5 Best Solar Companies in Chattanooga, TN (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 5 in Chattanooga based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Chattanooga, TN
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Chattanooga homeowner saves $742/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Chattanooga
Thinking of going solar but trying to figure out which solar panel installer would be best for you? Although it can be difficult to pick a solar company, the effort will pay off because going solar has many great benefits. Because of Chattanooga's great level of sunshine on average, there are lots of solar companies to choose from.
As you set out on your search for the best solar companies in Chattanooga, you’ll find that there are a large number of providers to choose between. So, we’ve put together an expertly curated list of the top solar companies in the area.To see how much you would pay to put up a solar panel system on your roof, you can get a free, no-obligation quote from one of the top solar companies in Chattanooga by clicking the "get quote" button below.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Best Technology
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
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Chattanooga
Scenic City Solar
Free Quotes- Clear Pricing Policy
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Skilled Repairs- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Permit Assistance
- Battery Storage
- Solar Carports
Carbon Recall Chattanooga
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
Total Quality
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Roofing & Solar Sales
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Battery Storage
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
Cornerstone Solar South
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Chattanooga
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga
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 Chattanooga
Even though solar panels can save you money on power bills over time, it’s necessary to know the startup costs.Some important things that impact how much it will cost and how much you could save include:
- Your income and budget: This shapes what type of solar panels you can buy.
- Incentives: Along with the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which lets you deduct 0 of your overall installation cost, your state or local government may offer additional tax exemptions, credits or rebates that can help you save even more. Excluding incentives, you can save an average of $9,300 over the first 20 years with your solar panels, too.
- How much electricity your household consumes: Homes that use plenty of electricity each month may call for more solar panels and, therefore, more upfront cost, but will also enjoy more savings over time.
- Whether or not your roof gets a lot of direct sunlight: This, along with how your roof is set up, affects affect how much energy your solar panels can make.
So is installing solar panels worth it? Whether you’d like to reduce your energy bills, carbon emissions or both, solar panels are a great investment for many Chattanooga homeowners.
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Solar Incentives in Chattanooga
If you’re planning on making the switch to solar energy, several government incentives and state programs can drastically reduce the cost of the project and speed up the return on your investment.These incentives mostly take the form of cash rebates, tax benefits and/or performance-based incentives. They can lower how much you pay for installing solar panels by 0, upwards of 50% in some cases. Check out our article on solar incentives to find out what incentives you can take advantage of.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Chattanooga
There are a few primary reasons why homeowners are interested in solar energy: for the financial and environmental benefits.You may be wondering – how much does making the switch do for the planet anyway? Using green energy for electricity instead of relying on nonrenewable energy sources is an effective way to lower your carbon footprint if you're concerned about Chattanooga's sizable level of greenhouse gas emissions.In Chattanooga, the average household can reduce their carbon footprint by 20 pounds a year once they go solar. If you want to do what you can for the environment, you’ll no doubt get that there are many benefits of adopting solar power other than just saving money on electricity. You can also help preserve the environment, which some would argue is invaluable.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Best Technology
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
EcoWatch's Chattanooga, TN Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the top solar installer in Chattanooga?
The highest-rated local solar company in Chattanooga is Scenic City Solar, with a rating of 3.00 stars.
What are the pros and cons of solar power?
A few of the biggest pros are that it reduces your power bills, it’s good for the environment, and it gives you a decent return on your investment (ROI). The most notable cons are that solar panels don’t work as well when there’s limited direct sunlight, there is a high upfront cost and solar panels aren’t always aesthetically pleasing.
How long does it take for solar to pay for itself?
Solar panels generally pay for themselves in about 27.0 years, but your solar payback period will depend on your utility costs. The more your typical power bill, the faster your solar panel system will pay for itself.
How efficient are solar panels?
For the most part, solar panels are about 15 to 25% efficient, meaning they can convert that percentage of the energy from the sun into usable electricity.
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.