Who Is The Best Solar Company?
The residential solar industry has seen incredible growth over the past decade. As energy costs rise and solar technology improves, more and more homeowners are looking to solar power as an affordable and sustainable energy solution. The Solar Energy Industries Association reports that there are now over 4 million solar installations in the U.S., with solar accounting for 43% of all new electric generating capacity added in 2021. With such growth, major solar companies are competing for market share in the residential solar space.
The top solar companies in the U.S. residential market include Tesla, Sunrun, SunPower, and many others. In this article, we’ll compare the leading residential solar providers across a range of factors: solar panel efficiency, warranties, customer satisfaction, customization options, purchase/lease options, availability, installation process, and more. Read on for a comprehensive overview of the residential solar industry’s major players.
Solar Panel Efficiency
Solar panel efficiency is a measure of how much sunlight is converted to usable electricity. Laboratory ratings provide a way to compare the conversion efficiency of solar panels made by different companies. However, real-world factors have a big effect on how much power you can expect to generate with a given solar panel.
SunPower’s panels consistently rate as the most efficient among major manufacturers, with lab ratings up to 22.8%. Their X-Series residential panels are rated at 22.2% efficiency.[1] LG, Panasonic, and SunSpark panels also rate very highly for efficiency.
While lab test results provide a baseline for comparison, many factors affect real-world solar panel performance. Panel orientation, shading, temperature, and weather conditions all impact how much electricity a solar array generates over time. Higher efficiency panels will produce more under the same conditions, but efficient installation and siting often have a bigger influence on total system production.
It’s important to look at independent field testing and actual homeowner reviews in addition to lab efficiency ratings. Highly efficient panels are appealing, but factors like product quality and warranties also affect overall value.
[1] https://us.sunpower.com/products/solar-panels/x-series-residential-solar-panels
Warranties
When considering which solar company to go with, it’s important to closely examine their warranties for solar panels and components. Most reputable solar panel manufacturers offer 25-30 year warranties that cover defects and drops in performance. According to research from Energysage, a standard solar panel warranty should come with at least 10 years of coverage, but the best solar companies offer warranties of at least 25 years (Source). Longer warranties demonstrate the manufacturer’s confidence in the durability and performance of their solar products.
The warranty length indicates how long the solar panels and components like inverters are covered. A good solar panel warranty will guarantee at least 80% performance for 25 years. This means the panels will produce at least 80% of their original rated power output after 25 years of use. The best solar panel warranties also cover labor costs and other components in addition to just the panels themselves.
It’s important to note whether warranties are transferable to new homeowners. The highest quality solar panel warranties can be transferred when selling a home, adding resale value. According to research from MarketWatch, the top solar companies offer warranties that are fully transferable to new homeowners with no fees (Source). Transferable warranties provide long-term peace of mind.
Customer Satisfaction
Customer satisfaction and responsiveness is a key aspect when evaluating solar companies. According to SolarReviews, many companies have high ratings and positive customer feedback overall. However, no company is perfect and some generate more customer complaints than others.
For example, Sunrun has mostly positive customer reviews, with a 4 out of 5 star rating on SolarReviews and 4.7 on PickMySolar based on Google reviews. According to ConsumerAffairs, the majority of customers praise Sunrun’s professional installation and ongoing system monitoring. However, some customers have complained about confusing pricing, high-pressure sales tactics, and issues with roof damage from installations [1].
When problems do occur, the best solar companies act quickly to make things right. Responsiveness involves listening to customer concerns, taking accountability, and providing remedies like system repairs, credits, or refunds. According to SolarReviews, top-rated installers such as SunPower and Tesla Energy score well for addressing issues promptly and keeping customers satisfied over the long-term.
Customization
When selecting a solar company, it’s important to consider their ability to customize a system to your specific needs and preferences. The top solar companies offer various solar package options to choose from, allowing homeowners to tailor the system size and components to their budget, energy usage, and goals (ustower.com).
For example, Credible Solar enables customers to select the number of panels and system size based on their average monthly energy consumption and bill amounts. They provide solar package options ranging from 5kW to 15kW systems for residential installations (crediblesolar.com).
Homeowners can also choose between different panel types and brands, such as Mono-PERC or polycrystalline panels from LG, Panasonic, Silfab, and others. The inverter brand and model can be selected as well, with options like Enphase microinverters or string inverters from SolarEdge, SMA, and more (crediblesolar.com).
In addition to the solar modules and inverter, battery storage can be added to many systems. Battery options allow homeowners to store excess solar energy for use at night or during grid outages. Leading solar companies offer battery solutions from LG Chem, Tesla Powerwall, and Generac PWRcell.
The ability to customize solar packages with different equipment enables homeowners to design a system optimized for their individual home and needs.
Purchase/Lease Options
When it comes to solar panels, homeowners have two main options: purchasing or leasing the system. Purchasing solar panels allows you to own the system outright and benefit from tax credits, incentives, and long-term savings on electricity bills. However, purchasing requires a large upfront investment. Leasing the solar panel system often requires little or no money down, but you don’t own the system and will have monthly lease payments. Here’s a closer look at the pros and cons of each option:
Purchasing Solar Panels
The main benefits of purchasing solar panels include:
- You own the system, panels, and energy produced
- Qualify for federal solar tax credit, usually 26% of system cost
- Can take advantage of state/local incentives, rebates, net metering, SRECs
- Panels and installation have 25+ year warranty
- Electricity bill savings over the long run
Purchasing does require high upfront costs, typically $10,000 – $25,000 for a home system after incentives. Most homeowners choose to finance solar panel purchases through loans, HELOCs, or PACE financing over 10-20 years [1].
Leasing Solar Panels
With a solar lease, the benefits include:
- Little or no upfront cost, usually just first month’s payment
- Solar company owns and maintains the system
- Typically pay 15-25% less on electricity bill
- Can upgrade system or move after contract term
The cons of leasing are you don’t own the system, monthly payments typically escalate 2-3% per year, and contracts run 15-25 years. Early termination fees can also be thousands of dollars if you sell your home before the lease expires [1].
Overall, purchasing solar panels is better financially long-term for most homeowners who plan to stay put. Leasing can make sense for those wanting solar with little upfront cost. Carefully compare total system and financing costs when deciding to purchase or lease.
Availability
According to Solar Means Business: Top Commercial Solar Customers in the US https://www.seia.org/research-resources/solar-means-business-top-commercial-solar-customers-us, many major solar companies operate solar installations in diverse states including Michigan, Wisconsin and Massachusetts. This indicates solar is viable across the U.S., not just in the sunniest states.
However, as noted in The Top 25 U.S. Corporations Using Solar Energy https://facilitiesmanagementadvisor.blr.com/sustainability-business-continuity/the-top-25-u-s-corporations-using-solar-energy/, some companies like Intel, Google and Switch focus solar installations in certain states like New Mexico and Arizona where sunlight is more abundant for maximum energy generation.
Project size and available installation crews can also be limiting factors on availability. Larger national companies may be better equipped to handle big commercial installations versus smaller local companies.
Installation Process
The installation process for solar panels can take anywhere from one day to a few weeks depending on the size of the system. Most installations require at least two visits – one for the site assessment and permitting, and another for the actual panel installation. The major solar companies have teams dedicated to ensuring a smooth installation process.
According to reviews on Indeed.com, some technicians hired by companies like Vivint may have little prior installation experience which can lead to delays or issues: “They hire random people with no installation experience to throw their equipment in peoples houses” (Vivint Installer Reviews – Indeed). More established companies like A-V Services seem to have seasoned technicians leading installations, resulting in higher customer satisfaction (A-V Services Installation Reviews – Indeed).
Post-installation, most solar companies provide support and maintenance to ensure systems continue functioning properly. This usually includes monitoring, cleaning, repairs, and optimizing panels. Response times for support calls vary but the major installers aim for 24-48 hours. Ongoing communication and responsive support are key factors in customer satisfaction with the installation process.
Cost Comparisons
When evaluating solar companies, one of the most important factors to consider is cost. Comparing the average cost per watt of installed solar systems can help homeowners narrow down their options.
According to a post on LinkedIn, the national average installed cost for residential solar is around $3.00 per watt, but some companies are able to beat that average significantly. Bill Davis, owner of a California solar company, notes that they often install systems for $2.65-$2.85 per watt, nearly 10-15% below the national average. He attributes these cost savings to lean operations and efficient supply chain management. Rather than just comparing company to company, Davis suggests comparing your quote on a cost per watt basis to determine if you’re getting a competitive price.Source
In addition to the base price per watt, it’s important to consider other fees like permitting, grid connection, and monitoring that can add to the overall system cost. Be sure to ask potential installers to provide a complete and clearly outlined quote.
Homeowners can also reduce the net cost of a solar system through tax credits and incentives. The federal solar tax credit offers a 26% credit for systems installed in 2022-2023, while some states and utilities provide additional rebates. Working with a reputable solar company that is well-versed in available incentives can maximize your savings.
Conclusions
Based on the criteria of solar panel efficiency, warranties, customer satisfaction, customization, purchase/lease options, availability, installation process, and cost, the top solar companies are SunPower, Tesla, and Sunrun.
SunPower panels are the most efficient but also the most expensive. Tesla provides a good balance of value and quality. Sunrun is a great choice for leasing solar panels with little upfront cost.
Some additional factors to consider are your roof type, electric usage needs, desire for batteries, and local weather. If you have complex roofing or partial shade, SunPower optimization is best. High energy users may prefer Tesla. Sunrun’s lease makes sense for budget-focused customers.
In summary, for premium efficiency choose SunPower, for tech lovers pick Tesla, and for leasing and low cost go with Sunrun. Evaluate your specific needs and these companies will have an excellent solar solution. With today’s options, you can find the right solar company to meet your home’s unique requirements.
