11 Best Solar Companies in Columbia, OH (2023 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 11 in Columbia based on:
-
Customer review scores - Service area for Columbia, OH
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Columbia homeowner saves $1,308/year with solar panels
Updated September 15, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Columbia
Hoping to obtain energy freedom in Columbia? Installing solar panels can be a rewarding investment since you can enjoy many perks when you go solar. Installation costs can be high, but adopting solar will save you money on your utility bills over time. In fact, you can look forward to saving about $16,000 over 20 years.
In this article, we'll help you narrow in on the best companies in your area. To get free quotes from the best solar companies in Columbia, you can click "get quote" below.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Columbia
YellowLite
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Free Quotes - Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Home installations - Integrated roofing
- Business installations
- Skilled repairs
- Energy storage solutions
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
Paradise Energy Solutions
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
- Business installations
- Energy storage solutions
- End-to-end services
- Professional reinstallation
Sunhub | Solar Energy | Cleveland, Ohio
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Residential
- Panel Installation
SunWatts
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Energy storage solutions
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Integrated roofing
- End-to-end services
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
Pink Energy Cleveland
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
Better Together Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- End-to-end services
- Home installations
- Energy storage solutions
- Business installations
- Tailored solutions
EnSMARRT
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
Trail Battery & Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Business installations
- Energy storage solutions
- Skilled repairs
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
Solar Connection
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
- Business installations
- Energy storage solutions
- Expert panel installation
The Lighthouse Installation LLC
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Energy storage solutions
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
Zonna Energy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Energy storage solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
- Skilled repairs
- End-to-end services
- Home installations
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Columbia
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Columbia 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 Columbia
Below are some the criteria we examined specifically for Ohio 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 Columbia
The cost of installing a solar panel system has dropped significantly over the past few years, but it's still a large investment for most homeowners. Some important factors that determine the cost of installing a solar panel system on your home and how much it could save you over time include:
- How much sunlight your roof gets: If your rooftop doesn't see much direct sunlight, your solar panel system won't be able to generate as much energy, which will give you lower savings on electricity bills than someone with a roof that gets lots of sunlight.
- 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 money on your power bills, which can lead to an average of $16,000 of savings over 20 years.
- Your income and budget: This determines what model of solar panels you can get.
- How much energy costs for you: The typical family in Columbia spends around $1,200 a year on electricity alone, so you could be looking at that much in savings.
Solar is a worthwhile investment for most homeowners. You can generate your own electricity instead of paying for it from a utility company and take advantage of solar incentives, all while helping the planet.
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Solar Incentives in Columbia
If you're thinking about making the switch to solar energy, various government incentives and tax credits can greatly reduce the installation costs and expedite the return on your investment. Local solar incentives depend on the location and, sometimes, utility company. Many states offer rebates for solar power, in addition to the federal solar tax credit. In our article on solar incentives, you can see the incentives you qualify for in Columbia.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Columbia
There are a few main reasons why people are considering solar energy: for the good of their bank accounts and the planet. You may be wondering — how much does going solar help the environment anyway? If your family consumes lots of energy, you can impact the environment even more by switching to solar energy. Though solar panel manufacturing emits carbon dioxide, the panels make up for it by considerably reducing the amount of CO2 you would have been responsible for if you still used nonrenewable energy. In Columbia, you can reduce your carbon footprint by 90 pounds a year with solar panels. The good things about solar power are plentiful — just like solar power is! That's why so many homeowners 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
EcoWatch's Columbia, OH Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar panel installer is the best near me?
In Columbia, YellowLite is the top local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 4.04 stars, so it's a good choice if you're looking to install solar panels on your house.
Are solar panels actually good for the environment?
Solar panels can be bad for the environment when manufacturers use toxic chemicals when they're made. Chemicals can make solar panels difficult to recycle safely once they've reached the end of their lifespan. Solar panel manufacturing uses a lot of energy as well. The energy payback period is about 1 to 4 years.
How long does it take for solar to pay for itself?
The average payback period for solar panel installation is about 11.0 years, but the exact period is influenced by local electricity costs, incentives and net metering programs.
How often do solar panels need to be replaced?
Though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they are completely unusable. What this means is the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can opt to 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.