4 Best Solar Companies in Grand Rapids, WI (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 4 in Grand Rapids based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Grand Rapids, WI
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Grand Rapids homeowner saves $1,466/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Grand Rapids
Searching for the top solar companies in Grand Rapids? Installing solar panels is an exciting project that many homeowners find rewarding for their wallets, communities and the planet. Because solar panels produce their own power, they can greatly offset your electricity bill each month, if not fully eliminate it. In fact, you could end up with about $17,000 of savings over 20 years.
As you set out on your search for the best solar companies in Grand Rapids, you might realize that there are a large number of providers to choose from. So, we’ve accumulated an expertly curated list of the top solar companies in the area.We advise shopping around for quite a few quotes and comparing them to find the best installer for your home. To get free, no-pressure quotes from the top solar companies in Grand Rapids, click the link 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 for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
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 Grand Rapids
Northwind Solar
Reliable Customer Support- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Panel Installation- Consultation
Photovoltaic Systems LLC
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
Independent Solar Systems
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
ALL SKY ENERGY, LLC.
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Grand Rapids
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Grand Rapids 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 Grand Rapids
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 Grand Rapids
The cost of putting up a solar panel system has gone down significantly over the past several years, but it’s still a substantial investment for most homeowners.The cost of solar and the savings it generates vary depending on some important factors such as:
- Incentives: Along with the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which gives you a tax credit currently worth 0 of your total 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 $17,000 over 20 years with your solar panels, too.
- The kind of solar panels you have the money for: This hinges on how much you’re willing to spend upfront.
- Your household's power bills: Because of fairly high monthly electric bills in Grand Rapids, you could save about $690 a year with solar.
- Energy consumption: Solar may be too pricey an option for families that don’t use a good amount of energy per month.
Although a solar panel system costs a good chunk of money upfront, it can save you thousands of dollars over the lifespan of your panels. The question of how much, though, depends on a number of factors, such as the size of your solar panel system and your current power bills.
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For an estimate of both how much you could save and impact the Earth by installing a solar panel system, you can play around with the calculator below. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Grand Rapids, WI.
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Solar Incentives in Grand Rapids
Because solar power is a cleaner source of energy than burning fossil fuels, there are various government incentives in place to encourage people to make the switch.There are several federal, state and local rebates and tax credits that earn anywhere from 0 to 50% of your money in return after buying solar panels. Our article on solar incentives has more in-depth information on the incentives you can benefit from in Grand Rapids.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Grand Rapids
Lots of people want to do what they can to help save the environment, which often is the primary reason for installing a solar system.But you may be curious – how much exactly can you help the environment by using solar power? For people who are concerned about global warming, going solar is a straightforward choice, especially since Grand Rapids produces a very high amount of carbon dioxide emissions from its energy generation.Because solar panels don’t release greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere when producing electricity, they’re a good trade for traditional energy sources. In fact, you could look forward to lowering your carbon dioxide emissions by about 100 pounds each year. Since solar energy is renewable and produces electricity without a carbon footprint, adding solar panels to your home is one easy step you can take to help the environment.
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 for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
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 Grand Rapids, WI Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar power company is the best in Grand Rapids?
In Grand Rapids, Northwind Solar is the most reputable local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 4.80 stars, so it's a solid choice if you're planning to add solar panels to your home.
What are the biggest pros and cons of installing solar panels?
A few of the biggest pros are that it decreases your power bills, it’s eco-friendly, and it gives you a good return on your investment (ROI). The most notable cons are that solar panels don’t produce electricity at night, the installation cost is pricey and solar panels can be an eyesore.
Is it worth putting solar panels on my roof?
Solar panels require a large upfront investment that will cost you several thousands of dollars, but whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a range of factors like local electricity rates 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 so in the winter when there's less demand. With fewer homeowners contracting installers, you could potentially see quicker 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.