15 Best Solar Companies in Columbia, PA (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in Columbia based on:
- Customer review scores
- Service area for Columbia, PA
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Columbia homeowner saves $1,184/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Columbia
When deciding on the best solar panel companies, Columbia homeowners have more options than ever before, which can be too much to get a handle on, but we’re here to make adopting solar energy simpler. Fortunately, there are lots of solar companies in Columbia as a result of encouraging government support and a growing renewable energy market.
The cost of installing solar panels can vary significantly depending on your home’s configuration and your household energy requirements.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 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 Columbia
SunPower Builders
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
Bright Eye Solar
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
- Battery Storage
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Consultation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Skilled Repairs
Green Home Systems
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Permit Assistance
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
Ethical Energy Solar
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Panel Installation
- Tesla Powerwall
- Permit Assistance
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
KC Green Energy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Skilled Repairs
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Green Way Solar
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
- Grid-Tied Solar System
Wind and Solar LLC
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Solar Carports
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Twilight Renewables
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
- Skilled Repairs
Grid Electric
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
EcoGen America
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
American Sentry Solar
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- System Decommissioning
- Battery Storage
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Tesla Powerwall
- Panel Installation
- Permit Assistance
Solar Grids Central PA
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Permit Assistance
PowerStream Solar & Electric
- Family-Operated Business
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
MSSI - Maryland Solar Solutions, Inc
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- System Decommissioning
- Solar Carports
- Financing Assistance
- Skilled Repairs
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
Green Legacy Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
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 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 Columbia
The cost of installing a solar panel system has gone down greatly in the past several years, but it’s still a substantial investment for most homeowners.A few main factors that affect the cost of installing solar panels on your home and how much it could save you over time include:
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit currently allows you to decrease your taxes by 0 of the project cost. Your state and city may also have incentives and rebates that you can use. Additionally, you can save about $14,000 over 20 years on your utility bills, before factoring in incentives.
- How much power your household needs: If your home regularly uses a lot of energy, you'll see more savings from going solar.
- System size and type: Some models are more expensive than others, so the one you want to get can raise or lower your upfront cost. Plus, the more solar panels you need to buy, the more it'll cost.
- Your power bills: This will impact how much you can save. In Columbia, the average resident can save about $1,300 a year on their electricity bills.
So is installing solar panels worth it? Whether you want to decrease your energy bills, greenhouse gas emissions or both, solar panels are a good investment for many Columbia homeowners.
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Solar Incentives in Columbia
In order to increase the number of homes and businesses that use solar power, federal, state and local governments – and even some utility companies – offer incentives to help make solar power more affordable and accessible.These incentives typically take the form of cash rebates, tax breaks and/or performance-based incentives. They can cut the cost you pay for going solar by 0, upwards of 50% depending on where you live. Take a look at our article on solar incentives to see what incentives you can benefit from.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Columbia
Installing solar panels is a good way to do your part for a more eco-friendly future.Something many people might be thinking about is how much can they really help save the environment by going solar anyway? In a city like Columbia where commute times can be pretty long, using solar power can help help reduce the carbon footprint of being on the road a lot.In fact, if you adopt solar power, you could expect to reduce your carbon dioxide emissions by about 50 pounds each year. Since energy from the sun is abundant and generates electricity without free from carbon dioxide emissions, installing solar panels is one easy step you can take to help protect the planet.
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 Columbia, PA Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the most reputable solar installer in Columbia?
The highest-rated local solar company in Columbia is SunPower Builders, with a rating of 3.00 stars.
What is the negative environmental impact of solar panel manufacturing?
Making solar panels uses chemicals and produces toxic waste that can be dangerous for the environment, which is the main negative thing about solar panels.
Is it worth installing solar panels on my roof?
Solar panels need a large upfront investment that will cost you several thousands of dollars, but whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a range of factors like the cost of electricity near you and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.
How much solar panel capacity do I need for my house?
Solar panel capacity is rated depending on how many watts of power they generate under standard testing conditions. Since each panel can generally produce about 250 to 400 watts per hour, the average house will need 20 to 35 panels.
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.