4 Best Solar Companies in Houston of May 2024 - MarketWatch

4 Best Solar Companies in Houston of May 2024

Looking to install solar on your Houston home? Click below to get a free quote from our top rated providers.
The Best Solar Companies of May 2024

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Looking to install solar on your Houston home? Click below to get a free quote from our top rated providers.

with our comparison partner, HomeService Quotes

Houston is the largest city in Texas, one of the sunniest states in the U.S. that ranks second overall for installed solar capacity. Our picks for the best solar companies in Houston are Sunpower, Freedom Solar, Sunrun and Powered by Elevation.

We at the MarketWatch Guides Team based our research on extensive homeowner surveys, discussions with solar experts and our national analysis of the top solar companies. We also used our detailed methodology to rate and review each company in Houston to help you decide on the right solar installer for your home.

| Company | Best For | Cost of an 8kW System* | BBB Rating | Visit Site |
| Our pick for most experience | $24,000–$36,000 | A+ | | |

| Company | BBB Rating | Best For | Cost of an 8kW System* | Visit Site |
| A+ | Our pick for most experience | $24,000–$36,000 | | |

*Pricing is based on responses to two surveys we conducted in 2023 of 2,000 total homeowners with 8 kilowatt (kW) solar systems as well as pricing information obtained directly from SunPower, Tesla, Palmetto and local providers. Your cost may vary. BBB ratings are accurate as of November 2023.

Although you may decide solar panels are a worthwhile investment in Houston, finding the right installer may not be as easy. Here are a few factors to consider when choosing a solar company in the city.

The key metric when determining a solar system’s worth is the total savings you can achieve — and those savings partially depend on the cost of your system. Solar panels cost between $15,000 and $20,000 or more, on average. Consider quotes from several solar companies to ensure you get the most reasonable quote for the given equipment and warranties. Many installers offer multiple payment options if you cannot spend a large amount upfront, including solar loans, leases and power purchase agreements (PPA).

A trustworthy solar installer will not only have the necessary permits and licenses, but also a trained installation crew. Choosing a trustworthy solar company guarantees a high-quality installation and reliable post-installation support. Look at its customer ratings and reviews on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Trustpilot to determine if you can trust a company for your installation.

Many homeowners can maximize their energy efficiency by adding other services when going solar. For example, you may opt for energy-efficient lighting retrofits or HVAC upgrades. Or you may want to add accessories with your solar panels, such as electric vehicle (EV) chargers or solar battery storage. We recommend making a list of possible services you may need before exploring solar companies in your area. That way, you can find an installer to assist you with the solar installation process and additional upgrades.

Houstonians planning to go solar have plenty of installers to choose from — over 600 companies operate in Texas. Homeowners looking for experience and reputation may prefer SunPower, while those interested in various payment plans might opt for Sunrun. Freedom Solar also offers high-quality equipment and service in Houston, and Elevation can provide whole-home energy-efficiency upgrades.

We recommend requesting free quotes from at least three installers before choosing a company that suits your needs.

The following are some of the main benefits of installing solar panels in Houston:

Houston does not offer any local solar incentives based on our research, but the statewide programs available in Texas can help you save on the cost of a solar power system. Below is a look at the available incentives for Houston residents.

The most beneficial solar incentive available to Houston residents is the federal solar tax credit, formally called the solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC). It offers homeowners a federal tax credit equivalent to 30% of their total solar system value. You can claim and apply the credit against your income tax burden for the year you install solar panels. If you cannot claim the full credit amount, you can roll over the remainder for up to five years. Considering a typical 5 kW system costs around $12,500 in Houston, homeowners could save about $3,750 with the federal tax credit.

Below are the two main incentives available in the Lone Star State, both of which apply to Houston residents.

You can also check with your local municipality and utility company for additional solar incentives or rebates.

A total of 617 solar companies operate in Texas. Of those companies, 99 are manufacturers, 243 are installers or developers, and 275 provide other services. Many of these companies also operate in major cities such as Houston, Austin, Dallas and San Antonio.

Houston’s ample sunshine allows homeowners to generate generous amounts of solar power, saving thousands of dollars in electric bills over the years. Solar also offers other advantages, such as clean energy generation, a lower carbon footprint, protection against power outages and a home value increase. For these reasons, we think going solar in Houston is worth it.

With hundreds of solar energy companies in the city, it is difficult to choose just one solar installer as the best. Based on our detailed analysis, our picks for the best solar companies in Houston are Freedom Solar, SunPower, Sunrun and Powered by Elevation. However, you may find that other reputable installers, such as Momentum Solar or Tesla Energy, better serve your home energy needs.

We closely evaluated seven crucial factors according to our solar panel installation company methodology to rank the best providers in the industry. Based on a 100-point scale, we came up with each provider’s score out of five stars. Here’s how we assessed each company:

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