4 Best Solar Companies in Oak Ridge, TN (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 4 in Oak Ridge based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Oak Ridge, TN
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Oak Ridge homeowner saves $1,034/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Oak Ridge
Choosing the best solar panel installation company for your house is a huge decision, but it's one that can reap a lot of rewards in Oak Ridge. Due to its moderate amount of average daily sunlight, Oak Ridge has a good amount of solar growth, so a lot of the best solar companies in the country have expanded to there to help residents switch over to renewable energy.
In this article, we’ll help you narrow down the top companies in your area.Want to see how much it’d cost to install solar panels on your roof? Click "get quote" below to get a free, no-obligation quote from a top-rated Oak Ridge solar installer.
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 Oak Ridge
Lloyd's Electric Service, Inc. - Knoxville
Reliable Customer Support- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Financing Assistance- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
Solar Alliance, LLC
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Community Solar Projects
- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
Carolina Mountain Solar
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
Appalachian Solar and Minisplit
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Oak Ridge
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Oak Ridge 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 Oak Ridge
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 Oak Ridge
The cost of installing solar panels has decreased greatly over the past few years, but it’s still a significant investment for most homeowners.The cost and possible savings vary depending on a few important factors such as:
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit currently lets you decrease your taxes by 0 of the project cost. Your state and even local utility companies may also have incentives and rebates that you can benefit from. Plus, you can save about $13,000 over 20 years on your utility bills, not including incentives.
- The kind of solar panels you can buy: This is dependent on your income and budget.
- Your home's power bills: With fairly high monthly power bills in Oak Ridge, you could save about $1,600 a year with solar.
- Your location: This affects the average daily sunlight your roof gets, which helps determine how many panels you need.
So is installing solar panels worth it? Whether you hope to reduce your electricity costs, carbon dioxide emissions or both, solar panels are a solid investment for many Oak Ridge homeowners.
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Solar Incentives in Oak Ridge
Although solar power is typically a large investment, it can save you a considerable amount of money in the long term because of reduced utility bills and government incentives.You are eligible for the federal solar investment tax credit (ITC) for the tax year you turn on your solar panels. You can also possibly use the ITC with other state and city rebates and benefits. Check out our article on solar incentives to learn what incentives you can benefit from.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Oak Ridge
Many want to do their part to help protect the environment, which in many cases is the prime motivation to install solar panels.Many homeowners might be wondering how much exactly they can impact the environment by switching to solar in Oak Ridge, though. In Oak Ridge, where the energy generation could be cleaner, going solar can have a big effect on the environment since solar power is a renewable source of energy.In fact, if you install solar panels, you could be looking at reducing your carbon dioxide emissions by about 20 pounds each year. For people who want to help the environment, the upfront cost of solar is a small price to pay for reducing your carbon footprint.
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 Oak Ridge, TN Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the most reputable solar company in Oak Ridge?
In Oak Ridge, Lloyd's Electric Service, Inc. - Knoxville is the most reputable local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 4.60 stars, so it's a great choice if you're looking to add solar panels to your house.
What is the negative environmental impact of making solar panels?
Manufacturing solar panels requires chemicals and produces toxic waste that can be bad for the environment, which is the main drawback of solar panels.
Is it worth installing solar panels on my house?
Solar panels can be a good investment for a majority of homeowners, but truthfully, they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get enough sunlight or your power bills are already reasonably low, solar panels might not be for you.
What is solar panel capacity and how much do I need for my house?
Solar panel capacity is how much energy the panels can create under ideal conditions (a sunny day around noon). The average household has to get between 20 and 35 panels to account for their 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.