Our top rated solar companies are SunPower, Palmetto and Freedom Solar. Get a quote on your solar installation today.
The Best Solar Companies of May 2024
with our comparison partner, HomeService Quotes
Updated:
May 3, 2024
Written By:
Faith Wakefield
Faith Wakefield
Edited By:
Tori Addison
Tori Addison
Reviewed By:
Karsten Neumeister
Karsten Neumeister
Retail Energy Advancement League
With the Federal Residential Clean Energy Credit covering 30% of solar panel installation, there is no better time to switch to solar energy. Some of our top recommendations for the best solar companies are SunPower, Palmetto and Freedom Solar. However, the best fit for you will depend on your personal needs and wants in going solar.
We at the Guides Home Team conducted surveys, spoke with industry experts, interviewed solar company representatives and evaluated each company based on our detailed solar methodology to come up with our top list of providers. Read on to learn more.
See our list of top solar providers based on in-depth research.
Select the provider that best fits your needs.
Get a free, no-obligation quote for your home.
Compare Solar Installation Companies
| Company | Star Rating | Cost of an 8 kW System* | BBB Rating | Visit Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $24,000–$36,000 | A+ | |||
| $20,000–$25,000 | A+ | |||
| $25,000–$30,000 | A+ | |||
| $20,000–$25,000 | A+ | |||
| $20,000–$22,500 | A | |||
| $25,000–$27,500 | A+ | |||
| $20,000–$25,000 | A- |
| Company | BBB Rating | Star Rating | Cost of an 8 kW System* | Visit Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A+ | $24,000–$36,000 | |||
| A+ | $20,000–$25,000 | |||
| A+ | $25,000–$30,000 | |||
| A+ | $20,000–$25,000 | |||
| A | $20,000–$22,500 | |||
| A+ | $25,000–$27,500 | |||
| A- | $20,000–$25,000 |
The 8 Top Solar Installation Companies of 2024
Here are our top picks for the best and most reputable solar companies in 2024:
- SunPower: Most experienced provider
- Palmetto: Our pick for protection plans
- Freedom Solar: Our pick for off-grid systems
- Momentum Solar: Our pick for solar system customization
- Blue Raven Solar: Our pick for financing
- Solar Energy World: Our pick for sustainability initiatives
- Sunrun: Our top pick for leasing options
- Tesla Energy: Our pick for panel design
SunPower earned a rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars as the best solar company of 2024 because it has over 40 years of experience installing panels, offers some of the highest solar panel efficiency ratings and is a reliable choice with 25-year guarantees on all its installations.
SunPower
Our pick for most experience
System Cost $24,000–$36,000
Warranty 25 years
Palmetto Solar
Our pick for protection plans
System Cost $20,000–$25,000
Warranty 25 years
Freedom Solar
Our pick for off-grid systems
System Cost $25,000–$30,000
Warranty 25 years
Momentum Solar
Our pick for easy integration
System Cost $20,000–$25,000
Warranty 20 and 25 years
Blue Raven Solar
Our pick for financing
System Cost $20,000–$22,500
Warranty 10 and 25 years
Solar Energy World
Our pick for long-term warranty coverage
System Cost $25,000–$27,500
Warranty 30 years
Sunrun Solar
Our pick for leasing options
System Cost $20,000–$25,000
Warranty 12 and 30 years
Tesla Energy
Our pick for panel design
System Cost $16,000–$23,000
Warranty 25 years
Find the Best Solar Companies Near You
The availability of our top-rated solar companies can vary by location, so we have put together lists of the top providers in a number of states and cities to help you find the best options near you. Find your state or city using the tools below to discover the top providers and learn about money-saving local incentives.
Alabama | Alaska | Arizona | Arkansas | California | Colorado | Connecticut | Delaware | Florida | Georgia | Hawaii | Idaho | Illinois | Indiana | Iowa | Kansas | Kentucky | Louisiana | Maine | Maryland | Massachusetts | Michigan | Minnesota | Mississippi | Missouri | Montana | Nebraska | Nevada | New Hampshire | New Jersey | New Mexico | New York | North Carolina | North Dakota | Ohio | Oklahoma | Oregon | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | South Carolina | South Dakota | Tennessee | Texas | Utah | Vermont | Virginia | Washington | West Virginia | Wisconsin | Wyoming
Albuquerque | Atlanta | Austin | Bakersfield | Chicago | Colorado Springs | Dallas | Denver | El Paso | Honolulu | Houston | Jacksonville | Kansas City | Las Vegas | Los Angeles | New Orleans | Sacramento | San Antonio | San Diego | San Francisco | Tucson | Washington D.C.
What To Look For in a Solar Company
When looking for a solar company, some of the most important considerations are cost and financing options, company trustworthiness, and services offered.
Cost and Financing
Look for a company that offers your preferred financing method and an "all-in" system cost of around $3.50 or less per watt.
Trustworthiness
Consider companies with many years of experience and good customer reviews on the BBB, Trustpilot, and Google.
Services
Check if the company offers extra services or equipment you might need, like energy audits, solar batteries or EV chargers.
Understanding Solar Warranties
Warranties cover your solar system if it malfunctions or underperforms, preventing you from paying unexpected repair costs due to faulty or underperforming equipment.
The industry standard solar warranty length is 25 years for equipment, between 10 and 25 years for workmanship, and 25 years for performance. However, exact warranty lengths and terms vary depending on your solar installer.
What Does a Solar Warranty Cover?
If you have your solar panels professionally installed, your equipment will likely come with separate panel, inverter, workmanship and power production warranties.
Your panel and inverter warranties specifically cover failures or defects like cracks and moisture that cause the equipment to break down. Workmanship warranties cover the costs of faulty installations. Finally, power production warranties will reimburse you if your panels produce less energy than the guaranteed amount outlined in your service agreement.
Solar Efficiency
A solar panel’s efficiency represents how well it can convert sunlight into electricity. The higher your solar panel efficiency, the more energy you’ll be able to produce. Purchasing efficient solar panels can save you money in the long run because you can purchase fewer solar panels to meet your production needs.
Some of the most efficient solar panels on the market include SunPower, Canadian Solar and Panasonic panels, with efficiencies of 22.8%, 22% and 21.7%, respectively.
What To Expect After Choosing a Solar Company
The entire solar installation process can take a few months (or more if there are delays), and the process may look slightly different depending on the solar company. Once you’ve chosen a solar provider, here’s what to expect next:
- Initial consultation: Your solar company will schedule an initial consultation to discuss your energy needs and goals, evaluate if your home is a good fit for solar and provide you with an estimate for the system size and cost. Some solar companies allow you to do this virtually.
- Contract signing and financing: Once you’re committed to the solar process, you’ll review system pricing and if you approve, sign your contract. Your solar company will present you with financing options, which may include purchasing the system in cash, getting a loan, leasing or entering into a PPA.
- System design and permitting: Next, your solar company will design a system customized to your specific energy needs and property characteristics. Your provider will consider local regulations and building codes and apply for necessary permits on your behalf. The company will also apply for interconnection, net metering (if applicable), or approval from your utility company to move forward with the installation.
- Installation: Once your system is designed and you arrange payment or financing, your solar company will schedule an installation date. The actual solar installation generally takes one to two days, depending on your roof’s complexity.
- Inspection and activation: After installation is complete, your solar company will commission the system to make sure it is working properly and generating the expected amount of energy. Your utility company will also need to inspect the system and grant permission to operate (PTO). If everything goes as planned, you can activate your system and your panels will start to generate energy.
- Backend support: A good solar company will provide ongoing support and maintenance for your system, including monitoring its performance, conducting regular maintenance checks and addressing any issues that arise over time.
Expert Take: How To Tell if a Solar Company Is Reputable
When researching solar companies, how do you know what to watch out for?
To determine if a company is reputable, Roger Horowitz, director of Go Solar Programs at Solar United Neighbors, recommends that customers make sure to check companies' online reviews and ask for local references. He also recommends comparing quotes and warranties from at least three providers.
Roger Horowitz
Director of Go Solar Programs, Solar United Neighbors
“Watch out for high-pressure sales tactics from companies that don't want you to have time to check references or reviews. In particular, non-reputable companies tend to emphasize 'special programs' available for a 'limited time.”
At the end of the day, you won’t regret doing your research and taking the time to make the right decision. You can learn more about how to spot solar scams on Solar United Neighbors’ website.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Solar Companies
The top-rated solar company on our list is SunPower. SunPower has over 30 years of experience in the industry and has high customer reviews across multiple platforms, so we consider it to be a reputable company based on our solar review standards.
The average U.S. household needs 15 to 20 solar panels to generate enough photovoltaic (PV) energy to meet its needs. However, your household’s average energy usage will largely determine how many solar panels you need.
Monocrystalline solar panels are the most common type of panel for residential installations. Monocrystalline panels are slightly more expensive than polycrystalline solar panels but are also more efficient.
According to our research, the average household in the U.S. can save over $20,000 in energy bills over the lifetime of their solar panels, which is typically 25 years. However, factors like the cost of energy where you live, solar incentives in your state and how much sunlight your roof receives can increase (or decrease) your savings.
According to our 2023 surveys of 2,000 homeowners with solar systems, Blue Raven had the cheapest average cost for an 8 kW solar system at around $20,000–$22,500. However, several other companies on our list had an average cost of $20,000–$25,000 for an 8 kW installation, including Sunrun, Palmetto and Momentum.
Solar panels do not generate electricity at night. However, if you have a solar battery, you can store the energy your panels generate during the day to use at night.
Monocrystalline solar panels are considered the longest-lasting, with an average lifespan of 25 to 40 years. Monocrystalline panels are also the most common type of panel for residential solar installations.
No state currently offers free solar panels. However, there are many solar incentives and rebates available through federal, governments, local governments and utility companies that lower the cost of solar panels. Additionally, many solar companies offer $0 down financing on solar loans.
Methodology: Our System for Rating Solar Installation Companies
If you have questions about this page, please reach out to our editors at editors@marketwatchguides.com.
