With more and more people becoming aware of the harmful effect excess electricity has on our planet, solar energy is more on the rise. Solar is a renewable source of energy that does not have the same harmful effect as electricity. It harnesses solar power to help us produce electricity.
The solar energy companies that manufacture solar panels aim to make it a long-term energy source so mankind leaves behind all of the harmful practices we still have today. And that is what every single one of us wants — to have a better tomorrow.
The only way forward is by using green energy, and what better energy source to use than the one that has given life to our planet? This article will go over the best solar companies on the market today, so read on to learn more.
Our Top Picks For The Best Solar Panel Companies On The Market:
- SunPower – Overall Best Solar Company, Editor’s Pick
- Vivint Solar – Most Recommended Solar Panel Installation Companies
- Sunpro Solar – Highly Trustworthy & Affordable Solar Company
- Tesla – Most Popular Solar Energy Companies To Work With
- Sunrun – Top Rated Powerful Solar Energy Company
#1. SunPower – Overall Best Solar Company, Editor’s Pick
SunPower has been in the solar power industry since 1985 and seeks to equip customers with a safe and dependable experience. The manufacturer and installer, based in San Jose, currently provides services in every state.
SunPower has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, which is higher than the industry average. The quality of SunPower’s products, customer service, and the comprehensiveness of the residential solar energy systems it builds and installs are the company’s most significant assets.
SunPower’s product line includes Maxeon’s high-efficiency solar panels, which are among the most efficient and long-lasting on the market. They are also the world’s first Cradle to Cradle Certified solar panels.
They are an ecologically conscious firm that prides itself on upholding high manufacturing standards, using environmentally-friendly materials in their all-in-one solar solutions. They also work to lower their carbon footprint and think everyone should have access to clean energy.
The same 25-year warranty covers the entire solar energy project, which is a significant advantage of SunPower’s comprehensive systems. This extended warranty covers any flaws in product performance, workmanship, or defects for 25 years and includes free repairs.
This warranty is considered among the best in the business and represents the solar energy company’s success in achieving its primary aim of providing customers with a safe and reliable experience.
Features
- SunPower Solar Panels
SunPower stands out from its competitors because of its wide range of services. SunPower systems include tailored, fully integrated solar and storage platforms and optional features, such as electric vehicle chargers.
When it comes to solar panels, you can pick from four different types of panels with efficiency up to 22.8%, making them the most efficient on the market. SunPower was named the number one commercial solar provider in the United States by Wood Mackenzie Energy Research in 2017, 2018, and 2019.
- Design Studio
You can go to the SunPower Design Studio, which will sketch the form of your roof and identify any impediments that may be limiting your solar panels’ efficiency. The AI-powered tool then generates a representation of the best solar panel arrangement, calculates panel output, and calculates your potential savings. This “Design Studio” program allows you to create your own solar power system virtually and see how it will appear once installed on your roof.
- Solar Storage
SunPower sells and installs its own SunVault Storage Systems, which can be used with its solar panels. SunPro’s SunVault Storage and Helix Storage are both basic yet effective energy storage options. These batteries are made for everyday usage and can significantly increase the amount of energy that a customer can offset with SunPower solar panels. These battery solutions provide monitoring and backup power when the grid goes down, something solar panels alone cannot do.
Pros
- Design Studio app
- 25-year warranty
- Efficiency rate up to 22.8%
- Back-up battery and EV charging services
- Decades of experience in the business
- The number one solar energy company in the U.S.
Cons
- The initial cost can be pretty expensive
Customer Experience
SunPower solar reviews are positive because of the company’s success in sticking to its business model of excellent customer service, the best guarantee in the industry, and high-efficiency products.
SunPower solar reviews praise the company’s installation staff and system performance, and the company has a 4.4-star overall satisfaction rating. Overall, customers have only positive things to say about this company.
=> Click here to visit the official website of SunPower
#2. Vivint Solar – Most Recommended Solar Panel Installation Companies
Vivint Solar is a high-quality solar company that offers consultations, bespoke designs, and solar installations for homes. Vivint’s objective, which began in 2011, is to give households simple and cheap clean energy.
With its modern approach to solar, the company made an early mark in the sector, installing systems in more than 500,000 houses throughout the country in less than a decade. Sunrun was intrigued by Vivint’s expansion and purchased the company in October of 2020.
Vivint Solar has an online design application that helps homeowners search for their homes and assess the viability of a solar system. Potential buyers will also receive a complimentary home energy evaluation and ongoing design and installation assistance throughout the process.
Vivint is only available in 22 states and the District of Columbia, so it is not as widely available as some other solar companies. If you are not currently a customer in one of Vivint’s existing areas, you can sign up for a waiting list to be notified when the coverage area grows.
Features
- Panel Warranty
When compared to other solar companies, Vivint offers a very typical warranty. A ten-year workmanship warranty protects your home or solar system from damage caused by faulty installation, and a 25-year linear performance warranty ensures your solar panels and equipment generate or retain solar power at or above a defined degradation rate.
The linear performance warranty is essentially a solar production guarantee that considers the gradual decrease in output that all solar panels endure over time. Like those on panels, batteries, and inverters, all other warranties are product-specific, although at least ten years are guaranteed.
- Financing Options
This business also stands out for its diverse financing choices, including solar purchasing, solar power purchase agreement (PPA), solar loans, and solar leasing. Vivint’s PPA and lease choices, in addition to standard financing alternatives, make solar electricity accessible even if you cannot afford any upfront installation or equipment fees. When you get solar through a lease or PPA, keep in mind that you will have two monthly energy bills from your utility company and Vivint Solar.
- Solar Equipment
Vivint primarily sells monocrystalline PV solar panels with passivated emitter and rear contact (PERC) solar cells, which the company thinks are the most efficient on the market. PERC panels are the most common form of solar panel used in residential installations, mainly where roof space is limited.
LG, Vivint’s largest brand partner, is known for producing high-quality, high-efficiency solar panels and the LG Chem battery. Some Vivint customers can also get Tesla Powerwalls. All of these gadgets work with Vivint’s solar and SmartHome options, putting you in total control of your home.
Pros
- Virtual consultations offered
- Design Studio app available
- Flexible financing options
- Easy installation process
- PPA and leases are offered
- Wide range of services offered
Cons
- Currently only available in 22 states
- Prices are not available online
Customer Experience
Vivint has aided the solar sector in modernizing, customizing, and increasing the overall volume of solar installations. In the solar sales process, Vivint has emphasized the necessity of good education and realistic expectations.
Most solar lease firms include a guarantee in the contract that your total monthly energy payments will be lower than they were before you installed solar. Unfortunately, Vivint does not provide the same warranty.
#3. Sunpro Solar – Highly Trustworthy & Affordable Solar Company
Sunpro began serving the sunny sections of the Gulf Coast from its headquarters in Mandeville, Louisiana. Although the company has yet to expand into the Northeast, it already serves the majority of the southern United States. It has established itself as a leading solar provider in Texas, Arizona, and California.
Sunpro Solar is a prominent producer of solar energy solutions for both residential and business customers in 21 states. Sunpro currently has an A BBB rating and boasts NABCEP, LG, Enphase, and Unirac certifications.
Sunpro Solar is a company that develops, installs, and maintains solar panels on commercial and residential properties. The company has more than a decade of solar installation experience and provides high-quality service and industry-leading warranties.
Sunpro is unusual in that it uses the Enphase MyEnlighten smartphone app to monitor solar panels. Its clients can use the app to track their system’s energy production, check its health, and share information with friends and family.
Sunpro does not lease solar panels and instead sells renewable energy systems. It also provides top-notch solar storage options. Sunpro’s 25-year full assurances on solar power output, workmanship, and product lifetime sets it apart from competitors.
Features
- Panel Installation
Consider Sunpro’s solar panel system installation if you want to combine solar panels with your home’s electrical infrastructure. Sunpro will first send a team of solar consultants to your home to assess whether your home is suitable for solar panels.
Solar panels work best when they are mounted on a roof that faces south and has little shade. It may not be possible to install a system if your roof receives too much shadow or has a steep pitch. Sunpro specialists install your solar panels and link your system to the electrical grid once your home has been approved for installation.
- Panel Warranty
Sunpro provides a full 25-year warranty, ensuring that your solar system will continue to produce at its predicted level for decades after purchase. Sunpro claims you will be compensated in cash if your system does not produce the energy promised. Sunpro’s 25-year guarantee includes the following:
- A panel module guarantee ensures your solar PV panels continue to work.
- A labor guarantee ensures your system is professionally installed without causing any harm to residential and commercial properties or equipment.
- Your solar energy system will produce the quantity of power specified in your initial solar proposal if you have a power production guarantee.
- The microinverters in your system will operate flawlessly, thanks to the Enphase microinverter guarantee.
- Battery Backup Options
The majority of solar power systems operate by transferring excess energy to the electrical grid for public consumption. If your electrical provider allows net metering, which compels the utility company to credit your account for the energy provided, this is advantageous to you.
A battery backup will save your system’s extra energy for future usage if your electricity supplier does not subscribe to net metering or if you want to keep excess energy in case of a blackout. Sunpro Solar lets you choose your battery backup, balancing capacity, and supplied power to meet your home’s needs and allows you to tap into your excess solar energy anytime you need it.
Pros
- Provides 24/7 solar monitoring
- Excellent warranty
- Guaranteed panel power production for up to 25 years
- High-quality products
- Great customer service
- Wide service area
Cons
- No lease options
- Not available nationwide
Customer Experience
Sunpro Solar is a Better Business Bureau (BBB) accredited company with an A+ rating. This rating is based on the BBB’s assessment of the company’s handling of consumer complaints. Sunpro Solar customer evaluations overwhelmingly characterize a “put it and forget it” solar practice, which includes simple planning, quick installation, and a product that performs just as claimed. All of this has led to them having an abundance of positive customer reviews.
#4. Tesla – Most Popular Solar Energy Companies To Work With
Tesla has been a pioneer in the use of renewable energy and is happy to provide clean energy generation and storage solutions. Tesla is known for taking more action against climate change than any other company in the world as one of the largest solar panel installers and producers of solar panel systems for your home.
Tesla sells advanced solar panels to households that want to complement their energy needs with renewable energy. The company is very open about its solar panel options, leading consumers through the design, capabilities, and estimated cost of a system on the company’s website.
Tesla installs in most places across the country, either directly or through the Certified Installer Program, which comprises some of the best local and regional installers in the country.
Customers can use the Tesla app to monitor their solar system and energy consumption remotely. Homeowners may check how much energy their system produces and even look at past trends to determine if it is becoming less efficient over time.
Tesla solar panels may be a good choice if you are looking for a solar panel firm with clear price information and a current style. Customers can have Tesla solar panels installed by a third-party installation. Plus, all of Tesla’s solar panels come with a 10-year warranty.
Features
- Solar Panel Design
Solar panels from Tesla have a sleek appearance that blends well with your current roof. Tesla’s solar panels have no visible grid, a hidden edge, and a low-profile design, so your system will not draw unwanted attention after installation. When the panels are mounted, they interlock to form a single solid solar panel array. The panels, in addition to their contemporary appearance, can resist temperatures of up to 185°F.
- Panel Installation
From start to finish, Tesla takes care of your residential solar panel installation. Tesla measures the area and slope of your roof utilizing remote aerial technology after you order your panels.
Tesla custom-tailors your system to your home’s structure and energy requirements before installation. It will commence the installation after the home analysis and system design are completed, ensuring all relevant permissions and inspections are fulfilled.
- Battery Back-Up and Solar Roof
Tesla provides energy storage and an alternate solar generator with its battery backup and solar roof options. Customers can use a Tesla Powerwall solar battery to store extra energy generated by their solar panels. Powerwall stores energy for you to use at night or in the event of a power outage.
The Tesla solar roof is an alternative to solar panels that uses solar tiles to replace your current roof. The solar tiles work as miniature solar panels, capturing sunlight and converting it into electricity for your home.
Pros
- Prices available online
- 10-year warranty
- Mobile app for monitoring
- Price reduction for residential areas
- Built to last
- Manufactured directly
Cons
- Long wait time for repairs
- Can get pretty expensive
Customer Experience
Tesla provides customer care by phone and email, along with immediate assistance via their online chat. In some states, Tesla allows customers to buy their system outright or with a loan.
You will not have to worry about the federal tax because the corporation will compute and subtract it for you. Tesla offers a solar subscription, which means that after you fill out your information on the internet, they will recommend a solar size based on your monthly electricity usage.
#5. Sunrun – Top Rated Powerful Solar Energy Company
Sunrun was founded in 2007 with the goal of creating a world powered entirely by solar energy. Sunrun has grown rapidly since 2007 and now operates in over 20 states, Puerto Rico, and Washington, D.C. Sunrun uses satellite information to create solar panel layouts that are tailored to the contour of a roof, offering homeowners more choice over the appearance and effectiveness of their systems.
Brightbox, the company’s integrated home solar battery storage service, sets it apart from the many other solar suppliers who have yet to introduce storage choices that provide a number of significant benefits to clients.
Sunrun is aware of the difficulties that can arise while converting to solar power. Their goal is to make the procedure as straightforward as possible for their consumers while still giving customer support and assistance at every step.
Customers who use their Brightbox battery and solar systems save money and have more control over how they use electricity by saving power. At the same time, when it is sunny, it will store it for a day when the clouds have settled in.
Sunrun offers a variety of financing solutions, including purchase and PPA agreements, personalized lease choices, and no down payments.
Features
- Panel Warranty
The Sunrun Guarantee covers all Sunrun installations, whether leased or purchased. This 10-year complete warranty includes free equipment replacement and system repairs, as well as coverage for all parts and labor costs and the water tightness of roof penetrations.
Sunrun advertises free maintenance, repairs, and insurance on its equipment, but those services are only available to consumers who lease panels from the company. Customers who have purchased panels from Sunrun are bound by the terms of the panels’ product warranty. As a result, rather than Sunrun, all warranty claims will be handled by the panel manufacturer.
- Solar Installation
Sunrun is a full-service solar company that designs and installs unique solar systems that include backup battery storage, home energy monitoring, and outage energy control. These solutions can assist homeowners in managing, storing, and monitoring their home’s energy usage to save money on their utility bills. SolarEdge, LONGi, and Costco are among the brands whose panels and inverters Sunrun sells. They are suitable for Sunrun’s fast and straightforward installations.
- Solar Panel Leases
Sunrun’s growth can be attributed in part to its use of solar leases, which allow homes to rent solar equipment from Sunrun on a monthly basis. While leasing panels offers immediate energy savings at a low upfront cost, buying panels offers the best long-term return. Keep in mind that the solar tax credit will not apply to leases.
Pros
- Large service area
- Backup battery services available
- Flexible financing options
- Leases with free maintenance
- Fast installation
- Mobile app available
Cons
- It can be pretty expensive
- Pricing is not available online
Customer Experience
Sunrun’s size and resources make its economic model reliant on massive numbers of solar panels installed. Positive evaluations typically reflect a quick and straightforward installation that results in immediate solar savings and little to no maintenance or additional customer support.
The majority of these good ratings came from consumers who chose to lease rather than buy their solar panels. The company’s timeliness and ease of installation are praised in positive Sunrun solar reviews.
How Do I Choose A Good Solar Company?
Different Types of Solar Companies:
- Equipment Manufacturers
Manufacturers of solar panel equipment create solar equipment that can be used to install a solar PV system on your home or business. The solar companies that make physical solar photovoltaic system(PV) panels and other solar equipment are known as equipment manufacturers. Installers need these components to sell to individual solar buyers.
- Panel Installation Companies
Solar installation businesses are the ones you will have the most contact with when going solar. These firms buy solar panels and other necessary components from solar equipment manufacturers to install your panels. Their team of experts will install the equipment on the rooftop of your home or business.
They are also in charge of installing the photovoltaic panels that the producers have developed. Solar contractors will do a site evaluation before installing your solar panels to inspect your roof and take any necessary measurements. Installers will assess if your project requires any extra considerations during their site inspections.
- Full-Service Providers
Outside of manufacturing the equipment, full-service solar providers handle everything to get you set up with solar. They offer panels and other necessary equipment, as well as provide financing and installation services. They handle every step of your solar installation. From the fabrication of the panels to their installation on your roof, they have you covered.
Warranty
The materials guarantee on a solar panel protects you from equipment failures caused by manufacturing faults or environmental concerns. Most businesses provide a 10-year materials warranty, while the best solar panel manufacturers will provide a 15 or even 25-year equipment warranty. A materials warranty of more than ten years is offered by many of the manufacturers in our ranking.
Make Sure to Get an Expert Company
Your solar energy system installer should be an expert in the field. If the chosen company passes the NABCEP test and has at least two years of hands-on experience in solar or a similar industry, it is the best method to determine their standards. The North American Board of Certified Solar Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is the best national standard certification program available, and the best solar installers are NABCEP certified. You can also look up reviews for solar companies, especially those that do not have NABCEP certification.
Licensed and Insured Company
Solar companies that are installing solar panels should have all of the necessary licenses and insurance coverage, or at the very least a C-10 license, which is a general electrical contractor’s license.
Make sure they are licensed to work on your system’s wiring and electrical components. General contracting, electrician, home improvement, and home performance contracting licenses are all common-licenses for solar installers. Installers should also be OSHA-certified and have general liability insurance.
Solar Panel Companies FAQs
Q1. What Is Solar Energy?
Solar energy is the energy from the sun that reaches the Earth and powers it. Light, heat, and, as of today, solar electricity are all made up of these energy particles. With the help of solar thermal collectors, many groups have worked out how to harvest this energy and convert it into something we can utilize (solar panels).
In general, sunlight is absorbed by roof panels, which convert it to electricity and supply enough energy to run your house appliances. Although solar energy is not widely used, more and more people are becoming aware of its benefits and taking advantage of it.
Q2. What Solar Panel Technology Is the Best?
Monocrystalline solar panels will be the best option for household solar energy systems in 2021. There are three different types of technology used in solar panels that are currently accessible on the market — monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and thin sheet amorphous photovoltaic cells.
Mono solar panels have long been chosen for their superior performance and aesthetics, while poly solar panels have always appealed to budget-conscious consumers due to their cheaper solar installation cost.
Q3. Where in the World Can You Find the Best Solar Panels?
East Asia, particularly China and South Korea, produces the best solar panels. Those countries have become the world’s leading producers of solar panels. However, several of the world’s leading solar panel producers, such as SunPower and LG Solar, are based in the United States. Furthermore, Canadian Solar, which is based in Canada, is gaining prominence.
Q4. How Do You Find Out if Your House Is Suitable for Solar Panels?
There are a few solar financing options for determining whether or not you can install solar panels. To acquire an estimate, you can go directly to the solar panel installation business. This entails typically entering your address and other information online or conversing with a representative.
The second approach is to use a Google program called Project Sunroof. By typing your address into the search field, you may find out how much direct sunlight your home receives each year and how many square feet are accessible for solar panel tiles.
Conclusion: Who Is The Most Reputable Solar Company?
As we can see, the future is green, and now is time for mankind to ditch the old ways and usher in a new era of renewable energy and dedication to healing the planet. Solar panels are a great way to begin one’s journey on an eco-friendly life.
Solar panels are rapidly gaining popularity for our homes, as solar energy companies, and as a market to invest in and support. Not only are they a great way to live your life, but renewable solar energy systems are currently one of the most profitable investments.
If you cannot decide which company is the best for you or do not know where to start looking for a solar panel, then worry not, as we are here to guide you. You can choose one of the best solar energy companies on our list, as they have proven to be the best solar financing companies on the market today.
