3 Best Solar Companies in Kinston, NC (2024 Reviews)

We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 3 in Kinston based on:

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

Average Kinston homeowner saves $1,573/year with solar panels

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated February 01, 2024

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 Kinston

As a homeowner in Kinston, you may be considering switching to solar energy and wondering about the best solar companies in your city. Solar could be a great idea since it has many perks. The average home can save $19,000 over 20 years after installing a solar panel system. And because solar panels have a lifespan of about 25 to 30 years, your total savings will be much higher than that overall.


Here, we’ll list out some of the top solar companies in Kinston to make your decision much easier.To help you understand 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 Kinston by clicking the 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 Kinston

Best Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

4.0/5

Top Tier Solar Solutions

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

Services Offered

  • Service icon Grid-Tied Solar System
  • Service icon Skilled Repairs
  • Service icon Financing Assistance
  • Service icon Panel Installation
  • Service icon Consultation

Website: https://www.toptiersolarsolutions.com/
Address: 5305 Raynor Rd, Garner, NC 27529
Phone: 8559971213
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Ready Solar - Clayton NC

  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Panel Installation

Website: https://ready.solar/
Address: 228 Airport Industrial Dr, Clayton, NC 27520
Phone: 8556765270
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Greentech Renewables Raleigh

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

Services Offered

  • Service icon Battery Storage
  • Service icon Panel Installation

Website: https://www.greentechrenewables.com/
Address: 4900 Jones Sausage Rd Suite 110, Garner, NC 27529
Phone: 9849600450

Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Kinston

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


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 Kinston

We understand that for many homeowners, the decision to invest in solar depends on installation costs.The installation cost is just one important factor you should keep in mind when looking into getting solar panels. How much it'll cost and how much you can save depend on things including:

  • Your energy bills: This will determine how much money you might save. In Kinston, the average homeowner can save about $1,600 a year on their electricity bills.
  • The amount of sunlight your roof gets: If your rooftop doesn’t get a lot of direct sunlight, your solar panels won’t be able to produce as much energy, which will give you lower savings on electric bills than a house with a roof that gets lots of sunlight.
  • Incentives: One thing that can make your solar project cost less is the solar investment tax credit (ITC), which is a tax credit that’s equal to a percentage of the project cost. You can also save on your utility bills, which can result in an average of $19,000 of savings over 20 years.
  • Choice of solar panels: The kind of solar panels you are interested in getting will affect your total cost. High-efficiency monocrystalline panels will cost more upfront but can also save you more money over the lifetime of your system. If you don’t need to maximize efficiency, you can go with a higher number of more affordable panels.

As a result of the cost of solar panels being lower than before as well as several solar incentives, they are a sound investment for the majority of homeowners.

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Solar Incentives in Kinston

One of the great things about installing a solar panel system is receiving government incentives.No matter what state you live in, you can take advantage of the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which allows you to claim 0 of your project costs on your tax return, lowering the amount of taxes you owe that year. Additionally, there may be some state and city incentives you can benefit from too. For more information about incentives for homeowners in Kinston, see our article on solar incentives.

Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Kinston

Swapping traditional energy for solar is a good way to do what you can for a cleaner and more sustainable future.You may be curious – how much does making the switch help the planet anyway? Your energy usage is a significant factor to keep in mind. The more energy your household consumes, the larger your impact when you make the switch to solar power.In Kinston, the average person can lower their carbon footprint by 60 pounds a year once they go solar. The perks of solar power are plentiful — just like solar power is! That's why so many Kinston residents have been happy with using solar energy.

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 Kinston, NC Solar Company Rankings FAQs

What is the most reputable solar panel company in Kinston?

In Kinston, Top Tier Solar Solutions is the best local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 4.00 stars, so it's a good choice if you're planning on installing solar panels on your house.

Are solar panels actually bad for the environment?

Solar panels can be detrimental for the environment when manufacturers use toxic chemicals in the manufacturing process. Chemicals can make solar panels difficult to dispose of safely once they’ve reached the end of their lifespan. Making solar panels needs a lot of energy as well. The energy payback period is about 1 to 4 years.

Are solar panels worth it?

Solar panels can be a beneficial investment for a majority of homeowners, but frankly, they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get a lot of direct sunlight or your energy bills are already reasonably low, solar panels might not be for you.

When is the best time of year to install solar panels?

Despite summer being the most common time people install solar panels, the best time is actually winter. You can save money since there's decreased demand during the winter months, and it lets you be up and running with solar for the higher power bills you may get during the summer.

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.