Elevation Solar, now known as Powered by Elevation, is a unique home improvement company that takes a whole-home approach to energy efficiency. Instead of simply installing solar panels, Elevation looks at several aspects of a home’s energy usage. This holistic approach to energy efficiency, coupled with strong customer ratings, makes Elevation one of the best solar companies in the nation.
Keep reading to find out more about Elevation’s solar and energy-efficiency services, customer reviews, warranties, and other key aspects.
Our Take on Elevation Solar
Elevation provides high-quality solar panels and an efficient installation process. The company takes a holistic approach to home energy efficiency. Along with solar systems and batteries, Elevation provides energy audits to help homeowners save on utility bills. Its in-house staff can identify and repair any structural issues contributing to energy loss. Elevation also sells Curb Energy Monitoring devices to track energy usage and control smart devices in your home.
Compare Elevation 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 equipment, 10-year workmanship |
What Solar Panels Does Elevation Offer?
Elevation uses top-performing solar panels for homes from manufacturers such as Qcells. The company also offers some of the most dependable solar panel batteries as system add-ons. Solar batteries allow you to store excess energy for later use, such as during a blackout or overnight when solar panels aren’t in use.
Elevation Solar Warranties
Yes, Powered by Elevation offers a warrant structure that covers not only your solar panels but also the system installation or workmanship. Elevation’s solar panels come with 25-year product warranties, which meets industry standards. Similarly, the company installs Enphase microinverters that come with a 25-year product warranty, protecting your equipment against manufacturing defects.
The most notable of all is Elevation’s workmanship warranty. While most installers typically offer a 10-year workmanship warranty, Powered by Elevation provides lifetime coverage, financially protecting you against system issues caused by faulty installations. Elevation also provides a 10-year roof penetration warranty.
Elevation Solar Installation Process
Homeowners can request a free solar quote by entering their home address on Elevation’s website. The company uses satellite imagery to review your home’s structure and size and create a quote. Use the “Calculate Your Home Energy Score” tool to determine your entire home’s energy efficiency. After entering your address and electric bill information, Elevation will evaluate your energy needs and compare your average usage to your neighbors.
Next, you’ll schedule an in-home visit with an Elevation Solar Energy Consultant. They’ll review your home’s layout and roof size to create a solar plan customized to your energy needs. The Elevation rep will review all costs associated with your solar panel installation and finalize the design plans. The company will also handle all paperwork and permits needed for the installation process.
Elevation’s in-house technicians will install your new photovoltaic (PV) panel system plus any additions, such as a solar battery. Elevation works with your local electric company and local government officials for the final installation approval. Once your system earns Permission to Operate (PTO), it can get activated.
Elevation has a dedicated concierge team to handle any solar system-related questions or concerns after installation.
Additional Services Offered by Elevation Solar
Elevation’s “Elevated Home” concept strives to lessen energy use in your entire house. It includes smart energy monitoring, duct sealing, and a home performance assessment (also called a home energy audit).
An Elevation representative will visit your home and check for the following issues:
- Air leakage
- Areas needing insulation or sealing
- Drafts
- High energy use
- Insufficient insulation
- Poor air quality
Elevation’s in-house crew will upgrade and repair any identified structural issues. The company claims an energy audit can reduce wasted energy by 10% or more, resulting in long-term utility bill savings. These upgrades could help customers earn Energy-Star certification for their homes, and may help reduce the total amount of solar panels needed for their project.
Elevation has also participated in the Home Performance with Energy Star program (HPwES). This national program educates customers on making energy-efficient upgrades and includes a network of trusted partners and contractors to help complete these improvements. Elevation has completed HPwES education and upgrades in Arizona, Nevada, and Texas. In 2020, the company was recognized as the Home Performance with Energy Star’s Contractor of the Year.
Elevation’s Curb Energy Monitoring systems provide a clear picture of your home’s energy use. The system connects to your breaker box and tracks up to 18 major appliances or zones in your home. It identifies your power-heavy appliances in real-time and tracks your renewable energy production and utility bill costs. The device also allows you to remotely control any SmartThings IoT devices installed in the home.
Elevation Solar Payment Options
Elevation offers multiple financing options, including cash payment, solar loans, leases, and power purchase agreements (PPA). Paying in cash helps customers earn the fastest return on investment. Plus, this option doesn’t require long-term loan payments or potentially costly interest rates.
However, cash payments require a large upfront investment that some homeowners may not have available. Choosing a solar loan requires a lower upfront investment, but the added interest will ultimately increase your total system cost.
Solar leases and PPAs, on the other hand, require no upfront payment and also result in the installer handling the system’s maintenance needs. However, you’ll likely see lower cumulative savings with these payment options than a cash-purchased system. You also can’t claim tax incentives with a lease or PPA since you don’t own the system.
Rebates
If you purchase a system in cash or with a solar loan, you can qualify for solar incentives, which help offset the cost of solar panels. You can find solar incentives, credits, and rebates at the federal and state level. For example, you can claim a federal tax credit worth up to 30% of your solar system installation cost. This credit applies to your federal tax liability and can lower or reduce your total owed taxes. Additional incentives come from city-specific initiatives, municipality-based programs, or local utility companies. We recommend checking the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE) for solar incentives offered in your area.
What Do Customers Say About Elevation Solar?
Elevation has an A+ rating and is accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Many positive reviews praised the knowledgeable staff and high-performing systems. Negative reviews mentioned recurring issues with company communication. Homeowners also cited problems with completing their installation and passing final inspections for activation.
Here’s a sample of Elevation’s customer reviews:
“I am very satisfied with Elevation’s performance as a vendor. The system was delivered on time, and it has been working without any issues for close to three years. The production level has been as expected, and the company has been following the system’s performance along the way. I would recommend Elevation to anyone looking at solar panel system vendors without hesitation.” —Luis C. via the BBB
“The project is coming up on a year since it started with Elevation, and they still can’t seem to figure out how to install and/or turn on the system. Literally every time something was scheduled to be done at my home there was some kind of mistake made, misscheduling, or miscommunication. At this point, I’m thinking of removing the panels myself and leaving them in the alley for them to deal with. Since they’ve upgraded my circuit box every time it rains, we pop a fuse although I’ve told my point of contact no one has come out to check it.” —M. Hayden via the BBB
Is Elevation Worth It for Solar Panel Installation?
Homeowners looking for a full-home energy efficiency upgrade through solar should consider Elevation. The company’s whole-home energy solutions claim to improve your home’s comfort level and boost your long-term energy savings. Although some customers reported issues with scheduling and communication, the overall system performance and cost savings are worth the investment if you want to lower power bills with clean energy.
However, we recommend requesting at least three quotes from different installers in your area to compare your options.
FAQs About Elevation Solar
How long has Elevation Solar been in the solar business?
Elevation Solar has been in the solar business for over a decade. It was founded in 2014 by Jerry Coleman and Brian Bair. The company is headquartered in Chandler, Arizona, and currently serves five states.
Is Elevation Solar a good solar company?
Yes, Elevation Solar stands out as a good company thanks to its dedication to helping homeowners improve their energy efficiency and increase their overall energy savings.
What is the estimated cost of solar panels?
According to the Center for Sustainable Energy, the estimated cost for solar panels is $3–$5 per watt for a standard 5 kilowatt (kW) system. This averages out to $15,000–$25,000 for a solar system. Final costs will vary based on your chosen solar company, local solar market, and home energy needs.
Our Rating Methodology
Our team works towards providing comprehensive and unbiased solar company reviews. We rated and reviewed each company based on extensive research into national and local solar installers, interviews with industry experts, and by reading customer reviews. Our detailed rating system is based on the following factors, which we average together to arrive at a final 5-star rating.
- Solar equipment, installation, and services (25%)
- Warranty and performance guarantees (25%)
- Brand reputation and certifications (15%)
- Financing options (15%)
- Experience (10%)
- Availability (10%)