10 Best Solar Companies in West Columbia, SC (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 10 in West Columbia based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for West Columbia, SC
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average West Columbia homeowner saves $1,868/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in West Columbia
If you’re a homeowner looking to capitalize on the solar incentives in West Columbia, it can be challenging to narrow down which company to go with. But, it's worth it since switching to solar power is typically a good choice. One of the advantages of living in West Columbia is you have access to plenty of the best solar panel installation companies in the nation.
Here, we’ll make a list of some of the best solar companies in West Columbia to make your choice much easier.If you’d like to get free, no-obligation quotes from the best West Columbia 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 West Columbia
Renu Energy Solutions
Clear Pricing Policy- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Battery Storage- Panel Installation
- Tesla Powerwall
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
Broker Solar
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- System Decommissioning
- Battery Storage
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Solar Carports
- Solar Panel Upgrades
- Skilled Repairs
South Coast Solar
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
- Tesla Powerwall
- Panel Installation
Poly Energy
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
Sunpro Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
Southern Coker Power
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
BroCo Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
SOLZA POWER - Solar + Roofing
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
Greentech Renewables West Columbia
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
SC Clean Energy Community
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in West Columbia
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in West 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 West 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 West Columbia
For many people considering switching to solar, the decision of which solar installer to hire comes down to how much it’ll cost.A few key factors that determine the cost of installing a solar panel system on your home and how much money you could save over time are:
- The model of solar panel system you can afford: This hinges on what your budget is.
- The amount of sunlight your roof gets: If your roof doesn’t see much direct sunlight, your solar panels won’t be able to make as much energy, which will give you lower savings on electricity bills than someone with a roof that gets lots of sunlight.
- Incentives: Those who 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 $23,000 on your utility bills over 20 years excluding incentives.
- Electricity consumption: The average household in West Columbia uses a decent amount of, and as a result may save on their energy bills.
There are lots of wonderful benefits of solar despite the upfront cost of installation. It can help the environment and your finances. In addition, it can raise the value of your home, resulting in even more benefits if you choose to sell your home later.
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Solar Incentives in West Columbia
Although solar power is typically a large investment, it can save you a significant amount of money over time due to reduced utility bills and government incentives.These incentives normally take the form of cash rebates, tax breaks and/or performance-based incentives. They can reduce the cost of installing solar panels by 0, upwards of 50% in some cases. Our article on solar incentives has more in-depth information on the incentives you can take advantage of in West Columbia.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in West Columbia
An important reason so many people are considering going solar is to help reduce their environmental impact.Something many homeowners might have in mind is how much can they really help preserve the environment by switching to solar power anyway? Going solar is an impactful choice for the environment, because the greatest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. is from burning fossil fuels for electricity, heat, and transportation – all of which can be powered by solar instead.In West Columbia, the average person can reduce their carbon footprint by 20 pounds a year once they go solar. If you want to do your part for the environment, you’ll no doubt get that there are many advantages to adopting solar power other than just saving money on electricity. You can also help protect the environment, which some would argue is worth 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's West Columbia, SC Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar power company is the best in West Columbia?
In West Columbia, Renu Energy Solutions is the top local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 4.60 stars, so it's a great choice if you're planning on installing solar panels on your roof.
What is the negative environmental impact of solar panel manufacturing?
Solar panels can be harmful 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. Solar panel manufacturing requires a lot of energy as well. The energy payback period is about 1 to 4 years.
Is it worth putting solar panels on my house?
Solar panels call for a significant upfront investment that will cost you several thousands of dollars, but whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a collection of factors like how much you pay for electricity and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.
What is the best kind of solar panel?
The different types of solar panels are monocrystalline, polycrystalline and thin-film. Monocrystalline panels are more efficient but also cost more. 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, such as on curved surfaces or cars, but they are also less efficient. The best one for you depends on your budget, roof layout and desired energy output.
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.