Lumio Solar: Products, Pricing, and Reviews

Lumio Solar review 2023

Lumio is a residential solar energy company providing solar panel options for your home. According to the company, its goal is to help people see the advantages of solar energy by producing and storing their own power. Lumio simplifies the process by handling the design, permit approvals, schedule, and inspections.Fill out this quick form to get a free solar plan from Lumio. 

Rating methodology

The reviews on this page are not based on personal or hands-on testing because it isn’t possible for our team to test the purchasing and installation process for every installer on the market. Instead, we base our reviews on thorough research, interviews, and unbiasedfacts about solar installers. The standardized criteria for these reviews include the installer’s BBB rating, number of serviceable states, years of experience, financing options, and the services provided.

Lumio solar installation process

The process for solar panel installation varies by company, but most follow similar steps. Here’s a breakdown of the Lumio solar installation process.

• Consultation and custom design: Lumio starts by creating a customized plan. Energy consultants work with customers to gather information about your location, roof condition, and other factors to generate a design. The plan includes details on the best solar panel placement on your house and how solar will fit your energy and budget needs.
• Sign your contract. After reviewing the proposal and discussing financing options, you sign a contract for your solar panel system.
• Permits and approvals: Lumio handles the permitting process by preparing and submitting necessary applications to your local utility. The company will update you on its progress. Required permits vary by state and may take longer to receive approval in high-demand areas. 
• Solar panel installation: Once permits are approved, you can schedule an installation date. Lumio’s technicians and electricians usually complete the installation within a day.
• System inspection: A representative from your utility company will inspect your system to ensure it meets safety requirements. 
• Power on. After receiving permission to operate (PTO), your energy company will connect your solar system to the electricity grid. Once activated, you can begin powering your home and saving money on electricity bills with solar energy. You can use an app to monitor your energy generation and track energy use.

Get your free solar savings estimate

You can significantly lower your energy costs by investing in solar panels. Enter some basic information below and we’ll provide an instant, free estimate of solar cost and savings for your home.

Lumio solar panels and products

Black solar panels

Lumio only sells black solar panels because they absorb more light and are more energy efficient than blue panels. Also, black panels generate power better during hot weather and provide a polished appearance to increase the value of your home. Manufactured by Q CELLS, the panels come from ethically sourced monocrystalline panels made of silicon crystal. 

Solar batteries

Solar systems can generate more electricity than your home uses. Solar batteries store extra energy until your home needs the power. Batteries help customers during power outages by maintaining a few essential appliances and saving money on utility bills, especially for customers with time-of-use electricity plans. 

If you are not interested in owning batteries, your excess energy may return to the power grid through an agreement with your utility company called net metering. Depending on the plan, you could get credits on your electricity bill for the extra power you send back to the grid. These credits may help during the winter when there are shorter days and less sunlight. 

Warranties

Lumio guarantees a positive and professional experience with its team members. They provide a 25-year warranty on their installation and a 10-year quality warranty. The Lumio Solar warranty protects you from unexpected repair costs and provides confidence that your solar panels will last. 

The solar panel manufacturer, Q CELLS, provides a product warranty for the panels and a power warranty for energy output. The product warranty protects against any operational issues or faulty parts. The power warranty protects against panels losing their efficiency. The type of inverter used will determine your inverter’s warranty details. Lumio’s solar battery manufacturers have a 10-year warranty.

Lumio Solar costs

Solar installation is an expensive home improvement. The cost of solar panelsis tailored to your location, panel size, panel type, and energy usage. Lumio provides a free customized price quote breaking down monthly costs and potential savings by switching to solar. When deciding on a solar company, we recommend receiving multiple price quotes to compare. Be aware of solar scams, which may appear as an outlier with very high costs. 

Based on data from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, the average price of a residential solar system in the U.S. is $31,558. You can use this average cost as a reference point when reviewing quotes. Lumio offers several financing options to make the upfront costs of solar more affordable.

Financing solar options with Lumio

Lumio provides seven ways to access solar. While solar loans and leases may benefit some budgets due to lower upfront costs, a cash purchase is the best option for the largest return on investment. A cash purchase provides money-saving benefits such as claiming financial incentives and no interest fees. High interest rates significantly increase the total cost of solar over time as interest fees accrue, but loans can be a more accessible way to go solar. Learn more about the most popular financing options.

• Cash purchase: Buying your solar system outright provides the largest return on investment.
• Loans:Solar loans have low or no upfront costs, but interest fees accrue over time. Other options include home equity and personal loans. 
• Solar lease: You’ll pay a monthly fee to the solar company that owns and maintains the panels with little or no upfront costs. 
• Power purchase agreement (PPA): Similar to a lease, PPAs require little or no upfront costs. You will pay a monthly fee to the solar company for the kilowatt-hours (kWh) of energy used.

Solar incentives and rebates

Solar incentives, rebates, and tax credits vary by state and are available to make solar more affordable. Lumio consultants can help you explore what programs are available near you. Your state’s website and local utility company may provide additional money-saving resources and options.. 

The Residential Clean Energy Credit offers a 30% tax credit on solar systems purchased before 2032. The credit applies to solar systems installed since the beginning of 2022. If you’ve been considering solar, now is a great time to start the process while you can maximize the federal solar tax credit. The credit percentage will decrease to 26% in 2033, 22% in 2034, and expire in 2035. Lumio provides guidance and information about tax incentives but encourages customers to seek advice from a tax professional. 

Is Lumio right for you?

Lumio may be a good fit for you if you’re interested in a company that has quick installation and handles the entire process. The company offers a variety of payment methods to make solar affordable for any budget. Get a solar estimate directly from Lumio in minutes by answering a few questions on this form. While Lumio’s solar products are equipped with strong manufacturer warranties, the quality of work warranty only lasts for 10 years. Consider other best solar companies, like SunPower, if you want a longer guarantee or live outside of Lumio’s service area.