7 Best Solar Installation Companies (2022)

Solar energy is one of the most innovative industries paving the future. Luckily, solar power systems have become more cost-effective and accessible over the past few years, meaning you can participate in eliminating carbon emissions and changing the world for the better through renewable energy. 

There are many solar companies in the United States, and all of them offer something different for each homeowner. However, these companies also offer a lot of technical information that might be difficult or confusing to follow. That is why we have compiled this detailed and easy-to-understand guide on the best solar companies to meet your energy needs.

Consider these top solar installation companies if you’re thinking about going solar:

• Momentum Solar
• SunPower
• Blue Raven Solar
• Sunrun
• Palmetto Solar
• Tesla Solar
• ADT Solar

Momentum Solar

Fast Facts:

• State Availability: 10 (available in California, Connecticut, Georgia, Florida, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Texas)
• Warranty Options: 25-year workmanship and equipment warranty 
• Panel Options: Monocrystalline (various manufacturers)

What We Like: Momentum Solar is available in fewer states than other companies on this list, but that is because it has purposely limited its availability to states with well-established net-metering programs. When you enroll in a net-metering program, a utility company tracks the surplus energy your solar panels produce and subtracts that metered amount from your power bill. 

In addition to helping you get involved in a clear-cut and established net-metering program, the company operates in states with additional solar rebates and incentive programs. Momentum’s limited availability allows it to focus more on service and quality than other solar installation companies. It also provides solar panels from various manufacturers to fit your specific solar needs. 

Momentum Solar also offers the highest warranty options with a combination of 25-year workmanship and equipment warranty. To add further convenience to your solar installation, Momentum conducts virtual consultation via Zoom. You will also provide a copy of your power bill, which shows your last 12 months of power usage so that Momentum can maximize your savings. 

What Homeowner Reviews Say

We analyzed the 100 most recent customer Google reviews for Momentum Solar at its headquarters in South Plainfield, New Jersey. We found that Momentum had overall positive reviews, with approximately 81% featuring four stars or more. 

Many customers praise Momentum Solar for its thoroughness and transparency, while the few critical reviews point to spam calls and other aggressive sales tactics.

SunPower

Fast Facts:

• State Availability: 50
• Warranty Options: 25-year system and labor warranty
• Panel Options: Monocrystalline (Maxeon)

What We Like: SunPower is one of the founders of the residential solar industry, and it holds the most experience of any company on this list. Founded in 1985, SunPower has pioneered the solar energy market with an above-average combination system-and-labor warranty. The company also utilizes SunPower Design Studio, a software that lets you see how SunPower designs a custom solar system created specifically for your home. 

SunPower offers solar panels from its own manufacturing company, Maxeon Solar Technologies. This means that your solar system is fully integrated and designed to work together—from manufacturing to installation and monitoring. 

What Homeowner Reviews Say

The 100 most recent Google customer reviews for SunPower’s headquarters in San Jose, California, are overwhelmingly positive. Only 5% of reviews are less than four stars and were critical. However, these reviews call attention to SunPower’s high leasing rates or scheduling difficulties. 

Other reviews mention long waiting periods to get a SunPower solar system up and running, but they find the savings and easy monitoring through the mySunPower Monitoring App worth the wait.

Blue Raven Solar

Fast Facts:

• State Availability: 17 (available in Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, and Virginia)
• Warranty Options: 25-year manufacturer warranty
• Panel Options: Monocrystalline (various manufacturers) 

What We Like: Blue Raven Solar understands that switching to solar is a long-term investment. And while many other solar installation companies partner with a lending institution, Blue Raven offers in-house financing through its BluePower Plus program. With this program, Blue Raven pays for the first 18 months for eligible customers with no money down, depending on your credit score.

Because the company relies on manufacturer warranties, your warranty may differ based on the manufacturer that Blue Raven uses in your zip code. However, you can most likely expect a 25-year warranty on solar panels. 

Blue Raven also provides a slick, user-friendly website to make solar more approachable. For example, its SmartStart program allows you to speak directly to an expert or calculate your savings with various supplementary materials to help you learn more about renewable energy. 

What Homeowner Reviews Say

We analyzed the 100 most recent Google reviews for Blue Raven’s Charlotte, North Carolina, location and found 89% had a positive experience with Blue Raven Solar. Many customers praise the provider for its BluePower Plus financing program and its timely installation process. The few negative reviews mention aggressive sales tactics and the feeling that Blue Raven is overpriced.

Sunrun

Fast Facts:

• State Availability: 20, plus Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico (available in Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Vermont, and Wisconsin)
• Warranty Options: 25-year workmanship and product warranty  
• Panel Options: Monocrystalline (various manufacturers) 

What We Like: Building a new home or installing a new roof is the perfect time to invest in a solar system. Sunrun features perks for both commercial and residential home builders. For example, the company helps install a solar system for new constructions through its BuilderChoice New Homes Program. 

This program is designed for code compliance credit and features a dedicated team to handle all complicated paperwork required to interconnect with local utilities. It also works with your roofers to subcontract the labor and activate the system before permission to operate (PTO).

What Homeowner Reviews Say

While analyzing the 100 most recent Google reviews for Sunrun’s San Francisco and Austin locations, we noted that Sunrun’s customer experience is mixed. Sixty-four reviews were critical of the company and often called attention to the difficulty of getting in touch with the company. 

Other reviews noted Sunrun was highly detail-oriented and made an excellent option for new roof installations paired with solar.

Palmetto Solar

Fast Facts:

• State Availability: 23 and Washington, D.C. (available in Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin)  
• Warranty Options: 25-year manufacturer warranty  
• Panel Options: Monocrystalline (Q-Cells) 

What We Like: Palmetto Solar offers the optional Palmetto Peace of Mind Plan. This $12-per-month plan includes active monitoring of panels and discounts on various services, such as panel cleaning or battery services. In addition to this plan, Palmetto provides 25-year manufacturer warranties for high-quality Q-Cells monocrystalline solar panels.

For further convenience and clarity with your solar panel investment, the company offers The Palmetto App. This smartphone app lets you track your system’s performance by day, week, and month, as well as set goals for spending and enjoy one-click customer support.

What Homeowner Reviews Say

We analyzed the 100 most recent Google reviews for Palmetto Solar’s headquarters in Charleston, South Carolina, and found that customers generally had a positive experience. More than 70% of customers mention that Palmetto helps them cut back on their electricity bills and found the customer service staff helpful, patient, and kind. 

More critical reviews pointed out long waiting periods to activate a Palmetto system, sometimes as long as six months. This time frame is longer than the average (three months) for solar panel installation and activation.

Tesla Solar

Fast Facts:

• State Availability: 50
• Warranty Options: 25-year performance guarantee 
• Panel Options: Monocrystalline (Hanwha)

What We Like: One of the biggest names in renewable energy, Tesla provides innovative solar energy products. Namely, it offers its solar shingles to make a solar roof. Solar shingles are panels that mimic the appearance of roof shingles instead of a distracting mounting system installed atop your roof. Solar shingles are low-profile and have more aesthetically pleasing designs.

Tesla Solar services all 50 states. However, its service areas vary according to the zip code. We recommend you check with Tesla to see what options are available for your home. 

What Homeowner Reviews Say

In analyzing the 100 most recent Google customer reviews for Tesla from its headquarters in Palo Alto, California, we noticed that customers had mixed experiences with Tesla’s customer support. Approximately 47% stated issues with reaching the company and feeling misguided by its promises. 

More positive reviews mention the quality of Tesla’s products, namely its solar roofs and Powerwall backup battery.

ADT Solar

Fast Facts:

• State Availability: 21 (available in Arizona, Alaska, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia)
• Warranty Options: 25-year Power Production Guarantee
• Panel Options: Monocrystalline (LG)

What We Like: ADT Solar partners with electronics industry giant LG to offer high-quality, efficient solar panels backed by a comprehensive warranty. In short, ADT Solar’s warranty is four warranties rolled into one. It includes a 25-year labor warranty, a 25-year energy production guarantee, a 25-year solar panel manufacturer warranty, and a 25-year Enphase microinverter warranty.

ADT Solar also provides free home-energy audits, and it connects you with roof replacement experts if any roofing needs arise. In addition, the company promises that if another solar company offers comparable products and benefits for less than ADT Solar’s price, it will refund the difference and then some. 

What Homeowner Reviews Say

When analyzing the 100 most recent Google reviews from ADT Solar’s Tampa branch, we found that 82% of customers were positive about ADT Solar’s installation and customer service. Many noted the company’s professionalism. Furthermore, customers said that ADT Solar fixed it with little to no hassle if something was wrong.

The few complaints focused on how long and noisy the installation process was or that their electricity bill did not decrease as much as expected.

Working toward energy independence is a long-term project that requires various products and services. We find that Momentum Solar offers an excellent crossroads between solar products and installation services. Though it features less availability than other solar installation companies, Momentum provides excellent services integrated with established net-metering programs, high-quality solar systems, and a comprehensive warranty. 

SunPower also features a limited availability, but its status as a solar energy pioneer and in-house panel manufacturer should put the company on your radar. Finally, Blue Raven Solar features more locations than our other top choices, and it is the best option if you are looking for a clear and established financing program. 

Overall, we recommend you get quotes from three different solar installers in your area to compare offerings. Use our tool below to get started on your solar journey.

Compare Top Solar Installers

Each solar installation requires a home inspection, which helps the solar installer know what rigging system is required and what kind of panels, inverters, energy storage systems, and other vital components you will need. Overall, the purpose of the solar inspection is to ensure all the details are right for your solar panels to work for the next 25 to 30 years. 

An extra step you can take to streamline the solar inspection process is reaching out to your local government to vet an installer before having them come to your home. According to Tyler Adams, Astrawatt Solar’s director of marketing, “Your county government can tell you if a solar installer is licensed and is in good standing with the local government.” He also recommends contacting your local utility company about going solar. “Many local utility companies will provide homeowners with a list of questions to ask a solar installer,” Adams says.“Any good solar installer will be able to answer those questions and can use those as a guide for what to expect as you convert your home to using solar energy.”

Solar installation inspections tend to follow these steps:

• Roof inspection: The company takes roof measurements to check the fit and dimension of the solar system. It identifies any existing roof obstructions and discusses modifications to the proposed layout based on these findings. In addition, roof damage, including broken tiles and worn shingles, are photographed. 
• Attic inspection: A solar installer checks your attic for accessibility, as well as the truss layout. 
• Electrical inspection: The solar company evaluates your home’s current electrical system. Using these findings, the company creates a utility interconnection plan. It also notes the locations of electrical conduits and disconnecting means.
• Internet inspection: An installer may ask about your internet access to determine if performance monitoring hardware should be installed.

Solar panels are an energy-efficient step you can take to help your home, your family, your community, and the earth itself. There are various benefits to installing solar panels: 

• Save money on your energy bills: Solar panels aim to help lower your energy costs. A solar system may eliminate your electricity bills depending on your energy usage. 
• Earn tax credits: Another major incentive to solar panels is tax credits and rebates. Rebates vary according to your state, so we encourage you to use the State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency Database to see what specific rebates and state tax credits are in your zip code. You may also take advantage of the 26% federal solar tax credit, the solar investment tax credit (ITC). If your on-grid system generates excess energy, you may earn solar renewable energy certificates (SRECs), which allow you to earn money by giving energy back to the power grid and your community. 
• Increase your home’s value: Based on the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) findings, every dollar saved on energy through a solar system increases home value by $20. Your home receives a 20-to-1 return on its value from solar panels. Therefore, a solar system is not just an investment for your energy bills but your property value, too.
• Save the environment: It’s no secret that solar energy leads the charge for energy-efficient renewable energy. Not only do you reduce your carbon footprint and help your community move away from fossil fuels, but you also improve public health. Coal and natural gas plants produce air and water pollution harmful to human health, and solar produces clean energy.

Various factors influence solar panel costs. The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) estimates the average cost for a typical 6-kilowatt (kW, or 6,000 watts) residential rooftop solar system is around $18,000 before any federal tax credits or local incentives.* Below are some other factors to consider when determining how much a solar system might cost you. 

• Solar panel type: The type of solar panel you order will influence your total price. For example, the average cost for monocrystalline solar panels is $1 to $1.50 per watt, so a standard 6 kW system costs $6,000 to $9,000. On the other hand, the average cost for polycrystalline solar panels is $0.90 to $1 per watt, making it $5,400 to $6,000 total.
• Labor: The labor used for installation costs between 100% and 200% of the cost of the solar panel system itself. For example, if you purchase a 6 kW monocrystalline solar panel system for $9,000, a solar installation company will likely charge approximately $18,000 to $27,000 for the system and the installation. The smaller a project your installation is, the lower the cost and vice versa. 
• Additional equipment: Residential solar systems sometimes require a battery to store energy and an inverter to convert your photovoltaic (PV) solar panels’ variable direct current (DC) output into alternating current (AC). Most solar companies will include an inverter into a solar system’s design. However, if you request additional components or a specific brand of solar battery and inverter, such as a Tesla Powerwall, they come at a premium. 
• Payment option: The type of payment option you use for your solar system also influences the total cost of your system over time. Purchasing the system up-front is the most cost-effective option. However, you may also opt for a solar loan or other solar financing options. Less cost-effective options include a solar lease or entering a power purchase agreement (PPA). You don’t own the system with these options and instead pay to rent the equipment from a solar provider. 

*Estimates are from a 2019 report.

We researched and analyzed dozens of solar panels and solar installation companies. We then formulated a rating system based on each solar installer or manufacturer’s services and products on several significant factors. Factors include the types of solar panels they offer and their quality, customer support network, warranty lengths and limitations, and additional benefits for homeowners, such as mobile apps for monitoring and customer service. 

Speaking directly to a representative at each company, we determined how each solar company personalizes its solar panel installation for each home. We also analyzed each company’s warranty options to ensure their product and performance guarantees match or exceed industry standards. 

We evaluated each provider based on their rating and history with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to determine reputation. In addition, we analyzed the 100 most recent Google Reviews for each provider across various locations and branches.