12 Best Solar Companies in Oak Ridge, NC (2023 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 12 in Oak Ridge based on:
-
Customer review scores - Service area for Oak Ridge, NC
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Oak Ridge homeowner saves $1,408/year with solar panels
Updated May 04, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Oak Ridge
Looking to go solar but want to know which solar panel installer would be best for your needs? Although it can be challenging to decide on a solar company, the effort will pay off because going solar has many great benefits. Since Oak Ridge is a city with great potential for solar power, it's no wonder you're researching installing solar panels.
In this article, we'll help you narrow down the best options in your area. 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 highly rated Oak Ridge 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 Oak Ridge
Average Cost
SunPower
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Most efficient panels on the market - National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
-
Expensive - Customer service varies by local dealer
Services Offered
-
Solar Panels - Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- System Monitoring
Average Cost
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- System Monitoring
Average Cost
Renu Energy Solutions
- Excellent reputation
- Many financing options
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- No leases or PPAs
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- Roofing Services
- Energy-Efficiency Audits
Average Cost
Sunpro Solar
- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- Energy-Efficiency Upgrades
Average Cost
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- Energy-Efficiency Upgrades
- Maintenance & Repairs
Average Cost
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- Solar Roof Shingles
- System Monitoring
OMEGA SOLAR LLC
- Free Quotes
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Family-Operated Business
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
- Skilled repairs
Balex Electrical Company, LLC
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Integrated roofing
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Skilled repairs
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- End-to-end services
Beam Solar Co
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
SKY LED USA
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Integrated roofing
- Expert panel installation
- Business installations
- Home installations
- Energy storage solutions
Gate City Solar Co
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled repairs
- Expert panel installation
- Integrated roofing
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
AIS Solar
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled repairs
- Integrated roofing
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
- Energy storage solutions
- Business installations
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Oak Ridge
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Oak Ridge 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 Oak Ridge
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 Oak Ridge
We understand that for lots of homeowners, the choice to invest in solar hinges on installation costs. The overall price and potential savings vary depending on a few important factors such as:
- System size and type: Some models are more pricy than others, so the one you want to get can raise or lower your upfront cost. Plus, the more solar panels you need to buy, the more it'll cost.
- Your energy bills: This will affect how much you can save. In Oak Ridge, the average homeowner can save about $1,200 a year on their electricity bills.
- Incentives: One thing that can reduce the cost of your solar project 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 money on your power bills, which can give you an average of $17,000 of savings over 20 years.
- The amount of sunlight your roof gets: This, plus the configuration of your roof, affects affect how much energy your solar panels can produce.
So is installing solar panels worth it? Whether you're trying to decrease your energy bills, greenhouse gas emissions or both, solar panels are a great investment for many Oak Ridge homeowners.
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Solar Incentives in Oak Ridge
To increase solar panel installation and usage, incentives are offered by the government — and even some utility companies — to help make solar more economical and accessible. In addition to the federal solar investment tax credit, there are also some state- and city-level programs, which in most cases, stack with the federal incentive, so you can save even more. For comprehensive information about incentives that apply to you, visit our article on solar incentives.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Oak Ridge
Replacing nonrenewable energy with solar power is a great way to do what you can for a more sustainable future. But how much can installing solar panels actually affect the environment? Everyone can help save the planet by switching to solar energy, but homes that consume lots of energy will have a greater impact. In Oak Ridge, the average household can lower their carbon footprint by 60 pounds a year after going solar. For homeowners who care about the environment, the upfront cost of solar is a small price to pay for reducing your carbon footprint.
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 Oak Ridge, NC Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar power company is the best in Oak Ridge?
In Oak Ridge, EcoEthic Solar LLC is the best local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 5.00 stars, so it's a good choice if you're looking to install solar panels on your roof.
Are solar panels actually eco-friendly?
Making solar panels uses chemicals and produces toxic waste that can be bad for the environment, which is the main drawback of solar panels.
Is it worth putting solar panels on my home?
Solar panels need a considerable upfront investment that will cost you several thousands of dollars, but whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a collection of factors like local electricity rates and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.
How much solar panel capacity do I need for my house?
Solar panel capacity is rated depending on the amount of power they produce 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.