With so many solar companies to choose from, we know how daunting it can be to find an installer you can trust with your home’s solar system. To help you make the right decision, we’ve put together this comprehensive guide to the best solar companies in Charlotte, NC, as rated by our SolarReviews experts and Charlotte residents who’ve already gone solar.
We look for solar companies with owners who understand that when they sell you a solar system, you expect them to be there for the next 25 years to fix any issues that may arise. Here are the top companies we recommend for solar in Charlotte:
Company Description
Solar Energy World is the fastest-growing, independently-owned and operated solar company serving Delaware, Florida, Maryland, New Jersey, Northern Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Washington, DC. With thousands of solar panel system installations since our foundin...
Learn moreSolarReviews Expert Rating Score:
Elite
Rating breakdown
Positives:
10 / 10
Time in business
10 / 10
Litigation and background
10 / 10
Verification of licenses and insurance
10 / 10
Profitability of installer
5 / 5
Consumer reviews performance
5 / 5
Reliability of consumer reviews
4 / 5
Transparency of pricing and sales process
5 / 5
Company size and location
10 / 10
Quality of brands sold
5 / 5
Vertical integration
5 / 5
Transparency about reputation
10 / 10
Competitiveness of loan options
5 / 5
Sustainable pricing of systems
5 / 5
Employee satisfaction and safety record
Negatives:
Services offered
- Solar - Installation
Latest Good Review
It's Always Sunny in NJ | Pennsauken, NJ | 02-09-2025
Happy Solartations
The whole process was awesome from start to finish! Bryan, the sales representative, was great – he totally explained everything without being pushy, just laid out the facts and let us decide. We ended up getting 34 solar panels, the whole job took two days, and I'm stoked! Like the Beatles said, "Here comes the sun...it's all right!"
See full reviewLatest Bad Review
Solomon | 01-28-2025
I am not happy with the solar energy. I agreed to pay $ 58 but I agin paid for pico company around $ 19 . I should not pay two times. Reach me out for more details
See full reviewCompany Description
At NC Solar Now, we are committed to providing high quality, affordable solar energy and energy efficiency solutions to homes and businesses across North Carolina. We envision energy independence for everyone, and are committed to delivering outstanding servic...
Learn moreSolarReviews Expert Rating Score:
Elite
Rating breakdown
Positives:
9 / 10
Time in business
10 / 10
Litigation and background
10 / 10
Verification of licenses and insurance
10 / 10
Profitability of installer
5 / 5
Consumer reviews performance
4 / 5
Transparency of pricing and sales process
5 / 5
Company size and location
10 / 10
Quality of brands sold
5 / 5
Vertical integration
3 / 5
Employee satisfaction and safety record
5 / 5
Sustainable pricing of systems
10 / 10
Competitiveness of loan options
5 / 5
Reliability of consumer reviews
Negatives:
2 / 5
Transparency about reputation
Services offered
- Solar - Installation
Latest Good Review
Petryus F | Raleigh, NC | 09-24-2024
Great communication, transparent timeline and best pricing.
When I decided going to market for my solar system , NC Solar Now was the third company I had called in the process and Brittany from their sales team was great going through the options , systems sizes and also payment conditions. The entire contract process was smooth and easy to get approved and after closing the deal I was connected with several representatives from NC Solar which took care of each step of my process on a timeline manner and always keeping me informed on the progress. After a month of the system installed my flat billing rate from Duke dropped from $139 to $60 a month , even having an electric vehicle. I definitely recommend having a solar system and mostly working with NC Solar Now.
See full reviewLatest Bad Review
Bryan | Raleigh, NC | 04-02-2024
The existing reviews here have to be fake!
This is the worst company I have dealt with in a long time, and there are a lot of crappy companies out there. I purchased my home in 2017 and it came with grid-tied microinverters. The first couple of years everything was pretty good and the system seemed carefree and hands off. In 2020 I started having Enphase IQ7 Microsinverter failures. I called and emailed the company. It took weeks for someone to get back to me. Once they finally did they told me they would order replacement microinverters and send someone out to install them. The new microinverters took two or three weeks for the NCSN to receive them but took another 2 months to come out and install them. After installation, 1 or 2 microinverters still were not reporting. I was told not to worry about it that it's probably just my gateway cannot sense them. Completely disgusted I finally gave up trying to get the last two panels working. In 2022 I noticed a couple more controllers had failed and decided to not bother with them. About 1 month ago I checked on the system and had 7 or 8 failed IQ7 controllers. My system is now operating at about 55% capacity. My system is now seriously crippled. I finally emailed NCSN and Eric responded within a couple of days this time. He checked on the system and said he would order the replacement controllers. That was 3 weeks ago. Eric emailed me a week ago and told me his installer would be out on the next Thursday if it didn't rain. He said if it did rain on Thursday he would have them here the following Tuesday. Well, it rained a lot on Thursday and today is Tuesday. Yesterday I emailed Eric to confirm they were still coming today and I got an out of office message. During our communications I told Eric (who is the service manager bye the way) Oh and Eric's excuse for the last time it took 3 or 4 months was due to labor shortage. But, he assured me this time would be different. Well, so far it's not any different. So, here we go again. They either don't respond or make commitments that they don't keep. I received no communication that they would not be coming today. And the person I was communicating with is on vacation. Great. I would love to be able to find another solar company to deal with or just handle the RMAs myself. But they got me trapped right now. Use this company at your own risk.
See full reviewCompany Description
Freedom Solar is a full-service solar company installing solar panels and backup power systems for homeowners and businesses since 2007. Our mission is to provide complete residential and commercial solar power solutions with quality craftsmanship, attention t...
Learn moreSolarReviews Expert Rating Score:
Elite
Rating breakdown
Positives:
10 / 10
Time in business
10 / 10
Litigation and background
10 / 10
Verification of licenses and insurance
10 / 10
Profitability of installer
5 / 5
Consumer reviews performance
4 / 5
Transparency of pricing and sales process
3 / 5
Company size and location
10 / 10
Quality of brands sold
5 / 5
Vertical integration
5 / 5
Transparency about reputation
10 / 10
Competitiveness of loan options
4 / 5
Employee satisfaction and safety record
5 / 5
Reliability of consumer reviews
Negatives:
2 / 5
Sustainable pricing of systems
Services offered
- Solar - Installation
Latest Good Review
Agnes | Houston, TX | 01-21-2025
Silvana is very knowledgeable in helping us with understanding Freedom solar products, advantages with switching to solar and selecting the right package for our needs. She is very supportive throughout the whole process and keeps us informed at all times. I would recommend to my friends and family to Silvana if they are also considering to switch to Solar.
See full reviewLatest Bad Review
Jeff Christiansen | Orlando, FL | 01-04-2025
Poor customer service
I can not believe how unprofessional customer service is. Even once I finally talked to a manager and agreed he would call me back he still has not reached back out to me after two weeks. I’m now worried about any warranty work.
See full reviewBest solar installers in Charlotte, NC
Company | SolarReviews expert rating | Consumer rating | City | Quote |
---|---|---|---|---|
Solar Energy World | Elite | - | Get Quote | |
NC Solar Now | Elite | Raleigh | Get Quote | |
Freedom Solar Power | Elite | - | Get Quote | |
Go Solar Power | Unrated | - | Get Quote | |
Lunex Power Inc | Unrated | - | Get Quote | |
TayCo Electric | Good | Indian Trail | Get Quote | |
RSRV Power | Good | Charlotte | Get Quote |
Best solar companies for home battery installations in Charlotte
Batteries have become increasingly popular because they take an intermittent energy source like solar and turn it into a reliable and consistent supply of electricity. We recommend getting a solar battery quote if you want a backup power source or if your utility company doesn’t have a net metering program that buys excess solar energy at the full price of power, as you could save a little extra on your electric bill.
Here are some Charlotte companies that install panels and solar battery storage systems:
Company | SolarReviews expert rating | Consumer rating | City | Quote |
---|---|---|---|---|
Entropy Solar Integrators | Unrated | Charlotte | Get Quote | |
Better Tomorrow Solar | Elite | - | Get Quote | |
United Solar Inc. (Out of Business) | Unrated | - | Get Quote | |
Accelerate Solar | Unrated | Charlotte | Get Quote | |
Suntec Solar | Unrated | Monroe | Get Quote |
How to find the best solar panel company near you
Picking a solar company is the most important decision you make when going solar. You need to trust them to drill holes in your roof, help you navigate financing and incentives and provide you with 25+ years of customer service.
Check out this video where our founder, who also founded a successful solar installation company, explains what to look for when choosing the best solar company near you.
Top things to consider when choosing a solar company in Charlotte:
Years in business
One of the first things to look at when finding a company is how long they have been in business. We suggest looking for companies that have been around for at least five years, as the longer it has been in business, the more likely it is you’ll have a positive installation experience.
Companies with five or more years of experience will probably have established after-sales service and warranty support. It signals that they aren’t a company in it to make a quick buck; they’re in it for the long haul.
Of course, there are exceptions to this rule, which is why you should also keep a few other factors in mind.
Licenses, insurance, and certifications
Solar companies that are licensed, insured and hold certifications take their business seriously. Look for companies that have NABCEP Certified professionals or certified electricians on staff and are properly insured, so their workers, and you, are protected.
Financing options
Not everyone has thousands of dollars to spend on a solar panel installation. So, you’ll want to find a company with solar financing options that work for you. Ask for quotes for various types of financing plans to see which one will work best for your budget. Solar loans are often your next best choice if you can’t pay in cash. But, if you don’t pay federal income taxes or can’t qualify for a loan, finding a company that offers solar leases or power purchase agreements might be the right move.
Services and products offered
Don’t choose a company that can’t complete the job that you want to be done. If you need an energy storage system, get quotes from companies that install batteries! Maybe you want a particular brand of panels or an electric vehicle charger installation. Ask the company if they provide those services or carry those brands so you don’t have to settle for less.
Customer review scores
Customer ratings give valuable insight into how a solar company actually operates and treats its customers. Read SolarReviews, Google and Yelp reviews to understand the company’s installation process, sales practices and overall customer service. But remember that some companies incentivize customers to leave positive reviews, so make sure you read reviews with some scrutiny.
Warranty
Any reputable solar installation company will offer a workmanship or labor warranty that covers any damages that may occur during the installation process. We recommend using an installer with at least a ten-year labor warranty.
Some installation companies, like SunPower, include a system performance guarantee. This promises you’ll get a certain amount of electricity from your solar panels and is an excellent added protection.
Charlotte incentives and rebates
Solar incentives and rebates can cut the cost of installing solar in Charlotte by thousands of dollars. The most significant incentive is the 30% federal solar tax credit, available to any taxpayer in the country when they purchase solar panels or battery storage.
Some cities, counties, states and utility companies offer additional solar incentives, saving homeowners even more money. Here are the solar incentives available in Charlotte:
Incentive | Eligibility | Type |
---|---|---|
Residential Clean Energy Tax Credit | Federal | Personal Tax Credit |
Net Metering | State | Net Metering |
Property Tax Abatement for Solar Electric Systems | State | Property Tax Incentive |
How much can you save with solar incentives?
What to look for in solar quotes in Charlotte
Once you’ve found a few companies you like, you can start getting solar quotes. You can get a better deal when you get quotes from multiple solar installers; we suggest getting at least three quotes. Here are a few of my favorite tips and tricks for comparing quotes and what questions you should ask installers.
System size and energy production
All solar quotes should include the size of the system and how much energy it is projected to produce. Most of the quotes you get will probably be in the same ballpark. But, if one is drastically larger or smaller than the others — ask about it! Maybe one installer included shading from a tree, while another based its estimates on having that tree removed.
If you choose reliable installers, you can trust that these estimates will be as accurate as possible. But you can always double-check using the SolarReviews solar calculator and enter the information received in your quotes.
Pricing
You should know as much as possible about how much the solar panels cost. Make sure you know both the total cost of the system and the price per watt of solar installed. The cost per watt makes it easier to compare prices between quotes and gives you a better idea of how fairly the system is priced. The average price of solar is about $1.99 to $2.99 per watt in Charlotte, so anything in that range is a fair price.
Financing
Financing is one of the most important things to look for in your solar quote. There are a few different things to keep an eye out for, depending on what type of solar financing you’re using.
If you’re looking to use a solar loan, you should ask the company for both a cash quote and the financed quote. Solar loans include something called dealer fees, which can sometimes add 20% or more to the total cost of your system in exchange for a lower interest rate. It’s worth comparing what dealer fees and interest rates you’re quoted from different companies to get the best deal possible.
If you want a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA), you’ll want to look for an escalator clause in the contract. The escalator clause outlines how much your payments will go up every year. Ideally, this should be lower than the rate at which electric prices increase in your area, typically about 3% annually. If the escalator rate is higher than this, you could end up paying more than if you hadn’t gone solar at all!
Payback period
Some quotes may include when you’ll break even, meaning when your panels have saved as much as you spent on them.
If it’s not explicitly listed on the quote, you can compare any savings estimates they provide to the system’s total price and get a rough estimate of when your panels will pay themselves off. The shorter the payback period, the better.
Equipment
Good quality solar installers will carry good quality equipment. So if you pick an installer you trust, you can expect reliable products. But, it can’t hurt to research and ask the installer questions about what would be going on your roof.
Most solar panels installed today are about 400 watts in size and have efficiency ratings above 19%. Higher wattage and efficiency panels can produce slightly more electricity but may add a price premium. You’ll want to make sure the solar panels have the industry standard 25-year product and performance warranties.
Frequently asked questions about solar in Charlotte
How much do solar panels cost in Charlotte?
How much can solar panels save in Charlotte?
Do I need a solar battery in Charlotte?
How can you pay for solar panels in Charlotte?
What are the best solar companies for a solar lease in Charlotte?
What are the best solar companies for zero-down solar loans in Charlotte?
How SolarReviews rates installers
SolarReviews developed our Expert Rating criteria to make it easier for homeowners to find solar companies they can trust. It’s not just about the consumer reviews or the products they sell - it’s about how they treat their employees, how they support their customers, and if they run an honest business.
We used our team’s extensive knowledge of the solar industry to create a data-based scoring system for rating solar companies that encompasses all of the most important things to consider when picking the best solar company, including:
- Background checks
- Brand quality
- License and insurance
- Vertical integration
- Profitability
- Transparency
- Consumer reviews
- Loan options
- Local service
- Responsible pricing
Learn more about the SolarReviews Expert Rating system.
Andy is arguably the most qualified rooftop solar expert in America. He is in a unique position, having founded a large solar company but now being independent of any particular company. He has appeared on CNBC, has been referenced in public hearings concerning the rooftop solar industry ( such as the recent CPUC NEM 3 decision) and has been referenced by many major publications such as the Wall Street Journal, Business Week and many others.