4 Best Solar Companies in Wilmington, NC (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 4 in Wilmington based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Wilmington, NC
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Wilmington homeowner saves $1,621/year with solar panels
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Best Solar Companies in Wilmington
When deciding on the best solar companies, Wilmington homeowners have more options to choose from than ever before, which can be too much to take in, but we’re here to make adopting solar power less confusing. Luckily, Wilmington residents have access to many of the best solar companies in the nation, all of which provide exceptional value for generating clean energy.
In this article, we’ll tell you about the top Wilmington solar installers so you can find the best one for your home’s green energy needs.To receive free quotes from the best solar companies in Wilmington, you can click "get quote" 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 Wilmington
Cape Fear Solar Systems, LLC
Free Quotes- Clear Pricing Policy
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Battery Storage- Panel Installation
- Consultation
Pamlico Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Skilled Repairs
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Panel Installation
Carolina Connections Solar Energy - North Carolina Installation & Sales
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Family-Operated Business
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Permit Assistance
LGCY Power
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Wilmington
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Wilmington 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 Wilmington
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 Wilmington
The cost of installing a solar panel system has decreased immensely over the past several years, but it’s still a large investment for most homeowners.A few important factors that influence the cost of installing a solar panel system on your home and how much money you could save over time are:
- Incentives: Those who install a solar energy system this year can save 0 of their installation costs by taking advantage of the federal solar investment tax credit. You can also save about $19,000 on your electricity bills over 20 years not including incentives.
- Energy consumption: Installing a solar system may be too pricey an option for families that don’t need too much energy a month.
- The kind of solar panels you can buy: This hinges on how much you’re willing to spend upfront.
- The amount of sunlight your rooftop gets: Thanks to Wilmington’s very high amount of average daily sunlight, you should be able to save a lot on your electric bills.
Though a solar panel system costs a sizable chunk of money upfront, it can save you thousands of dollars over the lifespan of your panels. The question of how much, though, depends on several factors, such as the size of your house and your current power bills.
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Solar Incentives in Wilmington
In order to increase the number of homes and businesses that use solar power, incentives are offered by the government – and even some utility companies – to help make going solar more financially viable and accessible.Regardless of what state you live in, you can take advantage of the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which will let you claim 0 of your project costs when you file taxes, lowering the amount of taxes you owe that year. In addition, there may be some state and city incentives that stack with the ITC too. In our article on solar incentives, you can find out about the incentives you qualify for in your area.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Wilmington
There are a few main reasons why many people want to invest in solar energy: for the financial and environmental benefits.Something many people might be asking themselves is how much can they really help the environment by going solar anyway? How much energy you use is an important factor to think about. The more power your home uses, the bigger your impact when you switch to solar energy.Once you go solar, your carbon footprint can be reduced by about 70 pounds each year. If you care about the environment, you’ll no doubt recognize that there are many good things about adopting solar power other than just saving money on electricity. You can also help protect 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 Wilmington, NC Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar panel installer is the best near me?
In Wilmington, Cape Fear Solar Systems, LLC is the most reputable local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 4.80 stars, so it's a solid choice if you're planning to add solar panels to your house.
What is the negative environmental impact of solar panels?
Solar panels can be bad for the environment when manufacturers use toxic chemicals in the construction. Chemicals can make solar panels difficult to recycle safely once they’ve reached the end of their lifespan. Solar panel manufacturing requires 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 12.1 years, but your solar payback period will vary based on your utility costs. The more your typical energy bill, the faster your solar panel system will recoup your installation costs.
What is solar panel capacity and how much do I need for my house?
Solar panel capacity is the amount of energy the panels can produce under ideal conditions (a sunny day around noon). The average household has to install between 20 and 35 panels to account for how much energy they need.
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.