install a solar system. Many homeowners might be wondering how much exactly they can impact the environment by switching to solar in Cullowhee, though. In a city like Cullowhee where energy use is particularly high, going solar is a good plan for people who are eco-conscious. Although solar panel production emits carbon dioxide, the panels make up for it by significantly lowering the amount of CO2 you would have released if you still used nonrenewable energy. In Cullowhee, you can reduce your carbon footprint by 60 pounds a year with solar panels. For those who care about the environment, the upfront cost of solar is a small price to pay for the offset carbon emissions.
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 Cullowhee, NC Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar installation company is the best near me?
In Cullowhee, SolFarm Solar Co. is the best local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 4.13 stars, so it's a solid choice if you're looking to add solar panels to your home.
Are solar panels actually good for the environment?
Solar panels can be bad for the environment when manufacturers use toxic chemicals in the manufacturing process. Chemicals can make solar panels difficult to recycle safely once they've reached the end of their lifespan. Making solar panels requires a lot of energy as well. The energy payback period is about 1 to 4 years.
How long does it take to see a return on your investment after getting solar panels?
Solar panels usually pay for themselves in about 9.1 years, but your solar payback period will depend on your utility costs. The more your typical power bill, the faster your solar panel system will pay for itself.
How often do solar panels have to be replaced?
Even though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they should be disposed of. What this means is their energy production will have decreased by about 0.8% each year since installing them. You can choose to replace them once you've had them for that long or you can keep using them at a lower efficiency after that time.
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.