13 Best Solar Companies in Darlington, SC (2023 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 13 in Darlington based on:
-
Customer review scores - Service area for Darlington, SC
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Darlington homeowner saves $1,774/year with solar panels
Updated May 04, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Darlington
Thinking of going solar but still deciding on which company would be the best one for your needs? Although it can be challenging to find a solar company, the search will pay off because going solar has many fantastic perks. Over 20 years of offsetting your energy costs with a solar panel system, you can save about $21,000 on your utility bills.
Here, we'll make a list of some of the best solar companies in Darlington to make your decision much easier. To get free quotes from the best solar companies in Darlington, click 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
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Darlington
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
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- System Monitoring
Average Cost
Renu Energy Solutions
- Excellent reputation
- Many financing options
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- No leases or PPAs
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- Roofing Services
- Energy-Efficiency Audits
Average Cost
Sunpro Solar
- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- Energy-Efficiency Upgrades
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
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
Pee Dee Electric Cooperative Inc
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Recognized Excellence
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Business installations
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
Gregory Electric Company, Inc.
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
- Business installations
Products – Goat Battery
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
- Energy storage solutions
STEPHENSON ELECTRIC LLC & Solar/Generator Energy
- Free Quotes
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
- Skilled repairs
- Expert panel installation
- Business installations
Pro Electric SC
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Skilled repairs
- Expert panel installation
Renu Energy Solutions
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Integrated roofing
- Tailored solutions
- Skilled repairs
- Business installations
- Home installations
- Energy storage solutions
- Expert panel installation
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Darlington
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Darlington 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 Darlington
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 Darlington
Solar panels run off a free energy source — the sun — but to take advantage of this you first need to pay to install your system. There are a few factors you should consider when trying to determine how much it will cost and how much you can save, such as:
- System size and type: Some models are more pricy than others, so the one you decide on can raise or lower your upfront cost. Plus, the more solar panels you need to buy, the more it'll cost.
- Incentives: Along with the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which lets you receive a tax credit curretnly worth 30% of your overall 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 $21,000 over the first 20 years with your system, too.
- Energy consumption: Installing solar panels may be a high-cost option for homes that don't use a lot of energy a month.
- How much sunlight your roof gets: This, and the configuration of your roof, affects affect how much electricity your solar panels can produce.
As a result of solar panels decreasing in cost as well as local and federal solar incentives, they are a worthwhile investment for many homeowners.
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Solar Incentives in Darlington
If you're thinking about making the switch to solar power, a number of government incentives and subsidies can immensely lower the installation costs and expedite the return on your investment. When you install a solar panel system on your house, you can take advatage of the federal tax credit, or ITC. This credit currently reduces your tax bill by 30% of the cost of your solar panels. In addition, there are often some state and city incentives that you can take advantage of to further save. You can find out about the incentives available to you in our article on solar incentives
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Darlington
Swapping traditional energy for solar is a powerful way to do your part for a more environmentally-friendly future. But you may be wondering — how much exactly can you help the environment by making the switch to solar? The more energy your family uses, the the more the environment will benefit from you switching to solar as you won't need to rely on traditional energy sources as much. In Darlington, the average homeowner can lower their carbon footprint by 60 pounds a year once they go solar. As you can see, using solar power has so many other benefits outside of saving money. One of the primary 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
EcoWatch's Darlington, SC Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the top solar panel installation company in Darlington?
In Darlington, Go Solar Power is the most reputable local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 5.00 stars, so it's a solid choice if you're looking to add solar panels to your home.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of solar power?
A few of the biggest pros are that it decreases your electricity bills, it's eco-friendly, and it can give you a decent return on your investment (ROI). The most notable cons are that solar panels don't produce electricity at night, there is a high upfront cost and solar panels aren't always aesthetically pleasing.
How long does it take to see a return on your investment after installing solar panels?
Solar panels generally pay for themselves in about 8.6 years, but your solar payback period will vary depending on your utility costs. The more your typical power bill, the quicker your solar panel system will recoup your installation costs.
When should I install solar panels?
Despite summer being the most common time people install solar panels, the perfect time is actually winter. You can save money since there's less demand during the winter months, and it lets you be up and running with solar for the more expensive power bills you may get during the summer.
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.