Solar panels are an incredibly important technology — and on a practical level, it can help you save a ton of money on energy while also making you feel better about your contribution to the fight for a cleaner planet.
However, as great as solar panels are — they aren’t exactly a small investment, nor a straightforward DIY project. If you want to have high-quality solar panels gracing your roof, you’ll want to have some of the best solar companies out there. With that in mind, we’ll provide you with some suggestions — and a rundown of the best residential solar states as well!
Best Residential Solar Companies
SunPower
When it comes to easy, affordable, and fast solar panel installation services, SunPower is definitely a name you’ll see pop up often when you begin your research. It’s because their services are available across all 50 states, making them one of the most easily accessible options.
SunPower aims to save the Earth while also saving you a ton of energy, money, and time — and they do so with their virtual consultations, online estimates, and custom solutions made in the SunPower Design Studio.
The company also provides back-up energy storage via their SunVault system, ensuring you’ll have your lights on even during storms and blackouts. And you can also use the company’s intuitive app to monitor your entire system, specify your custom power preferences, and maintain a seamless transfer from the battery to the grid and back.
Sunpro Solar
Sunpro Solar is one of the leading providers of residential solar panel installations across the United States. They’ve got tons of stellar customer reviews from satisfied clients who reside in 31 different states.
The company’s main selling points are their detail-oriented design, consultation, and installation of high-quality solar panels — clearly evidenced by Sunpro Solar’s 25-year satisfaction guarantees and warranties.
Today, Sunpro Solar is operated and owned by ADT — a reputable home security company. Together, the two companies provide a bundle of services that can allow you to rest comfortably as your home is intelligently connected, powered, and protected. Sunpro alone has had more than 30,000 satisfied customers who have saved thousands of dollars in utility bills each year.
If you want a quick and affordable solar panel installation by a fairly reputable company, Sunpro’s a great pick as well.
Blue Raven Solar
Blue Raven Solar services customers in 17 states, and they’ve got some excellent customer reviews as well. Their financing program, called BluePower Plus, provides clients with vast savings on their solar panel installation by including an 0% introductory APR for 18 months, followed by a specifically determined rate. That allows consumers to start saving money even before their solar panels have been paid off.
And throughout those first 18 months, Blue Raven estimates their average user can pay more than a third of their entire solar system cost. Plus, Blue Raven’s clients become full-fledged owners of their solar panels — they don’t just get them as a lease. So, once you’ve paid off the panels in full, you’ll be their sole owner.
If you want an estimate, Blue Raven Solar’s website has a simple form where you enter some basic information like your current energy consumption levels, your address, etc — once you fill it up, you’ll get a quote soon enough.
Momentum Solar
If you need a solar installation company to handle the entire process for you — the blueprints, the paperwork, followed by the actual installation, potential maintenance, and eventual replacement — Momentum Solar is a great option. They’ve got all-inclusive monitoring and protection services.
Momentum’s convenience-focused service package means you don’t have to deal with a bunch of different entities and people — you’ve only got one point of contact you need to consider throughout the entire process of installing solar panels. And if you’re on the fence, they provide a no-obligation, free quote over the phone or via email — so try out their virtual appointments before you knock them!
Trinity Solar
Trinity Solar is one of the biggest privately-owned solar installation companies in the country — a family-owned business that’s also family-operated. They’ve been in business for almost three decades, and they’ve spent that time installing more than 65,000 units over nine states.
Just like any other solar company, they claim to want to save their clients’ money — however, Trinity does provide three different ways of doing it. First, homeowners may pay nothing upfront and then lease the panels. They can also finance their installation through Trinity and make smaller monthly payments before reaching full ownership. Finally, you can just purchase your solar panels outright and start saving right away. All in all, a decent offering with a variety of financing options.
Tesla
Yes, it’s *that* Tesla — and though Elon Musk’s company has reached planetary renown for its electric cars, it’s also in the business of solar panel installations. While Tesla has only been in this industry for six years, they’ve already made a splash on the market with excellent solar set-ups and a price match guarantee that doesn’t just see you saving a lot on utility bills — you stand to save a lot on installation costs too.
Just like their cars, Tesla’s solar panels are durable, low-profile, and sleek. And their proprietary solar technology means every tile is working together as a seamless whole to get rid of your dependence on the grid.
How to choose the best solar company for you
Of course, these aren’t the only great solar companies out there. There are plenty of other choices — but you just need to be sure you’re making the right one. Don’t worry, we’re going to help you with a couple of handy tips on evaluating different solar installation businesses.
Local Availability
Before considering anything else, you need to see if a solar installation company you’re considering for your home is even available in your area. Usually, companies operate across entire states — so you just need to make sure they’re present in yours. There’s only a couple of solar installation companies that have a presence in all 50 states — most of them are regional, so make sure you take that into account first.
Owned vs. Leased Equipment
Next up, you need to think about whether you want to own your solar panels, or if you’re satisfied with leasing them and reaping the benefits over time. Some companies will sell you the panels and the rest of the equipment, allowing you to get the most out of your energy bill savings if you’re prepared to pay the hefty installation price.
On the other hand, some companies opt to make their clients’ journey into green energy more affordable by allowing you to lease the equipment — it’s cheaper, but you have less flexibility because you’re not the owner. Once the payments are done, you haven’t actually bought anything.
Deals and Financing
Solar installation companies realize that this isn’t an everyday investment for most people — in fact, it’s one of the most significant home upgrades you can make. That’s why most companies offer some kind of financing option to help homeowners pay off their solar installation expenses more easily. For example, some leasing companies allow for a full year of using the equipment for free with zero down payment, provided you keep the lease for an extended period of time afterward. There are plenty of different deals out there, so shop around before settling on anything.
What are the best solar states ?
As you can see, there are plenty of considerations to make when it comes to solar panels. And while most homeowners think that the precise position of their house is all that matters — your wider geographical location is just as important.
As a whole, some states simply get more sunshine than others — you’ll find more solar panels in California than in Alabama precisely because of that. Also, various states have different installation companies, government incentives, and at the end of the day, better deals.
All of these things factor into a state’s “solar-friendliness” — with New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Oregon being the overall best places to install solar panels. Of course, the investment quality in your particular case can also depend on the type of financial incentives you use, local net metering agreements, and the type of agreement you’ve signed.
