Mississippi’s climate means long, hot summers and high utility bills. Cooling your home can make up more than 55% of your energy costs, according to Entergy Mississippi. Installing solar panels just might be the answer to slashing some of your energy costs. We’ve spent more than 60 hours researching the best solar companies, both nationwide and based in Mississippi, to bring you our top picks. Read on to find the best solar provider for your home.
Compare the Best Solar Companies in Mississippi
| Company | Logo | Star Rating | BBB Rating | Warranties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Blue Raven SolarGet Quote | | A+ | 25-year panels, 10-year workmanship | |
Venture SolarRead Our Review |  | A+ | 25 years | |
Solar Energy WorldRead Our Review |  | A+ | 25–30 years | |
SunrunGet Quote | | A+ | 25-year panels, 10-year workmanship |
Mississippi’s Top Solar Energy Companies
- Blue Raven Solar: Most Reputable
- Venture Solar: Best Northeast Regional Installer
- Solar Energy World: Best East Coast Installer
- Sunrun: Best Solar Panel Leasing
Our Top Picks for Solar Panel Installation in MS
Blue Raven Solar has one of the best reputations for reliability and trustworthiness. It has won awards for its team and CEO, and customer reviews report great customer service and prompt installations. The company also stands out for its in-house financing, which includes 18 months of free solar energy.
Out of all solar brands in the market, 6.5% of our survey respondents chose Blue Raven.
How We Scored Blue Raven Solar
Blue Raven received 4.4 out of 5 stars according to our rating system. The company scored the most points for its customer service reputation and warranty coverage. It also earned points for providing all standard solar panel services but lost some due to its limited financing options and lack of roof leak coverage.
- Solar Equipment and Services (18 out of 25 points): Blue Raven offers solar panel and battery installation, active monitoring services, and energy audits. However, it doesn’t offer solar roofs, EV chargers, or additional roofing services.
- Warranty and Performance Guarantees (22 out of 25 points): The company offers top-of-the-line warranties, including a 25-year workmanship warranty. The company earned points fo providing a performance guarantee, but its guarantee is shorter than many other providers. However, it doesn’t provide any roof leak coverage.
- Brand Reputation and Professional Certifications (13 out of 15 points): Blue Raven has high customer review ratings on its BBB profile and other popular review sites. The company uses in-house installers but doesn’t ensure they’re NABCEP-certified, which made it lose some points in this category.
- Financing Options (12 out of 15 points): Blue Raven offers some of the best in-house financing of the companies this list, but it limits this financing to solar loans. You may want to consider a different provider, such as Sunrun, if you’re looking for a lease or PPA.
- Industry Experience (7 out of 10 points): Blue Raven has less experience than other providers, with only 10 years in the industry.
- State Availability (7 out of 10 points): The company limits its service area to 19 states.
Warranty and Financing
Warranty
A Blue Raven system has a 25-year product warranty, a 10-year workmanship warranty, and a two-year production guarantee.
Financing Options
✔ Full purchase
✔ Loan
State Availability
Available in: Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington
Reputation and Reviews
Blue Raven has won numerous awards from Comparably, a site known for its company culture and reputation reviews. It also ranked No. 20 on Glassdoor’s Best Place to Work in the USA in 2021.
Blue Raven is accredited by the BBB and currently holds an A+ rating. We noted that customers praised the knowledgeable staff and prompt installation but cited poor communication after completing projects. We analyzed several consumer reviews and found that some of these issues stem from the company’s financing department and third-party installers.
Read our review of Blue Raven Solar for more information.
Venture Solar specializes in installing systems that are perfectly symmetrical and have no visible wiring or mounting devices. This design provides a simple, stylish look tailored to your roof’s appearance. Additionally, Venture offers comprehensive financing options similar to Sunrun, making solar energy more accessible to homeowners.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Provides transparent information about its financing options online
- Includes remote monitoring
- Includes a 25-year roof and system warranty with all panel systems
Cons
- Requires your phone number to submit an online quote
- Reviews mention mixed experiences with customer support
- Doesn’t work with power purchase agreement
How We Scored Venture Solar
Venture earned 4.2 out of 5 stars. It gained most of its points due to its flexible financing options paired with an in-house financing department. It also provides plenty of solar services to match most customers’ wants and needs, though it lost points for lacking roofing services, energy audits, and EV charger installations.
- Solar Equipment and Services (16 out of 25 points): Venture offers solar panel and battery installation with active monitoring. The company lost points in this category because it doesn’t provide EV chargers, solar roof installation services, energy audits, and roof repairs.
- Warranty and Performance Guarantees (25 out of 25 points): The company features excellent warranty perks with 25 years on labor, products, and performance. It also includes roof leak protection.
- Brand Reputation and Professional Certifications (13 out of 15 points): Venture has a great reputation. It features high ratings on its BBB profile with an accreditation and no active issues like lawsuits.
- Financing Options (14 out of 15 points): Venture provides financing options through an in-house financing team and works with every payment method except PPAs.
- Industry Experience (7 out of 10 points): The company holds only eight years of experience in the solar industry.
- State Availability (7 out of 10 points): Venture has a limited service area of only three states.
Warranty and Financing
Warranty
Venture offers a 25-year bumper-to-bumper warranty that covers workmanship, products, and power output.
Financing Options
✔ Full purchase
✔ Loan
✔ Lease
State Availability
Available in: Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York.
Reputation and Reviews
Venture has an A+ rating and accreditation on its BBB profile. According to customer reviews, the company provides high-quality workmanship on its solar panel systems and good customer support. However, some customers have raised concerns about the pricing and quoting process. They found it confusing to determine the total cost of their system and experienced frequent back-and-forth over pricing.
Some customers also noted that Venture focuses on premium products, leading to higher pricing even when unnecessary. We found several Reddit threads discussing Venture where other solar customers and installers mentioned similar experiences.
Solar Energy World (SEW) is one of the most robust and well-regarded solar installation companies. It boasts several impressive features, such as its 30-year manufacturer’s warranty. Its service area is limited, and it doesn’t offer energy auditing services. We like that SEW discloses what solar panels it primarily works with and that the panels are from trusted, quality brands such as Qcells and Silfab.
Roughly 11% of our surveyed solar users purchased their system from Solar Energy World.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Features an extensive solar product catalog with trusted brands
- Includes free active monitoring
- Hires NABCEP-certified installers and designers
Cons
- Reviews mention communication issues with staff
- Warranty coverage varies by solar panel brand
- Doesn’t offer a power production guarantee
How We Scored Solar Energy World
SEW scored 4.4 out of 5 stars according to our methodology. The company received many points because of its warranty, which is longer than most other solar companies’ warranties. SEW offers a 30-year manufacturer’s warranty on all its solar panels and inverters, whereas many providers only offer 25-year warranties.
- Solar Equipment and Services (18 out of 25 points): The company is an ideal option for many basic solar products and services, such as solar panels and battery installation. It lost points because it doesn’t install EV chargers or perform energy audits.
- Warranty and Performance Guarantees (19 out of 25 points): SEW’s manufacturer and labor warranties are standout features, but the company doesn’t include any production guarantees with its work.
- Brand Reputation and Professional Certifications (15 out of 15 points): The company’s reputation is one of the best, with high BBB and Google Reviews ratings. We also found no active alerts or lawsuits.
- Financing Options (13.5 out of 15 points): SEW offers all possible solar payment options but doesn’t provide an in-house financing department.
- Industry Experience (8 out of 10 points): The company has been in business since 2009, so it received most of the points in this category.
- State Availability (6 out of 10 points): SEW limits its service area to eight East Coast states.
Warranty and Financing
Warranty
SEW offers a 30-year manufacturer’s warranty on all purchased solar panels and inverters. However, coverage varies by brand, and the company doesn’t guarantee them with every panel option.
Financing Options
✔ Full purchase
✔ Loan
✔ Lease
✔ PPA
State Availability
Available in: Washington, D.C, Delaware, Florida, Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Virginia
Reputation and Reviews
The company landed on Solar Power World’s 2023 Top Solar Contractors List in the No. 10 spot.
The BBB accredits SEW, and the company holds an A+ rating. Former customers praise the company for its professionalism, assistance with applying for financial incentives, and smooth installation process. However, some reported discrepancies in finances and scheduling.
Sunrun offers four financing options, including unique leasing options tailored for homeowners who don’t want system ownership. Prepaid and leased systems get a 25-year warranty that includes 25 years of system service and maintenance plus ongoing monitoring and theft insurance.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Provides system monitoring that signals issues with your system
- Offers diverse financing options to suit various budgets
- Provides EV and solar battery solutions
Cons
- Limited online information on solar incentive disqualification with leases
- Requires added costs for the same coverage plans as leased and prepaid customers
- Varies solar battery availability by state
Warranty and Financing
Sunrun backs its systems with a 10-year comprehensive warranty which includes product, roof penetration, and workmanship coverage.
Reputation and Awards
The company earned DroneDeploy’s 2022 Guardian of Safety Award for incorporating drone technology in its site assessments. In 2021 and 2022, Sunrun was recognized by Comparably with 14 awards. Its accolades include Best CEOs for Diversity 2022, Best Company Culture 2021, and Best Company for Women two years in a row.
Sunrun currently holds an A+ rating with BBB and is accredited. Customers praised the comprehensive coverage for leased systems but complained about delayed installations, poor customer service, and poor communication with project managers.
Areas of Coverage
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Florida
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- Texas
- Vermont
- Wisconsin
- Puerto Rico
- Washington, D.C.
Note: In July 2024, SunPower notified dealers it would be halting all new shipments and project installations. The company also noted it would “no longer be supporting new Leases and PPA sales nor new project installations of these financing options.
Are There Solar Incentives in Mississippi?
Mississippi may not offer as many solar incentives as other states, but there are still programs that can help you save on your solar installation costs and maximize your investment in solar energy. Here’s a breakdown of the incentives available:
Federal Solar Tax Credit
The federal solar tax credit offers the most substantial savings, allowing you to deduct up to 30% of your solar panel installation costs from your federal taxes. For example, if your solar system costs $20,000, you could receive a tax credit of $6,000. The credit applies to solar installations on both new and existing homes and all components, such as solar batteries and solar shingles.
Net Metering
Mississippi’s net-metering program allows homeowners to sell excess solar energy back to the grid in exchange for utility bill credits. However, not all utilities in Mississippi offer net metering. The Mississippi Public Service Commission requires only investor-owned utilities to provide this program. For other utilities, check with them directly to see if they offer net metering and understand the terms.
While these incentives can reduce your solar installation costs, they aren’t the only ways to save: Some solar companies offer tiered plans with no upfront cost, allowing you to start saving immediately.
Mississippi doesn’t offer any additional solar rebates or credits. However, there are additional incentives for energy efficiency upgrades. We recommend checking the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE) for the most up-to-date list of rebates and credits.
What Should You Look For in a Solar Company?
Keep the following key factors in mind when considering solar installation companies.
Solar Services
Either an in-house team or a third-party contractor will complete your solar installation process. In-house teams work directly with the company, providing better communication and better solar installation quality. With third-party contracts, solar companies use various local installers to complete your project. This can lead to varied installation quality and contractor miscommunications. We recommend working with solar companies that use in-house installers.
Consider solar companies that offer additional services, including energy audits and system monitoring. Energy audits boost your home’s efficiency, leading to better energy use and lower utility bills. Solar system monitoring helps you track your system’s health and provides alerts on production or panel issues. These services may come with your contract or cost an additional fee. Other solar services include roofing, electrical, and system servicing.
Warranties
System warranty lengths vary between providers and products but should align with your panels’ estimated life span. Since most panels last around 25 years, look for warranties offering that same coverage length. The best solar panels have longer warranty lengths than cheaper options. You’ll typically find the following warranty coverage for most solar energy solutions.
- Manufacturer (or product) warranty: This coverage protects your panels against manufacturer defects.
- Workmanship (or labor) coverage: This warranty covers any issues caused by a poor or faulty system installation.
Some solar providers offer panel performance guarantees that promise specific production levels throughout your system’s lifetime. These guarantees vary by provider but could last from two to 30 years or longer.
Payment Options
Which solar financing method you choose plays a major role in your system’s estimated payback period and return on investment (ROI). Cash payments or solar loans offer the best financial benefits and qualify you for solar incentives, rebates, and credits. Other payment options, such as solar leases and power purchase agreements (PPAs), leave solar panel system ownership with the provider. These financing options offer little long-term financial benefit. Unless solar system ownership is not a priority, we recommend up-front payment or solar loans for most homeowners.
Customer Support
Solar installers should offer multiple contact methods for their customer support team. You’ll typically find companies offer phone and email support. We’ve also seen additional methods, such as online chat, SMS messaging, and online forms. During secret shopping, we found some online chats use live agents while others rely on unhelpful automated responses. You may also have direct technical support team access via the provider’s dedicated app.
How To Get a Solar Quote in Mississippi
Shopping for solar involves more than just comparing prices. To begin, you’ll need to contact solar providers in Mississippi, either by filling out online forms or by using the phone numbers listed on their websites.
Contact Each Company
Be prepared to discuss your electricity needs, roof type, and installation timeline. It’s also helpful to have a general understanding of your home’s solar needs, including energy usage, roof shading, and budget. Be cautious of companies that don’t conduct site visits during consultations, as they may only operate as third-party installers. Without proper assessments—including roof condition checks, energy bill analyses, and evaluations of home technology—your solar system may not be properly designed.
Schedule Your Consultation
Once you’ve made initial contact, the next step is to schedule a site visit. This allows a consultant to inspect your roof in person and provide recommendations for equipment and costs. An in-person visit is crucial for a detailed assessment of your roof’s condition and to determine the best panel options based on space and shading. The consultant will check your available roof space and determine the best panels for your project. Efficient solar panels produce more power and require less room, while cheaper solar panels require ample roof space.
After the site visit, you’ll receive quotes from various companies. Compare these quotes not just on price but also based on solar panel type, warranties, and each company’s reputation for service and support. Review contract terms thoroughly—make sure all promises and warranties are clearly documented. Take time to understand the terms related to maintenance, costs, and performance guarantees.
Review Your Final Quote
Once you’ve compared quotes and reviewed contracts, you can negotiate terms if necessary. After finalizing the agreements, you’ll need to pay any required deposits. Be aware that some solar providers may try to upsell you on additional equipment or features, such as high-efficiency panels or smart technology upgrades, which could increase your costs by more than $1,000 compared to other offers.
Our Conclusion
Blue Raven Solar stands out as the top solar provider in Mississippi due to its excellent customer service. The company provides a wide variety of options for solar equipment, such as inverters and solar batteries. As you search for the right solar installation company, we recommend getting at least three free quotes to compare product catalogs, warranty coverage, and solar services.
Other Mississippi Home Service Resources
FAQs About Solar Companies in Mississippi
Does Mississippi offer solar incentives?
Yes, Mississippi offers a few solar incentives for residents. The federal tax credit provides up to 30% of solar installation costs. Unfortunately, Mississippi has no other incentives, such as a state solar tax credit or exemptions for property tax.
Is Mississippi a good state for solar?
Yes, Mississippi is a good state for solar, thanks to its abundant sunshine, averaging 216 sunny days annually. Residents benefit from lower energy bills, especially when staying cool during Mississippi’s long, humid summers. Total energy savings will depend on several factors, including your energy needs, system size, solar panel quality, and local electricity rates.
What is Mississippi’s largest solar farm?
Mississippi’s largest solar farm is the Sumrall Solar Farm in Sumrall, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). Built in 2017, this farm generates 143.9 megawatts (MW) of electricity.
Does Mississippi allow net metering?
Mississippi allows net metering through investor-owned utilities (IOUs), though some electric cooperatives offer their own program. Homeowners should check with their utility company for its available net-metering program and payout rates.
Our Rating Methodology
We are committed to providing comprehensive and unbiased reviews to our readers. After over a thousand hours of research on solar companies, interviews with experts, and common customer needs, we’ve created a detailed rating system for solar providers based on six factors:
- Solar equipment, installation, and services (25%)
- Warranty and performance guarantees (25%)
- Brand reputation and certifications (15%)
- Financing options (15%)
- Experience (10%)
- Availability (10%)
Total scores are divided by 20 for a final 5-point rating scale.
