15 Best Solar Companies in Chapel Hill, NC (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in Chapel Hill based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Chapel Hill, NC
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Chapel Hill homeowner saves $1,487/year with solar panels
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Best Solar Companies in Chapel Hill
Looking for the top solar companies in Chapel Hill? Installing solar panels is an exciting venture that many homeowners find rewarding for their wallets, communities and the planet. One of the pros of living in Chapel Hill is you have access to plenty of the best solar panels and services in the nation.
In this article, we’ll help you find the best companies in your area.To get free quotes from the leading solar companies in Chapel Hill, click the "get quote" button below.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Outstanding Regional Installer
Renu Energy Solutions
- Excellent reputation
- Many financing options
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- No leases or PPAs
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 Chapel Hill
Renu Energy Solutions
Informative Resources- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Consultation- Financing Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Tesla Powerwall
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
Freedom Solar Power - Raleigh Solar Panel Installers
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
- Permit Assistance
- Skilled Repairs
- Tesla Powerwall
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Financing Assistance
Jim's Solarguard
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Family-Operated Business
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
Southern Energy Management
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tesla Powerwall
- Skilled Repairs
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Battery Storage
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
Just One Solar
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Yes Solar Solutions
- Informative Resources
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Family-Operated Business
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Tesla Powerwall
- Solar Carports
- Panel Installation
Triangle Solar JB
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
NC Solar Now
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
8MSolar
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Consultation
- Tesla Powerwall
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Battery Storage
- Permit Assistance
- System Decommissioning
- Panel Installation
Noon Solar
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
Emerald Energy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Grid-Tied Solar System
Carolina Connections Solar Energy - North Carolina Installation & Sales
- Family-Operated Business
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
- Battery Storage
- Permit Assistance
- Consultation
- Grid-Tied Solar System
PE Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
Wiring Solutions Plus LLC
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
Green Home Systems
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Chapel Hill
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Chapel Hill 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 Chapel Hill
Below are some the criteria we examined specifically for North Carolina 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 Chapel Hill
When picking a solar company, most homeowners or business owners worry about the costs above all.The cost and possible savings vary depending on a few key factors such as:
- Energy consumption: Installing solar panels may be too pricey an option for families that don’t consume a lot of energy a month.
- The make and model of solar panels you want to get: More efficient panels have higher prices, so that will determine your budget for your solar project.
- Incentives: Along with the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which lets you deduct 0 of your overall installation cost, your state or local government may offer additional tax exemptions, credits or rebates that will help you save even more. Excluding incentives, you can save an average of $18,000 over 20 years with your solar system, too.
- The amount of sunlight your city gets: Due to Chapel Hill’s high amount of average daily sunlight, you should be able to save a decent amount on your electric bills.
Solar is a profitable investment for most homeowners. You can generate your own electricity instead of paying for it from the grid and make use of solar incentives, all while helping the planet.
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Solar Incentives in Chapel Hill
Although a solar power system is typically a big investment, it can save you a lot of money over many years because of reduced energy bills and government incentives.Regardless of where you live, you can take advantage of the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which will let you claim 0 of how much you paid for your solar installation when you file taxes, reducing the amount of taxes you owe that year. Plus, there may be some local incentives that can save you some extra money too. Take a look at our article on solar incentives to see what incentives are available to you.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Chapel Hill
Going solar can have a positive impact on the environment.You may be asking yourself – how much does making the switch do for the planet anyway? In a city like Chapel Hill where energy use is particularly high, going solar is a great plan for households who are eco-conscious.In fact, if you adopt solar power, you could lower your carbon dioxide emissions by about 60 pounds each year. If you want to do your part for the environment, you’ll most likely get that there are many good things about adopting solar energy other than just saving money on electricity. You can also help preserve the environment, which some would argue is invaluable.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Outstanding Regional Installer
Renu Energy Solutions
- Excellent reputation
- Many financing options
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- No leases or PPAs
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 Chapel Hill, NC Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar panel installer is the best in Chapel Hill?
In Chapel Hill, Renu Energy Solutions is the best local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 3.00 stars, so it's a good choice if you're looking to add solar panels to your roof.
What are the main advantages and disadvantages of adopting solar power?
The advantages of solar power are that it can reduce or, in some cases, 100% eradicate your electricity bills, improve your home’s value and reduce your carbon footprint. The main 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 whether you can install solar panels depends on your roof configuration.
How long does it take for solar to pay for itself?
Solar panels generally pay for themselves in about 13.2 years, but your solar payback period will vary based on your utility costs. The higher your typical electricity bill, the quicker your solar panel system will recoup your installation costs.
How often do solar panels have to be replaced?
On average, solar panels can last about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but efficiency decreases by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a larger amount of energy production.
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.