10 Best Solar Companies in North Charleston, SC (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 10 in North Charleston based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for North Charleston, SC
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average North Charleston homeowner saves $1,967/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in North Charleston
Searching for the best solar companies in North Charleston? Installing solar panels is an exciting venture that many homeowners find valuable for their wallets, communities and the planet. After 20 years of offsetting your energy costs with solar panels, you can save about $25,000 on your utility bills.
If you want to make use of the many benefits of solar, we can help you narrow down your options to find the North Charleston solar installer that’s perfect for you.If you want to receive free, no-obligation quotes from the best North Charleston solar companies, you can click the button below to learn more.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
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 North Charleston
Live Oak Energy Systems
Reliable Customer Support- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Cleaning and Maintenance- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
LGCY Power
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Permit Assistance
SCSP Solar
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Permit Assistance
Second Sunrise Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Permit Assistance
Palmetto Solar
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
Flowertown Solar Systems
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Skilled Repairs
- System Decommissioning
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
SC Solar Energy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
RayWell Solar
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
180 Degrees Solar
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
SolarAIR and Energy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in North Charleston
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in North Charleston 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 North Charleston
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 North Charleston
We know that for lots of homeowners, the decision to invest in solar hinges on installation costs.There are a few factors you should take into consideration when trying to determine the overall cost and how much you can save, including:
- Incentives: Something that can reduce the cost of 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 result in an average of $25,000 of savings over 20 years.
- How much energy you use: If your home needs to use a lot of energy, you'll see more savings from installing solar panels.
- Your city: This influences how much sunlight your roof receives, which helps determine how many panels you need.
- System size and type: Some models are more pricy than others, so the one you want can raise or lower your upfront cost. Plus, the more solar panels you need to get, the more it'll cost.
Thanks to solar panels decreasing in cost as well as several solar incentives, they are a sound investment for the majority of homeowners.
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Solar Incentives in North Charleston
One of the good things about installing a solar panel system is earning incentives from the government.There are quite a few federal, state and local rebates and tax credits that can earn you a decent amount of money back after paying for solar panels. Take a look at our article on solar incentives to see what incentives you can benefit from.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in North Charleston
There are tons of reasons to trade traditional energy for solar power, like saving some money on utility bills and helping to reduce your carbon footprint.A question many homeowners might be asking themselves is how much can they really help preserve the environment by going solar anyway? The amount of energy you use is an important factor to think about. The more energy your home uses, the bigger your impact when you go solar.In North Charleston, the average resident can lower their carbon footprint by 10 pounds a year after going solar. Since energy from the sun is plentiful and produces electricity without free from carbon dioxide emissions, installing solar panels is one easy step you can take to help the planet.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
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 North Charleston, SC Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the best solar company in North Charleston?
The highest-rated local solar company in North Charleston is Live Oak Energy Systems, with a rating of 4.60 stars.
Are solar panels actually good for the environment?
Manufacturing solar panels needs to use chemicals and produces toxic waste that can be dangerous for the environment, which is the main downside of solar panels.
How long does it take to see a return on your investment after installing solar panels?
Solar panels generally pay for themselves in about 9.8 years, but your solar payback period will depend on your utility costs. The more your typical energy bill, the faster your solar panel system will recoup your installation costs.
How much solar panel capacity do I need for my house?
Solar panel capacity is how much energy the panels can produce under ideal conditions (a sunny day around noon). The average household has to install between 20 and 35 panels to account for their typical energy usage.
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.