8 Best Solar Companies in Kinston, NC (2023 Reviews)

We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 8 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 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 Kinston

When choosing between the best solar panel companies, Kinston homeowners have more choices than ever before, which can be too much to get a handle on, but we're here to make adopting solar power less confusing. While solar panels are a large investment, you'll be able to make that amount back and then some, all while doing your part for the environment. In fact, you could be looking at saving about $19,000 over 20 years.

Here, we'll make a list of some of the top solar companies in Kinston to make your choice a little easier. To receive free quotes from the best solar companies in Kinston, you can click "get quote" 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

4.9/5

Solar X Window Tint

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

Services Offered

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

Website: http://www.solarxwindowtint.com/
Address: 917 US-117 Unit B, Goldsboro, NC 27530
Phone: 9192527059
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Watson Electrical Construction Co.

  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • 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 Integrated roofing
  • Service icon Business installations

Website: https://www.watsonelec.com/
Address: 3121 Bismarck St, Greenville, NC 27834
Phone: 2527564550
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

SunEnergy1 - Bethel

  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • 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 Tailored solutions
  • Service icon Business installations
  • Service icon Expert panel installation
  • Service icon Home installations

Website: http://www.sunenergy1.com/
Address: 6750 NC-30, Bethel, NC 27812
Phone: 2528251731
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

4.9/5

Ready Solar - Clayton NC

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

Services Offered

  • Service icon Home installations
  • Service icon Integrated roofing
  • Service icon Tailored solutions
  • Service icon Expert 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

Four County Electric Membership Corporation

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

Services Offered

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

Website: http://www.fourcty.org/
Address: 686 W Charity Rd, Rose Hill, NC 28458
Phone: 9102894534
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Jones-Onslow Electric Membership Corporation

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

Website: https://www.joemc.com/
Address: 259 Western Blvd, Jacksonville, NC 28546
Phone: 9103531940
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

4.7/5

Top Tier Solar Solutions

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

Services Offered

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

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

EcoWatch Rating

4.5/5

Gregory Electric Company, Inc.

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

Services Offered

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

Website: http://www.gregoryelectric.com/
Address: 300 Bricksteel Ln, Garner, NC 27529
Phone: 9196624882

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

When choosing a solar company, most homeowners or business owners think about the costs above all. There are several factors you should take into consideration when determining costs and your potential savings, including:

  • Energy consumption: Solar may be too pricey an investment for families that don't use a good amount of energy a month.
  • Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit, which everyone qualifies for, lets you deduct 30% of the cost of your solar system installation from your federal taxes. Additionally, not including incentives, you can save about $19,000 over 20 years on your energy bills.
  • Where your home is: This influences how much sunlight your roof receives, which helps determine how many panels you need.
  • Choice of solar panels: The kind of solar panels you get will affect your total cost. High-efficiency monocrystalline panels are more expensive upfront but can also lead to more savings over the lifetime of your system. If space isn't a constraint for your project, you can opt for a higher number of more affordable panels.

Solar is a fruitful investment for most homeowners. You can produce your own power instead of paying for it from a utility company and benefit from solar incentives and rebates, all while helping preserve the Earth.

Solar Savings Calculator for {{ solarcalc.name }}

For an idea of both how much you could save and help the environment by installing solar panels, you can test out the calculator below. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Kinston, 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 Kinston

If you're considering making the switch to solar energy, a number of government incentives and solar rebates can greatly bring down your project costs and speed up the return on your investment. When you install a solar panel system on your home, you can take advatage of the federal tax credit, or ITC. This credit currently reduces your tax bill by 30% of the cost of your solar panels. In addition, there are often some regional incentives that you can use to further save. Our article on solar incentives has more information on the incentives you can benefit from in Kinston.

Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Kinston

Switching to solar energy can have a meaningful effect on the environment. Many homeowners might be wondering how much exactly they can impact the environment by switching to solar in Kinston, though. In a city like Kinston where energy use is particularly high, installing solar panels is a fantastic idea for households who care about the planet. In fact, if you make the switch to solar power, you could lower your carbon dioxide emissions by about 60 pounds each year. As you can see, going solar has so many other perks beyond saving money. One of the primary ones is that you can help save the environment too.

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

Which solar power company is the best near me?

In Kinston, Eastern Solar Solutions LLC. is the best local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 3.00 stars, so it's a good choice if you're looking to add solar panels to your home.

Are solar panels actually environmentally friendly?

Making solar panels needs to use chemicals and produces toxic waste that can be dangerous for the environment, which is the main drawback of solar panels.

How long does it take to see a return on your investment after getting solar panels?

The average payback period for solar panel installation is about 9.0 years, but the exact period varies depending on local electricity costs, incentives and net metering programs.

How long do solar panels last?

Although the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they should be disposed of. What this means is how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can 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.