14 Best Solar Companies in Columbus, WI (2023 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 14 in Columbus based on:
-
Customer review scores - Service area for Columbus, WI
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Columbus homeowner saves $1,693/year with solar panels
Updated May 04, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Columbus
Finding the right solar panel installation company for your house is a huge decision, but it's one that can save you a lot of money in Columbus. While solar power is a large investment, you'll be able to make that expense back and then some, all while helping to protect the planet. In fact, you could end up with savings of about $20,000 over 20 years.
As you begin your search for the best solar companies in Columbus, you'll notice 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. If you're ready to start receiving free, no-obligation quotes from the best Columbus solar companies, you can click the button below to learn more.
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Columbus
Average Cost
SunPower
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Most efficient panels on the market - National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
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Expensive - Customer service varies by local dealer
Services Offered
-
Solar Panels - Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- System Monitoring
Average Cost
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- Energy-Efficiency Upgrades
Average Cost
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- Energy-Efficiency Upgrades
- Maintenance & Repairs
Average Cost
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
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- Solar Roof Shingles
- System Monitoring
PEC Solar Company
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Integrated roofing
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
- Energy storage solutions
Sun Prairie Utilities
- Recognized Excellence
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
Langdon Mills Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Energy storage solutions
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
Midwest Solar Power
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
- End-to-end services
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
- Energy storage solutions
- Business installations
Midwest Solar Power
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- End-to-end services
- Integrated roofing
- Energy storage solutions
- Tailored solutions
Madison Solar Panels
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Business installations
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
Arch Solar
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Business installations
- Energy storage solutions
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
Greentech Renewables Madison
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
- Business installations
All Energy Solar
- Informative Resources
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- End-to-end services
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
- Integrated roofing
- Business installations
- Home installations
- Energy storage solutions
Epic Electric and Solar Inc.
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Business installations
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Columbus
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Columbus 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 Columbus
Below are some the criteria we examined specifically for Wisconsin 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 Columbus
For most homeowners, whether or not you should invest in a solar energy system depends the most on the cost. The installation cost is just one important factor you should bear in mind when looking into getting solar panels. How much it'll cost and how much you can save depend on things including:
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit, which can save you some money, lets you deduct 30% of the cost of installing your solar panel system from your federal taxes. In addition, not including incentives, you can save about $20,000 over 20 years on your energy bills.
- How much you spend on energy: The typical household in Columbus shells out around $1,500 a year on energy use alone, so you could end up with that much in savings.
- Typical energy usage: The more electricity your home uses on average and the larger your current electricity bills are, the more likely you'll benefit from switching to solar.
- Choice of solar panels: The type of solar panels you get will affect your total cost. High-efficiency monocrystalline panels will cost more upfront but can also save you more money over the lifetime of your system. If you don't need to maximize efficiency, you can opt for a higher number of more affordable panels.
As a result of solar panels now being cheaper than ever as well as local and federal solar incentives, they are a cost-effective investment for many homeowners.
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Solar Incentives in Columbus
One of the benefits of installing a solar panel system is receiving federal and potentially state incentives. State and city solar incentive programs depend on the location and, sometimes, utility company. A lot of states offer rebates for solar panels, in addition to the federal solar tax credit. In our article on solar incentives, you can see the incentives you qualify for in your area.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Columbus
If you're thinking of adding solar panels to your home, one of the principal reasons why may be to lower your carbon dioxide emissions. You may be trying to figure out — how much does making the switch help the planet anyway? Your energy usage is a key factor to keep in mind. The more energy your household consumes, the greater your impact when you go solar. In Columbus, the average household can lower their carbon footprint by 100 pounds a year after going solar. The benefits of solar power are abundant — just like solar power is! That's why so many homeowners have been happy with making the switch to solar.
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
EcoWatch's Columbus, WI Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar power company is the best in Columbus?
In Columbus, Current Electric Co. is the best local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 5.00 stars, so it's a great choice if you're planning on installing solar panels on your home.
What are a few of the major pros and cons of switching to solar?
The greatest advantages of solar power are that it can lower or, in some cases, totally erase your electricity bills, improve your home's value and reduce your carbon footprint. The greatest disadvantages are that solar panels can be pricey to install, you may not save as much if you don't use a lot of electricity and whether you can install solar panels depends on your roof configuration.
Is it worth installing solar panels on my house?
Solar panels require a large upfront investment that costs over ten thousand dollars, but whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a collection of factors like how much you pay for electricity and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.
When is the best time of year to install solar panels?
You can install solar panels whenever it's convenient for you, but consider doing it in the winter when there's less demand. With fewer homeowners going solar, you could potentially see faster installation times and more savings.
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.