5 Best Solar Companies in James City, NC (2023 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 5 in James City based on:
-
Customer review scores - Service area for James City, NC
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average James City homeowner saves $1,507/year with solar panels
Updated September 15, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in James City
Searching for the best solar companies in James City? Installing solar panels is an exciting project that many homeowners find valuable for their wallets, communities and the planet. Solar panels can be expensive, but the switch will save you money on your power bills over many years. In fact, you can look forward to saving about $18,000 over 20 years.
The cost of installing solar panels can vary considerably depending on your home's infrastructure and your overall energy needs. To help you know if solar panels are a good idea for your home, you can get a free, no-obligation quote from one of the best solar companies in James City 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 James City
Jones-Onslow Electric Membership Corporation
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Clear Pricing Policy - Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Business installations - Tailored solutions
- Home installations
Watson Electrical Construction Co.
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
- Integrated roofing
- Business installations
Solar X Window Tint
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Integrated roofing
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Energy storage solutions
SunEnergy1 - Bethel
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Business installations
Four County Electric Membership Corporation
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled repairs
- Business installations
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in James City
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in James City 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 James City
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 James City
The cost of putting up solar panels has decreased significantly over the past few years, but it's still a substantial investment for most homeowners. The cost of solar and the savings it generates vary depending on some important factors such as:
- Energy consumption: Solar may be an expensive option for households that don't consume too much energy each month.
- The type of solar panels you can afford: This is dependent on your income and budget.
- Where your home is: This influences how much sunlight your roof receives, which helps determine how many panels you need.
- Incentives: Tax-paying citizens who install a solar system this year can save 30% of their solar installation costs by using the federal solar investment tax credit. You can also save about $18,000 on your utility bills over 20 years excluding incentives.
Because of solar panels now being cheaper than ever as well as several solar incentives, they are a sound investment for the majority of homeowners.
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To find out how much you can help the environment and your wallet by switching to solar, try out the calculator below. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for James City, NC.
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Solar Incentives in James City
Because solar power is a cleaner source of energy than traditional energy sources, there are a number of government incentives available to encourage people to make the switch. On top of the federal solar investment tax credit, there are also some local programs, which in the majority of cases, stack with the federal incentive, so you get to save even more. In our article on solar incentives, you can see the incentives you qualify for near you.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in James City
One of the best reasons to adopt solar power is to reduce your reliance on nonrenewable energy sources like burning fossil fuels, which are damaging for the environment. But how much can switching to solar actually affect the environment? In a city like James City where energy use is particularly high, making the switch to solar power is a good plan for people who are eco-conscious. Although solar panel manufacturing releases carbon dioxide emissions, the panels make up for it by significantly lowering the amount of CO2 you would have released if you still used traditional energy. In James City, you can reduce your carbon footprint by 60 pounds a year with solar panels. The advantages of solar power are infinite — just like solar power is! That's why so many homeowners have been happy with making the switch 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 James City, NC Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the best solar panel company in James City?
The top local solar company in James City is Eastern Solar Solutions LLC., with a rating of 3.00 stars.
What is the negative environmental impact of making solar panels?
Producing solar panels requires chemicals and produces toxic waste that can be harmful for the environment, which is the main negative thing about solar panels.
Are solar panels worth it?
Solar panels can be a good investment for lots of homeowners, but frankly, they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get enough sunlight or your power bills are already pretty low, solar panels might not be for you.
How long do solar panels last?
Even though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they are completely unusable. What this means is how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can replace them after having 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.