In this article, we’ll explore Sun Badger Solar reviews, including a brief overview of this solar panel company, the services it provides (and the locations), warranty information, and everything in-between.
Our Sun Badger Solar Review
This Sun Badger Solar review dives into this solar company’s history, process, services, locations reached, and more. From what we found out, we’re impressed with their expertise and passion to develop a more sustainable future for all (with partnerships and awards that align with that mission).
It should be noted that Sun Badger Solar has received several complaints that the company is unable to meet its obligations even though customers have made deposits. Sun Badger has also been the subject of two government regulatory proceedings for poor conduct in the business marketplace.
Sun Badger Solar Company Profile
Sun Badger Solar’s headquarters are in Wisconsin, and it officially launched in 2018 with four members of staff. As of 2023, this solar service and installation company has a team of around 50 employees.
This company is one of 22 solar companies rewarded with the Sustainability Award in 2022. In fact, Sun Badger’s solar panels are manufactured in the U.S. and are sourced ethically.
| Sun Badger Solar Summary | |
| Company name | Sun Badger |
| Year founded | 2018 |
| Headquarters | Wisconsin |
| Services | Residential, commercial battery storage, EV charging, and solar service |
| Certifications | Tesla Powerwall installer; member of the Minnesota Solar Energy Industries Association; Illinois Solar Energy Association and Renew Wisconsin memberships; design and installation technicians by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners |
| # of Employees | 50 |
| BBB rating: | F |
| Our Rating: | 4.6 |
| Average Cost: | Not stated on the website (price is available to customers after a quote) |
Pros & Cons of Sun Badger Solar
Pros
- It’s a full-service solar installation company.
- It offers a referral program.
- It was awarded a Sustainability Award.
Cons
- It might not have as much experience as other companies due to only launching in 2018.
- Patterns of customer complaints regarding incomplete work despite paid deposits
Solar Services & Cost
Sun Badger Solar sells solar panels to commercial and residential properties in the U.S., and the entire process can take up to six months.
1. Download the app or visit their website
Sun Badger’s app allows you to track the progress of your solar panels and your entire project.
2. Onboarding
Meet your project manager via the smartphone app before signing a contract.
3. Site survey
Next, you’ll receive a free quote based on the approximations of your initial design. The Sun Badger installation teams will even inspect your property (commercial or residential) and survey the building.
This process helps Sun Badger Solar to find the top-notch solar system for your property. Additionally, one of their qualified electricians will discuss wiring and additional components needed to help the design team prepare the final build.
4. Permitting
This stage happens behind the scenes, and Sun Badger Solar will handle all of the important factors regarding permitting. It’ll pull all of the proper permits to ensure that your solar panel system is installed without any environmental issues.
5. Installation
Now it’s time to get the job done and schedule an installation time. Once all of the permits are obtained (if applicable), Sun Badger will arrive at your location with the solar panels along with any additional components. The company’s engineers will switch on your solar system, enabling you to begin using solar energy.
How Much Does Sun Badger Solar Cost?
According to this company’s official website, you can expect to spend between $15,000 and $25,000 on a new solar panel system. You can obtain a free quote by visiting Sun Badger’s website.
Warranty
SunBadger.com offers a few types of warranties for customers. Once your solar system has been installed by a team member, you’ll have the option of these warranties:
System
The System warranty lasts up to 10 years from the date your solar panel system is installed. This type of warranty protects you from faulty solar panel installation.
Component
Sun Badger passes on the warranty of the original solar system supplier to their customers. This includes a warranty against malfunctions for solar panels, batteries, and inverters.
25-Year Warranty
If you visit its website, you’ll find that its panels have a 25-year linear production warranty. Plus, all Enphase inverters include a 25-year warranty while the batteries have a standard 10-year warranty.
Financing Plans & Options
Sun Badger includes financing options to help you purchase a new PV system without paying a huge upfront cost.
The Whole Process
The first stage is to apply for your financing. If you’re approved, you’ll receive a tax credit along with any other applicable benefits toward installing your solar system. Then, you’ll need to apply these credits to your loan, which renews after 18 months.
Finance Plan
Sun Badger provides a loan with a 0.99% interest rate, enabling you to save money and obtain a new solar panel system at the same time.
Specials or Incentives Offered
Here are some incentives to consider when investing in a solar project for residents or business owners.
Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System (MACRS)
The MACRS is a tax credit system used in the United States where the basic cost of a property is recovered over a life with annual deductions for depreciation. This allows solar projects to qualify for 100% depreciation in the first year as well as additional local rebates.
Solar Investment Tax Credit
This is one of the most popular incentives if you’re a homeowner and looking to buy a new solar system. If you’re eligible to apply, you can receive a tax deduction of your tax return, which currently stands at 30% of your solar system until the end of 2032.
In-House or Contracted Installations
Sun Badger is the installer of solar panels, and it uses third-party contractors to buy their solar panel systems, such as Trina or Longi.
What Solar Panels Does Sun Badger Solar Use?
Their solar panels are built with a mix of glass and aluminum, ensuring that they’re waterproof and sturdy. In fact, the entire solar system can withstand winds up to 160 mph. This means that they’ll continue working even in a hurricane.
When the weather is colder, the solar cells inside the panels convert sunlight into electricity. Best of all, snow and rain can help remove dirt and debris from the solar panels, making them practically maintenance-free.
Partnerships
Sun Badger goes above and beyond to have a positive impact on the environment and deliver high-quality customer service. In 2021, this solar company partnered with Habitat for Humanity to help homeowners build a better life for their families.
Service Area & Availability
Sun Badger Solar operates in Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota.
Sun Badger Solar Reviews From Actual Customers
Reviews are a great way to determine the quality of a company. Below are three randomly selected Sun Badger solar reviews from customers.
“Fantastic company. I worked with several of their staff and everyone is highly competent, knowledgeable, friendly, responsive, and professional. I loved going solar, and recommend Sun Badger to everyone I talk to about the experience”.
Kenny W.
“We contacted them almost a year ago about installing solar panels on our roof. It seemed like many of the companies selling installations were based in California and we wanted to deal with a company based in the midwest because the weather and solar output would be different from that on the west coast. They responded promptly and talked us through the process thoroughly. The other installers didn’t seem as diligent about the details of the installation and their prices were higher (at least their first estimates were). We followed through with Sunbadger and have been pleased with every step of the process”.
Sleepy Hollow Customer.
“My installation went much more quickly than they told me it would, but we ran into a problem going live because my meter needed to be repaired. When it wasn’t repaired the first time correctly, Trevor took immediate action to take care of the problem and make up for the time the system was not producing. It was a pleasure working with them”.
Ann L.
Bottom Line: Is Sun Badger Solar a Good Company?
Sun Badger Solar has recently undergone two regulatory actions against its company for violations of the Consent Order. To date, 37 complaints have been filed against Sun Badger, and the company has not responded to 29 of those complaints.
Many of these complaints stated that customers had paid a deposit for solar work, but the work had not been completed or even started. Other complaints alleged that they could not reach a representative to resolve these issues.
In January 2023, the Better Business Bureau sent a letter to Sun Badger Solar asking the company to comment on these allegations. Sun Badger Solar responded by stating that the company has been struggling due to increased federal interest rates and a possible recession. As of January 30th, 2023, the company has furloughed most of its employees but hopes to receive the necessary funding to complete outstanding projects.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sun Badger Solar
How long has Sun Badger Solar been in business?
Sun Badger has been in business since 2018.
Where is the Sun Badger Solar headquarters?
Sun Badger Solar’s headquarters are in Wisconsin. This company also operates in Illinois, Florida, and Minnesota.
What inverter does Sun Badger Solar use?
Sun Badger uses Enphase inverters. These inverters are IP67-certified and feature a double-insulated polymer housing.
Who owns Sun Badger Solar?
Trevor Sumner is the president and co-founder of Sun Badger Solar.
What companies does Sun Badger Solar work with?
This solar company partners with Enphase, Tesla Powerwall, LONGi, and Unirac.
What are some of the benefits of going solar?
Switching to renewable energy helps to fight climate change, reduce water use for energy creation, reduce your dependence on nonrenewable energy, and lessen air pollution as a result of energy generation.
Our Solar Companies Ranking and Review Methodology
At Today's Homeowner, transparency and trust are our most important values for the reader. That’s why we took the time to create an objective rating system and score each solar energy company/service according to our methodology.
Our research team dug deep into the fine print of contracts, combed through more than one hundred customer reviews, and thoroughly investigated each solar energy company’s services, costs, and products. We’ve done the homework for you by researching nearly all the solar energy companies on the market so you can have the information you need to make the best choice for your home.
We developed a formula to objectively determine the best solar energy companies and give each a score out of 10 based on the following criteria:
- Services Offered (2.0): 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 (2.0): 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 (2.0): 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 (1.5): Our main metrics for rating company reputation were BBB accreditation and rating and complaint response rate. These are reliable indicators of quality. Many of our best providers have a 100% complaint response rate.
- Customer Service (1.5): 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 (1.0): 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.
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