Updated March 5, 2022
When you purchase or lease a solar system, you’re investing in the future. From a personal perspective, you’re investing in lower energy bills, which means you save money over time. From a broader perspective, you’re investing in a cleaner environment and a reduced carbon footprint.
But just like with any other investment, it’s important to do your research beforehand. Choosing a solar provider is a long-term commitment. Even if you’re buying your solar panels outright, you’ll rely on your provider for support, maintenance, and other services related to your panels. It’s worth taking some time to find the ideal provider.
Here, we’ll look at five of the best solar companies in the US, and what they have to offer.
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Sunpro
Sunpro Solar is one of the largest solar system providers in the US. With services available in 21 states, they’re about to expand to six more. But beyond Sunpro’s wide availability, they also offer comprehensive service. In addition to the solar panels themselves, they provide 100% of all repairs and maintenance for the entire system.
Sunpro installs high-quality LG solar panels, which are among the most efficient and reliable in the business. These are paired with Enphase solar inverters, which are engineered to last even longer than the solar panels. Sunpro also installs the Tesla Powerwall 2 battery backup system. This provides an immediate backup power supply in the event of a grid outage.
The purchasing process is simple and straightforward. Sunpro sends a representative to your house to perform an inspection, and sit down with you to discuss your power requirements. The company then creates a quote, and you have the opportunity to accept or reject it. Assuming the price is right, your solar system will be installed in three to five business days. Keep in mind, though, that you won’t be able to activate it immediately. First, your utility company or city building inspector will have to approve the system. Thankfully, Sunpro handles all of the permitting for you, so you don’t have to figure out the regulatory stuff on your own.
Sunpro’s solar systems come with a 25-year warranty for labor and materials. You’ll also have two ways to pay. You can purchase the system outright, or you can finance it, with loan periods ranging from 5 to 12 years.
Sunrun
Sunrun is another major player in the solar industry, with service available in 21 states plus Puerto Rico. In 20 of these states – sorry, Wisconsin – they also install battery backup systems. They’ve been in business for 15 years, which makes them pretty well established for a solar company. Sunrun even offers free quotes and consultations.
Sunrun’s signup process works a lot like Sunpro’s. You provide some information about your home and energy use, and you wait for your quote. From there, the company will handle any necessary permitting, although you’ll still have to fill out some paperwork. Once the permitting process is complete, your solar system will be installed in one to five business days.
This is a full-service solar provider. Not only does Sunrun do their own design work, but for a small extra fee, they continue to provide maintenance services for the life of your system. You can purchase their solar panels, finance them with a loan, or lease them. In addition to the 25-year solar panel warranty and 10-year roof guarantee, lessees receive free maintenance.
Sunrun also offers an optional Brightbox backup battery system. In the event of a power outage, these systems can provide up to 12 hours of backup power. That way, you won’t have to worry about the food in your fridge getting warm or your air conditioner shutting off.
Tesla
Tesla is one of the biggest names in the renewable energy sector. Obviously, they’re most famous for their electric vehicles, but those vehicles require large, high-capacity batteries, which Tesla also manufactures. Their gigafactories also churn out solar panels, inverters, and other electrical and charging equipment.
Tesla’s solar panels are slim and attractive and are engineered to withstand cold temperatures as low as -40°F. In addition to traditional solar panels, you can also install a solar roof, where the shingles themselves act as mini solar panels. This is more expensive than a standard panel array, but it’s worth considering if you need a new roof anyway.
The Tesla Powerwall is the crown jewel of their home solar offerings. The Powerwall is a low-profile, wall-mounted battery bank that can be used as an emergency backup. It can also be configured for off-grid use, with the Powerwall providing power overnight.
Tesla offers solar installation service anywhere in the US, no matter how far you are from the nearest Tesla facility. Before they perform any work, they’ll first send someone to evaluate your home and your needs. In most locations, installation can be performed as soon as one business day after the permitting process has been completed.
You can purchase Tesla solar systems upfront, or take out a loan. Either way, you’re covered by a 25-year warranty on system performance, a 12-year workmanship warranty, and a 10-year equipment warranty.
Trinity Solar
Trinity Solar has been around for almost 30 years – since before solar power was even popular. They only offer service in nine states in the northeast and mid-Atlantic, but they’re a family-owned company that puts a strong emphasis on quality and reliability. They install the latest LG solar panels, with high-efficiency SolarEdge inverters. Their battery backup systems come from Tesla or Generac, depending on your system configuration.
Trinity’s most famous perk is that they offer zero down payment solar loans. Your monthly payment will be a little bit higher as a result, but you’ll be able to start saving on your power bill before you pay a dime. Alternatively, you can purchase your install outright, just like with any other provider. Their default warranty is only five years, but for a fee, you can extend that to 10 years on parts, or 10 years on parts and labor.
Momentum Solar
Momentum Solar is another smaller company with services available in 11 states. But unlike Trinity’s regional base, Momentum’s services are all over the map. They offer solar system installation in Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Texas. Battery backup systems are only available in California, Florida, New Jersey, New York, and Texas.
Momentum works with you throughout the entire installation process, from designing a system that’s built for your needs, to completing all the necessary permitting. They also provide maintenance for the life of your system, with an impressive 25-year warranty on both materials and workmanship. Because of their concierge service, you’ll have a single point of contact from beginning to end. This kind of personal relationship-building is a big part of what sets Momentum apart from the competition.
Conclusion
These are just a few of the solar providers you can choose from, but they’re also among the best in the business. Whether you want a large provider with a national base or a local provider with a more personal touch, you’ve got your options. Now all you have to do is make a selection!
