Note: In July 2024, SunPower notified dealers it would be halting all new shipments and project installations. The company also noted it would “no longer be supporting new Leases and PPA sales nor new project installations of these financing options.”
Choosing the best solar companies is crucial when you’re switching to solar power. This ensures that you harness the sun’s energy effectively and get the most value for your money. In this article, we highlight the top five best solar companies and their standout qualities.
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4.3
No payments needed for 18 months
Provides in-house financing
Offers top brands like LG and Trina
3.9
Highly rated customer service
Provides 24/7 panel monitoring
Solid A+ rating with the BBB
3.7
Affordable prices
Excellent selection of panels and services
Locations in 22 states
Compare the Top-Rated Solar Providers
For the best solar companies, see our list of top 5 picks. The chart below compares these top-rated providers.
| Company | Logo | Star Rating | Best For | Service Area | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Most Comprehensive Service |
20 states |
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Best Solar Financing |
22 states |
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Best Customer Service |
9 states |
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Best Damage Protection |
20 states |
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Best Customization Options |
9 states |
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 |
Fastest-Growing Solar Provider |
7 states |
What Should You Consider When Choosing a Good Solar Installer?
The best solar companies ensure a seamless and efficient solar installation. Given the significant investment in solar systems, selecting the right installer is crucial. Without this, you might face roofing issues or premature system failures. Below are tips to guide you in choosing the best solar installer:
Expertise, track record, and experience: Look for a provider with plenty of experience installing solar systems. The best providers often have an extensive portfolio of completed projects with a positive track record. If your provider doesn’t show completed projects on its website, ask a representative to see a few before committing.
Licenses and insurance: Like any business, solar installers generally have insurance and licenses applicable to their field. Ensure your provider is appropriately licensed and insured before moving forward.
Reputation: Before you commit to one provider over another, sift through customer reviews and the company’s Better Business Bureau page. This will give you an idea of the company’s industry reputation and help you evaluate whether it’s a good fit.
Warranty: A well-rounded warranty is crucial to ensure your system has plenty of protection. While most providers offer an equipment warranty through the manufacturer, the best providers usually offer a workmanship or labor warranty. This shows confidence in their work and is a good sign.
What Are the Best Solar Companies in 2024?
Here are our top five recommended solar installers nationwide:
Sunrun
3.7
Our Rating
Sunrun offers excellent protection against damage with a warranty that features free equipment replacement and system repairs, which includes parts and labor. Extra coverage extends to roof penetrations, ensuring your home remains watertight and snug for the duration of the warranty. However, solar and battery availability varies by state, and the service area is limited.
Solar setups remain constantly exposed to the elements, whether battering rain or unrelenting sunshine, so damage is bound to happen occasionally. Sunrun offers well-rounded protection against damage to ensure your system performs well for many years.
It provides 10 years of coverage, which includes free equipment replacement and system repairs, including parts and labor. On top of that, it also protects against roof penetrations for the duration of the warranty.
SunRun’s availability is limited to 21 states plus Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, so homeowners in the rest of the country don’t have access to the company’s services. In addition, solar and battery availability varies by state.
Sunrun offers several brands of solar equipment, including LG and Tesla. These brands are highly rated and known to produce high-quality products. Like many companies, Sunrun offers monocrystalline photovoltaic panels, which are highly efficient and long-lasting.
They’re a strong choice for homeowners in various scenarios, including for larger homes with high energy demands. Sunrun’s solar product lineup includes:
- Solar panels
- Solar batteries
- Solar inverters
Sunrun offers more payment options than the average solar provider, as it provides five options: monthly lease, lease, PPA, cash purchase, and monthly loan. The first three options are leasing options, so Sunrun has ownership.
The monthly lease option starts at just $6 per month for the first six months, the lease system option requires a full solar lease payment at the beginning of the contract, and the PPA option allows homeowners to pay monthly amounts for the energy the system generates.
The last two options are purchase options, so the homeowner owns the system. The cash purchase requires full up-front payment and is the most cost-effective option for homeowners seeking permanent solar solutions. However, the loan option is a good choice for homeowners with limited budgets, as it allows them to pay a monthly amount to pay off the system.
Sunrun offers warranties ranging between 10 and 25 years, comparable to the industry standard. While the 10-year warranty provides excellent coverage for damage and repairs, it’s considerably shorter than the warranties provided by other providers on this list.
Blue Raven Solar
4.3
Our Rating
With financing options featuring no loan payments for 18 months or low payments for five years, Blue Raven is a strong pick for homeowners on a budget. However, the power production guarantee is shorter than most, and the service area is limited.
Investing in a solar setup isn’t cheap, and for many homeowners, forking over thousands of dollars up-front for their systems isn’t feasible. So it’s essential to select a provider that offers options with wiggle room to accommodate your budget.
With several in-house financing options, Blue Raven is an excellent choice for homeowners with tighter budgets.
While Blue Raven’s financing options are outstanding, the company’s production guarantee leaves much to be desired. It’s considerably shorter than most other companies on this list, which may pose a problem for some homeowners. Additionally, its area of service is limited.
Blue Raven doesn’t manufacture its own solar panels like Tesla or SunPower, so its offerings include numerous panel brands. It installs products from multiple manufacturers, including SolarEdge, Canadian Solar, LG, and Trina.
Its options primarily feature black-on-black monocrystalline panels, which are highly efficient and blend seamlessly into your roof’s aesthetic. However, the offerings and availability vary based on your chosen panel brand.
Its solar product lineup includes:
- Solar batteries
- Solar panels
- Solar inverters
Blue Raven is known for its surprisingly flexible financing options that work in the customer’s favor. The company’s financing options are in-house, so customers can handle the entire process through Blue Raven.
The company offers two plans that are essentially 25-year loans: Blue Power Plus and SmartStart. With Blue Power Plus, the company pays you for your first 18 months of loan installments, allowing you to take advantage of the federal solar investment tax credit (ITC) before you even begin to pay off your system. With Smart Start, you’ll make a low monthly loan payment for 18 months; then Blue Raven will pay to keep your loan payments at that low monthly amount for five years.
Both options are an excellent choice for homeowners with tight budgets who prefer the over-time convenience of a solar loan.
Alternatively, you can buy your setup up-front, which remains the most cost-effective option.
Blue Raven’s solar installations have 25-year warranties, 10-year workmanship warranties, and two-year power production guarantees. While the manufacturer warranty length is typical, the workmanship warranty and power production guarantee are shorter than those of several competitors.
Momentum Solar
3.9
Our Rating
Good customer service is a key part of a smooth solar installation. Otherwise, you’ll be left in the dark, wondering about the specifics of the installation and waiting for a response from the installer’s team. So it’s important to choose a company that prioritizes communication and customer service.
Momentum Solar is one of these companies. While specific feedback varies based on location, many reviewers have positive things to say about the company’s customer service team. The company has 24/7 panel monitoring — if something goes wrong, they can immediately send out a repair person. For any installations and repairs, Momentum Solar only uses in-house personnel. This is better than third-party contractors, who may not have as much experience or training with Momentum Solar’s systems and processes.
If you need to contact Momentum for any reason, their team is prompt and responsive, ensuring you’ll never be left high and dry during the installation process.
Unfortunately, Momentum Solar only offers its services in a select few states. Its offerings are restricted to just 11 states, so the vast majority of the country can’t use this company for solar installations. Additionally, it doesn’t offer a system output guarantee.
Momentum Solar partners with various solar manufacturers to provide its solar services. The company sticks to Tier 1 solar panels, primarily partnering with Enphase and Qcells, which are known to produce quality solar panels.
The company offers monocrystalline photovoltaic panels, which are highly efficient and have longer life spans. These panels are an excellent choice for homeowners with high energy demands or larger homes.
Momentum Solar’s complete solar lineup includes:
- Solar inverters
- Solar batteries
- Solar panels
Momentum Solar offers four primary payment options: cash purchase, solar loan, lease, and PPA. The up-front cash option is the best for homeowners with the budget to pay the total up-front and who want a permanent solar solution.
The solar loan is an excellent alternative to the cash purchase for homeowners with tighter budgets. The PPA and lease options are the most suitable for residents seeking temporary solar.
Momentum Solar offers a 25-year warranty that covers workmanship and equipment. This warranty is fairly well in line with those of its competitors. However, many competitors offer a power production guarantee, but Momentum Solar does not.
Trinity Solar
3.4
Our Rating
With many solar product options available, Trinity Solar is an excellent pick for homeowners who prefer to choose the solar brands they want installed in their homes. The company offers affordable, aesthetically pleasing panels from solar product manufacturers, including Tesla, Qcells, Generac, and more. However, they don’t have the best warranty.
Customization is critical to many homeowners. For example, you might want Tesla solar panels over Qcells because you have a Tesla car. Or you like to have options to select the highest-quality, most affordable, or best-looking solar panels. Not having flexibility can be a hiccup when considering solar companies to handle your installation. Several companies only offer one brand of solar panels, making it impossible to choose what you want.
Trinity Solar is available in nine states — Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island — making it a suitable pick for many homeowners on the East Coast. The company offers quick installation, several financing options, and is NABCEP (North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners)-certified.
Despite having several options for your solar system, Trinity Solar’s warranties are lacking. Most solar installation companies offer a 25-year or longer warranty, but that’s not true with Trinity. The company only provides a standard inverter warranty extending 12 years and a workmanship warranty of five years. Another downside is that it doesn’t provide pricing information online. So it may take a while for you to get an estimate.
Trinity Solar offers solar products from many manufacturers. They offer Qcells solar panels, which are highly efficient (20.6% and 21.4%), along with solar inverters, batteries, and roofs from manufacturers such as SolarEdge, Tesla, and Generac.
Trinity Solar’s offerings are good for homeowners who prefer clean, modern aesthetics, as the company offers low-profile panels. Its complete solar lineup features:
- Solar inverters
- Solar panels
- Solar roof
- Solar batteries
Trinity Solar’s finance options include cash purchase, solar loans, PPAs, and leases. You would qualify for the ITC with a cash purchase or solar loan.
The cash purchase option remains the most cost-effective solution for homeowners, but the loan option is a close second for those without the budget to fork over the entire cost up-front.
Trinity Solar offers a 12-year warranty on solar inverters and a five-year workmanship guarantee. This is much shorter than other providers offering 25 years or more warranties. That said, you would also have an equipment warranty from the solar panel manufacturer (Qcells) that will guarantee the panels’ efficiency after a certain number of years.
Vision Solar
3.7
Our Rating
Vision Solar is a leading solar provider servicing seven states. It’s cost-effective, easy to work with, has great warranty terms, and offers several financing options. However, it’s only available in seven states.
A provider with healthy growth demonstrates confidence in the quality of the product, workmanship, and affordability. While several providers have been around for decades, Vision Solar started only in 2018 but is already available in seven states: Arizona, Connecticut, Florida, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Texas.
Growing to seven states in just five years is impressive, especially through 2020-2021 during the peak of the COVID-19 lockdowns. And like most solar energy companies, Vision likely has big plans for expansion into additional states.
Unfortunately, Vision Solar doesn’t offer specific pricing or financing information online. You need to contact the company directly to obtain an estimate, so it can be tricky to compare your options. Additionally, the service area is limited.
Vision Solar offers an array of solar products from Enphase and SunPower. These companies are known to produce high-quality panels, including highly efficient monocrystalline panels. These panels are perfect for homes with minimal roof space as they maximize energy production in a smaller package (due to their high efficiency).
Vision Solar’s solar offerings include:
- Solar batteries
- Solar inverters
- Solar panels
Vision Solar doesn’t offer specific financing information on its website. Instead, it simply states that it offers multiple flexible purchase options.
It appears the company offers cash purchases and power purchase agreements (PPAs), but it’s tricky to say whether it offers leases or loans. We recommend discussing financing options with the company before moving forward to ensure it has something to accommodate your budget needs.
Vision Solar offers full, well-rounded coverage of its installations. If you got a system with a PPA, Vision would handle all the maintenance and repairs (since you don’t own the solar system). If you purchase the system outright, Vision provides a 25-year manufacturer guarantee covering the equipment.
Featured Video: How Solar Energy Got So Cheap
How Can You Save Money When Hiring a Solar Company?
When considering the best solar companies, understanding how to save on solar energy systems is crucial. Despite the high initial costs, there are ways to reduce expenses:
- Compare quotes: We recommend consulting several solar providers and obtaining quotes specific to your home before committing to one. This will help ensure you get the best deal by allowing you to compare costs before moving forward with one company.
- Take advantage of rebates and discounts: Some solar installers and manufacturers offer discounts, rebates, and other financial incentives (like inviting a friend and earning cash back). While availability varies based on the provider or manufacturer, it doesn’t hurt to watch for these opportunities.
- Use the ITC: The federal ITC is an excellent way to save on your taxes. As of 2024, the credit is worth 30% after Congress passed an extension on it. The extension holds through until 2033, when it will drop to 22%. While this won’t give you a direct discount on your up-front purchase, you’ll save by getting a cut in your federal taxes. Check out our comprehensive analysis of Federal Solar Tax Credit.
Click your state below to find out just how much going solar will cost you and how much you can save.
What Are Your Financing Options When Installing Solar?
When choosing a top-rated solar provider, understanding financing is essential. Financing can introduce unfamiliar terms, and providers might define them differently, making comparisons challenging.
There are four key financing options: cash purchase, solar loan, solar lease, and power purchase agreement (PPA). While the first two let you own the equipment, the latter two don’t, as detailed below:
- Cash purchase. You’ll pay your total solar equipment and installation bill up-front and own it outright.
- Solar loan. Much like a car loan, you’ll pay off your solar setup over time and own it outright at the end of the loan term.
- Solar lease. You’ll pay monthly for your solar equipment, and the solar company will continue to own and maintain it. You’ll continue to pay your local utility for any power you use from them. A typical lease term is 15 to 20 years.
- Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). In this scenario, you won’t pay a set monthly amount to the solar company. Instead, you’ll pay the company for the electricity you use at a specific rate per kilowatt-hour — the benefit being that this rate is lower than you’d get from your electric utility.
As you start on your solar journey, we recommend discussing the specifics of financing options with each provider you speak with to ensure you fully understand their financing options.
Another important aspect of choosing between ownership and non-ownership options is the federal solar investment tax credit (ITC). If you choose an ownership option, you’ll be able to take 30% of your system and installation costs as a credit on your income taxes — a huge incentive.
What Can You Expect During a Solar Installation?
The process of installing a solar setup varies slightly from one installer to the next, but the core steps remain the same. Here’s what you can expect from your solar installation:
- Assessment and design: This step takes up to four weeks and involves the initial assessment, where the installer will visit your home to evaluate your needs and examine your home to determine specific attributes. Using this information, your installer will design a solar setup specific to your home.
- Adjustments: If your home needs a new roof or trees need pruning before the installation, it will happen in this step. The time frame depends on whether your installer offers roofing services or if you need to hire a different contractor, but it can be several weeks.
- Permits: This step can take up to eight weeks, depending on the permits required and the process necessary to obtain them. Many contractors work closely with the permitting authorities, so it may take less than eight weeks.
- Installation: Once the installer obtains the necessary permits, it’s time to install the solar setup. Generally, this only takes a few days, but it may take up to seven days, depending on your installer’s schedule and team size. In this step, your installer will confirm the roof’s structural integrity and ensure no obstructions are blocking the roof. They’ll install the wiring and mounting equipment before mounting the panels and finishing connections.
- Inspection: After the system is installed, it will need to pass an inspection by the relevant authorities. They may also install a net meter in this step, which will keep track of production and allow you to redirect excess energy to the electrical grid. This step usually takes between two and three weeks.
- Activation: This is the final step in the process and the culmination of weeks of waiting. Once you receive final approval, it’s time to activate the system and start harnessing the sun’s power and reducing your energy bills.
So, What Is the Best Solar Company For Your Home?
Ultimately, the best solar company for your needs will depend on factors specific to you, including your location, expectations, and budget. It all depends on your situation, but we recommend evaluating your needs, budget, and expectations to ensure you get the best fit. Once you iron out the details, gather quotes from a few of your top picks to guarantee you get the best possible price.
4.3
No payments needed for 18 months
Provides in-house financing
Offers top brands like LG and Trina
3.9
Highly rated customer service
Provides 24/7 panel monitoring
Solid A+ rating with the BBB
3.7
Affordable prices
Excellent selection of panels and services
Locations in 22 states
FAQs about the Best Solar Installers
What should you know when choosing a solar installer?
When choosing a solar installation company, it’s important to look for a few key things, including reputation, warranty, licenses, expertise, insurance, and track record. The best solar installers meet expectations in all of these categories.
Is solar panel installation noisy?
While solar panel installation isn’t the quietest thing, it usually isn’t excessively noisy. You can expect some noise as your installers move around on your roof, attaching mounts, installing wiring, and mounting the panels.
What questions should I ask before installing solar panels?
Before installing solar panels, it’s important to ask yourself a few questions, like:
- Why should I go solar?
- Is solar a good fit for my home?
- Is my electricity bill high enough to justify switching to solar?
- How do I plan to finance my panels?
Which solar installer is the best?
The best home solar installer for your needs will hinge on factors specific to you, including your needs, budget, expectations, and location. So, while one installer might be ideal for you, it might not be the best fit for someone else. To isolate the best fit, we recommend determining what providers are available in your area and evaluating your situation.
Methodology: How We Rank Solar Companies
At Today’s Homeowner, we strive to bring you the most transparent, accurate information for your home improvement projects. Our solar ratings emphasize what matters most to you—a wide range of energy-efficient panels, reputable and reliable installation, and comprehensive warranties.
Our ratings are based on publicly available information about each company, secret shopping online and over the phone, customer-review analysis, and interviews with solar industry experts.
A company can earn a maximum of 100 points across six categories, converted to a five-star scale. We researched and analyzed dozens of solar installers and developed the following formula:
- Services Offered (20 points): What does each solar provider offer as a basic service with any solar installation plan? In-house labor led to companies being ranked higher than those that contracted their labor out to third parties. Similarly, battery installation and panel monitoring were key factors that we looked for in each provider.
- Warranty Period (20 points): Solar warranties can cover labor, components, or both. The length of these warranty plans is of chief importance. Companies that offer 25-year warranty coverage got our highest score in this category.
- Other Offerings (20 points): Solar companies that provide secondary services are rated highly. These include obtaining permits to operate (PTO), providing financing and price matching options, and mobile performance tracking options.
- Company Reputation (15 points): Our main metrics for rating company reputation were Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings and complaint response rate. These are reliable indicators of quality. Many of our best providers have a 100% complaint response rate.
- Customer Service (15 points): Availability via phone and online is key for modern home service providers in any niche. Those that offer both, along with clearly posted business hours and in-person estimates, are rated highly.
- Availability (10 points): Companies with availability in more than 40 states received our highest score in this category. We rated providers with a more limited presence progressively lower, depending on exact reach.
We monitor company data on an ongoing basis to keep rankings and information up to date.
