18 Best Solar Companies in Columbia, OH (Feb 2023 Review)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 18 in Columbia based on:
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Customer review scores
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Solar installers near you
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Company policies and services offered
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Accreditations and certifications
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Updated January 20, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best solar companies in Columbia
When choosing between the best solar installers, Columbia homeowners have more choices than ever before, which can be too much to take in, but we're here to make making the switch to solar energy simpler. Solar panels aren't just good for the Earth — your finances will be better off too. After switching to solar power, you can save an average of $16,000 over 20 years, and this doesn't even include incentives.
There are plenty of installers to consider, but in this article, we'll help you narrow down your options by recommending some of the best solar companies in Columbia. If you're ready to start receiving free, no-obligation quotes from the top Columbia solar companies, you can click the button below to learn more.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- 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
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
Best Technology
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
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Columbia

Forest City Solar Solutions
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Offers a free quote process
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Educational sales approach
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Custom system designs
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Can browse portfolio on website
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NABCEP-certified technicians
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Maintenance and Repairs
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels
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Solar Roof Shingles

Pearlwind
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Offers a free quote process
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NABCEP-certified technicians
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Solar Batteries
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels

Strawberry Solar
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Offers a free quote process
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Educational sales approach
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Can browse portfolio on website
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Assists with maximizing rebate
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels

Valley Energy Solar
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Educational sales approach
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Assists with maximizing rebate
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Solar Panels
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Maintenance and Repairs
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Commercial Solar Services

Geothermal Professionals
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Educational sales approach
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Custom system designs
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels

MH3 Solar LLC
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Educational sales approach
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Family owned and operated
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Custom system designs
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Can browse portfolio on website
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Solar Batteries
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels

Third Sun Kokosing Solar
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Offers a free quote process
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Educational sales approach
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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NABCEP-certified technicians
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Solar Batteries
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels

GEM Energy
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Can browse portfolio on website
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Educational sales approach
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels

CRESIT Energy
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Educational sales approach
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels

Northeastern Resources, Solar Energy
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Educational sales approach
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Licensing and credentials transparency
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Solar Panels

Solar Source
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Educational sales approach
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Solar Panels

First Solar
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Educational sales approach
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Solar Panels

Smucker's Energy LLC
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Educational sales approach
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Solar Batteries
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels

SolarVision LLC
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Can browse portfolio on website
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Educational sales approach
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Solar Panels

Decker Homes
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Educational sales approach
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels

Solar Action LLC
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Can browse portfolio on website
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NABCEP-certified technicians
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Educational sales approach
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Maintenance and Repairs
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels

Castle Energy, LLC
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Educational sales approach
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Custom system designs
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Can browse portfolio on website
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Assists with maximizing rebate
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels

Distributed Power, L.L.C.
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Can browse portfolio on website
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Educational sales approach
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Makes charitable contributions
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Solar Batteries
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Solar Roof Shingles
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Solar Panels
Solar Company Ranking Methodology
Click here to see a more detailed overview of our solar company ranking methodology.
The Cost and Benefits of Solar in Columbia
We get that for most homeowners, the choice to invest in solar comes down to installation costs. Some key factors that affect how much it will cost to install a solar panel system on your home and how much money you could save over time are:
- Average daily sunlight: Since Columbia gets a decent amount of average daily sunlight, your solar panels can generally generate enough energy to power your whole home, which influences how much you can save on your energy bills.
- How much energy costs for you: The typical household in Columbia pays around $1,200 a year on home energy use alone, so you could gain that much in savings.
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit, which can save you some money, lets you deduct 30% of the cost of installing your solar panel system from your federal taxes. In addition, not including incentives, you can save about $16,000 over 20 years on your energy bills.
- The make and model of solar panels you're planning on getting: Higher-efficiency panels are more expensive, so that will influence your budget for your solar project.
Even though a solar panel system costs a good chunk of money upfront, it can save you a considerable amount over time. The question of how much, though, depends on several factors, such as the size of your house and your energy consumption.
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If you'd like to know what your impact could be if you switch to solar, you can use the calculator below. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Columbia, OH.
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Solar Incentives in Columbia
One of the good things about installing a solar panel system is earning incentives from the government. You can qualify for the federal solar investment tax credit (ITC) for the tax year you turn on your solar panels. You can also potentially stack the ITC with other state and city incentives. Take a look at our article on solar incentives to see what incentives you can take advantage of.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Columbia
There are a few key reasons why people are interested in solar energy: for the financial and environmental benefits. But how much can switching to solar actually affect the environment? Everyone can help protect the planet by switching to solar energy, but homes that use more energy will have an even bigger impact. In fact, if you install solar panels, you could expect to reduce your carbon dioxide emissions by about 90 pounds each year. The benefits of solar power are plentiful — just like solar power is! That's why so many Columbia residents have been happy with committing to solar.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- 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
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
Best Technology
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
EcoWatch's Columbia, OH Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the best solar company in Columbia?
In Columbia, Forest City Solar Solutions is the top local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 5.00 stars, so it's a great choice if you're looking to install solar panels on your roof.
What are some of the biggest advantages and disadvantages of switching to solar?
The greatest advantages of solar power are that it can lower or, for some, completely cut your electricity bills, raise the value of your home and cut back on your carbon footprint. The greatest disadvantages are that solar panels can be pricey to install, you may not see as many savings if you don't use a lot of electricity and whether you can install solar panels depends on your roof configuration.
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 enough sunlight or your energy bills are already pretty low, solar panels might not be for you.
What are the different types of solar panels?
The different types of solar panels are monocrystalline, polycrystalline and thin-film. Monocrystalline panels are more efficient but also more expensive. Polycrystalline panels are cheaper but also less efficient than monocrystalline. Thin-film solar panels are flexible, so they can be used where the other kinds can't, like on curved surfaces or cars, but they are also less efficient. The best one for you depends on your budget, roof configuration 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.