Best Solar Panel Companies

Alvarez/Getty images

About solar panel companies

Navigating your solar energy journey to find the best solar company can take time. When researching solar panels for your home, consider the company you want to use for your solar panel installationand its reviews. This company will design, install, and provide customer service for your solar system. You may also want to finance thecost of your solar panels through your selected solar panel company.

Best solar panel companies

• ADT Solar: Best for a legacy brand with a proven track record
• Lumio: Best for quick installation in some markets
  
• Momentum Solar: Best for concierge service with a dedicated point of contact
• Palmetto: Best for post-installation customer support
• Primitive Power: Best for consolidated solar broker service
• SunPower: Best for systems with highest-rated efficiency
• Sunrun: Best for solar alternatives to financing
• Tesla: Best for economical solar solutions
• Vivint Solar: Best for smart home integration with no maintenance

*Due to testing limitations, our team does not have firsthand experience with every solar company. However, the facts and reviews featured on SaveOnEnergy.com come from proprietary data, solar pricing from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and Find Energy, and extensive research by our in-house team. We are confident that our product reviews and guidelines for our valued readers are backed by accurate information and thorough analysis from these sources.

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 costs and savings for your home.

Compare the best solar panel companies

The following chart compares the best solar panel companies by the year they were founded, their service areas, the services they provide, and their warranty terms.

Installer	BBB Rating	Serviceable States	Solar Services + Finance Options	Years of Experience	Best For…
	BBB A+ and 1.67 from customers. Is accredited	23 states	Residential, system monitoring, solar batteries, inverters, purchase PPA or lease	2	Nationwide long-term brand support
	BBB A- and 3 stars from customers	11 states	Custom solar systems; handles permitting & approval processes. Purchase, loan, lease, or PPA	7	Expedited install in some markets
	BBB A+ and 3.3 stars from customers	11 states	Purchase, loans, lease, or PPA, system monitoring, microinverters	13	Concierge service with dedicated point of contact
	BBB A+ and 3.9 stars from customers	20 states	Residential, system monitoring, solar loan or cash purchases and independent financing, solar inverters and batteries	7	Long-lasting customer support
	BBB A+ and 3.9 stars from customers		Residential, system monitoring, solar loan or cash purchases and independent financing, solar inverters and batteries	5	Combined solar brokering service
	BBB A+ and 4 stars from customers	50 states	Fully-integrated solar + storage system; their Equinox panels have the highest efficiency rating; Purchase, loan, or lease	31	System with highest rated efficiency
	No rating, 3.77 stars from customers	22 states + Puerto Rico	Purchase, lease, loan, PPA, solar batteries, EV chargers, system monitoring	16	Those who do not qualify for financing, but still want solar.
	BBB A+ 5/5 from customers. Not accredited by the BBB*	50 states	Batteries, system monitoring, inverters, panels, solar roof energy-monitoring app	7	Competitive prices
	3.8 stars from BBB customers	22 states + Puerto Rico	Home security, smart home tech, 24/7 monitoring; Lease, PPA, Loan	15	Smart home integration with no solar maintenance.

Reviews of the best solar panel companies

ADT Solar

ADT Solar has a solid warranty and a price-match guarantee. Plus, it is backed by one of the oldest security system companies in the U.S. The company was a runner-up in Solar Power World Magazine’s 2021 Top Residential Solar Installers list.

Lumio

Lumio is a collection of five solar startups that combined into one solar company in 2020. It is available throughout the Northwest, West, Central, and Southeast U.S. The company offers solar panels, batteries, financing, and a guarantee of professional and courteous service and quick turnaround. 

Momentum Solar

Momentum Solar offers low- or no-cost startup options for solar installations through power purchase agreements (PPAs). Momentum owns the solar system that is installed on your home and sells the generated electricity to the homeowner at a low rate over a period of time. However, a PPA disqualifies homeowners from claiming net metering benefits, state rebates, and the 30% Residential Clean Energy Credit.

Palmetto

Palmetto handles the design, installation, and permitting paperwork to get your new solar system up and running. Palmettocustomers receive high-quality solar components, including monocrystalline solar panels from Hanwha or REC, Sonnen batteries, and SolarEdge solar inverters. Palmetto also offers continuous solar panel maintenance and monitoring with the Palmetto Protect plan. 

Primitive Power

Primitive Power is a residential solar power company that acts as a go-between for customers who are interested in solar home products and installers and contractors that provide those services. Primitive Power incentives include a $500 Refer-a-Friend bonus. 

SunPower

SunPower keeps it simple by providing all services in one agreement and warranty without outside contractors. Solar panels and batteries, smart home services, and financing through SunPower are available nationwide. Solar customers with a flexible budget may appreciate the established SunPower brand. SunPower acquired Blue Raven Solar in 2021.

Sunrun

Like Momentum Solar, customers can get started with Sunrun for relatively low upfront costs when they lease their solar panels. Instead of paying cash or taking out a solar loan, leasing offers homeowners a stable monthly payment in exchange for using the solar panels on their homes. For this to be advantageous, this rate should be lower than your previous monthly electric bill. 

Tesla

Tesla offers solar shingles and tiles, as well as standard solar panels and Powerwall solar batteries. As of late 2022, the company has been experiencing business upheavals which are bringing some volatility to this name brand. However, Tesla is a trusted name in the solar space for high-quality components at a fair price.

Vivint Solar

Vivint Solar offers solar systems for every budget with its business model of three different pricing tiers. Like ADT Solar, Vivint was originally a security company, and it still offers security and smart home products to upgrade your solar system to a whole-home energy and security powerhouse. Vivint Solar officially operates under the Sunrun umbrella since its acquisition in 2021.

Best solar panel alternatives

Sometimes solar panels are not the best option because of location, budget, or other factors. If you are searching for ways to go green and use renewable energy without installing solar, the following three solar companies are great options.

Arcadia

Arcadia is a community solar energy company for residents who aren’t able to put solar panels on their homes. Arcadia is a great solution for a renter or homeowner whose home is not a good candidate for solar panels. With Arcadia, you benefit from using green energy and saving money on your energy bill without switching your energy provider.

Emporia

Emporia offers solar-adjacent products, such as solar batteries, smart home devices, and electric vehicle (EV) chargers that can supplement your solar panel system. Ensure the efficiency of your solar panels by tracking energy usage in multiple ways withEmporia.

Haven Energy

Haven Energy is a startup company that specializes in solar batteries. Founded in April 2023, the company offers Enphase, FranklinWH, LG ESS, and Tesla Powerwall batteries. Haven recommends the best battery based on your energy needs and backup concerns. The company schedule installs, handles permitting, and offers financing.

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 unbiased facts 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.

How does solar panel installation work?

Solar installation involves the following steps:

• Getting a consultation to determine if your home is a good candidate for solar. This process can also include an engineering consult, where the solar system design is drafted and your roof quality is assessed.
• Signing your solar contract.
• Installing solar panels and other hardware.
• Applying for interconnection and having it approved. Now your system is connected to your local power grid.
• Applying for federal, state, or local incentives and rebates.

Learn more about what a solar installer does and check out our full solar panel installation guide.

Different types of solar equipment

Solar panels can be monocrystalline, polycrystalline, or thin-film amorphous. Most solar panel companies install monocrystalline panels because these are the most efficient and generally considered the best quality of solar panels for long-term residential use. Polycrystalline or thin-film solar panels are less expensive and may be more suitable for small-scale panel installations, such as on campers or boats, or when cost is a factor.

Monocrystalline panels typically cost $200–500 per panel or $3–5 per watt, depending on the brand. Polycrystalline panels and thin-film panels cost over 50% less, around $1–$1.50 per watt.

What equipment do I need other than solar panels?

Necessary components for your system will be sourced by your installer and bundled into the cost of your solar panel design. The cost of this hardware makes up about half of the system’s hard costs and about 15% of the overall solar system price. Additional components include:

Mandatory:

• Inverters: Find the best solar inverters and learn how a solar inverter works.
• Cables and hardware: Wiring and connectors are needed throughout the system.

Optional:

• Solar batteries: The best solar batteries can store excess energy for use in the evening or at night and help with net metering bill credits that can offset some of the cost of solar batteries.
• Charge controller: A charge controller monitors the solar battery and keeps it within a safe charging range and guards against power surges.
• Roofing or shingles: Solar roof shingles or tiles are an alternative option to traditional solar panels. Here’s a roundup of the best solar roof shingles. 

How to find the best solar panel company for you

Finding the right solar company is easier when you know what you’re looking for and how you want to pay for solar. Get the vital information you need before choosing a solar installation company.

Compare these factors to find the best solar companies near you.

• Price, incentives, and rebates. Know your budget before searching for solar companies. Incentives and rebates, like the ones listed on the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE), can save you money and help stretch your budget further. 
• Financing. Decide if you are prepared to pay up front or need to use finance tools to pay for your system. 
• Services. Ensure the solar company offers the range of services you want. 
• Install time. Get a written agreement that includes the timeline from start to finish. 
• Warranty terms. Warranty terms should be easy to access and understand, including any exclusions. Check for manufacturers, performance warranty, and quality-of-work warranty.
• Customer reviews. Firsthand solar company reviews give you an idea of what to expect. Ask your solar company for reviews from previous clients.

How much does solar save you?

Solar saves you a varying amount based on

• Your electricity rate
• Your electricity consumption
• The size and cost of your solar panel system

One way to gauge savings is to calculate your solar panel return on investment. You can calculate this figure using data from your home consultation. Simply multiply the cost of your solar system by .70 to get the net cost after the 30% Residential Clean Energy Credit. Then divide that figure by your annual electricity costs to get the number of years it should take to break even.

For example:

1. 31,558 (average solar system cost) x .70 = 22,090
2. 22,090 / (141.41 x 12) (average U.S. electricity bill x 12 months) = 13 years

The other option is to estimate savings based on the average system size and cost of solar in your state. The table on this page shows that information.

How to finance with your solar panel company

Paying for your solar panels can be done with cash, a solar loan (or other home equity loan options), a solar lease, or a PPA. Your solar installation company may offer one or more of these options. Solar companies often offer low-interest solar loans as a financing option.

We recommend owning your solar panels, either through a cash purchase or financing, so you can apply for the 30% federal tax credit and state incentives. A cash purchase will also allow you to avoid high interest rates which will save you money in the long run.However, leases or PPAs are also available if getting a loan or paying up front is not an option.

Things to consider before going solar

Choosing the best solar company is only part of the equation to getting the best solar experience. Other things to consider before going solar include your location, electricity needs, costs/budget, and roof. Reference this list as a first step in determining if solar is right for you. 

• Location: Consider if your city and state receive ample sunlight throughout the year. Survey your property for areas of shade vs. sun. Shaded areas can affect the efficiency of your solar panels. 
• Electricity needs: If your electricity bill is average or below average for your area, the time it takes to get a return on your solar investment may not make financial sense. 
• Cost/budget: Determine how much you can invest while keeping in mind that a quality solar panel system will run around $31,558 on average. 
• Roof type/condition: An older roof needing repairs will add to your overall cost of installing solar panels. Additionally, some roof types, such as clay tiles, are unfavorable for panels.

Solar panel companies to avoid

Solar is a compelling, cutting-edge technology and solar companies are popping up nationwide to meet the growing demand. While many of these companies are straightforward, you should avoid solar companies that use inflated pricing for sales commissions and have high-pressure sales tactics. Understanding your energy needs will also help you avoid upsizing your solar systems beyond the number of panels you need or add additional components outside your budget. 

Getting solar proposals from multiple solar companies and researching ahead of time can help you avoid undesired contracts and extra expenses. SaveOnEnergy aims to help you have a pleasant solar experience by connecting you with trusted solar professionals near you. Start by entering basic information in our solar calculator, such as what type of home you live in and if you own or rent. After that, a dependable solar installer evaluated by SaveOnEnergy will reach out to discuss the next steps.

Compare the best solar panel manufacturers

Solar panel manufacturers are different from solar installers. The manufacturers compared in the table below make solar panels. The best solar companies typically work with one or more of these brands to offer system options for you. When shopping around for a solar installation company, ask what manufacturer(s) they use.

This chart shows seven of the best solar panel manufacturers. These solar panel companies are known for manufacturing residential, commercial, and utility-scale panels and have an established history in this industry.

Best solar panel manufacturers