6 Best Solar Companies in Washington, WI (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 6 in Washington based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Washington, WI
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Washington homeowner saves $1,583/year with solar panels
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Best Solar Companies in Washington
Searching for the top solar companies in Washington? Installing solar panels is an exciting home addition that many homeowners find valuable for their wallets, communities and the planet. Solar power isn't just good for the Earth — your wallet will benefit too. With solar power, you can save an average of $19,000 over 20 years, and this doesn't even include incentives.
Here, we’ll give you a list of some of the top solar companies in Washington to make your choice a bit easier.If you’re ready to start receiving free, no-obligation quotes from the best Washington solar installers, you can click the button below to learn more.
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 Washington
Next Step Energy
Clear Pricing Policy- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Financing Assistance- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
Solar Chippewa Valley
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Permit Assistance
- Skilled Repairs
Midwest Solars
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
Olson Solar Energy
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Consultation
Champion Solar
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Financing Assistance
- Skilled Repairs
- Permit Assistance
Solar Connection Inc.
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Washington
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Washington 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 Washington
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 Washington
When deciding on a solar company, most homeowners or business owners worry about the costs the most.There are a few factors you should take into consideration when trying to determine how much it will cost and how much you can save, including:
- How much energy you use: If your household regularly uses a lot of energy, you'll benefit more from switching to solar.
- The amount of sunlight your rooftop gets: Because of Washington’s relatively low amount of average daily sunlight, you might not see as many savings on your energy bills.
- The model of solar panel system you can buy: This is dependent on how much you’re willing to invest upfront.
- Incentives: Tax-paying citizens who buy and install a solar energy system this year can save 0 of their installation costs by using the federal solar investment tax credit. You can also save about $19,000 on your utility bills over 20 years not including incentives.
Although a solar panel system costs a sizable chunk of money upfront, it can save you thousands of dollars over time. The question of how much, though, depends on a number of factors, like the size of your solar panel system and your local electricity rates.
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Use the calculator below to get a sense of how much adopting solar power could affect the Earth and your finances. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Washington, WI.
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Solar Incentives in Washington
If you’re considering switching to solar power, various government incentives and state programs can greatly bring down the installation costs and expedite the return on your investment.State and city solar incentive programs vary by location and, sometimes, utility company. Many states offer rebates for solar panels, in addition to the federal solar tax credit. Our article on solar incentives has more in-depth information on the incentives you can find in Washington.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Washington
Installing solar panels is a great way to do your part for a more environmentally-friendly future.Many homeowners might be wondering how much exactly they can impact the environment by switching to solar in Washington, though. For homeowners and business owners who want to help cut back on greenhouse gas emissions, switching to solar power is an easy choice, especially since Washington produces a very high amount of carbon dioxide emissions from its energy generation.Although solar panel production releases carbon dioxide emissions, the panels make up for it by greatly lowering the amount of CO2 you would have been responsible for if you still used nonrenewable energy. In Washington, you can reduce your carbon footprint by 90 pounds a year with solar panels. For those who are concerned about the environment, the upfront cost of solar is a small price to pay for offsetting your carbon emissions.
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 Washington, WI Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the most reputable solar installation company in Washington?
The top local solar company in Washington is Next Step Energy, with a rating of 3.00 stars.
What are a few of the biggest pros and cons of switching to solar?
The main advantages of solar power are that it can reduce or, for some, entirely eradicate your electricity bills, raise your home’s value and bring down your carbon footprint. The disadvantages are that solar panels can be expensive to install, you may not see as many savings if you don’t use a lot of electricity and it doesn’t work for all roof types and locations.
Is it worth putting solar panels on my home?
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 the cost of electricity near you and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.
How efficient is a solar panel system?
Most of the time, solar panels are about 15 to 25% efficient, which means 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.