Since 2014, Blue Raven Solar has grown from a small team of three to over 1,000 employees, becoming a top national solar company. The company designs personalized solar systems to meet each customer’s energy needs with efficient and affordable options. A standout feature is its in-house financing, a rare offering in the industry, providing fixed low monthly payments with no upfront costs. Continue reading to learn more about Blue Raven Solar’s services, installation process, and financing options.
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Our Take on Blue Raven Solar
When comparing leading solar companies, we awarded Blue Raven Solar 4.4 out of 5 stars and the title of Most Reputable. The company earns points for its stellar reputation and customer feedback, comprehensive warranty, years of experience, and solar panel product selection. We like that the company has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), multiple financing options, and an in-house installation team. We deducted points for not offering solar products beyond panels and batteries and not having a North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) certification.
Blue Raven Solar Overview
- BBB rating: A+
- Year founded: 2014
- State availability: 19
- Warranty options: 25-year manufacturer warranty, 10-year workmanship warranty, two-year power production guarantee
- Payment options: Full purchase, solar loan
Compare Blue Raven to Other Solar Companies
| Company | Star Rating | BBB Rating | Warranties |
|---|---|---|---|
A+ | 25-year panels, 10-year workmanship | ||
A+ | 25 years | ||
A+ | 25–30 years | ||
A+ | 25-year panels, 10-year workmanship | ||
A+ | 25-year panels, 10-year workmanship | ||
A+ | 25-year equipment, 10-year workmanship | ||
F | 25-year equipment, 10-year workmanship |
What Services and Options Does Blue Raven Solar Offer?
Blue Raven Solar offers high-efficiency monocrystalline solar panels from various manufacturers. While monocrystalline panels are typically more expensive than other solar panel options, they offer higher efficiency rates of up to 20.6% and a life span of 25–40 years. Blue Raven also provides solar battery storage, allowing homeowners to store excess energy from their solar photovoltaic (PV) system during low-sunlight hours or power outages.
Blue Raven Solar’s key services include:
- In-house solar panel installation
- Solar battery installation
- Solar system monitoring
What Is the Blue Raven Installation Process?
Blue Raven’s installation process begins with filling out a contact form on its website so a representative can contact you. From there, you’ll go through these steps:
- Consultation: A rep will call you and ask questions about your energy needs, goals, and roof. You’ll get a detailed savings report and an explanation of how effective solar panels will be on your property.
- Panel selection: Expert technicians will assess your energy needs and help design the optimal solar array, including determining the number of solar panels required for efficient energy production. They will guide you through the planning process, ensuring the system meets your expectations, but you will have the final approval before installation begins.
- Permitting: The Blue Raven team will obtain the necessary build permits once your system design is approved.
- Scheduling: Once permits are received, the team will set up your installation appointment.
- Installation: During installation, the Blue Raven team mounts your solar panels, rewires your electrical panel, and connects your utility meter to your new system.
What Do Customers Say About Blue Raven Solar?
Blue Raven Solar is accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and holds an A+ rating from the organization. Here’s a sample of the company’s BBB customer reviews:
“Install was simply fantastic, 21 panels roof mounted completed over two days. The team was great, there were no messes, they showed up on time, and were exceedingly safe and friendly. One look inside of their very organized trucks was an indicator of the workmanship I expected. The finished look on the roof is great, it looks clean and is quite visually appealing.” — Rob W. via BBB
“The install caused damage to my property. And after several go-arounds the solution was to replace the damage but only stain the boards they replaced. Asked how that’s going to match. No answer. Still not done. They also promised me a refund check after activation which I have never received.” — David F. via BBB
“Great install today with Blue Raven Solar Panels. They installed 16 panels on my porch. The crew was great. They were able to work with me on some minor adjustments. The panels look great. The all black looks sleek. Very happy.” — Steve R. via BBB
“Very poor communication within departments of the company over additional utility information requests causing a 2 month project to stretch out to over 10 months. Seems there is no project coordinator to keep on top of things. Customer had to keep inquiring status to keep project moving to next step.” — Melvin S. via BBB
*BBB information accurate as of March 2024
What Does Reddit Think?
Reddit users have shared mixed reviews about their experiences with Blue Raven Solar. Many satisfied customers praise the company for its professionalism, smooth installation process, knowledgeable representatives, and responsiveness to client questions.
However, some users report less favorable experiences, with pricing being a common concern. One user noted, “Blue Raven Solar gave me a hideously overpriced quote compared to the 8 other quotes I received.” Others mention that Blue Raven contracts out its solar installations, leading to concerns about installation quality and consistency.
What Are the Payment Options With Blue Raven?
Blue Raven lets customers purchase panels through a full, up-front payment at installation or a solar loan. Here are the differences in the provider’s solar financing options:
- Full purchase: Paying upfront for your solar panel system is the most cost-effective payment option since you won’t have any interest to pay.
- BluePower: BluePower offers homeowners a flexible payment option that combines long-term savings with manageable monthly payments. With a low, fixed interest rate, homeowners can reduce their energy bills while building equity in their energy system. Additional benefits include no prepayment penalties, the option to apply tax credits, and the ability to transfer the plan to a new homeowner.
- BluePower Plus+: This solar loan from Blue Raven waives the first 18 months of payments for eligible customers. Eligible homeowners may also receive $0 upfront pricing for design, permitting, and installation. Once the 18 months have passed, you’ll pay a fixed monthly payment at a competitive interest rate for the life of the loan, and you’ll own your solar system from day one.
What Warranty Does Blue Raven Offer?
Blue Raven’s warranty is comparable to many other top solar companies. Customers get a 25-year manufacturer’s warranty that covers solar equipment. There’s also a 10-year installation labor warranty, which isn’t uncommon for the industry, though some competitors offer 20- or 25-year workmanship coverage. Blue Raven also provides a two-year power production guarantee on solar panels. Not all companies offer this, but those typically offer guarantees of 20 or 25 years.
Is Solar Worth It?
Installing a solar panel system is worth it for most homeowners, both financially and environmentally. Those who make the switch to solar benefit from:
- Renewable energy: Solar energy is a natural, infinite resource.
- Lower energy bills: Sourcing some or all of your home’s electricity needs from solar panels instead of your local utility company’s power grid saves money on your electricity bill.
- Increased home value: According to a Zillow study, solar systems can increase home value by an average of 4.1%.
- Reduced environmental impact: Opting for a renewable energy source reduces your carbon footprint and is a more sustainable way to power your home.
You’ll benefit from going solar if:
- Your property gets plenty of sun exposure
- You live in an area that uses net metering
- You have high utility bills
- You qualify for solar incentives that can save you money
Solar Incentives and Rebates
Most states offer solar incentives and rebates to help buyers save money on their solar power system. While this varies by state, common incentives include:
- Property tax exemption: Participating states waive collecting taxes on the value that panels add to a home.
- Sales tax exemption: Some states waive sales tax on solar equipment.
- Federal solar tax credit: The federal government allows those who own their system to claim 30% of the total solar panels cost on their taxes the year of installation. Note that this requires system ownership, so only those who purchase their system outright or through a solar loan qualify.
- Net metering: Net metering is a program that allows you to sell any excess energy your system generates to your local utility company.
Is Blue Raven a Good Choice for Solar Installation?
Blue Raven Solar has a solid reputation among customers, as shown by the many positive reviews on sites such as BBB and Trustpilot. The company’s 25-year warranty, high-efficiency panels, and multiple financing options make it one of the solar industry’s most competitive providers.
Overall, we recommend Blue Raven as a quality solar company, but we still advise speaking to an area representative before making a decision. Discuss your energy needs and whether your property will be able to provide a solid return on investment. We also suggest getting quotes from at least three companies before deciding which to hire for your solar project.
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FAQs About Blue Raven Solar
What do I need to do to maintain my solar panels?
Solar panels require minimal upkeep, typically just a yearly cleaning with soap and water. They should be inspected every few years for optimal performance to check for any necessary repairs.
Can I store my excess energy?
Yes, Blue Raven Solar offers top solar battery brands for customers interested in storing excess energy for use on demand.
How efficient are Blue Raven Solar Panels?
According to EnergySage, today’s top solar panels have conversion efficiencies above 20%, though 20% is still considered highly efficient. Blue Raven’s solar panels are between 18% and 20%.
What type of solar panels does Blue Raven install?
Blue Raven installs monocrystalline solar panels from top manufacturers, some of the most efficient panels available.
Our Rating Methodology
We are committed to providing comprehensive and unbiased reviews to our readers. After over a thousand hours of research on solar companies, interviews with experts, and common customer needs, we’ve created a detailed rating system for solar providers based on six factors:
- Solar equipment, installation, and services (25%)
- Warranty and performance guarantees (25%)
- Brand reputation and certifications (15%)
- Financing options (15%)
- Experience (10%)
- Availability (10%)
Total scores are divided by 20 for a final 5-point rating scale.
