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March 6, 2024

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    In North Carolina, the best solar companies thrive due to the state’s abundant sunshine and high electricity usage by residents. This state is a top choice for solar installations. Our guide will highlight the leading solar installers in North Carolina and offer advice on selecting the right one for your needs.

    Highest Quality Panels

    4.4

    Installs high-quality Maxeon panels

    Outstanding customer support

    Best-in-class warranty lasts 40 years

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    Best Damage Protection

    3.7

    Affordable prices

    Excellent selection of panels and services

    Locations in 22 states

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    Best Solar Financing
    blue raven logo

    4.3

    No payments needed for 18 months

    Provides in-house financing

    Offers top brands like LG and Trina

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    Best Customer Service

    3.9

    Highly rated customer service

    Provides  24/7 panel monitoring

    Solid A+ rating with the BBB

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      Compare the Best Solar Companies in North Carolina

      The table below provides a quick look at the best solar companies in North Carolina. We’ll dive deeper into why each of these companies is so highly rated further down.

      CompanyLogoStar RatingBest ForService AreaLink

      Highest Quality Panels

      All 50 states

      Best Local Provider

      North Carolina

      Best Customer Service

      North Carolina

      solar energy world logo

      Best Warranty Coverage

      MD, VA, NJ, PA, DE, NC, SC, FL

      blue raven logo

      Best Solar Financing

      22 states

      Best System Customization

      North Carolina

      CompanyStar RatingBest ForService AreaBBB Rating

      Highest Quality Panels

      All 50 states

      A+

      Best Local Provider

      North Carolina

      A+

      Best Customer Service

      North Carolina

      A+

      Best Warranty Coverage

      MD, VA, NJ, PA, DE, NC, SC, FL

      A+

      Best Solar Financing

      22 states

      A+

      Best System Customization

      North Carolina

      A+


      Best Solar Installation Companies in North Carolina

      We’ve evaluated all of the top solar companies in NC. Below are the ones we’ve identified as the best overall:

      SunPower: Best Overall
      Highest Quality Panels

      SunPower

      4.4

      Our Rating

      Limited Time Offer:
      $1,000 Rebates For Military Personnel

      SunPower is one of the largest solar installers in the country. It offers the most efficient panels in the industry — Maxeon panels from its sister company. It serves all of NC, including underserved markets, so it’s a great option for Wilmington, Asheville, and Cape Fear solar systems. It was founded in 1985 and has decades of experience.

      Installs panels with the highest energy efficiency
      Over 20 years of experience
      Good customer service
      Outstanding warranty coverage
      Massive coverage area
      Expensive
      Outsources many of its installations
      Company Profile

      SunPower is best known for providing outstanding value in its efficient panels and its industry-leading warranties. The panels do come at a higher-than-average cost, but they’re well worth the investment for most homeowners.

      Average Cost

      SunPower’s panels are more expensive than most other brands. They typically range from $2.85 to around $3.25 per watt. For the typical 10.5-kW system required in NC, the average solar panel system cost from this company would be between $30,000 and $34,000 in most cases. This is well above the average in North Carolina.

      SunPower provides one of the best warranty packages in the solar industry. It covers equipment, power production, and workmanship for an incredible 25 years. The company also is known to respond quickly to warranty claims.

      SunPower installs solar panels, solar batteries, and electric vehicle (EV) chargers. It also offers solar monitoring via its convenient app.

      SunPower panels are expensive, but they’re still accessible for most homeowners because the company has a wealth of financing options. These include cash purchases, solar financing, solar leases, and power purchase agreements (PPAs).

      SunPower has a referral program available that incentivizes spreading the word about clean energy. For each customer you refer, you’ll get a $100 bonus.

      For many years, SunPower manufactured its own panels and outsourced installations. It recently moved production to its sister company, Maxeon Solar, and it’s now working on moving to in-house installations. For now, though, many installations are still outsourced.

      SunPower only installs panels from Maxeon. These are the highest-efficiency panels available for home energy systems, but it would be nice to have more options.

      Many of SunPower’s installers are certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP). The company is also accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB). SunPower is also responsible for converting Levi’s Stadium to renewable energy, and the company partners with AAA to bring members discounts on solar products.


      Featured Video: Learn Why North Carolina Is the Perfect State To Go Solar


      Best Local Provider

      8M Solar

      4.0

      Our Rating

      Limited Time Offer:
      No current offers available.

      8M Solar is a local company that services several areas throughout North Carolina. These include Raleigh, Cary, Wake Forest, Apex, Durham, Morrisville, Charlotte, Chapel Hill, Holly Springs, and Winston-Salem. The company provides outstanding customer service and stellar warranty coverage, all for below-average prices.

      Excellent warranty coverage
      Great customer service
      Local experience and knowledge
      Many years of experience
      No leases or PPAs
      Relatively few products offered
      Average Cost

      8M Solar doesn’t post average prices for its systems online. However, it does mention that it comes in lower than the average cost of solar panels in NC, and customer reviews seem to reflect that statement.

      8M Solar includes a 25-year warranty for the equipment installed and the workmanship. There is no guarantee of solar panel production.

      8M Solar only offers the basic equipment, including solar panels and solar energy storage solutions. It also handles removal, reinstallation, and repairs of solar energy systems.

      8M Solar only accepts cash purchases and solar loans. These are the only options we generally recommend, but they won’t appeal to customers looking for no-money-down solar solutions.

      As a small local company, 8M Solar handles all of its installations in-house with its own installation team.

      8M Solar installs equipment from a wide range of manufacturers. These include Silfab, SolarEdge, Suniva, Solar World, SMA, Panasonic, LG, Trina, SunPower, Enphase, QCells, Tesla, REC, and Solaria.

      8M Solar maintains a few partnerships in the solar industry. These include certification from the BBB and NABCEP, certification from the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors, an endorsement from Duke Energy, and partnerships with SolarEdge and Tesla.

      Best Customer Service

      NC Solar Now

      4.0

      Our Rating

      Limited Time Offer:
      No current offers

      NC Solar Now is another local company, as the name implies. This solar provider brings unmatched customer service to the table, as well as lifetime coverage for roof leak protection (find trusted roofing home warranty providers). This is uncommon in the solar industry and an outstanding option for homeowners in NC, where rainfall is well above average and intense during the frequent extreme weather.

      Best-in-class customer service
      Hundreds of 5-star solar reviews
      Great warranty coverage
      Years of local experience
      No solar panel production guarantee
      Relatively small service area
      Average Cost

      NC Solar Now doesn’t disclose average pricing for its systems. However, the total cost of a solar power system from this company will typically be well below average.

      NC Solar Now provides a 25-year warranty on all equipment, plus a lifetime warranty for roof penetration. While the lack of a workmanship and power production guarantee isn’t ideal, the coverage for roof leaks is outstanding and unheard of in the solar industry.

      NC Solar Now installs solar panels, solar batteries, and EV chargers. It can also tackle ground-mounted solar panel systems.

      NC Solar Now accepts cash payments and loans only, so customers looking for no-money-down options like leases and PPAs will need to turn elsewhere.

      This company handles all of its own installations, so you’ll never be stuck with a disinterested third-party installer.

      NC Solar Now has a small selection of solar products manufactured by Enphase and SolarEdge.

      This company is accredited by the BBB and has several installers certified by NABCEP. Plus, it is endorsed by Duke Energy and NC Green Power, as well as the NC Board of Certified General Contractors.

      Best Warranty Coverage

      Solar Energy World

      4.0

      Our Rating

      Limited Time Offer:
      No current offers available.

      Solar Energy World is a regional installer that offers a semi-localized experience, generally affordable solar systems, and good customer service to all of its customers. It’s a great option if you’re looking for the affordability of a large company but the personal touch of a smaller local company. Plus, it offers some of the best warranty coverage in the industry.

      Great range of products offered
      Affordable
      Wide range of financing options
      Unmatched warranty coverage
      Some issues with customer service
      Expensive
      Average Cost

      Solar Energy World doesn’t include average pricing for its services on its website. However, it does mention some average local prices for specific areas, and it usually comes out above average.

      Solar Energy World is one of the leading providers of solar warranties in North Carolina. It covers equipment, power production, and workmanship for an incredible 30 years.

      Solar Energy World installs solar panels and solar batteries. It also offers solar monitoring services.

      This company accepts all payment options, including cash purchases, solar loans, solar leases, and PPAs. It has a unique lease and PPA option called RateGuardian that can lead to panel ownership.

      Solar Energy World manages an in-house team of installers, which handles all of the solar panel installations for the company.

      Solar Energy World offers a nice range of solar products from a variety of manufacturers. These include SolarEdge, Enphase, SMA, REC, LONGi, Tesla, Silfab, LG, Hanwha, and Fronius.

      Much like Blue Rave, Solar Energy World aligns with GivePower to bring potable water to third-world countries. Additionally, this company is BBB-accredited, and many installers are certified by NABCEP.

      Best Solar Financing

      Blue Raven Solar

      4.3

      Our Rating

      Limited Time Offer:
      8 Months Free & $0 Down On Installation

      Blue Raven Solar is a nationwide solar installer that is revolutionizing how homeowners finance their solar panel systems. The company maintains low pricing and keeps renewable energy super accessible with its no-money-down loan options.

      Offers super affordable financing options
      Very affordable
      Positive customer reviews
      Large service area
      Limited services offered
      No leases or PPAs accepted
      Average Cost

      Blue Raven Solar doesn’t have average pricing available on its website, but it consistently comes in well below the national average in terms of cost.

      Blue Raven offers a 25-year warranty on all equipment, which is standard. However, it only covers workmanship for 10 years, which isn’t as good as most top-level competitors in North Carolina.

      Blue Raven only installs solar panels at this time. It has mentioned that it will begin installing solar batteries as well in 2022, but it hasn’t started yet.

      Blue Raven excels above the competition when it comes to financing options. It doesn’t accept leases or PPAs, but its BluePower Plus+ program is one of the most affordable and accessible solar loans in the industry. It provides loans for $0 down and no payments for 18 months.

      Blue Raven Solar has a referral program through which you can earn $1,000 each for the first two customers you refer and $1,500 per customer thereafter. This is one of the most appealing referral programs in North Carolina.

      Blue Raven is a massive company that serves numerous states. However, it maintains control of all installations by managing a large team of in-house installers.

      Blue Raven provides access to a few of the top residential solar panel brands. These include Trina, SolarEdge, Canadian Solar, Hyundai, Solar World, Trina, Enphase, and Axitec.

      Blue Raven has numerous NABCEP-certified installers in its employ. It is also accredited by the BBB and donates a portion of its profits to bring drinking water to third-world countries through its GivePower program.

      Best Panel Warranty

      ADT Solar

      4.4

      Our Rating

      ADT Solar — which was formerly SunPro Solar — is a massive solar company that serves nearly half the country. It’s one of the only solar panel companies that rivals the outstanding warranty coverage that SunPower offers.

      Excellent warranty coverage
      Massive service area
      Nice range of products and services
      Customer service can be spotty
      Not as personalized as local or regional companies
      Average Cost

      ADT Solar doesn’t post pricing for its systems. However, it usually comes in around the average in North Carolina.

      One of the best parts about working with ADT Solar is the warranty coverage. The company offers a comprehensive warranty for 25 years that covers the equipment, power production, and workmanship.

      ADT Solar tackles installations for solar panels, solar batteries, and EV chargers.

      This company only accepts cash purchases and solar loans. Solar leases and PPAs are not offered, although these payment plans aren’t recommended anyway.

      ADT Solar has a convenient referral app you can use to track your referrals. You’ll earn $1,000 for every customer you send to ADT.

      Despite this company’s massive size, it leverages the in-house installation that SunPro previously had to handle all installations with its own installers.

      ADT Solar offers some of the most sought-after and energy-efficient panels, inverters, and batteries in the industry. The brands offered include Panasonic, LG, Enphase, and Tesla. It should be noted that this company installs the Tesla Powerwall solar battery but not Tesla solar panels or solar roof shingles.

      ADT Solar partners with EnergyPro and BuildPro, which brings energy-efficient building services to customers around the country. Many of its installers are NABCEP-certified, and the company is accredited by the BBB as well.

      Best System Customization

      Covenant Solar Tech

      3.9

      Our Rating

      Limited Time Offer:
      No current offers available.

      Covenant Solar is a local roofing and solar contractor with offices in Raleigh and Greensboro. It offers decent warranty coverage for equipment, and it provides access to some of the top equipment brand names in the industry.

      Top equipment brands offered
      Good warranty coverage for equipment
      Good customer service
      Nice range of services
      No leases or PPAs offered
      Limited service area
      Limited number of equipment brands provided
      Average Cost

      Covenant Solar doesn’t post pricing on its website. However, the company usually comes in around the average for the Old North State.

      The warranty coverage from Covenant Solar includes 25-year coverage for the equipment. Unfortunately, there is no warranty offered for power production or workmanship.

      This company installs solar panels, solar batteries, and EV chargers. It’s also one of the few companies in NC that install solar roofs, and it can tackle roofing services — including repairs and replacements — before you go solar. The customization options from this company come mostly from the services and equipment offered.

      This company only accepts cash purchases and solar loans. These are the only options we typically recommend, but customers looking for no-money-down entrances into renewable energy will not find what they’re looking for with this installer.

      Covenant Solar handles all of its roofing work and photovoltaic equipment installations in-house, which helps the company provide good customer service and consistency between projects.

      Covenant Solar offers just a few products for system customization. These include brands like SolarEdge, QCells, and Tesla.

      Many of this company’s installers are certified by NABCEP, and the company is accredited by the BBB. The company is also certified for Generac and REC equipment installations.


      More North Carolina Resources


      Final Verdict: The Best Solar Company in North Carolina

      According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, North Carolina is home to over 80 solar panel installation companies. These range from small, local companies that serve just a few cities in the Old North State to large national providers with a presence in NC.

      In our opinion, the best solar company in North Carolina is SunPower. While this massive installer can’t offer the same customer service and system customization that the smaller players can, it does provide the most efficient solar panels and some of the best warranty coverage in the industry.

      Highest Quality Panels

      4.4

      Installs high-quality Maxeon panels

      Outstanding customer support

      Best-in-class warranty lasts 40 years

      GET QUOTE
      Best Damage Protection

      3.7

      Affordable prices

      Excellent selection of panels and services

      Locations in 22 states

      GET QUOTE
      Best Solar Financing
      blue raven logo

      4.3

      No payments needed for 18 months

      Provides in-house financing

      Offers top brands like LG and Trina

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      Best Customer Service

      3.9

      Highly rated customer service

      Provides  24/7 panel monitoring

      Solid A+ rating with the BBB

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      Get a Solar Quote in 30 Seconds
      On average, homeowners save $5,000–$20,000 with solar panels

      FAQs about the Best Solar Companies in North Caroina

      Is solar worth it in North Carolina?

      For most North Carolina customers, yes! NC receives around 213 sunny days per year, which is above average for the country. North Carolina homeowners also pay more for electricity per month than residents throughout the country, so offsetting utility bills with solar provides more savings in the area.

      Additionally, North Carolina is a very pro-solar state that provides several incentives to make solar more affordable and beneficial.


      Does North Carolina offer solar incentives?

      Yes! As mentioned above, part of what makes solar so accessible and popular in North Carolina is the prevalence of solar incentives. The incentives and rebates currently available include:

      • The federal solar investment tax credit — which is currently a tax credit of 30% of your total system value for the year it’s installed
      • A statewide property tax exemption — this prevents the value of your solar project from bumping up your property taxes
      • Net metering — a billing policy that helps homeowners reduce energy bills by providing credits for excess energy production
      • The statewide Financing Program for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Upgrades — this helps make solar loans more affordable
      • The Duke Energy Solar Rebate — this is a local rebate of $400 for every kilowatt you install on your home, up to $4,000

      Is solar energy efficient in North Carolina?

      Yes, solar equipment is plenty efficient in NC to offset and even eliminate energy bills. North Carolina receives more sunlight than most states, and its southern location means that sun will be relatively intense. Some homeowners worry about the above-average rainfall in the area, but this can serve to keep your panels free of dust, dirt, and pollen, which can accumulate and reduce panel efficiency.


      How much does it cost to get solar panels in North Carolina?

      The average homeowner in NC needs a 10.5-kW system. With an average per-watt price of around $2.55, most customers pay around $27,000 for their solar systems or closer to $20,000 after the ITC is considered.

       


      Does solar increase home value in North Carolina?

      Yes! Installing solar panels in North Carolina will reduce or even eliminate your energy bill, which makes your home more valuable to buyers when you go to sell. Zillow estimates that properties that have solar systems installed sell for around 4.1% more than those that don’t.


      Are solar panels free in North Carolina?

      No, solar panels are never free, and companies that advertise free panels are almost always just selling leases or PPAs. These options are far less beneficial than cash purchases and solar loans, so they’re not recommended, as appealing as they might seem.


      Who is the most affordable solar company in North Carolina?

      In our opinion, Blue Raven is the most affordable solar company in North Carolina. It has below-average pricing, and although other companies are priced similarly, Blue Raven’s BluePower Plus+ financing program keeps upfront and long-term costs down by offering low APRs and delaying payments for 18 months.


      What is the most experienced solar installer in North Carolina?

      SunPower is one of the most experienced solar installers that services North Carolina. The company has been around since 1985, so it has more than 30 years of experience in the solar industry. You’ll always be in good hands when you go solar with SunPower.


      Today's Homeowner’s Solar Companies Rating Methodology

      At Today's Homeowner, transparency and trust are our most important values for the reader. That’s why we took the time to create an objective rating system and score each solar energy company/service according to our methodology.

      Our research team dug deep into the fine print of contracts, combed through more than one hundred customer reviews, and thoroughly investigated all of each solar energy company’s services, costs, and products. We’ve done the homework for you by researching nearly all of the solar energy companies on the market so you can have the information you need to make the best choice for your home.

      We developed a formula to objectively determine the best solar energy companies and give each a score out of 100 based on the following criteria:

      Plan Options (30): Do they provide a variety of plan options? We looked at the number of plans each solar energy company offered and the flexibility of adjusting the plan.

      Services offered (20): How many services are offered in each plan? We looked at whether the company manufactures its own solar panels, whether it contracts out installation, and what additional products each company offers.

      Trust (10): What do customers say after their solar panels are installed? Does this company offer a guarantee? We considered how satisfied customers are post-service if the company does what it says it will, BBB accreditation, and service guarantees.

      Prices (10): How reasonable are the costs of the plan or service in comparison to the industry average? We compared the costs of each company to competitors that offer the same solar energy services.

      Unique perks (10): Does the company offer discounts or special services such as financial incentives, rebates, or a useful mobile app? We looked for extras each company offers that set them apart from the competition.

      Customer Service (10): How is the customer experience when contacting the company? We considered the speed of response, weekend/holiday availability, and ease of communication through phone calls, email, and online chat functions.

      Nationwide availability (10): How many states does the company offer its services? Companies that operate nationally and in all zip codes are favored over those with limited availability.

      Editorial Contributors
      avatar for Dan Simms

      Dan Simms

      Contributor

      Dan Simms worked in real estate management for five years before using his experience to help property owners maintain their own homes. He got his master’s degree in English Literature and Creative Writing, and he now enjoys sharing his knowledge about homeownership and DIY projects with others on Today’s Homeowner. When he’s not writing, he’s usually outdoors with his wife and his dog, enjoying mountain biking, skiing, and hiking.

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      photo of Roxanne Downer

      Roxanne Downer

      Editor

      Roxanne Downer is a commerce editor at Today’s Homeowner, where she tackles everything from foundation repair to solar panel installation. She brings more than 15 years of writing and editing experience to bear in her meticulous approach to ensuring accurate, up-to-date, and engaging content. She’s previously edited for outlets including MSN, Architectural Digest, and Better Homes & Gardens. An alumna of the University of Pennsylvania, Roxanne is now an Oklahoma homeowner, DIY enthusiast, and the proud parent of a playful pug.

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