10 Best Solar Companies in Columbia, SC (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 10 in Columbia based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Columbia, SC
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Average Columbia homeowner saves $1,881/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Columbia
If you’re a homeowner looking to make the most of the solar incentives in Columbia, it can be challenging to narrow down which company to decide on. But, the process is worth it since switching to solar power is often a great choice. One of the most compelling reasons those living in Columbia, where the average energy bill is very high, consider going solar is to lower their monthly expenses.
Here, we’ll make a list of some of the best solar companies in Columbia to make your choice a little easier.For an idea of how much you might have to pay to put up a solar panel system on your roof, you can get a free quote from one of the top solar companies in Columbia by clicking the "get quote" button below.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Outstanding Regional Installer
Renu Energy Solutions
- Excellent reputation
- Many financing options
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- No leases or PPAs
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
Renu Energy Solutions
Clear Pricing Policy- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Battery Storage- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Tesla Powerwall
South Coast Solar
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tesla Powerwall
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
Sunpro Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
Broker Solar
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Carports
- Battery Storage
- Skilled Repairs
- System Decommissioning
- Solar Panel Upgrades
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
Poly Energy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
BroCo Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
SOLZA POWER - Solar + Roofing
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
SC Clean Energy Community
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Financing Assistance
Southern Coker Power
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
Greentech Renewables West Columbia
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- 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 South Carolina 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
For many people considering switching to solar, the decision of which solar installer to choose depends on costs.There are several factors you should consider when trying to figure out the overall cost and how much you can save, including:
- Incentives: Those who purchase and install a solar system this year can save 0 of their installation costs by taking advantage of the federal solar investment tax credit. You can also save about $24,000 on your electricity bills over 20 years excluding incentives.
- The model of solar panels you can purchase: This is dependent on how much you’re willing to invest upfront.
- Electricity consumption: The average home in Columbia uses a lot of energy, and consequently may see more savings on electricity bills than other places.
- The amount of sunlight your roof gets: If your roof doesn’t get a lot of direct sunlight, your solar panel system won’t be able to generate as much energy, which will leave you with lower savings on energy bills than a roof that gets plenty of sunlight.
Although a solar panel system costs a decent chunk of money upfront, it can save you a considerable amount over time. The question of how much, though, depends on a number of factors, including the size of your house and your energy consumption.
Solar Savings Calculator for {{ solarcalc.name }}
Use the calculator below to see how much adopting solar power could impact the planet and your finances. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Columbia, SC.
| {{ solarcalc.time_period|number:0 }} -year savings | {{ solarcalc.total_savings()|currency }} |
| Estimated cost | {{ solarcalc.array_cost() | currency }} |
| Estimated incentives | {{ solarcalc.incentive_savings() | currency }} |
| Payback period | {{ solarcalc.payback_period()|number:1 }} years |
| CO2 emissions prevented | {{ solarcalc.CO2_total()|number:0 }} lbs |
| Miles driven equivalent | {{ solarcalc.CO2_total()/0.78|number:0 }} mi |
Switching to solar in {{ solarcalc.name }} can save you {{ solarcalc.total_savings() | currency }} over the course of {{ solarcalc.time_period|number:0 }} years.
Solar Incentives in Columbia
There are many reasons why you should switch to solar. One of them includes some government incentives you can take advantage of.These incentives mostly take the form of cash rebates, tax credits and/or performance-based incentives. They can lower how much you pay for going solar by 0, upwards of 50% depending on your location. For detailed information about incentives that apply to you, visit our article on solar incentives.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Columbia
There are many reasons to switch to solar energy, like saving money on utility bills and helping to reduce your carbon footprint.You may be asking yourself – how much does making the switch do for the planet anyway? If your family uses lots of energy, you can help the environment even more by switching to solar energy.While solar panel production emits carbon dioxide, the panels make up for it by significantly lowering the amount of CO2 you would have produced if you still used nonrenewable energy. In Columbia, you can reduce your carbon footprint by 10 pounds a year with solar panels. As you can see, using solar power has so many other perks besides saving money. One of the main ones is that you can help save the environment too.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Outstanding Regional Installer
Renu Energy Solutions
- Excellent reputation
- Many financing options
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- No leases or PPAs
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, SC Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar power company is the best near me?
The top local solar company in Columbia is Renu Energy Solutions, with a rating of 4.60 stars.
Are solar panels really environmentally friendly?
Producing solar panels needs to use chemicals and produces toxic waste that can be bad for the environment, which is the main drawback of solar panels.
How long does it take for solar to pay for itself?
Solar panels generally pay for themselves in about 10.3 years, but your solar payback period will vary depending on your utility costs. The higher your typical energy bill, the quicker your solar panel system will recoup your installation costs.
How often do solar panels need to be replaced?
On average, solar panels can last about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but efficiency goes down by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a larger level of energy production.
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.