10 Best Solar Companies in Wilmington, NC (2023 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 10 in Wilmington based on:
-
Customer review scores - Service area for Wilmington, NC
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Average Wilmington homeowner saves $1,621/year with solar panels
Updated September 15, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Wilmington
If you're a home or business owner looking to capitalize on the solar incentives in Wilmington, it can be challenging to narrow down which company to decide on. But, the hard work is worth it since switching to solar power is typically a great idea. Because Wilmington has a very high capacity for solar energy generation, switching to solar is financially rewarding for many homeowners.
Here, we'll list out some of the top solar companies in Wilmington to make your decision much easier. Read on to see our picks for the best solar companies in the city, or connect with a trusted solar company in your area 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 Wilmington
Pamlico Solar
-
Prompt Service Delivery - Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
-
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
-
Home installations - Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
- Energy storage solutions
Carolina skylights
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Business installations
- Tailored solutions
- Integrated roofing
Carolina Solar Security
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Energy storage solutions
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
Cape Fear Solar Systems, LLC
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Energy storage solutions
- Business installations
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
Carolina Connections Solar Energy - North Carolina Installation & Sales
- Family-Operated Business
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
- Energy storage solutions
- Expert panel installation
Building Performance Specialists
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
LGCY Power
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
Solar Brewing Company
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
Four County Electric Membership Corporation
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Business installations
- Tailored solutions
- Skilled repairs
- Home installations
Jones-Onslow Electric Membership Corporation
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
- Business installations
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Wilmington
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Wilmington 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 Wilmington
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 Wilmington
When deciding on a solar company, most homeowners or business owners think about the costs above all. Some important factors that determine the cost of installing a solar panel system on your home and how much money you could save over time are:
- Incentives: Something that can make your solar project cost less is the solar investment tax credit (ITC), which is a tax credit that lets you deduct from your taxes a percentage of the project cost. You can also save on your utility bills, which can generate an average of $19,000 of savings over 20 years.
- The kind of solar panels you have the money for: This hinges on your income and budget.
- The amount of sunlight your city gets: Due to Wilmington's very high amount of average daily sunlight, you should be able to save a lot on your power bills.
- How much electricity your household consumes: Homes that use plenty of power each month may require more solar panels and, as a result, more upfront cost, but will also benefit more over time.
There are several wonderful benefits of solar despite the initial cost of installation. It can help the planet and your finances. In addition, it can increase the value of your home, resulting in even more benefits if you choose to sell your home later.
Solar Savings Calculator for {{ solarcalc.name }}
For an idea of both how much you could save and help protect the environment by installing solar panels, you can give the calculator below a try. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Wilmington, 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 |
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 Wilmington
There are lots of reasons why going solar is a great investment. One of them involves some government incentives that can save you money. You are eligible for the federal solar investment tax credit (ITC) for the tax year you turn on your a solar panel system. You can also potentially use the ITC with other local rebates and benefits. In our article on solar incentives, you can see the incentives you qualify for in Wilmington.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Wilmington
A lot of people want to do their part to help the environment, which for many is the primary motivation to install solar panels. Many homeowners might be wondering how much exactly they can impact the environment by switching to solar in Wilmington, though. The more power your household uses, the the more the environment will benefit from you switching to solar as you won't have to burn as many fossil fuels. In fact, if you make the switch to solar power, you could look forward to lowering your carbon dioxide emissions by about 70 pounds each year. Since energy from the sun is abundant and produces electricity without releasing carbon emissions, adding solar panels to your home is one easy step you can take to help the environment.
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 Wilmington, NC Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar company is the best near me?
In Wilmington, Cape Fear Solar Systems, LLC is the most reputable local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 3.00 stars, so it's a great choice if you're looking to install solar panels on your house.
What are the best and worst things about solar power?
A few of the biggest pros are that it lowers your power bills, it's good for the environment, and it can give you a decent return on your investment (ROI). The most notable cons are that solar panels don't work as well when there's limited direct sunlight, the startup costs are high and solar panels can look clunky on your roof.
Are solar panels worth it?
Solar panels call for a large 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 how much direct sunlight your roof gets.
How long do solar panels last?
On average, the lifespan of solar panels is about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but efficiency decreases by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a higher amount of energy production.
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.