10 Best Solar Companies in Summerville, SC (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 10 in Summerville based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Summerville, SC
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Summerville homeowner saves $1,965/year with solar panels
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Best Solar Companies in Summerville
On the hunt for the best solar companies in Summerville? Installing a solar panel system is an exciting home addition that many homeowners find beneficial for their wallets, communities and the planet. While solar power is a great investment, you’ll be able to make that expense back and then some, all while helping to protect the planet. In fact, you could be looking at saving about $25,000 over 20 years.
In this article, we’ll help you narrow in on the best companies in your area.To get free quotes from the best solar companies in Summerville, 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
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 Summerville
LGCY Power
Clear Pricing Policy- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Cleaning and Maintenance- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
- Permit Assistance
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Panel Installation
Live Oak Energy Systems
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
Flowertown Solar Systems
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Consultation
- Skilled Repairs
- System Decommissioning
Second Sunrise Solar
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
- Battery Storage
- Permit Assistance
- Consultation
SCSP Solar
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Palmetto Solar
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
SC Solar Energy
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Financing Assistance
RayWell Solar
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
180 Degrees Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Consultation
SolarAIR and Energy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Summerville
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Summerville 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 Summerville
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 Summerville
Solar panels run off a free energy source — the sun — but before you can take advantage of this you will need to pay to install your panels.Some key things that influence how much it will cost and how much you could save include:
- Your location: This influences how much sunlight your roof receives, which helps determine how many panels you need.
- Incentives: Tax-paying citizens who buy and install a solar energy system this year can save 0 of their total solar spend by using the federal solar investment tax credit. You can also save about $25,000 on your energy bills over 20 years not including incentives.
- The kind of solar panels you can afford: This depends on your income and budget.
- Energy consumption: Solar may be an expensive option for households that don’t consume too much energy per month.
So is buying solar panels worth it? Whether you’d like to reduce your electricity costs, greenhouse gas emissions or both, solar panels are a solid investment for many Summerville homeowners.
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Solar Incentives in Summerville
One of the benefits of installing a solar panel system is receiving federal and potentially state incentives.Local solar incentive programs depend on the location and, sometimes, utility company. Many states offer rebates for solar panels, in addition to the federal solar tax credit. Check out our article on solar incentives to see what incentives are available to you.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Summerville
If you’re considering adding solar panels to your home, one of the main reasons why may be to lower your carbon footprint.But you may be wondering – how much exactly can you help the planet by going solar? The more power your household uses, the better off the planet will be from you switching to solar since you won’t need to burn as many fossil fuels.Because solar panels don’t release CO2 emissions into the atmosphere when creating electricity, they’re a good substitute for traditional energy sources. In fact, you could reduce your carbon dioxide emissions by about 20 pounds each year. For those who are worried about the environment, the upfront cost of solar is a small price to pay for offsetting your carbon emissions.
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 Summerville, SC Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the most reputable solar installer in Summerville?
In Summerville, LGCY Power is the most reputable local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 4.50 stars, so it's a solid choice if you're planning on installing solar panels on your house.
What is the negative environmental impact of making solar panels?
Solar panels can be bad for the environment when manufacturers use toxic chemicals in the construction. Chemicals can make solar panels difficult to dispose of safely once they’ve reached the end of their lifespan. Making solar panels uses a lot of energy as well. The energy payback period is about 1 to 4 years.
How long does it take for solar to pay for itself?
The average payback period for solar panel installation is about 9.8 years, but the exact period varies depending on the cost of electricity where you are, incentives and net metering programs.
How often do solar panels have to be replaced?
On average, the lifespan of solar panels is 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 higher 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.