Why the solar providers near you are often the best
Step one: Decide you’re going to move forward with installing solar panels on your home. That decision was easy (hooray)!
Step two: Decide which installer is the best one to buy your solar panels from. That’s not so easy. With so many solar installation companies to choose from, it can feel overwhelming.
How do you prioritize? Is the lowest price trustworthy? What qualities or certifications should you look for?
The good news is that when you commit to working with a local, licensed installer. you’ve already narrowed the field of best companies to buy solar from. Licensed installers based in your area are typically more concerned about customer satisfaction, use higher-quality equipment, and often have the best prices.
Why should I choose a local solar panel installer?
There are several reasons it makes more sense to work with a local solar contractor rather than their national solar installer counterparts.
You’ll save money
While quality of product and workmanship are a priority, it’s also true that most homeowners pay attention to the bottom line. The good news is that, according to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), local solar installers’ pricing is an average of 10% lower than the national residential solar installers.
Use the SolarReviews calculator to get an accurate idea of your home’s system size needs, total system cost, and payback benefits.
Local installers have better customer ratings
Simply put, local solar installers care more about the work they do, their reputation, and your ratings. In fact, studies show over and over again that local solar panel installers consistently get higher ratings than the nation’s largest, and most recognized solar installers.
They also often use higher-quality brands of solar panels and inverters products because they feel a personal responsibility for the systems they install.
National installers are known for using cheaper products to lower in-house costs, maximizing their profits. While local installers certainly care about their profit margin, they take a different approach to pricing.
Since local solar contractors care more about the work they do and their overall customer satisfaction, they use higher-quality products, materials, and workmanship. but still prioritize customer-centric pricing tables. This results in reduced long-term solar maintenance requirements and repair costs for their buyers, and it also increases the life expectancy of the solar panels and related equipment.
This approach saves thousands of dollars over the lifetime of a residential solar system.
A dedicated crew of full-time employees
When you work with a local contractor, the crew who installs the system are full-time workers who report directly back to their boss. the company’s owner.
This creates a level of accountability that is simply not present with bigger, national companies who subcontract work out to crews who are not only out-of-towners, but who may only work part-time or seasonally. These crews have a less vested interest to give each project their best effort.
Overall customer satisfaction matters more
When you work with a local solar contractor, odds are you’re working with a family-owned business that cares about their customer’s satisfaction in a more personal way. Local companies rely heavily on word-of-mouth referrals, and those only happen when customers are happy with their work.
Plus, if company owners and employees live and work in the same community as the client base, they’re apt to run into you in the grocery store, the soccer fields, or at the local pool. and they want to be able to wave and say hello with open hearts and clear consciences.
Enter your zip code here to estimate pricing from local solar companies in your area
Are there different types of solar system installment companies?
This is by no means a one-size-fits-all industry. There are reputable companies at every level, national and local. There are also fly-by-night companies at every level. Some specialize in the residential market, others in the commercial. Some only use a particular product line, others are more open to their clients’ well-informed research and preferred options.
That’s why it’s so important to research the different types of solar installment companies in your area so you make the best choice for your project’s needs.
What are good ways to select a local solar installer?
First, make sure prospective companies are licensed and insured. Obtain at least three to five quotes and compare them line-by-line.
Finally, take time to research:
- Online reviews
- References from recent homeowners who have a similar size/type system installed.
- Solar panel brands/designs
- Parts/equipment warranty info
- Certifications and professional affiliations
- In-house (or not) financing options
Read tips for finding the right solar installer for more detailed recommendations.
Tips for getting the best solar panel costs
You’re not at the mercy of the installer when it comes to your final solar installation costs. There are things you can do to ensure you get the best-priced system.
- Request multiple quotes from a range of contractors, and know the going rate for solar panels in your area. Many contractors match a competitor’s lower to get your business.
- Research basic info about top-brand solar inverters. A slightly higher quote may be worth higher-quality equipment.
- Understand the financing options. Currently, low-interest rates may mean your bank’s home equity line of credit is cheaper than financing options with higher interest rates.
What should you look for in a solar panel installer?
A study of nearly 3,000 residential solar customers indicated the top things consumers look for in a solar installer are:
- Family-owned companies
- Fewer than 100 total employees
- Companies that are deeply vested in their communities
Those three things came ahead of lower prices, which says something about the value of locally owned and run solar installation companies.
What are common characteristics of excellent solar panel installers?
These same findings are revealed by the highest, consumer-rated solar installers in the nation, all of which are family-owned and not publicly listed or traded. Consumer ratings are considered carefully by prospective customers, and small to mid-sized companies consistently have the highest overall ratings.
Are solar panels worth it?
As of 2023, there has never been a better time to pursue residential solar panels.
Solar installation costs are low, and the calculable investment return on solar installations rivals that of most conventional investments, such as property or shares.
The key, however, to lifetime satisfaction with your solar installation investment is to choose a reputable, local solar panel installer so you benefit from high-quality products and workmanship, lower prices, and superior customer service.
How To Find the Best Solar Panels for Your Home in 2023
Trying to determine the best solar panels for your home is like trying to determine the best car – there’s no one correct answer. Everybody has different budgets, goals, and capacity.
So the real question is, which solar panel is best for you?
We analyzed over 750 types of solar panel models from 40 different manufacturers available in the solar.com marketplace to determine the best solar panels to buy to meet common wants and needs.
Of course, determining your solar needs is a lot easier with the guidance of an experienced Energy Advisor. Connect with one here.
Best Solar Panels For Home In 2023
The ideal solar panel is going to vary from homeowner to homeowner based on their budget, energy goals, roof, and more.
We’ve chosen a handful of the best panels that meet some of the most common needs for homeowners.
Let’s get started with the most popular panels to give us a sense of what other homeowners are gravitating towards.
Most Popular Solar Panels of 2022
While we can’t name a single best solar panel for your home, an analysis of 2022 sales shows a clear favorite among solar.com customers.
From January to December 2022, manufacturers REC and Hanwha Q CELLS had the most popular panels for residential solar.
That’s because REC and Q CELLS have a wide range of premium panels that offer a blend of solid performance and affordability.
In fact, there are nearly 50 REC models and 80 Q CELLS models available through the solar.com network, ranging in wattage from 265W to 450W (although 400W is now considered the norm, and anything under 365W is considered rare).
To top it off, REC and Q CELLS back their panels with a 25 year product warranty.
When it comes to solar panels, there’s no shame in following the crowd. REC and Q CELLS are popular for a reason and there is safety in knowing these well-established panel makers aren’t going anywhere and will be around to honor their 25-year warranty.
Best solar panels made or designed in America
For some homeowners, finding American made solar panels is a priority. While there are several fantastic solar makers headquartered in the US, finding panels that are truly made in America can be tricky.
That’s because there are American companies that manufacture overseas, and overseas companies that manufacture in America. And then there are companies that manufacture some panels in the US and others abroad.
Best solar panels manufactured in the US
| Brand – HQ Location | Panel | Manufacture location | Why we like it |
| Silfab – Canada | SIL Mono series | Bellingham, Washington | Durable, 20% efficient |
| Q Cells – Korea | Q. Peak Duo Series | Dalton, Georgia | Durable, 20% efficient |
| Mission Solar – US | MSE PERC series | San Antonio, Texas | Qualifies for Buy American Act |
| Solaria – US | Power XT series | Fremont, California | 20% efficient, superior shade performance |
Best solar panels made overseas by US-based companies
| Brand – HQ Location | Panel | Why we like it |
| Sunpower – San Jose, CA | A-series | Up to 22.8% efficiency, 25-year warranty, built-in AC inverter |
| Sunpower – San Jose, CA | X-Series | Up to 22,7% efficient, extremely low degradation rate, 25-year warranty |
| SEG – Pleasanton, CA | SEG-410-BMD-HV | 21.25% efficiency, 25-year warranty |
| Aptos Solar – Santa Clara, CA | DNA-120-MF26-370W | 20.29% efficiency, durable, 30-year warranty |
Whether your heart is set on supporting American manufacturing, American-based companies, or both, there are options when it comes to solar panels.
Best solar panels for degradation
Solar panels slowly lose efficiency over time through a process called degradation. This is a substantial concern to some homeowners curious about going solar.
However, the industry has been pleasantly surprised by the longevity of the solar panels manufactured decades ago, and the technology has only gotten better.
Today, it’s not uncommon for premium solar panels to come with a warranty that guarantees more than 85% performance after 25 years. Each warranty is a little different, so it’s important to read the language closely when researching panels.
If your top concern is degradation, here are three panel to FOCUS on:
| Panel | Degradation rate | Performance warranty |
| SunPower X-Series | 0.2% to 0.25% per year | 92% of minimum peak power after 25 years |
| Panasonic EverVolt ® Photovoltaic series (EVPV) | No more than 0.25% per year | 92% of maximum power after 25 years |
| REC Alpha series | No more than 0.25% per year | 92% of nameplate power output after 25 years |
Best solar panels for efficiency
Another important solar panel feature is efficiency rating, or how much sunlight a panel converts into electricity.
The most efficient solar cell of any kind has an efficiency of 39.5%, but is designed for space applications, not an ordinary roof.
Residential solar panels typically range between 15% and 20%, with the industry leading panels pushing 23%.
If solar panel efficiency is your top concern, here are the best panels to look out for:
| Manufacturer | Model | Efficiency rating |
| SunPower | A-series | Up to 22.8% |
| SunPower | X-series | Up to 22.7% |
| Panasonic | EverVolt® Photovoltaic series | Up to 22.2% |
| SunPower | M-series | Up to 22% |
| REC | Alpha series | Up to 21.9% |
| Silfab | Elite series | Up to 21.4% |
| SEG | SIV AC Module Series | Up to 21.25% |
| Silfab | X series | Up to 21.1% |
| Solar World | Sunmodule series | Up to 21.1% |
| S-Energy | SL40-60MCI-370 | 21.04% |
Best solar panel warranties
Solar panels are a substantial investment that take time to pay themselves off. One of the things that makes going solar a safe bet is manufacturer’s warranties that guarantee performance well beyond the break-even mark.
Today, a 25-year warranty is standard. However, a few panel makers are offering 30-year warranties.
Aptos Solar offers a five-year extension to their standard 25-year warranty to guarantee 82.4% output after 30 years on their DNA Split Cell Series panels.
According to Aptos, that’s 4.9% more output after 25 years and 5.7% greater output after 30 years compared to the industry average.
Hyundai Energy Solutions – a subsidiary of the car maker – also offers a 30-year performance warranty on their RG series panels. This warranty guarantees 80.2% performance after 30 years.
Finally, Canadian Solar has 30-year output warranties for different types of panels.
- Polycrystalline Products: 83% output by the end of year 30
- Standard Monocrystalline Products: 81.5% output by the end of year 30
- Monocrystalline PERC Products: 83% output by the end of year 30
How to Choose The Best Solar Panels for Your Home
Every home solar system is custom designed with software by an engineer.
An expensive, high efficiency panel may perform just as well as a standard or economy panel under certain circumstances — but bigger is not always better. The optimal solar panels for your home are highly dependent on the two factors below.
The amount of annual household electricity use
The more electricity you consume, the more solar power you’ll need to generate. You should ideally produce enough power to offset 100% of the electricity you consume.
It’s useful to have a full year’s worth of electricity payments for reference on your bill, so your system designer can factor in household usage patterns that fluctuate month to month.
The characteristics of your roof
Most residential systems are placed atop your home on the roof. Your roof’s tilt, type, age, and amount of shading can all affect the number of solar panels you need.
Generally speaking, it’s better to have more panels placed on the southern side of your roof, as that’s where the sun shines the most in the northern hemisphere.
This sounds a lot harder than it really is.
Based on these factors, a solar engineer will put together several configurations using different panels. Once you have options, the choice is all yours!
What Makes A Good Solar Panel for Home?
When evaluating the solar panels themselves, be sure to review the efficiency, power rating, warranty, and bankability of different manufacturers.
Here are the main components that make a solar panel good for home applications.
Solar Panel Warranties
The length of a solar panel warranty is a message from the panel manufacturer that they think they’ve produced the best type of solar panel. The longer the warranty, the higher quality the panel.
Warranties range from 10 years to 25 years for premium panels.
Although this is the warranted duration, solar panels often last much longer because of the inherent durability of the product. Because there’s no moving parts in panels, they can keep generating power until the solar cells completely run out of conducting material.
If your solar panel is discovered to be faulty within the warranty period, the manufacturer will replace that panel or repair it for you. It should be noted that if the panel fails due to an installer’s workmanship error, this will instead be covered with the installation company’s workmanship warranty.
Beyond workmanship fault, there are some other exceptions to these warranties that most manufacturers follow. Panels that are damaged from environmental pollution, salt water, flying objects, severe storms, and other “acts of god” are typically excluded from warranties. In essence, only the normal wear and tear of panels are covered.
Solar Energy Performance Guarantee
In addition to covering any defects with the Solar Panel Warranty, manufacturers also provide a Performance Guarantee for their products.
At this time, most manufacturers guarantee a certain level of production over 25 years, but some are now guaranteeing over 80% production for 30 years.
If you want a quality residential solar panels, be sure that your evaluating the level of production that the manufacturer is guaranteeing.
Typical Performance Guarantees are in the 80-85% range after 25 years. The very best solar panels are guaranteed to perform at least 90% of rated power output.
Please note that the same exclusions from the Solar Panel Warranty also apply to the Solar Energy Performance Guarantee. So if your panels have been caked in dirt and are under-producing, the panel maker has cause to exclude your system from their guarantee. In fact, most manufacturers release their panel warranties and performance guarantees in the same document.
Solar Panel Efficiency
It’s important that every residential solar system has a monitoring system. This is the system that will allow you to view and measure real-time and historical energy production data of your system.
Some monitoring systems display this energy production data via a physical display unit, while others employ an online interface, or both.
As “Smart” or connected homes become more prevalent, solar installers can provide whole-house energy consumption monitoring as well. In order to ensure your solar system is producing energy normally, it’s important to make sure your solar panels are paired with an energy production monitoring system.
Solar Panel Wattage
It is easy to confuse efficiency with wattage. Wattage is a unit of measure denoting the potential electrical output of a panel under ideal circumstances.
The higher the wattage of a panel, the more electricity it can potentially produce for your home. Higher wattage panels are ideal for smaller spaces that need higher production. However, they often come at a higher price. So it’s not always best to invest in higher wattage panels if it’s not necessary for your home.
Additionally, sometimes higher wattage panels are physically bigger. This may mean less panels can fit in a certain space, thereby negating the advantage of having higher wattage. Solar panel brands and products will vary in size and wattage, so be sure your PV designer is taking this into account when he or she works on your array.
If you’re looking to compare solar panels, be sure to consider the panel’s efficiency and wattage in the same breath. A high-efficiency, high-wattage panel may seem ideal, but if you have enough roof space it may not be necessary.
Solar Panel Aesthetics
As more people are going solar, the need for well-designed, aesthetically pleasing panels is becoming a higher consumer demand.
This is particularly the case in neighborhoods with some HOA requirements for solar arrays, or for a home that would need panels facing the road. Many homeowners with these considerations in mind prefer black panels when comparing solar panels, but there are various types of black panels to be aware of.
Most silicone cells are either dark blue or black. These cells are the squares that make up the face of the solar panels. The space between these cells is where you can see the backsheet. Having a black backsheet makes for a much sleeker, all black look.
Finally, considering frame color is important. Most solar panel frames are anodized aluminum and come in silver or black. Choosing a black frame can enhance the look of your system greatly. You may be interested in getting “all black” panels, where the frame, backsheet, and cells are all the same black color.
Bankability
When choosing a solar panel brand, be careful to make sure that the company you choose will still be around to honor your warranty. Typically, larger corporations like REC and Q CELLS are safe bets and highly bankable.
The Bottom Line
At the end of the day, the best solar panel for home varies from homeowner to homeowner. What matters is that a certified installer examines your specific needs and designs a system to meet them.
Unfortunately, there are fly-by-night solar companies that offer one-size-fits-all solutions for every home. Solar.com was created to bring transparency into the solar market and connect homeowners with trusted installers.
Best Solar Panels and Inverters Brands of 2022
One of the most important parts of choosing solar equipment is having confidence that the manufacturer will be around in 25-30 years to honor their.
Solar Panel Warranty Guide: What You Need to Know
Going solar is a long-term investment energy savings and a clean energy future. And there’s nothing to protect that investment like a long and robust.
Top Solar Panels of 2018 2019
Top Solar Panels 2019 2018: An Overview As we’re wrapping up the year here at Solar.com, we’ve been reflecting on the last two years.
Going Solar in These Top 10 States Will Increase Your Home Property.
According to a recent report by Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), the U.S. installed 2.1 GW of solar capacity in Q2. The solar industry reached.
Q CELLS Opens New 1.7 GW Factory in Dalton, Georgia
South Korean solar panel manufacturer, Q CELLS, recently celebrated a monumental milestone last month. The company opened their fourth solar factory in drum roll please.
4 Cool New Technologies from Solar Power International (SPI) 2019
Our team just returned from a very exciting trip to the Solar Power International 2019 Convention in Salt Lake City, Utah. We toured the floor.
Cost of a Tesla Solar Roof vs Solar Panels
There’s no question that the Tesla Solar Roof is among the best looking rooftop solar systems on the market. When it was unveiled in 2016.
The 4 Roof Types Released By The Tesla Solar Program
Tesla has finally made its solar roofs open for ordering. The smooth and textured tiles are the only roof types currently available with the Tuscan.
Here Is What Elon Musk and the Tesla Solar Program Have Been.
Every time the name Elon Musk is thrown around, most people will think of either his connection to PayPal, SpaceX, or Tesla cars. But now.
Tesla’s Solar Roof Rivals
Elon Musk once again shook up the energy industry with the unveiling of solar roofs by Tesla and SolarCity on October 28th. Building Integrated Photovoltaics.
Will Tesla Shake up Solar Roofing?
We’ve seen this before. Last year, Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced that his electric vehicle company would branch out and start supplying a home battery.
How To Install Solar Panels
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- Working time: 20 hours
- Total time: Up to 2 months for paperwork and inspections
- Skill level: Advanced
- Project cost: 18,000 for materials and labor
Installing the best solar panels can save you money while also protecting the environment. Some systems allow independence from the electrical grid, or the ability to earn profits by selling power back to suppliers. Many people find relief in simply lowering their energy bills.
THIS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT AND NOT EDITORIAL CONTENT. Please note that we do receive compensation for any products you buy or sign up to via this advertisement, and that compensation impacts the ranking and placement of any offers listed herein. We do not present information about every offer available. The information and savings numbers depicted above are for demonstration purposes only, and your results may vary.
Power Your Home With Solar
Find a network of trusted installers for your solar system, solar panels and electricity needs. Find a solar panel installer today!
Usually, specialists or general contractors are hired to install solar panels. Once you know how to install a solar panel, you’ll better understand how the process is done, and you may even decide you can do it yourself.
When to Install Solar Panels
Solar panels can be installed during any time of year. If you live in an area that receives regular snowfall, it may be best to wait until the snow has melted for ease and safety, depending on the types of solar panels you choose.
Safety Considerations
The components of a solar panel are bulky and often installed on a roof. Use extreme caution and fall protection when working on a roof. Be particularly cautious while bringing materials to the roof and while working near the edge.
Installation of a solar system involves working with electricity. Follow all safety procedures regarding the installation of electrical components.
Tools
- Tape measure
- Pencil or marker
- Drill with bits
- Chalk line
- Wrench set
- Screwdrivers
- Metal cutting saw
- Electrical wiring tools
Materials
- Photovoltaic panels
- Racking system
- Roof sealant (roofing tar or silicone)
- Power inverter
- Batteries
- Charge controller
- Energy meter (optional)
- Heat sink (if needed)
- Electrical wiring components
Instructions
A solar panel is really a collection of solar photovoltaic panels (PV panels). Those panels are connected to several components that are used to control sun-generated energy.
There are many things to consider regarding solar power for your home. If you’re thinking about installing your own solar panel, you may want to start by hiring a solar energy consultant. They’ll have all the information you’ll need to help make decisions about your project. A hired contractor, on the other hand, will have their own experts to help you make decisions.
A consultant can also direct you to specific manufacturers that best meet your needs.
Check for Compatibility
To get started, make sure your home is ready to accept a solar energy system. Find out if your roof is large enough, or if you have room to place the panels at ground level. You may need to remove trees or trim branches. Your electrical panel might need upgrading. Be sure your roof is in good shape and won’t need to be replaced soon.
Select the Size
Once you know that your home is compatible, decide what you would like your system to provide. You can use the energy to simply run lighting or a few appliances, you can create enough energy to sell some back to the power company or anything in between.
Get Permits
Apply for a building permit for your locality. Some areas may also require a separate electrical permit. Oftentimes, waiting for the permits to be approved, and scheduling the subsequent inspections, are the most time-consuming parts of the project.
Apply for Incentives
Make the most of your solar investment. Incentive programs vary at the state and local levels. Federal incentives change from time to time, too. You may be able to receive tax credits, rebates or grants from multiple sources to offset costs. Apply for these incentives prior to starting physical work. You may consider applying for a special solar loan to finance the project.
THIS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT AND NOT EDITORIAL CONTENT. Please note that we do receive compensation for any products you buy or sign up to via this advertisement, and that compensation impacts the ranking and placement of any offers listed herein. We do not present information about every offer available. The information and savings numbers depicted above are for demonstration purposes only, and your results may vary.
Compare Quotes From Top-rated Solar Panel Installers
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Preparation
Because solar panel requirements vary greatly depending on needs and locations, solar panel components that are unique to your project often need to be ordered from a retailer. Order everything you’ll need at one time, if possible, to ensure all of the materials are compatible with each other.
Install Racking System
Measure and mark a layout for the system on your roof or on the ground. Install the metal racking system, following manufacturer instructions. Seal any holes through roof shingles with roofing tar or silicone caulk.
Install Panels
Connect the PV panels to the racking using the supplied clamps to secure them in place. Then, wire each panel to the adjacent panels.
Install Heat Sink
A heat sink is a device used to reduce heat generated by the panels. They also increase the efficiency of the array. Heat sinks are often integrated into PV panels. If not, an external heat sink will need to be added.
Install Charge Controller
The charge controller sends electricity to where it is needed. It automatically allows electrical current to flow through the system or into the batteries for storage. Install it between the panels and battery bank.
Install Battery Bank
Generated energy that is not immediately used in your home will be stored in a battery bank for use when the sun is not shining. Wire the batteries together in series to essentially create one big battery.
Best Solar Companies By States And Cities
Install Power Inverter
The power coming directly from your solar panel and batteries will be direct current (DC) electricity. It must be converted to alternating current (AC) for use in household wiring. For this purpose, install a power inverter after the batteries and power controller, and before the connection to the house.
Install Energy Meter
Most solar systems include the use of an energy meter. This device allows you to know how much electricity you are generating and using. It can also keep track of the amount of energy needed from, or sent back to, the electrical grid.
Check Electrical
Before wiring your new solar panel system to the house, be sure to double-check all wiring. Be certain to ground the system at the PV panels. There will need to be an electrical inspection performed by your municipal inspector at this point.
Connect to Electrical Panel
Wire the power inverter directly to the electrical panel following device instructions depending on how the system will be used.
THIS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT AND NOT EDITORIAL CONTENT. Please note that we do receive compensation for any products you buy or sign up to via this advertisement, and that compensation impacts the ranking and placement of any offers listed herein. We do not present information about every offer available. The information and savings numbers depicted above are for demonstration purposes only, and your results may vary.
Compare Quotes From Top-rated Solar Panel Installers
Free, No-commitment Estimates
When to Call a Pro
Installing a solar panel is a complex, time-consuming task. Most homeowners opt to have their system installed by specialized solar companies from start to finish. A solar contractor will also know how to help you receive any incentives you’re entitled to.
For DIY installations, hiring a contractor for certain parts of the job is common. Many people install the entire system and leave the wiring to a licensed electrician. Call in a professional to complete any portion of the job that you’re not comfortable doing yourself.
Looking For Hassle-Free Solar Installation
Find a network of trusted installers for solar system, solar panels and electricity needs. Find a solar panel installer today!
THIS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT AND NOT EDITORIAL CONTENT. Please note that we do receive compensation for any products you buy or sign up to via this advertisement, and that compensation impacts the ranking and placement of any offers listed herein. We do not present information about every offer available. The information and savings numbers depicted above are for demonstration purposes only, and your results may vary.
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The 5 Best Solar Installers in Dallas-Fort Worth, TX
Leigh Matthews is a sustainability expert and long time vegan. Her work on solar policy has been published in Canada’s National Observer.
Residents of Dallas-Fort Worth have plenty of choice for solar installers, which isn’t a surprise when you factor in how much sunshine the city gets. We have highlighted five of the best options for local DFW solar installers below.
Table of Contents
- How we Chose Installers for this List
- The best solar companies in Dallas: Our Top Picks
- Freedom Solar
- Longhorn Solar, Inc.
- Kosmos Solar
- Elevation Solar
- Native Solar
How we Chose Installers for this List
Our Dallas Solar Installer Checklist
- Installer holds valid Master Electrician and Electrical Contractor licenses in the State of Texas and who have no violations linked with those licenses.
- Company has at least one NABCEP certified PV Installation Professional (PVIP) on their team, not just PV Technical Sales Professionals (PVTS)
- Extensive experience
- Workers compensation insurance and general liability insurance
- Check for BBB complaints or state consumer protection office for complaints
- Panel warranties of at least 20 years and, ideally, workmanship warranties to match.
The best solar companies in Dallas: Our Top Picks
Check out our top picks for solar installers in Dallas-Fort Worth, TX.
It will also be worth reading about Texas and Federal solar incentives, both of which can bring down the cost of solar panels in Dallas considerably.
Freedom Solar
Highlights: Freedom Solar is one of our top picks for solar installers working across the U.S. and is a firm favorite with solar enthusiasts in Dallas-Fort Worth. This company is a SunPower Master Dealer, meaning that Freedom Solar offers the highest efficiency solar panels available.
We’re big fans of SunPower panels, not just for their efficiency but because they are Cradle to Cradle certified for sustainability. They also come with very generous performance warranties, so if they underperform, your solar installer will work with SunPower to add more panels or compensate you for the difference in output. If you’ve got a smaller roof space or just want to maximize output, SunPower panels are the top choice for a home solar installation and Freedom Solar is the best installer to get them up on your roof.
Freedom Solar is also a Tesla PowerWall certified installer, though it offers other battery options too. This company can also install online monitoring for new arrays and can even retrofit old solar energy systems to include monitoring.
There are at least six NABCEP Certified PVIPs listed for Freedom Solar in Texas, indicating the incredible depth of talent working at this company. Most Dallas-Ft. Worth solar installers only list one (or no) PVIPs!
Freedom Solar operates using exclusively in-house crews, meaning you won’t run into issues with subcontractor scheduling mishaps, shoddy work, and the blame-game where issues take ages to resolve.
Freedom Solar clearly has well-run city and regional offices and provides efficient service with all the benefits of local knowledge and the backing of a bigger company. Customers of Freedom Solar are quick to praise the approachable, friendly, super helpful staff at Freedom Solar. The team is efficient, thorough, and communicates well, making for a much easier process of permitting, incentives, installation, and aftercare.
Freedom Solar’s talents also extend to servicing and maintaining existing systems it didn’t install itself. Always a good sign of solar expertise!
Finally, Freedom Solar offers the best warranty I’ve seen from a solar installer. The comprehensive 25-year warranty includes workmanship and production guarantees.
Freedom Solar Power Certifications and licenses:
- NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installation Professionals (PVIP)
- NABCEP Certified PV Technical Salesmen (PVTS)
- Texas Licensed Master Electricians (ME)
- Texas Licensed Electrical Contractors (EC)
- Tesla Powerwall Certified Installer
- SunPower Master Dealer.