7 Best Solar Companies in College, PA (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 7 in College based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for College, PA
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average College homeowner saves $1,052/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in College
When deciding on the best solar installers, College homeowners have more providers to choose from than ever before, which can be mind-boggling, but we’re here to make making the switch to solar power that much easier. For many homeowners, the choice to invest in solar panels highly depends on whether or not they can save. The good news is solar can help most homeowners save a considerable amount on their fairly high and increasing energy bills.
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 College.To get an estimate of how much it would cost to install solar panels on your roof, you can click the button below to be connected to a certified installer near you.
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 Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in College
Envinity, Inc.
Clear Pricing Policy- Reliable Customer Support
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Battery Storage- Financing Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
Sun Directed
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tesla Powerwall
- Financing Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
Elk Creek Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Battery Storage
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
Grove Solar & Electrician Services
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
Universal Solar, LLC
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Financing Assistance
- Skilled Repairs
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Panel Installation
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Battery Storage
Green Legacy Solar
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
- Permit Assistance
GreenBrilliance
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Skilled Repairs
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in College
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in College 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 College
Below are some the criteria we examined specifically for Pennsylvania 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 College
The cost of installing solar panels has gone down greatly over the past few years, but it’s still a significant investment for most homeowners.Some key factors that determine how much it will cost to install solar panels on your home and how much it could save you 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 save you more money over the lifetime of your system. If you don’t need to maximize efficiency, you can go with a higher number of more affordable panels.
- Incentives: Tax-paying citizens who purchase and install a solar energy system this year can save 0 of their overall solar costs by using the federal solar investment tax credit. You can also save about $12,000 on your energy bills over 20 years not including incentives.
- The amount of sunlight your area gets: Due to College’s relatively low amount of average daily sunlight, you might not see as many savings on your power bills.
- Energy consumption: Installing a solar system may be a high-cost option for families that don’t use too much energy a month.
Solar is a rewarding investment for most homeowners. You can produce your own power instead of paying for it from the grid and take advantage of solar incentives, all while helping preserve the planet.
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Solar Incentives in College
In order to increase the number of homes and businesses that use solar power, incentives are offered by the government – and even some utility companies – to help make solar more economically viable and accessible.You qualify for the federal solar investment tax credit (ITC) for the tax year you turn on your a solar system. You can also potentially use the ITC with other state and city rebates and benefits. Check out our article on solar incentives to find out what incentives are available to you.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in College
One of the best reasons to adopt solar power is to decrease your reliance on nonrenewable energy sources like burning fossil fuels, which are hazardous for the environment.You may be curious – how much does making the switch do for the planet anyway? According to the EPA, electricity production is the second greatest source of greenhouse gas emissions and about 62% of our electricity comes from burning fossil fuels. Installing solar panels and switching to renewable energy can help put a dent in that statistic in a city like College that generates a fair amount of carbon dioxide emissions each year.After you go solar, your carbon emissions can be cut by about 50 pounds a year. For homeowners who care about the environment, the upfront cost of solar is a small price to pay for reducing your carbon footprint.
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 Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
EcoWatch's College, PA Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the most reputable solar company in College?
In College, Envinity, Inc. is the most reputable local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 3.00 stars, so it's a solid choice if you're planning on installing solar panels on your home.
What are some of the main advantages and disadvantages of switching to solar?
The main advantages of solar power are that it can reduce or, in some cases, completely erase your electricity bills, improve your home’s value and cut back on your carbon footprint. The biggest disadvantages are that solar panels can be costly to install, you may not save as much if you don’t use a lot of electricity and whether you can install solar panels depends on your roof configuration.
Is it worth installing solar panels on my roof?
Solar panels need a significant 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 the cost of electricity near you and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.
What is the best kind of solar panel?
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 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 desired energy output.
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.