17 Best Solar Companies in Richmond, RI (2023 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 17 in Richmond based on:
-
Customer review scores - Service area for Richmond, RI
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Richmond homeowner saves $1,777/year with solar panels
Updated May 04, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Richmond
Looking to go solar but still deciding on which company would be best for your needs? Although it can be hard to settle on a solar company, the effort will pay off because going solar has many great perks. On average, you can save $21,000 over 20 years when you use solar power. And because solar panels last about 25 to 30 years, the amount of money you'll save in the long run will be well above that overall.
There are plenty of installers to choose from, but in this article, we'll help you get a handle on all your options by recommending some of the best solar companies in Richmond. Interested in seeing the cost of installing solar panels on your roof? Click "get quote" below to get a free, no-obligation quote from a top-rated Richmond solar installer.
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Richmond
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
Earthlight Technologies
- Informative Resources
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Recognized Excellence
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Business installations
- Energy storage solutions
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Integrated roofing
- Home installations
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
Collaborative Energy Options
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Integrated roofing
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Home installations
Wind Energy Development LLC
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
Gansett Solar
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Integrated roofing
- Home installations
- Energy storage solutions
- Expert panel installation
E Solar Installers
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
JRFsolarconsults
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Energy storage solutions
- Integrated roofing
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
Newport Solar
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- End-to-end services
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
- Integrated roofing
Suntastic Solutions
- Free Quotes
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
- Energy storage solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Skilled repairs
Neighborhood Solar
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
- Integrated roofing
Neighborhood Solar
- Free Quotes
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Integrated roofing
- Energy storage solutions
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
Rooftop Power
- Free Quotes
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Business installations
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
SunRun Solar
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Richmond
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Richmond 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 Richmond
Below are some the criteria we examined specifically for Rhode Island 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 Richmond
For many people, the decision of which solar company to choose comes down to how much it'll cost. The installation cost is just one important factor you should keep in mind when looking into getting solar panels. How much it'll cost and how much you can save depend on things such as:
- The amount of sunlight your house gets: Thanks to Richmond's high amount of average daily sunlight, you should be able to save a decent amount on your energy bills.
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit, which can save you some money, allows you to deduct 30% of the cost of installing your solar panel system from your taxes. In addition, not including incentives, you can save about $21,000 over 20 years on your energy bills.
- How much you spend on energy: The typical family in Richmond shells out around $880 a year on energy use alone, so you could be looking at that much in savings.
- The type and model of solar panels you want to get: More efficient panels have higher prices, so that will influence your budget for your solar project.
So is buying solar panels worth it? Whether you're trying to decrease your electric bills, carbon emissions or both, solar panels are a worthwhile investment for many Richmond homeowners.
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Solar Incentives in Richmond
In an effort to increase the adoption of solar power, federal, state and local governments — and even some utility companies — offer incentives to help make switching to solar power more economically viable and accessible. Everyone can take advantage of the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which allows you to claim 30% of how much you paid for your solar installation on your tax return, reducing the amount of taxes you owe that year. Plus, there may be some state and city incentives you can benefit from too. You can learn about the incentives you can use in our article on solar incentives
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Richmond
If you're thinking of adding solar panels to your home, one of the primary reasons why may be to lower your greenhouse gas emissions. But — how much exactly can you help by making the switch to solar? The average person has a considerable carbon footprint. Between their car, which releases over 10,000 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions a year, and electricity for their home, it can be overwhelming to think about what to do. Using solar power is a practical thing you can do to help. Because solar panels don't release CO2 emissions into the atmosphere when generating electricity, they're a good trade for nonrenewable energy sources. In fact, you could expect to reduce your carbon dioxide emissions by about 40 pounds each year. Since energy from the sun is abundant and generates electricity without releasing carbon emissions, adding solar panels to your home is one easy step you can take to help preserve the environment.
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
EcoWatch's Richmond, RI Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar power company is the best near me?
In Richmond, Prime Energy 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 looking to install solar panels on your roof.
What are a few of the advantages and disadvantages of switching to solar?
The greatest advantages of solar power are that it can reduce or, in some cases, 100% cut your electricity bills, raise your home's value and cut back on your carbon footprint. The greatest disadvantages are that solar panels can be costly to install, you may not save a lot 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 home?
Solar panels call for a significant upfront investment that costs over ten thousand dollars, but whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a variety of factors like local electricity rates and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.
What is the best type 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 kinds can't, like on curved surfaces or cars, but they are also less efficient. The best one for you depends on your budget, the layout of your roof and how much energy generation you want.
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.