We are committed to providing comprehensive and unbiased reviews to our readers. This means earning your trust with transparent reviews and data to support our ratings and recommendations.
We thoroughly researched the solar industry to develop a scoring system based on key metrics and industry standards. We consulted more than 900 solar customers to learn about their experiences with their solar companies. We then scored national, regional, and local solar companies to find the best solar options for homeowners. Read on to see the process we used to rate each solar company featured in our content
Solar Company Research Process
We began evaluating the best solar companies by establishing which categories would compose our rating system. Our research methods included the following criteria.
Company Analysis
We analyzed features such as product catalog, additional services, and financing options for each provider. Our team reviewed warranty plans, production guarantees, and other benefits that affect a solar power system’s longevity. We looked for inconsistencies in the company’s marketing language and compared business models among providers to better understand the existing industry standards.
Brand Reputation
Customer satisfaction heavily influences a company’s reputation. To learn more about each company’s relationship with its customers, we read over 16,000 reviews from each of the following third-party aggregators:
- Better Business Bureau (BBB)
- Best Company
- Google Reviews
- Trustpilot
- Yelp
We noted any common pain points and complaint patterns within the reviews. We gauged each company’s responsiveness to complaints and the initiative taken to resolve reported issues. In addition, we researched each company for any pending or active litigation and recent class action settlements.
Customer Surveys
We conducted surveys to ask homeowners across the United States about their real-life experiences with solar companies. Our team developed questions for each survey to discover why homeowners converted to solar energy and how they viewed their experiences. The survey questions centered on how they chose a solar provider, the installation process, and their overall satisfaction with their solar power and selected provider.
Expert Interviews
We interviewed solar company representatives and federal agencies to give us further insight into common customer pitfalls, current trends, and best solar industry practices.
Secret Shopping
We interacted with company websites and customer support teams to better understand a customer’s experience. We checked for transparency in each company’s product and service details, warranty coverage, and financing terms. We reviewed the responsiveness of support teams via telephone, online chat, and email. We anonymously contacted company representatives to get quotes and ask general questions.
Factors Evaluated To Compare Solar Companies
To rate each solar company, we analyzed the data from our research and created review standards based on our findings. We evaluated each provider in six comparison categories: solar equipment and services, warranty and performance guarantees, brand reputation and certifications, financing options, industry experience, and state availability.
We rated each solar installer across 18 factors within these categories, each receiving a point value. The value was based on factors most important to homeowners looking for a solar provider. We established a 100-point scale for our scoring system with the categories outlined below:
Solar Equipment and Services
The solar equipment and services category carries one of the highest weights in our provider review. Solar equipment is essential to any solar system, with higher-quality equipment yielding the best results. We check each company’s catalog for diverse equipment offers and add-on accessories. Additional solar services, such as monitoring, help maintain system health, ensuring excellent energy production into the future.
Solar Equipment
Your solar equipment plays a major role in your system’s productivity and efficiency. Most solar providers offer traditional rooftop solar panels. We awarded additional points to installers, including advanced solar roofing, tiles, or shingles in their product catalog. A larger product selection gives homeowners more ways to customize their solar projects to fit their needs.
Beyond the solar panels themselves, additional equipment, such as solar storage and electric vehicle (EV) chargers, extends your system’s capabilities. We award points to solar providers offering these add-on options.
Installation
Solar companies often use in-house or third-party installers to complete their projects. In-house installers offer better quality control and communication, leading to a smoother process. With third-party installers, project updates and communication go through one or more individuals. When researching each solar installer, we noted their installation process and team. Installers with in-house teams received higher points than companies outsourcing to third-party contractors.
Services
Solar companies received additional points for including performance-tracking apps and monitoring services. These services offer insight into your solar system performance and early indications of technical or performance issues. Additional services, such as roofing and energy audits, were also included in our ratings and received added points if offered.
Warranty and Performance Guarantees
The success of a residential solar system depends on its workmanship and long-term protection. We evaluated each company based on individual system protections, such as workmanship warranties, manufacturer coverage, and panel performance guarantees. This category serves as the second-highest weight in our company evaluation, tied with solar equipment.
Product/Manufacturer’s Warranty
Product or manufacturer warranties cover your solar equipment for any issues or defects caused by the manufacturer. Most high-quality solar panels include a 25-year product warranty to coincide with the typical panel life span of 25 years. We award more points for longer warranty coverage.
Labor/Workmanship Warranty
With labor or workmanship coverage, you receive protection for issues due to poor or faulty installation. This coverage comes directly from the installer and varies based on their coverage options. Ideally, you should match coverage with the panel’s estimated life span. We also award more points for longer workmanship coverage.
Power/Production Guarantee
Production (or power) guarantees protect your panel’s linear performance. Over time, solar panels gradually drop in efficiency, which impacts their production. Most solar panel manufacturers include estimated efficiency degradation with their panel information.
However, some installers provide this added protection to back their products. If your panels fall below these estimated production levels, the company will repair, replace, or upgrade your panels. Some companies even provide monetary compensation for your lost energy production. This coverage is rare, so we awarded more points to any installers that provide it.
Roof Leak Coverage
Roof leak coverage offers additional protection against damage caused by the installation. Total coverage length varies between companies but is typically five to 20+ years. Since this is another rare coverage option, we award extra points to installers that provide this warranty coverage.
Brand Reputation and Professional Certifications
Brand reputation ties into a company’s trustworthiness and customer treatment. We checked each provider’s business history and industry experience. Our team conducts extensive brand reputation checks to evaluate customer reviews, review scores, pending lawsuits, and any outstanding negative behaviors. In addition, we review each company’s professional industry certifications.
BBB Rating
We include BBB ratings in each solar company’s reputation review. Higher scores are awarded for companies with “A” ratings and gradually drop for lower ratings. Companies designated with an F or No Rating (NR) receive no points.
BBB Accreditation
We add additional points for solar installers with BBB accreditation. According to the BBB, having accreditation means that “BBB has determined that the business meets accreditation standards, which include a commitment to make a good faith effort to resolve any consumer complaints.” Businesses pay an additional fee for accreditation and ongoing monitoring for compliance and standards.
Average Review Scores
Along with BBB reviews, we weigh additional review site scores to get a clearer picture of customer experiences. We average scores from at least three review sites, such as Best Company, Google Reviews, Trustpilot, and Yelp. These scores are calculated on a five-star rating scale and awarded points based on their final average. Companies with average scores of 4.5 stars or higher receive more points and gradually scale down, with 1.5 stars or lower receiving the lowest score.
Active Lawsuit
In our research of each solar company, we conduct specific searches for any current legal issues that impact customer experience, trustworthiness, and public safety. We subtract points from any company with major pending or ongoing litigation or class action settlements.
Review Site Alerts
Many review sites will add alerts on company profiles to notify consumers of past or ongoing negative behaviors. This could include long-term customer support issues, poor or delayed installations, lawsuits, or any negative behavior that could impact current or future customers. We deduct points for any active alerts for a solar installer.
NABCEP Certification
The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners® (NABCEP®) is one of the most well-respected and widely recognized renewable energy organizations in the United States. Companies that earn the organization’s official certification have taken the extra step to educate their installers on proper solar installations.
While NABCEP certification is not required for solar installers, it’s a testament to a company’s commitment to staying up-to-date on solar energy technology, installation standards, and overall ethics and professionalism. Our team awards additional points for NABCEP-certified installers.
Financing Options
We awarded higher scores to solar companies with multiple financing options. Some payment options, such as solar leases and power purchase agreements (PPAs), disqualify homeowners from cost-saving solar incentives, credits, and rebates. We included companies with these options to ensure all readers can find a provider that fits their needs and budget. However, we did deduct points for companies that only have leases or PPAs since they offer the least financial benefits.
In addition, we awarded higher points to installers that provide in-house financing options versus third-party lenders. Internal financing options typically provide more flexible rates and payment options than an outside lender.
State Availability
We looked for companies with larger service areas and resources to serve their customers adequately. We also included smaller solar installers that specialize in regional installations. Typically, regional installers have better knowledge of their specific region than nationwide installers. We want to ensure that our readers have a diverse selection of solar providers for most areas.
Factor Weights for Rating Solar Companies
We assigned all 18 factors a point value for a total possible score of 100. Total scores are divided by 20 for a final 5-point rating scale. Here’s how we weighed each category for our scoring system:
Solar Equipment and Installation (25%)
- Solar equipment
- Installation
- Services
Warranty and Performance Guarantees (25%)
- Product or manufacturer’s warranty coverage
- Labor or workmanship warranty coverage
- Power or production guarantee coverage
- Roof leak coverage
Brand Reputation and Professional Certifications (15%)
- BBB rating
- BBB accreditation
- Average aggregate review site score
- Active lawsuits
- Review site alerts
- NABCEP certification
Financing Options (15%)
- Cash payment, loan, lease, or power purchase agreements (PPAs)
- Only lease or PPAs payment options offered
- In-house financing
Industry Experience (10%)
- Number of years in business
State Availability (10%)
- Number of states covered
How To Interpret Company Ratings
Solar companies that score 4.5 or 5.0 offer excellent warranty coverage, equipment, support services, reputation, and availability. Providers that score 4.0 to 4.4 are good options but may have lost points for a smaller coverage area, limited equipment, or shorter warranty options. However, they still offer excellent value if their services and equipment meet your home’s needs
Providers that score 3.5 to 3.9 may have scored lower due to their limited state coverage or warranty options. We don’t often recommend companies with lower scores unless they are local and regional companies with great warranty options and reputations. You should still consider these companies to find the best fit for your home and budget.
How To Choose the Best Solar Company for You
When choosing a solar company, here’s what to consider:
- Equipment options: Different companies offer different types of solar panels and equipment. If you’re interested in the latest tech, like solar roofing, make sure the company provides it. Think about add-ons like battery storage or EV chargers, too. It’s easier and more cost-effective to bundle these with your solar setup.
- Cost and financing: Solar systems aren’t cheap, so compare quotes carefully. Look at the total cost, including hardware and installation, and ask for a breakdown of expenses. Many providers offer solar financing. Leasing might be cheaper upfront, but buying outright or financing through a solar loan can save you more in the long run. The latter two options qualify for solar tax incentives, rewarding homeowners with up to 30% in tax savings in addition to statewide rebates.
- Reputation, licenses, and certifications: Not all solar companies are created equal. Look at customer reviews on sites like Trustpilot for genuine feedback. Confirm their licensing using the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) database. We also recommend hiring an installer who has North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners certifications.
- Request multiple quotes: Shop your options before you buy. Quotes vary vastly in price and coverage, so soliciting estimates from a few solar companies is one way to ensure you’re getting the best deal. Take note of their equipment offerings and warranties, as some companies provide special options like extended service guarantees.
- Warranty coverage: Solar panels should last 25 to 30 years, but most work for much longer. Any potential company should offer coverage for parts and an extended labor warranty, ideally for at least 10 years. It should also provide a performance guarantee, protecting your system’s output efficiency over time.
About Us
We are an independent editorial team of subject matter experts who champion the categories and home services we recommend. From the beginning stages of research to the published review articles, our team works diligently to center your interests by identifying common pain points, connecting with people with firsthand knowledge and experience, and crafting content that meets the needs of our audience. We aim to help first-time homebuyers, potential sellers, budget-conscious homeowners, and others from all walks of life streamline their decision-making process for selecting their home services.