Palmetto Solar earned the top spot on CNET's best solar company list because of its exemplary customer service and its suite of quality solar panels and solar battery offerings. Our staff of editors and writers has reviewed and evaluated 17 solar companies so far. While it's true that many of these companies offer quality equipment and good customer service, Palmetto stood out because of its price transparency and robust customer service plans. In an industry that can be hard to navigate, Palmetto's transparency is a valuable metric to consider.
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Palmetto operates in 26 states, including many of the most populous ones, making the company accessible to most of the US. But if Palmetto isn't available to you or doesn't offer you the best deal, we've scored other solar installers highly, too. You can find the whole host of solar companies reviewed by CNET experts below.
This best list draws from national or otherwise notable installers of (mostly) rooftop solar panels. Some of the picks on this list might provide commercial installation services, but we've chosen these companies based on their service regarding residential installations. Our selections might change as we review more companies or as companies change their offerings. CNET experts have written or edited each of the reviews this best list draws from, and developed a special in-house scoring methodology. Throughout this process, our writers have spent hours reading equipment spec sheets, looking at national trends, interviewing industry experts and speaking with representatives from many of these companies to rank them on the criteria that matters to you.
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These companies were rated on the variety and quality of equipment and products they offered, their stated warranties and apparent commitments to customer service. (Customer service is difficult to pin down and therefore makes up a smaller portion of a company's total score, even though we recognize that it's a significant part of the purchasing process.)
Besides our top pick, Palmetto, several other companies ranked above the competition. They all offer solid equipment but stand out in specific ways: SunPower, for premium solar panels; Tesla, for lower prices; and Momentum, for its in-house installers. NRG Clean Power and Renu Energy Solutions stood out as exceptional installers in more localized regions as well.
8.3
SCORE
How we score solar panels, products, and services.Hands-on testing of solar equipment and companies is difficult. We examine technical specifications, talk with companies and consider customer reviews to find the best product available.
Read our methodology pageSolar panels are typically low maintenance equipment, but they're also unfamiliar. If you want to reap the benefits of solar but will have a bit more peace of mind if someone else is making sure it's working, Palmetto might be a good fit for you. Just remember to add the cost of Palmetto's monitoring service in to your payback period calculations.
Equipment
9.3 / 10
Warranty
6 / 10
Service
10 / 10
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Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Vermont, Virginia
Product detailsPalmetto Solar has more robust service for after installation than most other companies, though it might cost you a bit. All customers receive third-party monitoring and proactive communication when some part of their solar system malfunctions. Palmetto also receives an A-plus from the Better Business Bureau. Palmetto offers quality solar equipment and is one of the few companies that offers Sonnen's batteries. Palmetto's workmanship warranty is 10 years and its weatherization warranty is 5 years.
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7.7
SCORE
How we score solar panels, products, and services.Hands-on testing of solar equipment and companies is difficult. We examine technical specifications, talk with companies and consider customer reviews to find the best product available.
Read our methodology pageIf you're looking for top-of-the-line solar panels, SunPower is your best choice. But don't write it off if you're looking for a less flashy installation that will get the job done. This year it started installing Qcells panels, which should make an installation from the longest-tenured company on our list available to more people.
Equipment
8 / 10
Warranty
8.5 / 10
Service
7 / 10
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All 50 states
Product detailsSunPower Solar offers top-of-the-line solar panels and strong warranties. The solar panels SunPower offers have industry leading efficiency marks (22.8%) and a warranty that guarantees at least 92% production after 25 years. It earns an A-plus rating from the Better Business Bureau. SunPower now installs batteries in four sizes, all of which come with strong warranties.
SunPower's solar panels might be a bit more expensive than others (though accurate pricing industry wide is hard to come by). The company has said it plans to continue rolling out more accessible solar solutions and started installing solar panels from Qcells this year.
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7.6
SCORE
How we score solar panels, products, and services.Hands-on testing of solar equipment and companies is difficult. We examine technical specifications, talk with companies and consider customer reviews to find the best product available.
Read our methodology pageElevation's focus on your home's energy efficiency isn't the norm in the industry. If you're planning on addressing energy efficiency first, working with Elevation allows you to keep the whole process with one company. Elevation's solar equipment comes from well-established and well-regarded companies. Elevation's warranties on workmanship and weatherization could be a bit longer.
Equipment
9.3 / 10
Warranty
6.5 / 10
Service
7.5 / 10
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Arizona, California, Florida, Nevada, Texas
Product detailsElevation is a solar installer operating in several states, mostly in the Southwest, and emphasises more than just solar panel installation. The company touts itself as an energy efficiency business, focusing just as much on assessing and improving the efficiency of homes. Elevation offers a price match guarantee and in-house labor. It installs Qcells solar panels, among other brands, and battery brands including Enphase and Tesla.
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7.6
SCORE
How we score solar panels, products, and services.Hands-on testing of solar equipment and companies is difficult. We examine technical specifications, talk with companies and consider customer reviews to find the best product available.
Read our methodology pageInclude Freedom Forever in your search if you want the backing of a national company that installs a wide variety of the most popular solar equipment available. Freedom Forever also extends a couple of products that take some of the pain and risk out of going solar, like a production guarantee and an escrow option with cash purchases. Online reviews say customer satisfaction has been low of late, though the company says that's changing.
Equipment
9.3 / 10
Warranty
7 / 10
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5 / 10
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Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Washington D.C., Wisconsin,
Product detailsFreedom Forever, one of the largest American solar installers, installs some of the most popular residential equipment. It offers a production guarantee and an uncommon cash escrow option is a welcome step toward a less stressful process.
Freedom Forever has had customer service issues, with complaints of paying for a nonfunctional system while dealing with poor communication and long waits. Some recent customers have had flawless experiences, but those reviews appear alongside many more negative ones. The company says things have turned around after a bad stretch, but it&#;s worth monitoring.
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7.2
SCORE
How we score solar panels, products, and services.Hands-on testing of solar equipment and companies is difficult. We examine technical specifications, talk with companies and consider customer reviews to find the best product available.
Read our methodology pageTesla's solar branch seems to be the least loved of Elon Musk's ventures. Even Tesla's Solar Roof seems to get more love.
If price is the thing you won't budge on, consider Tesla. By all accounts, Tesla installs quality panels and makes the closest thing there is to a household name in solar storage: the Powerwall.
Where you might miss out is customer service. Discussion online seems to suggest Tesla's service is a bit of a gamble.
Equipment
7.3 / 10
Warranty
6.5 / 10
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8 / 10
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Product detailsSolar panels from Tesla are likely to be the cheapest option where they are available. You can save thousands of dollars, without sacrificing on quality of equipment or the warranties that protect it.
What you might sacrifice is customer service. From delays to price changes, to slow responses, to system malfunctions, social media reports of negative experiences aren't hard to find, including some who regret their choice. This is true of all solar companies, but the quantity of reports concerning Tesla is concerning.
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6.9
SCORE
How we score solar panels, products, and services.Hands-on testing of solar equipment and companies is difficult. We examine technical specifications, talk with companies and consider customer reviews to find the best product available.
Read our methodology pageMomentum installs in 11 states without using subcontractors. While using in-house installers doesn't guarantee a better experience, it does suggest you're likely to get a more uniform experience from Momentum. The fact that Momentum backs its installations with a 25-year workmanship warranty hints at a strong belief in its crews' ability. If Momentum is part of your search, consider the warranties against leaks that other companies offer. Momentum's is five years, which isn't the best.
Equipment
6 / 10
Warranty
7.5 / 10
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7 / 10
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Only solar panels: Arizona, Connecticut, Georgia, Massachusetts, Nevada, Pennsylvania
Also installs batteries: California, Florida, New Jersey, New York, Texas
Product detailsMomentum Solar puts Qcells solar panels on roofs in 11 states, and installs Enphase batteries alongside them in five of those. Momentum is one of a few companies that will price match quotes from other companies. It also receives an A-plus from the Better Business Bureau. The company also uses only in-house, Momentum-trained installation teams and backs that work up with a workmanship warranty that lasts 25 years, matching the longest warranty terms in the industry.
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The companies on this breakout list may have scored higher than the companies on the national best list. But since they operate in only a few states and are not as accessible as the national providers, we chose to give them a best regional or local callout here.
8.7
SCORE
How we score solar panels, products, and services.Hands-on testing of solar equipment and companies is difficult. We examine technical specifications, talk with companies and consider customer reviews to find the best product available.
Read our methodology pageNRG Clean Power brings one of the solar industry's most confident approaches to its work, offering a price match and 40-year warranty. NRG Clean Power is a solid bet as long as you live in Texas and California. NRG Clean Power does not offer leases or power purchase agreements, but it does provide solar panel cleaning and roofing services as well as a reliable equipment menu.
Equipment
9.3 / 10
Warranty
9.5 / 10
Service
7.5 / 10
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California, Texas
Product detailsNRG Clean Power offers one of the solar industry's best warranties at 40 years. The company also has a price match and has been around for three decades, starting as a heating and air conditioning company. The company only operates in two states, California and Texas.
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7.2
SCORE
How we score solar panels, products, and services.Hands-on testing of solar equipment and companies is difficult. We examine technical specifications, talk with companies and consider customer reviews to find the best product available.
Read our methodology pageIf you live in the Carolinas, Renu offers equipment from well-respected manufacturers and has indicators that its customers are, overall, quite happy. Some of it's warranties -- 10 years on workmanship and 5 years against leaks -- are a bit shorter than others in the industry, where they can reach twice as long. Customers gave it an average rating of 4.79 out of five at the Better Business Bureau, which is higher than most companies on the list.
Equipment
8.7 / 10
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6 / 10
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North Carolina, South Carolina
Product detailsRenu is a regional solar installer operating in North Carolina and South Carolina. The company, established in , uses all in-house installers -- no subcontractors -- and installs solar panels, batteries and electric vehicle chargers. Renu doesn't offer leases or power purchase agreements, and installs products from Tesla, REC, Enphase, SolarEdge and Solaria.
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This table compares how companies rate against one another by some (but not all) of the criteria we use to judge them. To get the full picture, click the company name to visit their review.
Our experts reviewed other solar companies that don't appear in our best list above. Given the nature of the solar panel industry, which shifts from state to state and roof to roof, some of these other companies we reviewed might still be a good option for your situation.
Now a part of SunPower, another CNET favorite, Blue Raven installs a variety of panels alongside SunVault batteries using all in-house installation teams. Like its parent company and many other solar installers, Blue Raven could offer a price match guarantee and greater price transparency but gets strong marks for customer service. Blue Raven performs installations in 18 states, which makes the company a national operation in its own right.
Operating on a brokerage model, Primitive Power goes between the customer and installer, promising to offer better prices through a competitive bidding model. Because the business model doesn't fit our review scoring methodology, Primitive doesn't get a score from us, but could be a good place to get multiple quotes all at once.
Qcells is more of a solar panel manufacturer than a solar panel installer, but representatives for the company will connect you with installers that works with Qcells' products. The company doesn't offer the same guarantees or policies most of the installers on this list have, so it doesn't get a score. If you're interested in its high-quality, American-made panels, we have a write up with all of the details here.
Smartflower looks like a solar sunflower and might be a beautiful way to install solar panels, but unless you're trying to advertise your green commitments or find a statement piece for your yard, it's likely too much money for too little solar.
Sunnova recently gained loan guarantees from the US government to help low- and moderate-income families adopt solar. If you have less-than-stellar credit, Sunnova might be a good option for you. It's best to compare quotes, though. It installs a wide variety of batteries and offers some strong warranties. We found in our reporting a history of customer service issues and appears to have lost its Better Business Bureau accreditation -- an issue the company told CNET it was working to rectify.
The largest solar company in America, Sunrun offers quality panels, a choice of a couple of batteries and quality inverters. It also offers strong warranties. Most of its business is in solar leases or power purchase agreements. But it is important to note that Sunrun provides stronger warranties for power purchase agreements than purchases.
Tesla's Solar Roof is an exciting way to imagine solar. It's sleek, it's low profile, but it's very expensive. Depending on the size of your roof and your location, it can be several times more expensive than solar panels.
For a while, Trinity Solar was CNET's top company for customer service and still receives top marks. It also offers quality equipment and warranties, although some of its warranties, like its workmanship warranty, are a bit weaker than other companies.
WindMar Solar and Roofing is one of the longest-tenured solar installers operating in Puerto Rico and Florida. It installs quality equipment, although customers who finance their system through a loan or enter a lease receive stronger warranties than those who purchase outright.
If you're planning to buy solar panels to avoid rising energy costs and blackouts or to switch to renewable energy, you're not alone.
New federal tax incentives have led to massive nationwide growth in solar installations. The country's largest residential solar market, California, took a massive hit, however, with installation numbers dropping off. The reason: California's new net metering policy, called NEM 3.0, has seriously hurt net metering incentives in the state, making it take longer to recoup the money initially invested in a solar panel system. Paired with high interest rates that make it harder for people to finance solar systems, it's led to 17,000 layoffs in the state, according to the California Solar and Storage Association.
Some solar businesses are closing up shop altogether. That includes CNET's previous highest rated solar company, ADT Solar, which closed its solar business in January .
You can get 30% of the cost of solar panels back on your taxes and participate in local incentives and net metering (where available). The Inflation Reduction Act, passed in , opened up more rebates for energy-efficient home improvements, electric appliances and other renewable energy solutions, which could help you save even more with solar panels.
Improvements in solar panel technology and manufacturing have also brought the prices of solar panels down significantly from where they were a decade ago, and industry experts say that trend should continue. Coupled with newly expanded tax credits, solar panels have never been more affordable.
Climate change is expected to continue fueling severe weather events that can cause more power outages. Solar panels paired with a backup battery can keep your home powered.
Solar panels can be a costly investment. And since few people can build their own solar panels, you'll need to carefully research which installer is best for you.
Choosing a solar installer is like choosing a contractor for any home improvement project. You have to make sure to ask a lot of questions and compare multiple quotes. Your final decision will likely be based on which gives you the best price and which company gives you the most confidence. CNET outlines some expert tips on choosing a solar installer that'll make your life easier, though.
The process of getting solar panels looks a little different from company to company, but the broad strokes are the same.
After initial contact with the company, someone should visit your home for an inspection. While parts of the design and quoting process might involve looking at satellite imagery, having a professional actually visit your house allows them to take into account trees that might have grown or any other obstacles that shade your rooftop that might not be accounted for in the aerial images. They'll also be able to assess the health of your roof and whether it needs to be replaced or not and identify any other barriers to going solar.
Some solar installers are adopting AI tools into their solar planning process. It's yet to be determined AI's impact on the industry, but experts believe AI use in the solar space will help keep costs down and speed up installation timelines.
Then the system will be designed, sized, approved by you and permitted. After the company receives permits from the necessary authorities, your installation will be scheduled. Installation typically takes a few days or up to a week depending on the weather.
Installation for a majority of solar panel systems requires drilling holes through your roof and into the joists that support it. It's necessary to keep your solar panels securely attached, but you'll want to ask your solar installer how long it guarantees those penetrations will remain watertight in order to keep your home secure.
Installation will also require new wiring to be installed. Sometimes that means new conduit being attached to the outside of your house. Through our reporting we learned some companies will install it in your attic for free or for an additional charge.
Unless your system is off the grid, you'll need to get permission to operate grid-tied solar panels from your utility. Once you've received permission, you'll transition to generating energy, monitoring your array's performance and maintaining your solar panels to keep them up and running during your system's lifespan. Your new solar panels should last decades, especially if you are locked into a contract with a decent warranty.
While the timeline will vary, it usually takes several months to design, permit, install and switch on residential solar arrays. When shopping around, it's best to ask what the estimated timeline is.
The average cost for a residential solar installation is $2.99 per watt, according to an analysis by Wood Mackenzie. According to those figures, an average 8-kilowatt solar panel system would cost about $23,920. The cost of solar panels varies by location, and the local cost for permitting, inspection fees, labor and more. It also depends heavily on what kind of solar panel system you get and whether you buy a battery to enhance the performance of your solar array. Batteries will add significantly to your price tag, costing around $10,000 or more.
While around $3 per watt is a decent ballpark estimate, the different sources that report solar prices vary in their results. That's because they get their data in different ways. For example, in the chart below, EnergySage draws its information from quotes provided in its own solar marketplace while Wood Mackenzie's uses wholesale prices of equipment and interviews with industry figures.
*The above estimates are for different periods of time. EnergySage covers the second half of ; Wood Mackenzie, the fourth quarter of ; and the Lawrence Berkeley Lab, .
The map below pulls data from FindEnergy.com to give the average total cash price, cost per watt and average solar panel system size in states across the country. These prices are representative of your costs before federal, state or local incentives. States in gray lack sufficient data pricing data on FindEnergy.
There are plenty of incentives to reduce the cost of solar panels or your tax bill. The Inflation Reduction Act increased the federal tax credit for solar panels to 30% and made it available for 10 years. Other local tax exemptions or incentives could be possible, too. If your utility has a net metering program, you could receive credits on your utility bill that will help you save money. Other potential state incentives include property tax exemptions, sales tax exemptions, SREC markets or state tax credits.
The answer depends on your own personal energy usage, the solar panel system you choose and a variety of other factors such as net metering policies.
There are a few things you can calculate to help you find out how much you can save. The first is your payback period, in which you calculate the cost of installing solar panels after tax credits and incentives, and divide that by how much money in energy costs you expect to save each year.
That will give you a period, in years, after which your solar panels will have paid for themselves in savings. Your solar panel payback period can vary widely. But after you hit that date, any energy you generate is money saved.
It's also entirely possible that solar panels might not save you money but offset only partial costs of your energy bill. Solar savings can depend on factors such as how efficient your panels are, how much sun your panels get, how many panels you have, your electric rates, your state's net metering policy, and your electric consumption.
If you want to go solar but either can't afford the upfront cost of a solar array or you rent your property, community solar might also be a viable option.
Read more: Want something smaller than a whole-home solar system? See our picks for the best portable solar panels and solar generators.
While the panels are the most visible and well-known component of a solar array, there are other pieces of equipment you'll need to know -- some are necessary parts of your solar panel system, while others are optional equipment that could help you save even more money.
Nearly 100% of the residential solar panels installed today are monocrystalline, according to the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (PDF). Polycrystalline panels are still installed, but at a far lower rate than monocrystalline panels. They're cheaper but less efficient, but odds are that polycrystalline panels likely won't be a concern for you.
Solar panels produce electricity in direct current. Our houses and all the appliances within them use alternating current. We need some way to convert the electricity from DC to AC for use in our houses: that's where the solar inverter comes in.
There are two main types of inverters in use: string inverters and microinverters. String inverters transform the electricity from a group (or string) of solar panels, all at once. This means you only need one per residential array, typically, but the entire array is affected by the lowest-performing panel. If one of your panels is shaded or damaged, it can significantly reduce the output of the rest of the array. String inverters are typically cheaper to install but come with shorter warranties.
You can find CNET's pick for best solar inverters here.
Microinverters are the much more common solar inverters in use today. They operate on the panel level, which means if one is shaded, the rest can keep producing at full capacity. Because they are installed on the roof with the panel, they're typically a little harder to service but ensure that your solar panel system produces a more reliable amount of energy. Microinverters cost a bit more to install but often come with 25-year warranties.
String inverters can also be installed with power optimizers, which perform a similar role to microinverters. The energy is still translated to alternating current at the central string inverter, but the power optimizer lets panels work independently of each other.
Backup batteries are becoming a more popular addition to solar arrays. Time of use rates from utilities (where electricity is typically cheaper when solar panels are producing ample amounts of energy for your households and more expensive during less productive hours) make batteries a more financially feasible choice for many. Solar panels won't generate electricity during a blackout unless they have a battery that allows them to go off the grid temporarily, a process called islanding.
Backup batteries don't always make financial sense, so make sure you understand whether or not it does for you before diving in. If you're hoping to have power during a blackout, the financial calculation may be less important to you.
You can find CNET's pick of the best solar batteries here.
Solar panels come with a hefty price tag so, just like other major purchases, a few financing options have become commonplace.
Paying with cash is the most straightforward and fee-free way to pay for solar panels. You won't pay interest or loan fees and you'll lock in the 30% federal tax credit. The obvious downside is that you'll need to drop a huge chunk of cash all at once, which not everyone can do.
Most solar companies offer financing options, including third-party or in-house loans. If you purchase solar with a loan, you'll get the federal tax credit, too. Loans of any sort come with interest and fees and it pays to compare fees and interest rates. You can also pay with a loan you bring from elsewhere, like a personal loan from your bank.
Home equity loans or home equity lines of credit let you borrow money against the value of your house. This can secure you a lower interest rate but introduces some other risks. If you default on a home equity loan, your home can be foreclosed on. Since you're still purchasing your solar panels, you'll qualify for the federal tax credit.
If you see ads touting homeowners going solar with zero money down, they're probably for solar power purchase agreements and leases. But what is a PPA? It's the less familiar cousin of a lease.
With a lease or PPA, you don't actually own the solar panels on your roof. Instead, you agree to pay a monthly fee for the equipment (a solar lease) or to buy the electricity the solar panels produce (a PPA). This means you can go solar without a hefty price tag (and often zero money up front). It's common for these rates to increase each year, so pay careful attention. If the escalation rate is too high, you may end up saving less money than expected over the lifetime of the deal. Since you don't own the panels with these agreements, you won't be eligible for the federal tax credit.
Reviewing solar companies in a hands-on way is tough. Each project is as unique as the house it goes on and the family that will use its electricity. To evaluate these solar installers in a meaningful way, we had to focus on what we could measure and what would be useful to you.
We rate companies on three categories of criteria: equipment, warranties and service.
In the equipment bucket, companies get scored on the panels, inverters and batteries they install. Warranties include the guarantees on the panels (which typically come from the manufacturer), workmanship and weatherization against leaks. Companies gain points for service for offering a price match, a meaningful level of price transparency and a well-rated app for monitoring solar production. They lose points for major customer service issues (lawsuits, investigations or obvious reputations for shoddy service). We'll always detail these in the review.
You can read a detailed look at how the scoring breaks down.
We don't consider the average price of a company's installations in their score. Average prices are hard to find and compare place to place (or even roof to roof). Companies are often slow to disclose it, too. We also leave out information that's easy to find, but not useful to you, like how many states a company operates in.
Are solar panels worth it in my state?
Solar panels will likely be worth it, depending on the details of your specific situation. If you use very little energy or have very cheap energy, you won't be saving as much money each month and it will take longer for your panels to pay for themselves. If you live under deep tree cover, rooftop solar panels likely won't generate enough electricity to be worth it.
Solar can pay off in energy savings for decades. Lowering the cost with rebates and tax credits will help pay off your solar panels faster. How you pay for your solar panels will affect that calculation, too. It'll take longer to recoup your costs if you take out a loan, which will accrue interest and come with fees. You can calculate your payback period if you know the cost of solar panels after rebates and how much you'll save on energy costs each year.
Most importantly, be sure you're saving money by shopping around and finding the right solar panel system at the right price.
How many solar panels do I need?
This answer is specific to you and depends on how much energy you use and how much sunlight you get. Depending on your local regulations and electricity rates, installing more panels than you strictly need may not be allowed or even worth it.
To calculate how many solar panels you need, determine your average daily energy use in kilowatt hours. Divide that by the peak sun hours your home gets to find how much solar capacity you'll need to install in kilowatts. Divide that capacity by the size of your solar panels (400 watts, or 0.4 kilowatts, is a common size) to get the number of panels you'll need.
This is just a rough estimate and a reputable solar installer should be able to offer you a rationale for the number of panels they propose installing.
What is net metering?
Net metering is the way that utilities compensate you for energy your solar panels generate but you don't use. Since this energy flows back to the grid for someone else to use, it's fairly common for utilities to offer you bill credits for that energy to offset what you buy from them. These credits save you even more money on electricity than solar panels would without.
Net metering will look different from utility to utility and the incentive has been challenged and even eliminated in some states, like Indiana. A change in net metering in California caused the number of solar installations to drop significantly.
How long do solar panels last?
If you buy solar panels today, there's a good chance they'll be under warranty for 25 years. You'll often see that listed as the lifespan of the panels, but that's not quite accurate. That warranty covers production of your solar panels. 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. For example, Q Cells offers a 25-year warranty, which guarantees that your panels will produce at 86% of their rated capacity at that point.
This doesn't mean those solar panels die at the end of 25 years, they'll just produce less. Solar panels can produce well after their warranty expires, though given that large numbers of solar panels are just now being installed, we'll continue to get a better idea of how they age in years to come.
Should I hire a solar panel installer?
While skilled do-it-yourselfers might be able to pull off a solar panel installation, it's definitely not recommended. Going through a reputable and licensed solar installer gives you a number of protections. Installing solar panels is not as simple as plugging in a large appliance. A qualified solar installer will be able to navigate local code and ordinances and ensure that the warranty on the panels remains intact. They will also be able to tell you if you need a new roof or other upgrades before installing solar panels.
A solar installer will also be able to design your solar system to best fit your goals and habits by identifying the most productive locations on your roof and angling panels to collect the most sun. Further, your installer should be able to help you troubleshoot any problems that arise after installation.
How do I know if the quote I have is a good one?
The best way to tell is to get multiple quotes. With a purchase this big, you should get several, including one or two from local installers who might be able to offer you greater choice.
There are also resources from the federal and many state governments to guide you through the process. You can look out for a few red flags from salespeople, too.
Are local solar installers a good option?
Local installers typically have less costs for advertising and sales than large, national corporations. That represents possible savings that could be returned to customers. On the other hand, with a long-term investment like solar panels, it may feel safer to have the backing of a large corporation. Larger companies may be able to offer cheaper prices due to the volume of installations they do.
When you're gathering quotes for a solar panel installation, be sure to contact local installers, too. The solar industry is a competitive one, and checking around could save you thousands.
Will solar panels work in my climate?
Identical solar panels will produce different amounts of electricity when they're exposed to different levels of sunlight. Solar panels in sunnier places (like the American southwest) with more direct sunlight (like in the south) will produce more electricity, but other factors make solar a good deal for homeowners.
New England has one of the highest regional adoption rates for residential solar in the US. That's not because it has a ton of sunshine year round, but because it has favorable solar policies, like net metering and rebates. Solar panels might make financial sense even if they'll be installed under frequently cloudy skies.
Can I get the federal tax credit?
The federal tax credit for solar panels is still around. For any solar panels installed in , the federal government will give you 30% of the cost back on your income taxes. As part of the Inflation Reduction Act, passed in , the credit was bumped up to 30% and will stay at that level through .
Besides the federal tax credit, there might be state and local incentives you can take advantage of.
Correction, Jan. 31, : An earlier version of this article misstated the Better Business Bureau's grading process. Any company can receive a grade from the Bureau, regardless of whether it has paid to go through the accreditation process.
We may be compensated if you purchase through links on our website. Our Reviews Team is committed to delivering honest, objective, and independent reviews on home products and services.
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Our top pick for best solar company is SunPower due to its high-efficiency solar panels, all-inclusive warranty, and positive customer reviews.
Tamara Jude is a seasoned content writer with more than seven years of experience in research and content production. She specializes in the solar energy, home warranty, and windows categories. Her interest in home improvement began as a child, when she regularly completed home projects alongsid&#;
See full bioRoger is the Director of Go Solar Programs at Solar United Neighbors. He has been in the solar industry for more than three years after a decade of entrepreneurship. With a background in community organizing, Roger is dedicated to empowering communities to go solar.
Roger combines his passion&#;
See full bioSwitching to solar power can substantially reduce your electricity bills and power grid dependency. But it is a big investment, so you want to choose a company that will provide you with the best products and services, both now and through the years.
We&#;ve researched and reviewed 68 leading solar panel companies nationwide, interviewed industry experts, surveyed 2,000 solar customers, and spent more than 770 hours analyzing product specifications and warranties to find the best in the business. We selected SunPower, Sunrun, and Blue Raven Solar as our top three choices for solar installation companies, with SunPower getting our top vote. See how we compared these companies and other top-rated providers in our review.
Carefully review a solar company&#;s efficiency rating, warranty coverage, customer reviews, financing options, state availability, and equipment selection before making your choice.
Taking advantage of solar incentives, such as tax credits, net metering programs, and local rebates, can greatly reduce your solar panel system cost.
Most homeowners pay for their system in full upfront, but you can reap solar energy benefits sooner by financing your system using a solar loan, solar lease, or power purchase agreement (PPA). (Remember, you won&#;t qualify for solar incentives with a lease or PPA.)
Our team evaluated 68 U.S. solar companies based on reputation, solar services, payment options, state availability, and warranty coverage. Here are our picks for the best solar companies:
Based on our methodology, we chose SunPower and Sunrun as our top two providers due to their solar panel selections, additional service options, and positive online reputations across review sites such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Google Reviews. These companies also offer some of the most comprehensive warranties and service selections available.
You should know about the best payment options to maximize your investment and which solar incentives you&#;re eligible for to avoid scammers or untrustworthy companies when going solar.
The national average solar energy system costs between $17,430 and $23,870.
The cost of your solar panel system varies based on several factors, including the system size, whether it&#;s installed on or around your home, the installation complexity, and your selected solar panel type. Changes in a company&#;s technology will also affect the price, as will your region.
We recommend getting quotes from at least three companies to closely compare your options.
Solar incentives, such as tax credits and rebates, help you maximize your return on investment by putting money back in your pocket. For example, the federal government provides a 30% federal solar tax credit that allows you to reduce your federal taxes by up to 30% of what you paid for your solar panel installation. Some solar companies assist you with finding and applying for solar incentives you&#;re eligible for.
We also suggest you visit the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE) to view your area&#;s state and local incentives.
We recently surveyed 1,000 solar customers about their experiences applying for solar incentives. Nearly 75% said they had taken advantage of solar incentives, 64% said they used the federal tax credit, 32% said they used a net metering program, and 30% said they got a local rebate.
There are a lot of solar energy terms you should know, such as active monitoring and inverter. Here&#;s a quick breakdown of key terms and their meanings.
There are several options for solar financing that can fit most budgets. Many companies offer two or more payment choices. A full purchase or loan is typically the most cost-effective option. &#;When you lease solar panels, you miss out on the substantial federal tax credit because it instead goes to the leasing company,&#; explains Matt Johnson, co-owner of Namaste Solar. &#;If you own your own solar panels, you will be the one to reap the financial benefits of the tax credit.&#;
Johnson adds that leasing your panels could also make selling your home cumbersome and expensive because you have to ensure the new owner wants to take over the lease or buy out the rest of your contract&#;potentially costing thousands of dollars.
Here is a list of the most common payment options:
According to our recent survey of solar customers, 49% chose to pay in full upfront, 23% got a loan, 11% leased, and 17% financed through a PPA.
Warranties can differ based on each company&#;s products. You could have multiple warranties for one system if the company works with several manufacturers. Alternatively, a solar provider could offer all-inclusive warranty coverage for its in-house products, making the claims process much easier.
The top companies offer 25-year warranties in most cases, but some limit their workmanship warranty to 10 years. We recommend finding a company that provides 25-year warranties for coverage throughout your system&#;s lifetime.
Here are the three most common warranties and what they cover:
First, ensure the installer you&#;re interested in provides high-quality, monocrystalline solar panels to maximize your solar investment. Also, check that it offers at least a 25-year product warranty and holds the proper certifications to operate in your area.
Here are the key qualities to look out for as you search for a solar company:
Certification: Solar installers may have certifications from specific solar panel and inverter manufacturers. Verify these certifications by checking the official websites of the respective manufacturers. You should also check that the installer is certified by theSolar installers may have certifications from specific solar panel and inverter manufacturers. Verify these certifications by checking the official websites of the respective manufacturers. You should also check that the installer is certified by the NABCEP
Cost and financing: Every solar company in our review offers full purchase and loan financing options. Some also provide leases and PPAs. A full purchase or loan qualifies you for the federal solar tax credit and other cost-saving incentives. A lease or PPA reduces how much you pay up-front, but the solar company still owns the panels, so you can&#;t qualify for incentives. We recommend you pursue only full purchases and solar loans because of this limitation.
Installation process and services: Some companies offer a completely streamlined installation process, including in-house design, installation, and whole-home energy audits. Other companies use third-party installers, which can make communication and warranty issues more complicated. You should prioritize companies with in-house installers before considering providers that use third-party contractors.
Solar panel quality: Customers can usually choose betweenCustomers can usually choose between monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar panels . Monocrystalline panels are more efficient, so you should consider companies that specialize in these panels.
Warranty options: Each company on our list offers 25-year manufacturer warranties, but some companies&#; workmanship warranties are only 10 years. The coverage specifics vary by the installer. A good general rule is to seek out companies offering baseline 25-year product warranties.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of Solar Panel Supplier From China. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.
4.8
SunPower offers the most energy-efficient and high-performing solar systems available, with efficiency rates of 22.8% compared to the typical 15%&#;22% range. It&#;s one of the few companies that uses in-house system components, creating a streamlined system designed to perform better. SunPower also sells solar batteries and EV chargers.
Of the 1,000 solar users we surveyed, 16% purchased their system from SunPower, making it the most popular choice second only to ADT Solar, which is no longer in operation.
We scored SunPower 4.8 out of 5 stars. The company earned points for its high-efficiency solar panels and comprehensive warranty coverage but lost some due to its mixed customer reputation and lack of additional solar services.
SunPower offers standard solar services, such as solar panel and EV charger installation as well as active monitoring. However, it doesn&#;t offer energy audits or roofing services and relies on third-party installers.
The company offers comprehensive 25-year product and labor warranties, plus a performance guarantee. It doesn&#;t include any roof leak protection.
SunPower is one of the most established brands in the solar industry, earning it maximum points in this category. It has BBB accreditation and high customer scores. It also only hires NABCEP-certified installers.
SunPower offers all possible payment methods as well as its own in-house financing department.
SunPower is an industry pioneer with 39 years of experience in the industry.
Pros
Builds customized, high-efficiency solar systems to suit each home
Offers an extensive coverage area throughout the country
Sells energy storage and EV charger add-ons
Cons
Limits solar equipment options due to in-house product exclusivity
More expensive than other companies, according to some customer reviews
Service area varies by ZIP code within each state
Warranty
SunPower backs its solar products with an all-inclusive 25-year warranty covering all solar system components, additional equipment add-ons, workmanship, and a 92% power output production guarantee.
Financing Options
&#; Full purchase
&#; Loan
&#; Lease
&#; PPA
Available in: All 50 states but varies by ZIP code
SunPower received PV Magazine&#;s Sustainability Award for &#;outstanding sustainability leadership in the solar industry.&#; In , SunPower received the Good Housekeeping&#;s Home Renovation Award in the Biggest Energy Savers category. Good Housekeeping recognized the company for its innovative SunVault energy storage system.
SunPower currently holds an A+ BBB rating and accreditation. Our review analysis revealed that customers were pleased with their SunPower system performance. However, we noticed a pattern of complaints about higher-than-average installation costs and communication issues with third-party installers.
4.5
We like Sunrun for its four financing options, including its unique leasing options if you don&#;t want to own your system. This stands out to us because the other companies on this list don&#;t offer as many options.
Prepaid and leased systems also include a 25-year warranty with system service and maintenance, ongoing monitoring, and theft insurance. The company even offers financing plans for quality monocrystalline solar panels and products from trusted brands such as LG.
Sunrun earned 4.4 out of 5 stars based on our methodology. The company gained many points for its positive reputation, comprehensive leasing options, and well-rounded warranty coverage. It lost some points for is limited service selection.
Sunrun provides solar panel and battery installation but uses third-party installers. Though this is becoming an industry standard, in-house installers typically yield better communication and quality. The company also doesn&#;t provide roofing services or energy audits but does offer quality active monitoring assistance.
Sunrun offers quality warranties, such as its 25-year manufacturer and labor warranty, but doesn&#;t include a performance guarantee.
Sunrun has one of the higher customer BBB ratings we&#;ve encountered, and the company maintains an overall positive customer reputation online.
The company doesn&#;t offer any in-house financing but provides more warranty coverage for customers interested in solar leasing than other providers, such as Palmetto.
Sunrun holds 17 years of experience in the solar industry, making it a veteran compared to a newer company such as Blue Raven Solar.
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
Sunrun backs its systems with a 10-year comprehensive warranty which includes product, roof penetration, and workmanship coverage.
Financing Options
&#; Full purchase
&#; Loan
&#; Lease
&#; PPA
Available in: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Vermont, plus Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico.
The company earned DroneDeploy&#;s Guardian of Safety Award for incorporating drone technology in its site assessments. In and , Sunrun was recognized by Comparably with 14 awards. Its accolades include Best CEOs for Diversity , Best Company Culture , and Best Company for Women two years in a row.
Sunrun currently holds an A+ rating from the BBB and is accredited. Former customers praised the comprehensive coverage for leased systems but complained about delayed installations, poor customer service, and poor communication with project managers. Additionally, some customers note being confused by Sunrun&#;s leasing and PPA options, though they also mention Sunrun is willing to discuss and clarify these plans.
4.4
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Blue Raven has less experience than other providers, with only 10 years in the industry.
Pros
Offers SunPower&#;s high-efficiency panels and storage options
Provides a unique in-house financing option which includes 18 months of free solar energy
Recognized as one of the industry&#;s most reputable solar companies
Cons
Offers one of the shortest production guarantees among our reviewed companies
Some customer reviews mention poor communication
Workmanship warranty falls slightly below the industry standard
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
Available in: Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington
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 .
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 Reddit threads and found that some of these issues stem from the company&#;s financing department and third-party installers.
4.4
Palmetto Solar offers a wide range of quality solar products and excellent customer service, including , , and online chat options, an online service request portal, and a library of troubleshooting resources. Overall, Palmetto offers more customer support than other providers we reviewed, most notably through its tiered system protection plans and mobile app.
Palmetto earned 4.4 out of 5 stars according to our methodology. The company scored more points for its comprehensive service selection and long-term protection plans. It lost some because of its standard warranty options and lack of production guarantee.
Palmetto offers an excellent selection of solar services, including solar battery and electric vehicle (EV) charger installation, energy audits, and active monitoring.
The company&#;s warranty options don&#;t stand out as much as Sunrun&#;s. It offers industry-standard coverage for 25 years on products and 10 years on labor.
Palmetto has a highly positive online reputation on popular review sites such as the BBB. The company also screens its installers to ensure they&#;re certified with the
North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners
(NABCEP).
Palmetto doesn&#;t provide in-house financing but offers all possible payment methods.
Palmetto holds a decent amount of experience, with 15 years in the industry.
Pros
Gives access to customer support via , chat, , and app
Offers a tiered system protection plan
Provides an online solar savings calculator to estimate potential savings
Cons
Limits its active monitoring services to three years
Shorter roof leak and workmanship coverage than other installers
Some online reviews mentioned permitting and installation delays
Warranty
Palmetto&#;s warranty protection includes a 25-year panel warranty, 12-year inverter warranty, 10-year workmanship warranty, and five-year roof penetration warranty.
Financing Options
&#; Full purchase
&#; Lease
&#; Loan
&#; PPA
Available in: Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia
Palmetto Solar received Solar Power World&#;s Most Forward-Thinking Contractor award in . Inc. magazine recognized the company the same year with a Power Partner Award. Palmetto also aims to provide solar energy to underserved communities with its Get Solar, Give Solar program.
Palmetto Solar is accredited by the BBB and has an A+ rating from the site. While reading online reviews, we noticed that homeowners praised Palmetto for its dedicated installation managers and quality systems but mentioned very long waiting periods for permitting, plus installation delays.
4.4
Freedom Solar Polar is a SunPower Master Dealer that provides high-efficiency solar systems. The company has 17 years of solar industry experience and partnerships with certified installers. It&#;s one of the few solar companies to offer grid-tied, ground-mount, carport, and off-grid solar solutions.
Nearly 7% of our survey respondents chose Freedom Solar Power for their installation.
Freedom Solar scored 4.4 out of 5 stars according to our methodology. The company earned most of its points because of its comprehensive warranty coverage and reputable customer service. Its biggest drawback is its basic service selection.
Freedom Solar has minimal service options compared to companies such as Elevation or ADT Solar. It offers solar panel and battery installation with active monitoring, but that&#;s it. We do like that it provides in-house installers to do the work.
received many points for its 25-year warranty, which covers panels, workmanship, and performance.
The company has a highly positive online reputation, including a strong BBB rating and accreditation, positive customer reviews, and no alerts or active lawsuits.
Freedom Solar only offers cash purchases and loan options with no in-house financing.
The company holds 17 years of experience in the residential solar industry.
Pros
Offers rooftop, ground-mount, carport, and off-grid installations
Provides preconstruction consultations with its home contractors
Works with SunPower to install high-efficiency solar systems
Cons
Called out for underperforming solar systems in customer reviews
Covers a limited service area
Doesn&#;t offer many system customizations
Warranty
Freedom Solar provides a comprehensive 25-year warranty covering product, workmanship, and panel performance.
Financing Options
&#; Full purchase
&#; Loan
Available in: Colorado, Florida, North Carolina, Texas, and Virginia.
Freedom Solar made Inc.&#;s Regionals : Southwest list for the fastest-growing private companies in America. Solar Power World chose the company as a Top Solar Contractor nine times.
Freedom Solar is BBB accredited and holds an A+ rating from the organization. The company has many positive reviews on its BBB profile for its consistent installation updates and well-trained staff. However, negative reviews highlight issues reaching customer service.
4.2
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.
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.
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.
The company features excellent warranty perks with 25 years on labor, products, and performance. It also includes roof leak protection.
Venture has a great reputation. It features high ratings on its BBB profile with an accreditation and no active issues like lawsuits.
Venture provides financing options through an in-house financing team and works with every payment method except PPAs.
The company holds only eight years of experience in the solar industry.
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 number to submit an online quote
Reviews mention mixed experiences with customer support
Doesn&#;t work with power purchase agreement
Warranty
Venture offers a 25-year bumper-to-bumper warranty that covers workmanship, products, and power output.
Financing Options
&#; Full purchase
&#; Loan
&#; Lease
Available in: Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York.
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.
4.4
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.
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.
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.
SEW&#;s manufacturer and labor warranties are standout features, but the company doesn&#;t include any production guarantees with its work.
The company&#;s reputation is one of the best, with high BBB and Google Reviews ratings. We also found no active alerts or lawsuits.
SEW offers all possible solar payment options but doesn&#;t provide an in-house financing department.
The company has been in business since , so it received most of the points in this category.
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
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
Available in: Washington, D.C, Delaware, Florida, Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Virginia
The company landed on Solar Power World&#;s 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.
4
Tesla is one of the few solar companies that provides potential customers with an up-front quote on its website. It offers a range of sleekly designed solar panels and shingles that blend into your existing roof. It also manufactures the Tesla Powerwall, one of the industry&#;s most popular solar batteries. There are a variety of price points for the Tesla Powerwall, depending on the model and where you live.
Tesla is one of the most popular solar brands in the industry, with 10% of our survey takers choosing its solar equipment.
Tesla earned 4 out of 5 stars based on our rating scale. The company offers many industry-standard services, including solar roof installation. Unfortunately, Tesla earned some of the lowest point values for customer service and reputation.
Tesla installs solar panels and shingles in addition to its Powerwall batteries. The company also earned points in this category for its active monitoring services.
Tesla lost points in this category because it only offers a 10-year product and workmanship warranty, whereas most companies offer a 25-year product warranty.
Tesla lost significant points in this category because it has a negative online reputation despite being a popular provider. It also doesn&#;t prioritize working with NABCEP-certified installers.
Tesla doesn&#;t provide in-house financing and only offers full purchase and solar loan payment options.
is one of the largest names in solar, but it only has 18 years of experience.
Pros
Offers up to 10 Powerwall batteries with each installation
Provides transparent online quotes with full pricing details
Sells solar roofing options that replace your entire roof for a streamlined appearance
Cons
Has issues with scheduling service appointments, per some customer reviews
Limits customization options
Only offers third-party installation services
Warranty
Tesla offers a 25-year performance warranty on its system and a 10-year comprehensive warranty covering product and workmanship.
Financing Options
&#; Full purchase
&#; Loan (in select areas)
Available in: 50 states but varies by ZIP code
Tesla began in as a subsidiary of Tesla, Inc., a leader in automotive manufacturing and electric vehicles. It grew its solar technology to include solar panels, the Tesla solar roof, the Tesla inverter, and the Tesla Powerwall, one of the industry&#;s most popular solar batteries.
Tesla has an A+ rating on its BBB profile but doesn&#;t hold accreditation. We noted that Tesla customers praised the company for its solar panel and Powerwall performances but flagged constant issues with scheduling repairs and servicing.
*BBB ratings are accurate as of May .
The following companies didn&#;t make our list but are still worth considering.
Some companies didn&#;t make our list because we don&#;t recommend them to everyone. For example, Solar Is Freedom has limited services compared to other providers, and Vision Solar recently announced bankruptcy amid two lawsuits. We feel confident the providers suggested in our guide have solid bankability and top-tier service options.
Though expensive to install, solar panels are worth the investment for most users. They offer several benefits, including long-term cost savings and increased home value. Going solar also allows you to rely less on external electricity sources and gain protection from unforeseen disruptions in the power supply. Federal and state solar incentives help reduce initial installation costs, resulting in a better return on investment.
More than 3 million homes have reaped these benefits by converting to solar energy, with one million installations taking place in the last two years, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
Roughly 96% of solar customers we surveyed said they felt making the switch to solar power was worth it, and 82% said their installation increased their property value.
Most U.S. homes require around a 10-kilowatt (kW) system, which costs an average of $31,460 before applying solar incentives. A 10-kW system is generally a large enough system to power a 2,000-square-foot house. You can greatly reduce your solar panel costs by applying for solar incentives, such as the federal tax credit, net metering, or local rebates. The federal solar tax credit alone allows you to recoup up to 30% of what you paid for your system on your income taxes. The average payback period, meaning the time it takes for your energy savings to be equal to your investment, is eight to nine years.
The Department of Energy says that quality solar panels last 30&#;35 years if well-maintained. Most come with a warranty of 25&#;30 years. Technically, your panels can last far longer, though energy production will likely decline, so they won&#;t generate as much electricity to power your home as they once did.
Some companies are available nationwide, while others have smaller service areas. Use our tool below to find which solar companies service your area.
Find a Solar Installation Company in Your State
The solar equipment you choose plays a major role in your system&#;s performance and energy savings. Investing in high-efficiency solar panels helps maximize your savings because the more efficient your panels are, the more energy they can convert into electricity to power your home. That means you can rely on solar power for more hours in the day, decreasing your dependency on the power grid and the money you&#;d have to pay a utility company.
Below is an overview of typical installation options and upgrades.
Monocrystalline solar panels are the most common among homeowners. These panels offer the best efficiency and power output but are the most expensive. Polycrystalline panels cost slightly less but are also less efficient, so you must buy more panels to power your home.
Tesla Solar roof
costs more than its traditional solar panels coming in at roughly $38,400 for a standard-sized system.
Most homeowners add
solar batteries
to their systems to maximize energy production and store backup power.
You can use this stored energywhen the power grid is down to keep your home running. We recommend considering a solar battery if you experience frequent outages or have medical equipment that requires power.
Electric vehicle (EV) chargers offer a convenient at-home solution for EV owners. They use energy generated from solar panels to charge your vehicle at a lower rate than public charging stations.
QUICK Tip
Solar panels&#; efficiency has improved significantly in recent years, with
high-efficiency solar panels
reaching rates of nearly 25%. We recommend focusing on solar panels with more than 20% efficiency to get the most out of your system.
All companies on our list are legitimate, reputable options, but not all providers are trustworthy. Here are some tips for avoiding solar scams as you navigate the solar panel system buying process:
Steps to EXPECT
You&#;ll typically meet with a representative to begin the installation process after you choose a solar provider. Here&#;s what to expect from this process based on our conversations with various installers.
A company representative will assess your property&#;s solar potential and determine your energy needs. Many companies offer in-person or virtual consultations. You&#;ll need your most recent utility bill to help determine your average energy usage. We recommend analyzing bills from several months to get the most accurate estimate.
The company representative will review your roof&#;s structural integrity, available space, slope, and shading. This helps determine the best location for your solar panels.
The rep will design a solar system to fit your needs with panels, components, and add-on accessory options. You&#;ll receive a finalized, detailed quote to approve. Most installers handle all necessary permitting and paperwork. The permitting process varies among areas but typically takes two to four weeks to complete. We recommend getting an estimated timeline for the entire installation process.
The solar company may use an in-house staff or third-party installers. To help avoid communication issues, we recommend asking for your project&#;s main point of contact. The majority of our survey respondents said their solar installation took one full day to complete, though yours may take longer depending on project scope and complexity.
Your solar company will coordinate with local officials for final activation approval. All installations must meet local codes and match the approved project designs. This process could take two to four weeks and depends on all parties&#; availability.
Your system will receive permission to operate (PTO) once all parties approve the installation. The longest part of the installation is activation because you have to wait for local utilities to come out and put in a new meter. According to Matt Johnson, co-owner of Namaste Solar, &#;That&#;s something that can take a few weeks to a couple of months, depending on how backed up the utility is&#;. Your installer will connect the system to the grid and get final approval from the utility company for activation.
SunPower is our top-rated solar company due to its customized, high-performance panels. You may want to consider Sunrun if you want excellent solar savings without committing to system ownership, read our Sunrun review for more information. We also like Blue Raven Solar as a contender because it provides competitive rates on high-efficiency systems and has one of the best financing programs for solar.
Consider your energy needs, budget, and local climate to determine the best solar energy company for you. We recommend getting multiple free quotes to compare costs, services, and warranty options.
The two main disadvantages of solar energy are the high initial cost and the dependence on weather conditions. Though solar panels are more affordable than ever, installing a solar energy system is still expensive. Additionally, the amount of energy a solar system generates can be affected by weather conditions such as clouds or storms, reducing the system&#;s overall efficiency and output.
When comparing Sunrun vs. SunPower, the better option depends on your needs. Our top pick is SunPower because it sells high-quality Maxeon panels paired with custom components to create high-performing systems. Choose SunPower if having superior solar technology is a priority. Sunrun might be the better option for you if you&#;re interested in energy savings without system ownership. Sunrun offers unique monthly leasing financing options that provide solar energy savings without having to buy your own system.
Most residential solar panels produce between 250 and 400 watts of power. The higher the wattage, the more power your home receives. A solar installer will analyze your current electricity usage and determine the number of solar panels for your home. You can also use this calculator from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory to determine your solar panel size based on your energy usage.
Yes, solar panels are covered under most homeowners insurance policies. This protection extends to damage caused by fire, wind, lighting, or other physical damage. Check your policy for complete details on your full coverage.
Going off-grid is considerably harder than investing in a traditional grid-tied system. The cost of an off-grid system is a much higher investment than a typical residential system, averaging between $45,000 and $65,000. They require more detailed planning for daily energy consumption to account for adequate energy storage needs. We recommend sticking with a grid-tied solar system unless your home is too far from traditional electric company power connections.
SunPower offers the most efficient and best performing solar panels, with efficiency rates reaching 22.8%, higher than the average of 15%-22%.
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We conducted 770+ hours analyzing online customer feedback and researching solar companies.
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We are committed to providing comprehensive and unbiased reviews to our readers. We have researched solar companies for hundreds of hours, including deep-diving into each provider&#;s website. We obtain warranty information through the website or by calling and interviewing customer service representatives. We analyze this warranty and weigh its coverage with industry standards. We also analyze each provider&#;s product selection specifications to determine if they can disclose any partnerships or information on their products.
We ensure each provider follows the steps most solar installation companies should provide, such as in-home estimates and permitting, to offer quality solar panel installation. We also check to see if the companies are certified with NABCEP or if they partner with local, third-party contractors. We analyze recent customer reviews through popular review sites like the BBB and Google Reviews to gain further insight into what it is realistically like to interact with each provider&#;s customer support staff and installers. We then synthesize this information to add to your rating scale.
We cross-check all of our findings through surveys with thousands of residential solar energy customers and interviews with experts in the industry. We then have another industry expert fact-check our articles. From all this information and research, we created a detailed rating system for solar providers based on six factors:
Total scores are divided by 20 for a final 5-point rating scale.
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