3 Best Solar Companies in Hayward, WI (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 3 in Hayward based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Hayward, WI
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Hayward homeowner saves $1,662/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Hayward
When you’re on the hunt for the best solar companies in Hayward, combing through all the options can be demanding, but it can pay off since adopting solar energy can offer so many great perks. Though Hayward may not have a reputation for sunshine like Florida, it's a surprisingly hot place for solar growth, so several of the best solar companies in the nation have set up shop there to help residents get started with renewable energy.
Here, we’ll list out some of the best solar companies in Hayward to make your decision a little easier.To get free quotes from the leading solar companies in Hayward, click 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 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 Hayward
Carlson Electric
Clear Pricing Policy- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Cleaning and Maintenance- Permit Assistance
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
Benson Electric Company
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
Legacy Solar, LLC
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Hayward
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Hayward 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 Hayward
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 Hayward
The cost of installing a solar panel system has dropped immensely over the past few years, but it’s still a significant investment for most homeowners.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 such as:
- Choice of solar panels: The kind of solar panels you are interested in getting will affect your total cost. High-efficiency monocrystalline panels are more expensive upfront but can also save you more money over the lifetime of your system. If space isn't a constraint for your project, you can go with a higher number of more affordable panels.
- The amount of sunlight your roof gets: If your rooftop doesn’t get a lot of direct sunlight, your solar panel system won’t be able to make as much energy, which will leave you with lower savings on energy bills than someone with a roof that gets plenty of sunlight.
- Typical energy usage: The more power your home consumes on average and the larger your current energy bills are, the more money you could save by switching to solar.
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit currently lets you reduce your taxes by 0 of the project cost. Your state and even local utility companies may also have various incentives that you can take advantage of. Additionally, you can save about $20,000 over 20 years on your utility bills, not including incentives.
There are many wonderful benefits of solar even with the upfront cost of installation. It can help the planet and your finances. In addition, it can raise the value of your home, resulting in even more benefits if you want to sell your home later.
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Solar Incentives in Hayward
There are a lot of reasons why you should switch to solar. One of them includes some government incentives that can save you money.Local solar incentives depend on the location and, sometimes, utility company. A lot of states offer rebates for solar power, in addition to the federal solar tax credit. For comprehensive information about local incentives, see our article on solar incentives.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Hayward
A lot of people want to do what they can for the planet, which in many cases is the chief reason they’re interested in installing solar panels.But you may be wondering – how much exactly can you help the environment by using solar power? The more energy your family uses, the better off the planet will be if you switch to solar as you won’t have to use as much nonrenewable energy.In fact, if you install solar panels, you could be looking at reducing your carbon dioxide emissions by about 90 pounds each year. The perks of solar power are infinite — just like solar power is! That's why so many Hayward residents have been happy with making the switch to solar.
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 Hayward, WI Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the top solar panel installer in Hayward?
The best local solar company in Hayward is Carlson Electric, with a rating of 3.00 stars.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of solar power?
A few of the biggest pros are that it lowers your power bills, it’s a sustainable source of energy, and it provides a significant return on your investment (ROI). The most notable cons are that solar panels don’t work as well when there’s limited direct sunlight, they cost a lot upfront and solar panels aren’t always aesthetically pleasing.
Is it worth installing solar panels on my roof?
Solar panels can be a great investment for many homeowners, but honestly, they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get enough sunlight or your energy bills are already fairly low, solar panels might not be for you.
How efficient are solar panels?
Solar panel efficiency is the amount of solar energy that is converted into electricity. Most panels today have an efficiency rating of about 15 to 25%. If your panels are more efficient, you'll need fewer 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.