6 Best Solar Companies in State College, PA (2024 Reviews)

We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 6 in State College based on:

  • Customer review scores
  • Service area for State College, PA
  • Company policies and services offered
  • Accreditations and certifications

Average State College homeowner saves $1,113/year with solar panels

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated February 01, 2024

Why you can trust EcoWatch

We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

Best Solar Companies in State College

As a homeowner or business owner in State College, you may be considering switching to solar energy and curious about the best solar companies in your area. Solar could be a great choice since it has many benefits. Plus, forward-thinking leadership has encouraged a growing solar market, and a great number of the best solar companies are hoping to capitalize on it. That's why State College offers so many options for solar installers.


Here, we’ll list out some of the best solar companies in State College to make your choice a little bit easier.If you’d like to get free, no-obligation quotes from the best State College solar companies, you can click the button below to learn more.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.5

  • Great warranty coverage
  • Representatives are experts on local policies
  • Concierge service ensures steady communication
  • Slightly limited service offerings

Best for Leasing

Sunrun

★★★★★
4.0

  • 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 State College

Best Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Envinity, Inc.

  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Panel Upgrades
  • Service icon Financing Assistance
  • Service icon Maintenance
  • Service icon Energy Efficiency Audit
  • Service icon Commercial Panels
  • Service icon Residential Panels

Website: https://www.envinity.com/
Address: 25 Decibel Rd Suite 205, State College, PA 16801
Phone: 8142313927
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Sun Directed

  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Financing Assistance
  • Service icon Battery Storage
  • Service icon Residential Panels
  • Service icon Off-Grid Solar Systems
  • Service icon Tesla Powerwall
  • Service icon Maintenance
  • Service icon Commercial Panels

Website: http://www.sundirected.com/
Address: 2820 E College Ave suite k, State College, PA 16801
Phone: 8143176527
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Elk Creek Solar

  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Off-Grid Solar Systems
  • Service icon Maintenance
  • Service icon Residential Panels
  • Service icon Skilled Repairs
  • Service icon Battery Storage
  • Service icon Emergency Services
  • Service icon Commercial Panels
  • Service icon Financing Assistance

Website: https://www.elkcreekpowerpa.com/
Address: 178 W Main St, Rebersburg, PA 16872
Phone: 8148762952
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Grove Solar & Electrician Services

  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Residential Panels
  • Service icon Consultation
  • Service icon Financing Assistance

Website: http://www.grove.solar/
Address: 2164 Bear Pen Hollow Rd, Lock Haven, PA 17745
Phone: 5702317778
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Universal Solar, LLC

  • Pros icon Prompt Service Delivery
  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Skilled Repairs
  • Service icon Battery Storage
  • Service icon Grid-Tied Solar System
  • Service icon Off-Grid Solar Systems
  • Service icon Financing Assistance
  • Service icon Residential Panels

Website: https://www.universalsolarpa.com/
Address: 2901 PA-25, Millersburg, PA 17061
Phone: 7174432395
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Green Legacy Solar

  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Financing Assistance
  • Service icon Permit Assistance
  • Service icon Residential Panels

Website: https://www.greenlegacysolar.com/
Address: 3506 Countryside Ln, Camp Hill, PA 17011
Phone: 7172928833

Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in State College

EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in State 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 State 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 State College

We know that for many homeowners, the choice to invest in solar rests on installation costs.A few important factors that dictate how much it will cost to install solar panels on your home and how much money you could save over time are:

  • Incentives: Along with the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which lets you deduct 0 of your total installation cost, your local government may offer additional tax exemptions, credits or rebates that can help you save even more. Not including incentives, you can save an average of $13,000 over 20 years with your solar system, too.
  • How much energy costs for you: The typical family in State College pays around $1,200 a year on home energy use alone, so you could gain that much in savings.
  • Your income and budget: This shapes what model of solar panels you can afford.
  • average energy usage: The more electricity your household consumes on average and the larger your current power bills are, the more likely you'll benefit from going solar.

Thanks to the cost of solar panels being lower than before as well as various solar incentives, they are a cost-effective investment for most homeowners.

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Solar Incentives in State College

If you’re thinking about switching to solar power, several government incentives and subsidies can immensely bring down your project costs and speed up the return on your investment.Local solar incentives depend on the location and, sometimes, utility company. A lot of states offer rebates for solar panels, in addition to the federal solar tax credit. You can find out about the incentives you can use in our article on solar incentives

Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in State College

There are a few key reasons why homeowners want to invest in solar energy: to put more money in their bank account and to help the planet.A question many might be thinking about is how much can they really help the environment by going solar anyway? A significant thing to consider is your overall carbon footprint. For example, if you have a long commute, your footprint may be larger, so switching to solar energy for your house can help offset that.In fact, if you make the switch to solar power, you could lower your carbon dioxide emissions by about 50 pounds each year. The perks of solar power are plentiful — just like solar power is! That's why so many homeowners have been happy with using solar energy.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.5

  • Great warranty coverage
  • Representatives are experts on local policies
  • Concierge service ensures steady communication
  • Slightly limited service offerings

Best for Leasing

Sunrun

★★★★★
4.0

  • Expansive service area
  • Many financing options
  • Some reported issues with customer service
  • Some reported issues with door-to-door sales

EcoWatch's State College, PA Solar Company Rankings FAQs

What is the top solar installer in State College?

The highest-rated local solar company in State College is Envinity, Inc., with a rating of 3.00 stars.

What are the pros and cons of solar power?

The greatest advantages of solar power are that it can reduce or, for some, totally eradicate your electricity bills, improve your home’s value and reduce your carbon footprint. The main disadvantages are that solar panels can be expensive to install, you may not see as many savings if you don’t use a lot of electricity and it doesn’t work for all roof types and locations.

Is it worth installing solar panels on my roof?

Solar panels can be a fruitful investment for many homeowners, but truthfully, they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get a lot of direct sunlight or your energy bills are already reasonably low, solar panels might not be for you.

How often do solar panels need to be replaced?

Although the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they are completely unusable. What this means is their energy production 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.