Many companies offer two or more financing choices to meet their customers budgets. For instance, if you have more than enough space to put enough solar panels to meet your electricity needs, it might not be worth it to pay a premium for the highest rated equipment since you dont need to eke out every possible kilowatt-hour of production from a limited amount of space. States available: All 50 states, but installation may be limited in some ZIP codes. We compared several key features, including: Among the top picks that have reviews on our site as of publishing, all have an average CA user rating of at least 3.6 stars out of 5. Though SunPowers solar panels cost more than other companies, theyre some of the most efficient available. The company was recognized for its innovative SunVault energy storage system. Lease, loan and purchase options. Specializes in residential and commercial solar roofing services. Check customer reviews from a companys current and former customers to gauge their service and customer support. Solar companies should provide you with full quote details including final system costs, accessories, and permitting fees. Products include the following: AI+ 50 A: 0-50 AMPS AI+ 70A *Smart Access: 50-70 AMPS AI+ 200A *Smart Access 12K or 15k: States available: Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, Pennsylvania, and Texas. Many large-scale providers offer nationwide coverage, but the coverage area actually varies by ZIP code. Up to 25-year component warranty. Polycrystalline PV Solar Panels Polycrystalline PV Solar Panels are one of the most popular types of solar panels on the market today. Blue Raven Solar partners with Give Power, a non-profit organization committed to providing clean water to water-scarce regions. WebWhile your increase in home value will depend on several factors, including your location, the age and performance of your solar energy system, and the cost of electricity in your area, 2022 Rocket data suggests that solar-powered homes are 24.7% more likely to sell over asking price and spend 13.3% less time on the market. Keep progress photos and detailed daily progress records. The company earned, DroneDeploys 2022 Guardian of Safety Award. For example, a home that saves $500 per year with solar energy increases its property value by $10,000. Easy-to-use app to customize settings. The solar company won awards in back-to-back years at the, , a site known for its comprehensive company culture and reputation reviews. Below is an overview of the key factors to review when comparing potential solar companies. Top 10 Solar Companies In The WorldJinko Solar. The list starts with a very prolific solar panel producer and seller in the world with headquarters in Shanghai, China.LONGi Solar. The company is one of the largest mono-crystalline solar modules producers in the world, with the main headquarters stationed in Xian, China.JA Solar. Canadian Solar. Trina Solar. SunPower Corp. Hanwha Q Cells. More items Solar is a major purchase, and one that is often accompanied by significant complexity. The 2021 wins include Best Company for Diversity 2021, Best CEO 2021, Best Company Work-Life Balance, and Best Career Growth 2021. Different installers will take different approaches to the design and configuration of your solar panels, so its important to compare the different designs and ask installers why they chose their specific design. WebChecking reviews can help you compare companies side-by-side and make an educated decision. Also provides battery backup, roofing, and heating and air conditioning services. Alternatively, a solar provider could offer all-inclusive warranty coverage for its in-house products. Copyright 2023 This Old House Ventures, LLC. After its acquisition of Sunpro Solar in 2021, it soon became one of the largest solar providers in the United States. A solar inverter converts your solar panels generated energy into usable electricity for your home. With several individual factors at play, the benefits of going solar vary on a case-by-case basis. Palmetto also aims to provide solar energy to underserved communities with its. For example, a company may add a clause that the coverage lasts for 10 years or when the battery completes a certain number of power cycles. Though ADT Solar is new to the solar industry, its been an established home security company since 1874. Pay set monthly payments for installed solar panels, Pay monthly payments based on energy generated by the system. It has retail partnerships with national brands such as Best Buy, Comcast, and Costco. Local installers typically have less costs for advertising and sales than the large, national corporations. SunPower creates some of the most energy-efficient systems in the country. Since 2015, Elevation has focused on providing a complete energy-efficiency experience for homeowners. ConsumerAffairs is not a government agency. We've reviewed other solar companies that don't appear in our best list above, including some that scored higher overall than Tesla's solar panels. You also get a solar roof without the major markup of other options, like the Tesla solar roof. Make sure your selected companies provide full disclosure on all pricing information before signing a contract. A house? Looking into solar panels but not sure where to start? Partners with Go Solar California, Massachusetts Clean Energy Center and Environment America. Youll want a reputable solar company with experience installing solar panel systems in your area, with all the appropriate certifications, and who you can count on to pick up the phone in the unlikely event that anything goes wrong with your system. Doing your research is always the best way to learn about anything, so when looking for solar panel companies in Topeka, KS, it is a great idea to start by The app also allows customers to track their energy usage by month, day, or hour and verify their systems overall health and performance. Solar panels lose their ability to produce solar electricity as they age for any number of reasons, so a warranty will guarantee a certain level of production after a certain number of years. Sunrun offers four financing options and full-service protection with each plan. The company earned DroneDeploys 2022 Guardian of Safety Award for incorporating drone technology in its site assessments. offers an Energy Efficiency package to find and repair air leaks, poor insulation, or other energy-draining issues. All rights reserved. Provides multiple energy storage options and monitoring. The company will pay you $.10 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) if your production level falls short. Compare the different plan options offered by most solar companies below. Shingle, flat and tile roofing services. If your battery reaches this threshold first, your warranty coverage will end. With simple services Sells and installs solar power systems through affiliated partners. As an environmental journalist, he navigates the changing energy landscape to help people make smart energy decisions. Trinity Solar holds an A+ rating and is accredited with the BBB. The This Old House Reviews Team is committed to providing comprehensive and unbiased reviews to our readers. The company was recognized for its innovative SunVault energy storage system. Going solar isnt for everyone, but it can benefit large portions of the population. A high-quality solar system. In addition, hire an installer certified by the, North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP. High quality the panels are manufactured in Korea and the US. Still deciding? Sunlux is a solar installer that exclusively services Southern California and Central Texas. For example, a home that saves $500 per year with solar energy increases its property value by $10,000. In 2022, the Utah Business Magazines annual, recognized Blue Raven Solar as one of the states fastest-growing companies for the fourth year in a row. Leasing contracts have full-service coverage, including protection from damage, theft, and degradation. If your battery reaches this threshold first, your warranty coverage will end. No lease or PPA options. While some of the upper tiers might only pay off only in the most extreme cases of failure, solar customers feeling uneasy about their equipment can buy a bit of peace of mind for a small fee. Elevation aims to improve your entire homes energy efficiency with solar solutions, efficiency audits, and home improvement upgrades. People can monitor their systems through apps available from most installers, including Palmetto. Copyright 2022 Consumers Unified LLC. Financing and warranty available. With Storz Power, homeowners can choose from a number of smart solar battery products, depending on application and power needs. Since 2007, Sunrun has served over 100,000 customers across the country. This best list draws from national and notable installers of (mostly rooftop) solar panels. Includes a 25-year manufacturer warranty. All rights reserved. Trinity Solar partners with non-profit organizations to help them raise money and provides no-cost installations to its members. Both roofing options include a 10-year warranty for the inverter and a 10-year wind warranty that guarantees durability in windy conditions up to 110 mph. Identical solar panels will produce different amounts of electricity when they're exposed to different levels of sunlight. States available: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Washington. Offers free quotes. Available in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Jersey. These were rated the best solar companies for the variety and quality of equipment and products they offered, their stated warranties and apparent commitments to customer service. Differences in pricing between solar quotes can often be explained based on the quality of equipment thats offered to you: in other words, youll pay a premium for the best available equipment on the market, same as you would for any home appliance. It also has the Tesla Powerwall solar battery. Additionally, the amount of energy a solar system generates can be affected by weather conditions such as clouds or storms, reducing the systems overall efficiency and output. The top 10 options make up our list. Solar panels are a significant investment though, not to mention a decision that requires some careful thought and research. All installations include a 25-year equipment warranty regardless of the selected financing option. If youre a homeowner, you can evaluate your candidacy by talking directly with solar panel installation companies and doing some basic research on your property and your states laws, limitations and incentives. The 2021 wins include Best Company for Diversity 2021, Best CEO 2021, Best Company Work-Life Balance, and Best Career Growth 2021. Purchase includes a free home security system. Those energy savings could translate to a boost in your homes value. Palmetto also aims to provide solar energy to underserved communities with its Get Solar, Give Solar program. Andrew Blok has been an associate editor at CNET covering HVAC and home energy, with a focus on solar since October 2021. Check the contract for a set down payment, an agreed-upon payment schedule, clearly written terms and conditions, and the companys license number and contact information. (NREL), each $1 saved on monthly energy bills increases home value by $20. Sign up today to see how much solar can save you. Hold onto any receipts for materials and labor hours worked. Blue Raven Solar stands out as one of the most reputable companies, with an average score of 4.47 on top review sites, including the Better Business Bureau and Google Reviews. This list and the reviews it draws from aren't based on any hands-on testing. 25-year production guarantee. Here are a few things to keep in mind in choosing a community solar company and subscription: The size of the company. The company will upgrade your system for free if it doesnt meet its energy production estimates. There are two key questions to ask yourself when considering different solar financing options: do you want to own your system and how much do you want to pay upfront? A string inverter is mounted to the side of your home and collects all of your systems generated electricity into one place. Partners with financing companies to offer loans and PPAs. Its Curb Energy monitoring system offers real-time energy usage data and identifies any unusual consumption activity. Designed to make shopping easier. After its acquisition of Sunpro Solar in 2021, it soon became one of the largest solar providers in the United States. Warranty options: 25-year product warranty, 25-year workmanship warranty, Financing options: Full purchase, loan, lease, PPA. How Do You Know You're Buying an Energy-Efficient House? Our research included finding companies that offer a diverse catalog of solar products such as panels, inverters, solar storage, and electric vehicle options. Solar batteries, which allow you to store excess energy for later use, typically last between five and 15 years. The This Old House Reviews Team spent hundreds of hours to researching solar installers and gaining a better understanding of the solar industry as a whole. The solar panels SunPower offers have industry leading efficiency marks (22.8%) and a warranty that guarantees at least 92% production after 25 years. 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