Sam AlvarezIf I see one more Nashville Electric Service bill hike, I might just scream.
Okay, maybe not scream, but I definitely find myself staring longingly at those glistening blue roofs popping up all over East Nashville and Franklin.
We all want to keep our utility money from disappearing, but here is the harsh reality: going solar isn’t like buying a toaster.
It is a full-blown construction project on top of your house.
You need a team that won’t just slap some glass on your shingles and ghost you the moment the inverter blinks red.
So, to save you from the contractors who vanish, I dug into the local market to find the crews who actually pick up the phone. Here is my rundown of the best solar panel installers in Nashville.
How much does solar installation cost in Nashville?
Let’s talk money before we talk shiny tech. In Nashville, you aren’t paying California prices, but it’s still a significant investment. For a standard home system here, you are generally looking at a price tag between $19,000 and $30,000 before any tax credits kick in.
Think of it this way: the price usually boils down to roughly $2.80 to $3.50 per watt. If you have a larger two-story home in Bellevue with high air conditioning usage, you might be on the higher end of that range. However, if you’re just trying to offset a portion of your bill for a smaller bungalow, you could come in under that $20k mark. The real variance comes from whether you add batteries. Those Tesla Powerwalls are cool, but they definitely bump up the final invoice.
1. ReNew Solar Solutions
Website: https://renewsolarsolutions.com/
Address: 230 Great Circle Road, Suite 232
Contact: (615) 617-6470
Hours: Mon-Fri: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
ReNew Solar Solutions pitches itself as a “peace of mind” option, backing that up with a lifetime craftsmanship warranty that exceeds many industry standards.
ReNew keeps its crews completely in-house to avoid the headaches that come with random subcontractors. This internal control allows them to guarantee their work for the long haul, and not just 10 years of warrantied labor.
They offer a “White Glove” service that includes a production guarantee. So if they say your system will generate a certain amount of power, they stand behind that number. This gives you confidence in your return on investment.
However, you should be aware that their popularity can sometimes mean a slightly longer lead time for initial consultations. There have also been reports of scammers mimicking similar names online.
Stick to the official site and (615) 617-6470 to ensure you reach the correct team.
Customer Reviews
Within 30 mins, I had my power back, and the system was running.
ReNew Solar is top-notch! When they say they offer a time warranty on their craftsmanship, they mean it! My system had an over-the-air update that had a bug in it (nothing to do with ReNew Solar), and my system shut down randomly at midnight. They rushed out here and worked on the system to get it up and running at 1 am. Within 30 mins, I had my power back, and the system was running. They did all this without hesitation, nor did I get an invoice for payment… Hands down, it’s a great company!
- Casey Pennell | Google Review
Did everything they said they would do and more.
This company certainly did Everything they said they would do and more. I had them install off the grid solar and on grid, Solar.
They worked with my existing generator to make a seamless package when all the power went out two weeks later, I did not know the power was out until I asked my neighbor.
We agreed on a price and they stuck to it even when I said, give me some more receptacles and lights.
They make sure that you’re informed about Solar Rebates that I will apply for with their help January ‘26. Great people!
- Emily Whitcomb | Google Review
2. LightWave Solar
Website: https://www.lightwavesolar.com/
Address: 3026 Owen Drive, Suite 104 (Antioch area)
Contact: (615) 641-4050
Hours: Mon-Fri: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
If you are looking for technical heavyweights, LightWave Solar is a name frequently mentioned in serious energy circles.
Founded in 2006, they have a long history in the valley and are Tesla Powerwall Certified Installers. This certification is significant if you are trying to build a system that keeps the lights on during those nasty Tennessee storms.
I visited a friend in Franklin who used them for a battery backup setup, and the integration was incredibly clean. I saw no exposed conduits or messy wiring nests.
Things worth noting: They employ multiple professionals certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners, which is essentially the gold standard credential for solar technicians.
They also focus on complex projects, like off-grid setups or integrating with existing generators.
The trade-off for this high-level expertise is that their administrative wheels can sometimes turn slowly.
Some homeowners have mentioned that the gap between “installation complete” and “system turned on” can drag out while waiting on final inspections or utility approvals.
Customer Reviews
Happy with our solar array and battery backup from LightWave.
We were very happy with our solar array and battery backup from LightWave. So when we built a new home, it was a certainty that we would go back to LightWave for the same setup at the new house. I have recommended that company to many friends. No hesitation.
- jan culwell | Google Review
They are true professionals and I was glad we selected them.
We had a great experience with Lightwave. They installed an add on system of 5kW along with a Tesla Powerwall battery. From the initial presentation to the final project completion, they all worked together and everyone on their team seemed truly happy to be engaged in this new industry. They are true professionals and I was glad we selected them. In addition to having a high tech back up system for my home, I am now off grid about 30% of the time. Amazing.
- Quentin Humberd | Google Review
3. Green Wave Solar
Website: https://greenwavesolar.com/
Address: Serving Nashville and Neighboring Tennessee Counties
Contact: (615) 237-1737
Hours: Mon-Fri: 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Green Wave Solar serves not just Nashville but a huge chunk of the surrounding counties, like Rutherford and Williamson.
They address budget concerns through their financing flexibility. This includes a “buffet” of financing options such as 12-year term loans, which is crucial because paying cash upfront isn’t feasible for many homeowners.
They are also good at handling the bureaucratic nightmare of permitting. I spoke to a homeowner in Murfreesboro who used them, and they mentioned that Green Wave handled all the “messy permitting stuff” with the city, so the family didn’t have to lift a finger.
While their headquarters is in Murfreesboro, they are very active in the Nashville metro area.
The downside? They aren’t the budget-bin option. You will likely pay a bit more for that level of hand-holding and service, and coordination with third-party contractors (like generator installers) can occasionally hit a snag.
Customer Reviews
GreenWave goes the extra mile.
Everybody we dealt with at GreenWave was professional, knowledgeable, competent, courteous & friendly. They worked with us to design a solar-plus-battery residential system to meet our needs, then took care of the installation process from start to finish, including all the messy permitting stuff. GreenWave goes the extra mile. I highly recommend these folks!
- Chuck Morgret | Google Review
I would highly recommend Greenwave.
Greenwave was not the cheapest option but they were willing to work on their price with us and explained the work and process very well. Their crew was excellent and stayed on the project even with delays related to our generator contractor. All in all, a good experience. I would highly recommend Greenwave.
- Robert Rouzer | Google Review
4. Astrawatt Solar of Nashville
Website: https://www.astrawatt.com/city/nashville-tennessee-solar-panels
Address: 2509 Hospitality Drive, Columbia
Contact: (615) 486-3106
Hours: Mon-Sat: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Astrawatt is a cost-competitive option that uses high-end tech like Enphase IQ microinverters.
These specific inverters are a massive advantage because they allow each panel to operate independently. This means that even if one panel is shaded by a tree, the rest of your system keeps humming along perfectly.
Astrawatt maximizes your return on investment by stripping unnecessary add-ons from their quotes. They are also one of the few that stay open on Saturdays, which is helpful if you work a standard 9-to-5.
However, you need to stay on top of them regarding the schedule.
While the technical work is solid, there have been instances where communication dropped off after the sale, leading to some frustration regarding install timelines. If you choose them, just be prepared to be proactive with your follow-up emails.
Customer Reviews
Did what they promised.
The experience from sales, design, installation to closing out the NES inspection was outstanding. The contracting, engineering and electrical work was done professionally. The system is outperforming my hopes and expectations. Each of the team members knew what they were doing and did what they promised. How does it gat any better than that?
- Sean Harrah-Siple | Google Review
Understood what we needed done.
I needed solar panels removed and reinstalled to replace the shingles on our roof. Haresh contacted me to work out timing and make sure he understood what we needed done. He always responded when I had questions or updates on the date for our shingle replacement. The crew arrived when he said they would, completed the removal and reinstallation in one day each and did it right. Our solar system was back up to normal when they left, other than an error message from one of the inverters that corrected itself the next day.
- Jacques Morrise | Google Review
5. MCH Nashville
Website: https://www.mchnashville.com/
Address: 4113 Old Hickory Boulevard, Old Hickory
Contact: (615) 669-0743
Hours: Mon-Fri: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (By Appointment Only)
MCH Nashville is primarily a construction and Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing firm.
This setup makes them a logical choice if you are building a new home or tackling a massive renovation where solar is just one piece of the puzzle.
Instead of hiring three different guys, you get one team that understands how your solar connects to your plumbing and electrical load.
Established since 2011 and holding active general contractor licenses, they can handle the heavy lifting that smaller solar-only shops might struggle with.
The results are evident in the numbers. Some customers report bills dropping to under $20 a month. But since they are a broad-spectrum construction company, they work by appointment only.
You can’t just drop by for a quick same-day consult. They are best suited for people who plan ahead and want a whole-home strategy for their energy.
Customer Reviews
They consistently stand out as the leading choice for this work.
We have used MCH for Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, and Utilities on hundreds of homes. They consistently stand out as the leading choice for this work. They are quick and accurate at pricing, provide quality work, great communication, and continued support long after the job is done.
- R.Gutierrez | Google Review
My elect bills have been under $20.00/ month for most all of the year.
I very much appreciate the followup and responses to my needs and questions from James at MCH Nashville. Even though I am quite remote from their location they work to get me what’s needed to keep my system fully operational, and my elect bills have been under $20.00/ month for most all of the year. Deepest winter uses some grid energy due to lack of sun hours.
- H. Vern Aaseby | Google Review
