15 Best Solar Companies in Swannanoa, NC (2023 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in Swannanoa based on:
-
Customer review scores - Service area for Swannanoa, NC
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Swannanoa homeowner saves $1,468/year with solar panels
Updated May 04, 2023
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Best Solar Companies in Swannanoa
When you're on the hunt for the best solar companies in Swannanoa, sifting through so many options can be intimidating, but it can pay off since adopting solar power can offer so many fantastic perks. Because solar panels produce their own power, they can greatly reduce your electricity bill each month, if not completely eliminate it. In fact, you could be looking at about $17,000 of savings over 20 years.
To help you comb through the large variety of Swannanoa solar installers, we've narrowed in on a list of the top ones. Continue reading to see our picks for the best solar companies in the city, or connect with a certified solar company near you right away 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 Swannanoa
Average Cost
SunPower
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Most efficient panels on the market - National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
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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
SolFarm Solar Co.
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Fair Employee Wages
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Professional reinstallation
- Skilled repairs
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
- End-to-end services
Elite Roof and Solar - Boone
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Recognized Excellence
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled repairs
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
- End-to-end services
Elite Roof and Solar - Hickory
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Recognized Excellence
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled repairs
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
- End-to-end services
Sugar Hollow Solar
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
- End-to-end services
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
EnergySmith US
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Energy storage solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
Innovative Solar Systems, LLC
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
Brio Energy
- Informative Resources
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
EnergyLink
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
Solar Connection
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Swannanoa
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Swannanoa 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 Swannanoa
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 Swannanoa
While solar panels can help save you a decent chunk of change on energy bills over time, it's necessary to consider the startup costs. A few key factors that influence how much it will cost to install solar panels on your home and how much money you could save over time are:
- Choice of solar panels: The kind of solar panels you are interested in getting 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 go with a higher number of more affordable panels.
- Where your home is: This influences how much sunlight your roof gets, which helps determine how many panels you need.
- Incentives: Along with the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which lets you receive a tax credit curretnly worth 30% of your overall installation cost, your local government may offer additional tax exemptions, credits or rebates that will help you save even more. Excluding incentives, you can save an average of $17,000 over 20 years with your solar system, too.
- Energy consumption: Installing solar panels may be too steep of an option for homes that don't need a good amount of energy per month.
Even though a solar panel system costs a sizable chunk of money upfront, it can save you thousands of dollars in the long term. The question of how much, though, depends on several factors, such as the size of your house and your current power bills.
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Solar Incentives in Swannanoa
Adopting solar power has many considerable benefits. Not only can it help preserve the Earth, but you can also save a good amount of money on your installation with various government incentives. State and city solar incentive programs depend on the location and, sometimes, utility company. A lot of states offer rebates for solar power, in addition to the federal solar tax credit. Our article on solar incentives goes over more detailed information on the incentives you can take advantage of in Swannanoa.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Swannanoa
One of the reasons so many people consider switching to solar power is to help lower their environmental impact. Many homeowners might be wondering how much exactly they can impact the environment by switching to solar in Swannanoa, though. The more energy you use, the the more the environment will benefit from you switching to solar as you won't need to rely on traditional energy sources as much. After you go solar, your carbon footprint can be cut by about 60 pounds a year. The great things about solar power are plentiful — just like solar power is! That's why so many Swannanoa residents have been happy with committing 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 Swannanoa, NC Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar power company is the best near me?
The best local solar company in Swannanoa is Solar Response, LLC, with a rating of 5.00 stars.
What are the main advantages and disadvantages of adopting solar power?
A few of the biggest pros are that it reduces your electricity bills, it's a sustainable source of energy, and it provides a significant return on your investment (ROI). The most notable cons are that solar panels don't produce electricity at night, the startup costs are high and solar panels can be an eyesore.
Are solar panels worth it?
Solar panels need a considerable upfront investment that usually costs at least ten thousand dollars, but whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a collection of factors like local electricity rates and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.
What are the different kinds of solar panels?
The different types of solar panels are monocrystalline, polycrystalline and thin-film. Monocrystalline panels are more efficient but also cost more. Polycrystalline panels are cheaper but also less efficient than monocrystalline. Thin-film solar panels are flexible, so they can be used where the other types can't, such as on curved surfaces or cars, but they are also less efficient. The best one for you depends on your budget, roof layout and how much energy generation you want.
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.