9 Best Solar Companies in Athens, TN (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 9 in Athens based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Athens, TN
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Average Athens homeowner saves $868/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Athens
Thinking of going solar but trying to figure out which company would be best for your needs? Although it can be hard to choose a solar company, the effort will pay off because going solar has many good perks. For many homeowners, the decision to invest in solar hinges on how much they can save. The great news is solar can help most homeowners save a decent amount on their fairly high and increasing energy bills.
There are plenty of installers to consider, but in this article, we’ll help you get a handle on all your options by recommending some of the best solar companies in Athens.We advise shopping around for multiple quotes and comparing them to see which is the best installer for your home. To get free quotes from vetted solar companies in Athens, click the link below.
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Athens
Lloyd's Electric Service, Inc. - Knoxville
Reliable Customer Support
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Cleaning and Maintenance- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
Cornerstone Solar South
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
Carolina Mountain Solar
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
Roofing & Solar Sales
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
- Skilled Repairs
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
Scenic City Solar
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
- Solar Carports
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
Appalachian Solar and Minisplit
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
Total Quality
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Carbon Recall Chattanooga
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
Solar Alliance, LLC
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Community Solar Projects
- Skilled Repairs
- Panel Installation
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Athens
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Athens 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 Athens
Below are some the criteria we examined specifically for Tennessee 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 Athens
For the majority of homeowners, whether or not you should invest in a solar energy system boils down to the cost.The installation cost is just one important factor you should keep in mind when looking into getting solar panels. How much it'll cost and how much you can save depend on things including:
- Typical energy usage: The more electricity your home consumes on average and the steeper your current energy bills are, the more likely you'll benefit from going solar.
- Where your home is: This affects how much sunlight your roof receives, which helps determine how many panels you need.
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit currently lets you lower your taxes by 0 of the project cost. Your state and city may also have various incentives that you can use. Additionally, you can save about $11,000 over 20 years on your utility bills, before factoring in incentives.
- Your home's power bills: Due to high monthly electricity bills in Athens, you could save about $1,400 a year with solar.
As a result of solar panels decreasing in cost as well as local and federal solar incentives, they are a solid investment for the majority of homeowners.
Solar Savings Calculator for {{ solarcalc.name }}
If you're curious how much you could impact the environment if you switch to solar, you can use the calculator below. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Athens, TN.
| {{ 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 Athens
One of the benefits of installing a solar panel system is receiving federal and potentially state incentives.Regardless of what state you live in, you can take advantage of the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which allows you to claim 0 of how much you paid for your solar installation on your tax return, reducing the amount of taxes you owe that year. In addition, there may be some local incentives that stack with the ITC too. In our article on solar incentives, you can read about the incentives you qualify for in your area.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Athens
Installing solar panels can have a meaningful effect on the environment.Something many homeowners might be asking themselves is how much can they really help the environment by going solar anyway? For homeowners who want to help cut back on greenhouse gas emissions, using solar power is an easy choice, especially since Athens produces a high amount of carbon dioxide emissions from its energy generation.Once you go solar, your carbon emissions can be cut by about 20 pounds each year. If you care about the environment, you’ll likely recognize that there are many benefits of adopting solar power other than just saving money on bills. You can also help protect the environment, which some would argue is more valuable.
EcoWatch's Athens, TN Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar power company is the best near me?
In Athens, Lloyd's Electric Service, Inc. - Knoxville is the most reputable local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 4.70 stars, so it's a solid choice if you're looking to add solar panels to your house.
What are some of the biggest advantages and disadvantages of switching to solar?
The greatest advantages of solar power are that it can decrease or, for some, completely cut your electricity bills, improve your home’s value and reduce your carbon footprint. The biggest disadvantages are that solar panels can be pricey to install, you may not see as many savings if you don’t use a lot of electricity and it doesn’t work for all roof types and locations.
Is it worth putting solar panels on my home?
Solar panels can be a fruitful investment for most homeowners, but truthfully, they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get a lot of direct sunlight or your energy bills are already pretty low, solar panels might not be for you.
What is the efficiency of solar panels?
Solar panel efficiency is the amount of solar energy that is converted into electricity. Most panels today have an efficiency rating between 15 and 20%. If your panels are more efficient, you'll need less of them to meet your home's energy needs.
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.