14 Best Solar Companies in State College, PA (2023 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 14 in State College based on:
-
Customer review scores - Service area for State College, PA
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average State College homeowner saves $1,113/year with solar panels
Updated May 04, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in State College
Choosing the right solar panel installation company for your house is a big decision, but it's one that can reap a lot of rewards in State College. Since State College is a city where the solar industry is on the rise, it's no wonder you're looking into installing solar panels.
To help you sort through the large number of State College solar installers, we've narrowed in on a list of the top ones. For an idea of how much you would pay to put up a solar panel system on your roof, you can get a free, no-obligation quote from one of the top solar companies in State College by clicking the "get quote" button below.
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in State College
Average Cost
SunPower
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Most efficient panels on the market - National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
-
Expensive - Customer service varies by local dealer
Services Offered
-
Solar Panels - Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- System Monitoring
Average Cost
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
Average Cost
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- Energy-Efficiency Upgrades
Average Cost
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- Energy-Efficiency Upgrades
- Maintenance & Repairs
Average Cost
Trinity Solar
- Many financing options
- Family-owned and -operated
- Makes charitable contributions
- Limited service area
- Relatively short workmanship warranty
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- Energy-Efficiency Upgrades
Average Cost
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
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- Solar Roof Shingles
- System Monitoring
Sun Directed
- Free Quotes
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
Envinity, Inc.
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Recognized Excellence
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
- Business installations
- Energy storage solutions
- Tailored solutions
Elk Creek Solar
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Energy storage solutions
- Skilled repairs
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
Grove Solar & Electrician Services
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
Universal Solar, LLC
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
- Skilled repairs
Fisher Solar LLC
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Skilled repairs
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
Solar Panel and Generator Experts - Hurley Electric
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
- Business installations
- Tailored solutions
- Skilled repairs
SolarPower Divine
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Business installations
- Home installations
- Skilled repairs
- Tailored solutions
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
Solar panels run off a free energy source — the sun — but to take advantage of this you must first pay to set up your panels. There are a few factors you should take into consideration when trying to figure out how much it will cost and how much you can save, including:
- How much you spend on energy: The average household in State College shells out around $980 a year on power alone, so you could end up with that much in savings.
- Whether or not your roof gets a lot of direct sunlight: This, and your roof configuration, affects affect how much electricity your solar panels can generate.
- The type of solar panels you're planning on getting: More high-tech panels are more expensive, so that will affect your budget for your solar project.
- Incentives: One thing that can save you money on your solar project is the solar investment tax credit (ITC), which is a tax credit that's equal to a percentage of the project cost. You can also save money on your utility bills, which can generate an average of $13,000 of savings over 20 years.
Solar is a valuable investment for most homeowners. You can produce your own electricity instead of paying for it from a utility company and make use of solar tax credits and rebates, all while helping protect the planet.
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Adopting a sustainable source of energy can greatly impact both the environment and your bills. To see how much, check out the calculator below. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for State College, PA.
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Solar Incentives in State College
One of the benefits of installing a solar panel system is earning federal and potentially state incentives. There are a lot of federal, state and local rebates and tax credits that may earn you a decent amount of money back after buying a solar panel system. Our article on solar incentives goes over more detailed information on the incentives you can benefit from in State College.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in State College
One of the reasons so many people are thinking of switching to solar power is to help lower their environmental impact. You may be trying to figure out — how much do solar panels help the planet anyway? The more energy you use, the the more the environment will benefit when you switch to solar since you won't have to rely on traditional energy sources as much. In fact, if you adopt solar power, you could look forward to lowering your carbon dioxide emissions by about 50 pounds each year. Since solar power is renewable and makes electricity without releasing carbon emissions, installing solar panels is one easy step you can take to help preserve the planet.
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
EcoWatch's State College, PA Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the best solar company in State College?
In State College, Mountain View Solar is the top local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 5.00 stars, so it's a great choice if you're planning to add solar panels to your home.
What are the best and worst things about solar power?
A few of the biggest pros are that it lowers your electricity bills, it's good for the environment, and it gives you a good return on your investment (ROI). The most notable cons are that solar panels don't work as well when there's limited direct sunlight, the startup costs are high and solar panels can be an eyesore.
How long does it take for solar to pay for itself?
Solar panels typically pay for themselves in about 12.8 years, but your solar payback period will vary based on your utility costs. The higher your typical energy bill, the faster your solar panel system will recoup your installation costs.
How efficient is a solar panel system?
Solar panel efficiency is the amount of solar energy that is converted into electricity. Most panels today have an efficiency rating of about 15 to 25%. If your panels are more efficient, you'll need less of them for your home's energy needs.
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.