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The average solar panel installation and operation contract lasts 20 years – roughly the estimated peak energy lifespan of most panels. The information on this page will help you navigate this commitment and make a smart long-term decision.
Keep reading if you’d like to learn about our review and selection process, or jump straight to the reviews.
Coverage Area
How many states and cities a company covers is the first criteria we looked at. The recommended companies service at least 10 states. Solar power is a viable energy solution throughout much of the country, so providing options with expansive coverage is crucial to ensuring you have a good solar partner wherever you live.
Finance Options
Whether you lease, get a PPA, buy, or finance, investing in solar power can quickly cost upward of $25,000. The companies we recommend offer financial plans to ensure your solar system is affordable and saves you money on your utility bills.
Customer Reviews
Because of its nature, solar power isn’t a standard consumer product or household appliance that is easy to review. The installation process, panel quality and real-time energy savings takes months (and sometimes years) to truly comprehend. The complexities are why we rely on hundreds of customer reviews from multiple websites to guide our recommendations. The companies we recommend have at least an average rating of 3.5/5.0.
Installation Process
Solar power installation involves a lot of moving cogs. We chose companies that have a clear purchase journey, a reputation for working with utility companies for a speedy transition, and score well regarding installation in their average customer review.
Top 5 Solar Companies in 2019
| Average Customer Rating | Total States Covered | Finance Options | Warranty | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 More Info |  More Info |  More Info |  More Info |  More Info |
 |  |  |  |  |
| 12 | 24 | 13 | 41 | 11 |
| BluePower, BluePower+, Purchase | Loan, PACE Loan, Purchase | Fixed-Payment Lease, Prepaid Lease, PPA, Purchase | Lease, Loan, Purchase | Loan, Purchase |
| Installation: 5 years Panels: 25 years | Installation and panels: 25 years | Installation: 20 years Panels: 20 years Performance: 25 years | Installation and panels: 25 years | Solar Shingles: 11 years Energy Production: 24 years |
Where You Can Purchase Blue Raven Solar Panels?
Homeowners in 12 states can achieve cost savings and cleaner energy with Blue Raven Solar, including:
Hawaii California Arizona Colorado New Hampshire Massachusetts Connecticut New York New Jersey Pennsylvania South Carolina Maryland
Solar Equipment
Blue Raven Solar uses industry-standard, black-on-black monocrystalline panels. The company decides what panel manufacturer to use on a case-by-case basis to ensure the solar solution is customized for the home in question.
The panels Blue Solar chooses usually operate for
up to 35 years.
Size and Configuration
The smallest solar system Blue Raven Solar installs is a 10 panel (3 kW) configuration. This lower limit does not apply when adding onto existing systems.
Solar Panel Warranty
Blue Raven Solar offers the industry standard 25-year manufacturer warranty. They also provide a five-year production, maintenance and workmanship guarantee.
Purchase Process
Get a Quote
Your first conversation with Blue Raven Solar will establish your expected savings on electricity bills by switching to solar power. If you’re still interested in learning more, then the company recommends an in-person home inspection to determine more accurate estimated costs and savings.
Home Inspection
During a home inspection, the Blue Raven Solar inspector determines how many solar panels your home needs, identifies any structural concerns that could impede installment, and provides a custom design that optimizes solar collection and storage for your home.
Installation
Blue Raven Solar is among the fastest installers in the industry with an average installation of 6-8 hours. In 2018, the average timespan between finalizing the installation agreement to system energization was slightly longer than three months.
If you decide to move after the panels are installed, Blue Raven Solar allows you to pay off the system when you sell the house or transfer the agreement to the new homeowner.
Finance Options
Blue Raven Solar offers two unique finance options, branded BluePower and BluePower+.
You’re also able to pay for the system in cash.
BluePower+ combines a Power Purchase Agreement with 18 months of free solar energy from the installed system. The agreement allows qualified buyers to pay $0 upfront for system design, permitting and installation costs. One note to be aware of, BluePower+ does effectively extend the agreement between you and Blue Raven Solar for 18 months, but during that time you’re able to save money on your utility bills.
BluePower is a financing option without the 18 months free in exchange for a discounted
solar system.
Solar Purchase
System Owner: You No Monthly Payment to Blue Raven Solar 100% of Federal & State Tax Credits
BluePower+
System Owner: You 18 Months of Free Solar Energy $0 Down Fixed Monthly Payment & Interest Rate 30% of Federal & State Tax Credits
BluePower
System Owner: You Discounted System Cost $0 Down Fixed Monthly Payment & Interest Rate 30% of Federal & State Tax Credits
Customer Service
Blue Raven Solar customer reviews show the customer service experience can vary among locations. The organization as a whole openly prides itself on putting people first, and the average review shows Blue Raven Solar achieves this goal most of the time.
If customers have any post-installation problems, they can call, email or text Blue Raven Solar’s support department to open a service ticket. Resolution times for each ticket vary depending on the type of problem and the potential solution. Any work that requires in-person attention is generally resolved within the week.
Blue Raven representatives are available 7:00am – 10:00pm Monday-Friday and 8:00am-8:00pm Saturdays. The business is closed Sundays.
Maintenance & Troubleshooting
If you have any issues with the system within the first five years after installation, Blue Raven Solar covers all repair and troubleshooting costs under its workmanship guarantee. After the first five years, customers are charged for technician hours but not for any material covered under the manufacturer warranties.
Customers are on the hook for general maintenance issues, such as cleaning snow or leaves from the panel. On its website, Blue Raven recommends occasionally washing your panels with water and inspecting the panels for any visual defects. For more detailed instructions, please download Blue Raven Solar’s PDF on solar panel maintenance.
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Where You Can Purchase Green Solar Technologies Solar Panels?
Homeowners in 24 states can achieve cost savings and cleaner energy with Green Solar Technologies, including:
Arizona California Florida Georgia Indiana Iowa Louisiana Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Nevada New Mexico North Carolina Ohio Oregon Pennsylvania South Carolina Tennessee Texas Utah Wisconsin
Solar Equipment
Green Solar Technologies use mono-crystalline panels from SolarWorld, LG Solar, Mission Solar Energy, and REC Solar, which are all industry-leading brands.
Size and Configuration
The solar energy company generally does not design or install solar systems that produce fewer than 3 kW.
Solar Panel Warranty
Green Solar Technologies offers a 25-year equipment warranty, which covers the panels and inverter. They also go beyond industry standards and offer a 25-year workmanship warranty, which covers labor for maintenance and repairs.
Purchase Process
Get a Quote
Your first conversation with Green Solar Technologies involves creating a custom solar energy savings quote based on your home’s architecture and your average energy consumption. The quote includes your projected energy savings by switching to solar plus your panel and configuration options.
Solar Agreement & In-Person Home Inspection
If you like Green Solar Technologies’ estimated energy savings and product offerings and want to move forward in the process, the next step is signing a solar agreement. The agreement determines your solar energy costs for the next 20-30 years. Once the agreement is signed, the company will send a surveyor to inspect your roof, gather measurements and plan the installation.
Installation
If you’re local to the Los Angeles area, Green Solar Technologies can install your solar system and get it running within a week. If you live in an area that has special installation requirements or permits, it can take up to three months for the full system to be operational, which is slightly faster than the industry standard.
If you decide to move, your solar energy equipment can be transferred to the new homeowners after the sale is complete. The new homeowners take full financial responsibility for the system.
Finance Options
About 10-15 percent of Green Solar Technologies’ customers pay for their solar system outright, and the others rely on a loan. The company works with lenders nationwide to offer a $0 down payment loan with approved credit and Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing.
Solar Purchase
System Owner: You No Monthly Payment to Green Solar Technologies Keep 100% of Federal & State Tax Credits
Solar Loan / PACE Loan
System Owner: You Monthly Payment to Lender Often Has Low Interest Rate $0 Down with Approved Credit
Customer Service
Green Solar Technologies’ customer reviews show the customer service experience is generally rewarding. Customers comment about how the company doesn’t give false promises or misleading quotes, and how eager representatives are to answer complex questions.
If customers have any post-installation problems, they can call, email or Facebook Messenger Green Solar Technologies’ support department to open a service ticket. Resolution times for non-emergency concerns are typically within one-to-two business days.
If you encounter any issues or concerns about your solar system, Green Solar Technologies offers customer support 8:00am-6:00pm Monday-Friday and 10am-3pm Saturday. The business is closed Sundays.
The company does have an after-hours answering service and emergency maintenance situations are responded to immediately.
Maintenance & Troubleshooting
After installation, issues and concerns with your solar system within the first 25 years should be directed to Green Solar Technologies. The solar panel company covers operational maintenance, defects and product failures within its 25-year product and workmanship warranty.
You’ll be responsible for day-to-day tasks, such as cleaning snow, leaves, dirt or mud from the solar panels. While you’re cleaning, it’s also smart to inspect the panels for visual defects that could hamper productivity. These defects are generally covered within your warranty.
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Where You Can Purchase Sungevity Solar Panels?
Homeowners in 13 states can achieve cost savings and cleaner energy with Sungevity, including:
California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Maryland Massachusetts New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina Rhode Island Vermont
Solar Equipment
Sungevity uses a customized approach to each customer’s home installation. They swap among high-quality manufacturers to fit your home’s needs, but the company generally sticks with industry-standard black-on-black mono-crystalline panels.
Size and Configuration
Sungevity’s website didn’t cover any size constraints or requirements and the company didn’t return our requests for information about this subject.
Solar Panel Warranty
Sungevity provides a 20-year equipment warranty, which covers the panels, inverter, and other components; a 25-year performance warranty, which guarantees a certain level of energy output; and a 20-year workmanship warranty, which covers the labor and installation.
Purchase Process
Get a Quote
Sungevity’s purchase process begins with a free, no-pressure consultation to determine if switching to solar power is right for your needs. For this conversation, you’ll need at least 12 months of recent electricity bills, which helps determine a precise energy savings estimate.
Remote Solar System Design
If you’re still interested in Sungevity after the free quote, the company uses a proprietary design tool to remotely engineer a custom solar system for your home.
The other companies on our list do in-person inspections, which allows them to determine if your roof might need upgrades or repairs to safely use solar panels. Sungevity’s remote design tool limits that opportunity.
Installation
Like many companies on our list. Sungevity lacks end-to-end service for customers, which can be a concern for some people. The company relies on local solar contractors to install their solar systems. Sometimes this works out great because local contractors understand the local weather patterns and are available quickly, but it also means your experience may vary depending on who your contractors are.
If you decide to move, Sungevity works with you to transfer the installation and financial obligations to the new homeowners after the sale is done. You’re also able to terminate the agreement and Sungevity will reclaim its solar system.
Finance Options
Sungevity offers three financial assistance plans if you don’t want to purchase the solar system outright.
The company partners with nation-wide loan and lease providers who offer a $0 down payment solar lease for qualified buyers. As with most solar leases, the lease provider owns, installs and maintains the system for you. Sungevity also offers a solar Power Purchase Agreement, which allows the company to own, install and maintain the solar system on your home. In return, you pay a set fee for the solar energy you produce and use.
Solar Purchase
System Owner: You No Monthly Payment to Sungevity Keep 100% of Federal & State Tax Credits
Solar Loan
System Owner: You Monthly Payment to Lender Keep 100% of Federal & State Tax Credits
Solar Lease
System Owner: Sungevity or Lease Provider $0 Down & Low Monthly Payments System Performance Guaranteed for 20 Years
Solar PPA
System Owner: Sungevity Buy Solar Electricity at Set Rate Sungevity Applies Tax Credits to Your Flat Rate
Customer Service
Sungevity customer reviews show the company prides itself on being transparent about costs and the installation process. The average reviewer comments on feeling well-informed and are impressed by how quickly Sungevity employees respond to questions or concerns.
Sungevity representatives are available 7:00am-4:00pm Monday-Friday, and 7:00am-8:00pm Saturday-Sunday.
Maintenance & Troubleshooting
If you have any issues with you solar power system after installation is complete, get in touch with a Sungevity representative. The issue is more than likely covered by the company’s 20-year workmanship guarantee.
You’ll be responsible for any routine maintenance, such as cleaning the solar panels.
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Where You Can Purchase SunPower Solar Panels?
Homeowners in 41 states can achieve cost savings and cleaner energy with Green Solar Technologies, including:
Arizona California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Missouri Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming
Solar Equipment
What we like most about SunPower is how much the company focuses on solar panel quality and innovation. The company designs and manufactures the highest efficiency solar panels on the market.
The panels have an average longevity of 40 years and achieve a 22 percent efficiency rate, which the company claims produces 60 percent more energy than competing panels.
Size and Configuration
SunPower’s Equinox panels are designed with efficiency and minimalism in mind. The result is impressive. The high efficiency and power output allow SunPower to produce your desired amount of solar power with fewer panels, all while hiding unseemly utility boxes on exterior walls.
For example, a 6 kW system from SunPower requires 18 solar panels, compared to 24 conventional panels. Likewise, an 8 kW system from SunPower uses 24 panels instead 32.
Solar Panel Warranty
SunPower’s “Complete Confidence Warranty” is among the most comprehensive warranties in the industry. The warranty covers repair or replacement costs for the entire solar system, including workmanship, for 25 years. Plus, the company covers rust damage, which is a prevalent problem in high-moisture areas.
What we like the most about SunPower’s warranty is the power output guarantee. The company promises your installed panels won’t lose more than 8 percent of the original power output in 25 years. The industry average for conventional solar panels is up to 19 percent degradation in 25 years.
Purchase Process
Get a Quote
Your first conversation with SunPower revolves around qualifying your home for solar power and determining if installing solar panels will offset your energy costs. Before providing you with a free quote, the SunPower representative will ask you about your average electricity bill, your roof’s building materials, how much sunlight your roof gets and your local climate.
After discussing these subjects, you’ll be provided with the projected energy savings by switching to solar, plus your panel and configuration options.
Home Inspection
After agreeing to the solar installation, SunPower connects you with a local solar contractor who surveys your home and determines how many solar panels your roof needs. The surveyor will generally work with you to design a solar system that optimizes solar collection and storage for your home. Plus, they may also identify any structural concerns that impede installment.
Installation
The lack of end-to-end service for most customers is our main concern with SunPower. The company relies heavily on local contractors to design and install the solar systems, which means your experience may vary depending on who your local contractors are. However, local contractors are usually intimately familiar with local weather patterns, building materials and city codes, which can speed up installation times.
SunPower also has an e-book that provides tips and tricks for choosing a local solar installer.
If you move while still in the 20-year agreement, you can transfer the lease or loan to the new homeowner.
Finance Options
SunPower offers three different payment options for customers to choose from: a lease, a loan and outright purchase.
Leasing your solar system through SunPower allows you to effectively rent the system for little-to-no money down, and then pay for the energy you produce and use. Generally, lease payments are still smaller than utility bills.
SunPower loans are excellent if you want to own the solar system but can’t afford to pay upward of $25,000 at once. The loan also allows you to keep any state or federal tax incentives.
Solar Purchase
System Owner: You No Monthly Payment to SunPower 100% of Federal & State Tax Credits
Solar Loan
System Owner: You Monthly Payment to Lender 100% of Federal & State Tax Credits
SunPower Lease
System Owner: SunPower Pay a Monthly Fee to SunPower to "Rent" the System Energy Production is Guaranteed for 20 Years
Customer Service
The average SunPower customer reviews emphasize component quality and how accurate the company’s estimated savings are. They praise SunPower’s customer service and sales team for providing plenty of educational resources and helping them feel comfortable with such a large financial decision.
SunPower doesn’t post its hours of operation, but the company’s contact page does have phone numbers for each of its regional and global offices.
Maintenance & Troubleshooting
After installation, if you have any issues or concerns with your solar system within the first 25 years, you should get in touch with SunPower. The company’s robust warranty and service program covers operational maintenance, defects and product failures in its 25-year product and workmanship warranty.
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Where You Can Purchase RGS Energy Solar Panels?
Homeowners in 11 states can achieve cost savings and cleaner energy with RGS Energy, including:
California Colorado New Hampshire New Jersey New York Maine Massachusettes Pennsylvania Rhode Island Texas Vermont Connecticut
Solar Equipment
RGS Energy is the exclusive domestic and international manufacturer for solar shingles under the Powerhouse brand name. The solar shingle system is based on technology developed by Dow Chemical and is installed on more than 1,000 homes.
Besides aesthetics, RES Energy says the Powerhouse solar shingle benefits homeowners by combining the performance and protection of a conventional asphalt roof with an integrated photovoltaic solar system. The panel type is growing in popularity for new home constructions, so it’s exciting to see RGS Energy offer the technology as an upgrade, too.
Size and Configuration
RGS didn’t include information about solar panel size and configuration on their website.
Solar Panel Warranty
The Powerhouse shingle solar system comes with an 11-year product warranty and a 24-year power production warranty. This is among the shortest warranties on our list. The RGS Energy website does not mention any workmanship warranties either, which are offered by most of the other companies on our list.
Purchase Process
Get a Quote
After you request a quote for RGS Energy, you’ll have a conversation to qualify your home for solar energy. This conversation involves discussing your energy consumption habits and average electricity bill, your home’s architecture and age, local weather patterns, how much sun your roof gets, and any local guidelines or solar restrictions. After gathering this information, an RGS Energy representative provides you with an estimate for how much money you can save each month by switching to solar energy and discusses finance options.
Home Inspection
After the free quote consultation, you’ll schedule an in-person home assessment with an RGS Energy representative or local solar contractor. During this survey, the inspector will evaluate your home for any potential structural issues, design a custom solar system to meet your energy needs, and then begin filing permit applications. Last, you’ll get to fill out rebate and incentive paperwork and finalize the financial documents.
Installation
At one time, RGS Energy’s website went into detail about its installation process. However, after selecting the option to learn more about installation, the page no longer exists.
Finance Options
RGS Energy systems are purchasable outright in cash or with a solar loan. Unfortunately, RGS Energy does not offer leases or PPAs. If you’re a member of the U.S. military, RGS Energy offers a $500 instant rebate. The company also has a robust, uncapped referral program that offers you $500 for every successful customer referral.
Solar Purchase
System Owner: You No Monthly Payment to RGS Energy Keep 100% of Federal & State Tax Credits
Solar Loan
System Owner: You Monthly Payment to Lender $0 Down Payment for Qualified Buyers
Customer Service
RGS Energy didn’t return our requests for comment. We’re unable to comment on any unique customer service operations or values.
Maintenance & Troubleshooting
RGS Energy offers traditional warranty maintenance and additional services to ensure the safety and functionality of your solar system. The additional services include removing or replacing old solar panels and systems, critter guard fencing to protect against chewed wires, and site inspections to ensure maximum performance.
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