15 Best Solar Companies in Hillsborough, NC (2023 Reviews)

We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in Hillsborough based on:

  • Customer review scores
  • Service area for Hillsborough, NC
  • Company policies and services offered
  • Accreditations and certifications

Average Hillsborough homeowner saves $1,552/year with solar panels

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated September 15, 2023

Why you can trust EcoWatch

We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

Best Solar Companies in Hillsborough

Hoping to go solar but trying to figure out which solar panel installer would be best for your needs? Although it can be difficult to settle on a solar company, the effort will pay off because going solar has many fantastic perks. Since Hillsborough is a city with great potential for solar power, it's no wonder you're looking into installing solar panels.

There are so many installers to choose from, but in this article, we'll help you pin down your options by recommending some of the best solar companies in Hillsborough. To get free quotes from the best solar companies in Hillsborough, click the "get quote" button below.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
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

Best Solar Financing

Blue Raven Solar

★★★★★
4.5

  • Industry-leading in-house financing
  • Competitive pricing
  • Excellent reputation
  • Doesn't offer solar batteries

Outstanding Regional Installer

Renu Energy Solutions

★★★★★
4.5

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

EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Hillsborough

Best Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

4.8/5

Yes Solar Solutions

  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Prompt Service Delivery
  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Family-Operated Business
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Tailored solutions
  • Service icon Business installations
  • Service icon Energy storage solutions
  • Service icon Integrated roofing
  • Service icon Home installations
  • Service icon Expert panel installation

Website: https://yessolarsolutions.com/
Address: 202 North Dixon Avenue, Cary, NC 27513
Phone: 9194594155
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

4.4/5

Renu Energy Solutions

  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Business installations
  • Service icon Tailored solutions
  • Service icon Energy storage solutions
  • Service icon Skilled repairs
  • Service icon Integrated roofing
  • Service icon Expert panel installation
  • Service icon Home installations

Website: https://www.renuenergysolutions.com/
Address: 115 E Main St Suite E, Jamestown, NC 27282
Phone: 3365256786
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

4.9/5

Ovanova

  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Expert panel installation
  • Service icon Home installations
  • Service icon Energy storage solutions
  • Service icon Tailored solutions

Website: http://www.ovanova.co/
Address: 607 Sawmill Rd W, Cedar Grove, NC 27231
Phone: 8189258447
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

4.9/5

Freedom Solar Power

  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Prompt Service Delivery
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Tailored solutions
  • Service icon Energy storage solutions
  • Service icon Home installations
  • Service icon Business installations
  • Service icon Integrated roofing
  • Service icon End-to-end services
  • Service icon Expert panel installation

Website: https://freedomsolarpower.com/locations/raleigh-solar-company
Address: 4502 Bennett Memorial Rd, Durham, NC 27705
Phone: 9193285482
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

4.1/5

Jim's Solarguard

  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Family-Operated Business
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Tailored solutions
  • Service icon Energy storage solutions
  • Service icon Business installations
  • Service icon Home installations

Website: https://jimssolarfilm.com/
Address: 700 E Geer St, Durham, NC 27701
Phone: 9196822876
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Strata Clean Energy, LLC

  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Family-Operated Business
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Tailored solutions
  • Service icon Home installations
  • Service icon Energy storage solutions

Website: http://www.stratacleanenergy.com/
Address: 800 Taylor St #200, Durham, NC 27701
Phone: 9199606015
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Carolina Solar Energy III, LLC

  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Pros icon Family-Operated Business
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Expert panel installation
  • Service icon Home installations
  • Service icon Tailored solutions

Website: http://carolinasolarenergy.com/
Address: 2536 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd Suite E, Durham, NC 27707
Phone: 9196826822
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

4.9/5

Just One Solar

  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Energy storage solutions
  • Service icon Expert panel installation
  • Service icon Tailored solutions
  • Service icon Home installations

Website: https://justonesolar.com/
Address: 5425 Page Rd, Durham, NC 27703
Phone: 4234435170
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

4.3/5

Cypress Creek Renewables

  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Energy storage solutions
  • Service icon Home installations

Website: http://www.ccrenew.com/
Address: 5310 S Alston Ave, Durham, NC 27713
Phone: 9192404815
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

4.6/5

Carolina Connections Solar Energy - North Carolina Installation & Sales

  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Pros icon Family-Operated Business
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Expert panel installation
  • Service icon Energy storage solutions
  • Service icon Home installations
  • Service icon Tailored solutions

Website: https://carolinaconnections.com/
Address: 422 Huffman Mill Rd #105, Burlington, NC 27215
Phone: 3365851314
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Ecoplexus, Inc

  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Business installations
  • Service icon Tailored solutions
  • Service icon Home installations

Website: http://www.ecoplexus.com/
Address: 600 Park Offices Dr Suite 285, Durham, NC 27709
Phone: 9842445069
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

4.8/5

Southern Energy Management

  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Business installations
  • Service icon Skilled repairs
  • Service icon Energy storage solutions
  • Service icon Home installations
  • Service icon Integrated roofing
  • Service icon Expert panel installation
  • Service icon Tailored solutions

Website: https://southern-energy.com/
Address: 5908 Triangle Dr, Raleigh, NC 27617
Phone: 9193671381
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Triangle Solar JB

  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Home installations
  • Service icon Energy storage solutions
  • Service icon Tailored solutions
  • Service icon Expert panel installation
  • Service icon Integrated roofing

Website: http://www.trianglesolarjb.com/
Address: 3327 Prospect Pkwy, Durham, NC 27703
Phone: 3019605779
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

5.0/5

Quick Solar Solutions

  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Tailored solutions
  • Service icon Energy storage solutions
  • Service icon Business installations
  • Service icon Expert panel installation
  • Service icon Home installations
  • Service icon Integrated roofing

Website: http://www.quicksolarsolutions.com/
Address: 4242 Six Forks Rd Suite 1550-1548, Raleigh, NC 27609
Phone: 9199070539
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

4.9/5

Noon Solar

  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Home installations
  • Service icon Skilled repairs
  • Service icon Energy storage solutions
  • Service icon Tailored solutions
  • Service icon Expert panel installation
  • Service icon End-to-end services
  • Service icon Integrated roofing

Website: http://noonsolar.org/
Address: 3915 Beryl Rd, Raleigh, NC 27607
Phone: 9192159662

Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Hillsborough

EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Hillsborough 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 Hillsborough


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 Hillsborough

When deciding on a solar company, most homeowners or business owners think about the costs above all. The cost of solar and the savings it generates vary depending on a few key factors such as:

  • The amount of sunlight your roof gets: Thanks to Hillsborough's high amount of average daily sunlight, you should be able to save a decent amount on your power bills.
  • How much energy costs for you: If your local energy rates are quite high, there's a better chance you'll have a higher return on your investment in a solar panel system. In Hillsborough, you can save an average of $113 a month on your electricity bills.
  • The kind of solar panels you can afford: This is dependent on your income and budget.
  • Incentives: Along with the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which lets you deduct 30% of your overall installation cost, your state or local government may offer additional tax exemptions, credits or rebates that will help you save even more. Not including incentives, you can save an average of $18,000 over the first 20 years with your system, too.

So is installing solar panels worth it? Whether you want to decrease your electricity costs, carbon emissions or both, solar panels are a good investment for many Hillsborough homeowners.

Solar Savings Calculator for {{ solarcalc.name }}

If you're wondering how much you could impact the environment if you switch to solar, you can use the calculator below. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Hillsborough, 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
Why leave {{ solarcalc.total_savings()|currency }} on the table? Help the environment and your wallet by switching to solar. SAVE NOW

Electricity rate:
{{ solarcalc.elec_cost/10 }} ¢
Shade:
{{ solarcalc.shade }} %
Time period:
{{ solarcalc.time_period }} years
System size:
{{ solarcalc.system_size }} kW
Additional Incentives:
{{ solarcalc.additional_incentives|currency }}

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 Hillsborough

Although a solar power system is typically a large investment, it can save you a substantial amount of money in the long term because of smaller utility bills and government incentives. These incentives typically consist of cash rebates, tax credits and/or performance-based incentives. They can cut how much you pay for installing solar panels by 30%, upwards of 50% depending on where you live. Our article on solar incentives has more information on the incentives you can find in Hillsborough.

Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Hillsborough

Swapping traditional energy for solar is a good way to do your part for a more eco-friendly future. A question many might be asking themselves is how much can they really help protect the environment by switching to solar power anyway? The more power you use, the better off the planet will be when you switch to solar since you won't need to rely on traditional energy sources as much. Even though solar panel production releases carbon dioxide emissions, the panels make up for it by significantly lowering the amount of CO2 you would have been responsible for if you still used nonrenewable energy. In Hillsborough, you can reduce your carbon footprint by 60 pounds a year with solar panels. Since solar power is abundant and generates electricity without free from carbon dioxide emissions, adding solar panels to your home is one easy step you can take to help the planet.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
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

Best Solar Financing

Blue Raven Solar

★★★★★
4.5

  • Industry-leading in-house financing
  • Competitive pricing
  • Excellent reputation
  • Doesn't offer solar batteries

Outstanding Regional Installer

Renu Energy Solutions

★★★★★
4.5

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

EcoWatch's Hillsborough, NC Solar Company Rankings FAQs

What is the most reputable solar panel company in Hillsborough?

The highest-rated local solar company in Hillsborough is 8MSolar, with a rating of 4.07 stars.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of solar power?

A few of the biggest pros are that it lowers your electricity bills, it's a sustainable source of energy, and it can give you a good return on your investment (ROI). The most notable cons are that solar panels don't work as well when there's limited direct sunlight, the installation cost is pricey and solar panels aren't always aesthetically pleasing.

How long does it take for solar to pay for itself?

The average payback period for solar panel installation is about 9.2 years, but the exact period depends on local electricity costs, incentives and net metering programs.

What is solar panel capacity and how much do I need for my house?

Solar panel capacity is rated based on how much power they generate under standard testing conditions. Since each panel can typically produce about 250 to 400 watts per hour, the average house will need 20 to 35 panels.

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.