15 Best Solar Companies in Bristol, CT (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in Bristol based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Bristol, CT
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Bristol homeowner saves $1,842/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Bristol
Thinking of going solar but trying to figure out which solar panel installer would be the best one for your needs? Although it can be hard to settle on a solar company, the effort will pay off because going solar has many great perks. Solar panels aren't just good for the environment — your wallet will thank you too. With solar power, you can save an average of $22,000 over 20 years, and this doesn't even include incentives.
In this article, we’ll help you narrow down the top options in your area.To get free quotes from the leading solar companies in Bristol, click the "get quote" button below.
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
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 Bristol
SunPower by New York State Solar Farm
Free Quotes- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Family-Operated Business
- Informative Resources
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
System Decommissioning- Financing Assistance
- Permit Assistance
- Battery Storage
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Tesla Powerwall
- Grid-Tied Solar System
SunPower
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
Ion Solar Pros
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
Savkat Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Family-Operated Business
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Battery Storage
EcoSmart Home Services
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
- Financing Assistance
Synergy Smart Homes - Connecticut Solar & Elite SunPower Dealer
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
- Skilled Repairs
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Tesla Powerwall
- Battery Storage
Everlast Energy
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Panel Installation
Elite Energy Consulting
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
SoPro
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
Green Power Energy
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Financing Assistance
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
- Consultation
SunRun Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Skilled Repairs
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
West Hartford Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
Shoreline Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- System Decommissioning
- Consultation
EcoGen America
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
Earthlight Technologies
- Free Quotes
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Tesla Powerwall
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Bristol
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Bristol 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 Bristol
Below are some the criteria we examined specifically for Connecticut 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 Bristol
We get that for many homeowners, the decision to invest in solar hinges on installation costs.Some significant things that determine the upfront cost and potential savings over time include:
- Choice of solar panels: The kind of solar panels you want 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 you don’t need to maximize efficiency, you can go with a higher number of more affordable panels.
- Your household's power bills: Based on the fairly high monthly electricity bills in Bristol, you could save about $1,800 a year with solar.
- Incentives: Tax-paying citizens who buy and install a solar energy system this year can save 0 of their overall solar costs by taking advantage of the federal solar investment tax credit. You can also save about $22,000 on your electricity bills over 20 years without incentives.
- How much sunlight your roof gets: If your roof doesn’t see much direct sunlight, your solar system won’t be able to make as much energy, which will leave you with lower savings on electricity bills than a house with a roof that gets lots of sunlight.
So are solar panels worth it? Whether you’re trying to reduce your energy bills, carbon dioxide emissions or both, solar panels are a good investment for many Bristol homeowners.
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Solar Incentives in Bristol
There are several reasons why you should switch to solar. One of them involves some government incentives that can help save you some money.You qualify for the federal solar investment tax credit (ITC) for the tax year you turn on your a solar panel system. You can also possibly stack the ITC with other local rebates and benefits. You can find out about the incentives available to you in our article on solar incentives
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Bristol
One of the most compelling reasons to tap into solar energy is to cut your dependence on nonrenewable energy sources like burning fossil fuels, which are harmful for the environment.But how much can installing solar panels actually help the environment? In a city like Bristol where energy use is somewhat high, making the switch to solar power is a fantastic plan for households who care about the planet.In Bristol, the average person can lower their carbon footprint by 40 pounds a year after going solar. Since solar energy is abundant and produces electricity without CO2 emissions, adding solar panels to your home is one easy step you can take to help protect the environment.
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
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 Bristol, CT Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the best solar installer in Bristol?
The top local solar company in Bristol is SunPower by New York State Solar Farm, with a rating of 4.90 stars.
What is the negative environmental impact of solar panels?
Solar panels can be detrimental for the environment when manufacturers use toxic chemicals when they’re made. Chemicals can make solar panels difficult to dispose of safely once they’ve reached the end of their lifespan. Making solar panels needs a lot of energy as well. The energy payback period is about 1 to 4 years.
How long does it take to see a return on your investment after buying solar panels?
Solar panels typically pay for themselves in about 11.4 years, but your solar payback period will vary based on your utility costs. The more your typical energy bill, the quicker your solar panel system will pay for itself.
How much solar panel capacity do I need for my house?
Solar panel capacity is how much energy the panels can produce under ideal conditions (a sunny day around noon). The average household needs between 20 and 35 panels to cover their typical energy usage.
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.