Best Solar Energy Companies of 2023
A growing number of homeowners are looking into solar energy as a way to save money or reduce their carbon footprint. Residential solar panel costs are decreasing, and solar companies offer multiple financing options — these include outright purchases, loans, leases and power purchase agreements.
Our research team compared 24 popular solar energy companies and chose our six top picks based on warranties offered, financing options, panel selection, availability and other factors, including ratings and reviews on our site. Our picks may be Authorized Partners who compensate us — this does not affect our recommendations or evaluations but may impact the order in which companies appear.
- Our pick for easy process: SunPower
- Our pick for prepaid energy: Sunlux
- Our pick for quick installation: Sunrun
- Our pick for customer service: Elevation Solar
- Our pick for panel design: Tesla Energy
- Our pick for community impact: Palmetto
- Our recommendations are based on what reviewers say.
- 4,210,830 reviews on ConsumerAffairs are verified.
- We require contact information to ensure our reviewers are real.
- We use intelligent software that helps us maintain the integrity of reviews.
- Our moderators read all reviews to verify quality and helpfulness.
 SunPower |  Sunlux |  Sunrun |  Elevation Solar |  Tesla Energy |  Palmetto Solar | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.2 | 4.5 | 3.6 | 4.5 | 3.6 | 0.0 |
| # of reviews | 1,946 | 527 | 2,551 | 105 | 464 | 1 |
| Our pick for | Easy process | Prepaid energy | Quick installation | Customer service | Panel design | Community impact |
| Warranty type | 25-year system warranty | 25-year product and performance warranty | Varies by package | Minimum 25-year product and labor warranty | 25-year system warranty | 25-year product and performance warranty |
| Financing options | Cash, loan or lease | Cash, lease, prepay or loan | Cash, loan or lease | Not disclosed | Cash, loan or lease | Cash, loan, lease or PPA |
| Read Reviews | Read Reviews | Read Reviews | Read Reviews | Read Reviews | Read Reviews |
Compare our top 6 solar energy company picks
- CA user rating:4.2
- Financing plans available: Cash, loan or lease
- Warranty: 25-year system warranty
- Availability: Nationwide
SunPower is a solar technology provider with products available in all 50 states. It offers Maxeon solar cells and both in-house and third-party installation for ground- and roof-mounted panels. It also has low-profile and solar roofing tile options. The company or its partners determine whether you need to replace your roof before an installation, and it offers solar usage monitoring for its systems.
- What we like
- SunPower performs free, in-person consultations for those considering going solar. It also offers in-house financing and help with permitting as well as solar battery servicing and energy auditing to determine how much power you regularly use.
- What reviewers say
- Happy SunPower customers on ConsumerAffairs frequently mention the company’s helpful service staff and the ease of its processes. One homeowner from California said about their experience: “The solar company has been excellent. I’ve had a very good experience through the entire sales and installation process. They were very high on service, customer contact, problem resolution and proactiveness.”
- CA user rating:4.5
- Financing plans available: Cash, lease, prepaid and loan options
- Warranty: 25-year product and performance warranty
- Availability: Southern California and Central Texas
Sunlux is a solar installer that exclusively services Southern California and Central Texas. It has flexible financing options, including prepaid energy — with this option, you can pay one utility bill to lock in a fixed rate when you first install your solar system, and then you don’t have to pay for your solar energy over the next 25 years.
- What we like
- Sunlux offers a performance guarantee for 25 years. Once you receive permitting and Sunlux installs your system, the company will take care of submitting the information for your PTO (permission to operate) to your local utility. It will also take care of any necessary roof repairs or replacements before installing your system, whether it’s for commercial or residential use.
- What reviewers say
- Sunlux customers who rate the company highly on our site often mention clear communication and transparency. “My experience with Sunlux was different than any other quote before. There's clear disclosure with Sunlux. They explained even the equipment, which is unusual for a sales representative to go into detail about the tech specs as well as financing and potential hidden fees,” one reviewer from California said about their experience.
- CA user rating:3.6
- Financing plans available: Cash, loan and lease options
- Warranty: Varies by package
- Availability: 20 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico
Sunrun is a solar installer that operates in several states in the Southwest, Northeast and Midwest, as well as in Florida, Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C. Its Brightbox system, a solar battery storage system it calls “a holistic service that puts the power in your hands,” works with both Tesla Powerwall and LG Chem lithium-ion batteries.
- What we like
- Sunrun offers online solar consultations for interested homeowners. As of publishing, the company’s available discounts include $0 down for some financing and loan plans. It also offers cleaning and maintenance services and in-house financing, and it has options for community solar.
- What reviewers say
- People on ConsumerAffairs seem to appreciate Sunrun’s timeliness and professionalism. “They were courteous and informative about the process. And so far, they were all good. They went into full detail about how they would go about checking the roof out and installing, about whether I would have problems with the roof or about leaks, and how the process went forth with them installing everything on the roof,” said one Sunrun reviewer from California.
They continued: “Angelo told me that acquiring the permit would take until December or maybe even January, but they came out a couple of weeks ago and it's already up and done. They got there 8:00 in the morning, and they said it would probably take them until 2:00, but they were finished by 12:00.”
- CA user rating:4.5
- Financing plans available: Not disclosed
- Warranty: Minimum 25-year product and labor warranties
- Availability: California, Nevada, Arizona and Texas
Elevation Solar is a solar installer that services four states in the Southwest. It offers low-profile panels and solar panel roofing tiles, and the company provides solar panel repair and maintenance as well as battery services. Its systems use either Tesla Powerwall or Generac PWRcell batteries.
- What we like
- With Elevation’s roof-mounted panels, you can monitor your energy usage with the Curb monitoring app. Elevation also offers a free consultation, and it completes every step of the process in-house, including both installation and follow-up customer service.
- What reviewers say
- Reviewers on our site who were pleased with their experience with Elevation Solar often mention the kind and helpful staff. “We have had our solar about 2 years and electricity bill is down 85%. Elevation did the job on time, no surprises. They helped us get approval for more panels. The workers were polite, cleaned up and careful of our property. I highly recommend them,” a reviewer from Nevada said about their experience.
- CA user rating:3.6
- Financing plans available: Cash, loan and lease options
- Warranty: 25-year system warranty
- Availability: California, Arizona, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New Mexico
Tesla manufactures its own panels, and its Powerwall backup allows you to store solar energy and save it for later. Its panels are made of sleek black anodized aluminum and have a 25-year performance guarantee. You can have Tesla solar panels installed in the ground or on your roof, and the company can help you find any solar incentives you qualify for.
- What we like
- Tesla has a price-match guarantee for its solar panels, and it offers virtual and in-person consultations to determine solar eligibility and need. You can monitor your energy usage on your mobile device, and the company offers options for community solar and low-profile solar panels.
- What reviewers say
- Happy customers on ConsumerAffairs praise Tesla for its communication and smooth processes. “The Tesla installation process was amazing. The onboarding process explaining how the system worked was great. The electrician explained [everything] very well. We are very happy customers. We will be referring Tesla energy to all of our friends and colleagues,” said one reviewer from California.
- CA user rating:Not enough reviews
- Financing plans available: Cash, loan, lease and PPA options
- Warranty: 25-year product and performance warranty
- Availability: 23 states
Palmetto offers rooftop and ground-mounted installations of Q-Cell solar panels, and it can help you find solar incentives you qualify for in your area. It can also identify and initiate any minor roof repairs and replacement you need to go solar. Like the other picks on our list, Palmetto offers low-profile panels and solar panel roofing tiles.
- What we like
- Palmetto provides both in-person and virtual solar consultations. Its “Get Solar, Give Solar” program, an initiative to provide clean energy to underserved communities, was launched in 2021. The company has pledged $5 million to invest in Solar Sister, a woman-owned entrepreneur program dedicated to making solar energy more accessible.
- What reviewers say
- There are no Palmetto reviews on ConsumerAffairs as of publishing.
Read reviews of solar energy companies | ||||||
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| Specializes in systems with Maxeon technology and SunVault Storage. Lease, loan and purchase options. Online design studio lets you see what a system looks like on your roof. Includes 25-year warranty. Available across the U.S. | | Get Started Call Center Open (855) 463-9212 | |||
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| Sells panels, inverters and batteries. Includes monitoring, full-service installation and 25-year warranty on parts, labor and repairs. Offers purchase, finance, lease and energy prepay options. Available in California and Texas. | | Get Started | |||
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| Combines solar panels with Brightbox battery service to provide energy and storage. Pay in full or make monthly payments. Includes monitoring and lifetime warranty. Available in several states across the country. | | Get Started Call Center Open (844) 321-6938 | |||
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| End-to-end solar services in Texas, Colorado and Florida. Residential and commercial properties. Includes 25-year warranty. SunPower Master Dealer. Certified Tesla Powerwall installation. 24/7 performance monitoring. |  | Get Started Call Center Open (866) 399-4391 | |||
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| Offers smart-home solutions for residential customers in partnership with Freedom Forever. Purchase includes a free home security system. Three types of financing available. 25-year production guarantee. |  | ||||
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| Provides solar power systems, energy storage, energy efficiency and smart management technology. Offers free consultations and quotes. Warranties range 10 to 20 years. Available in Arizona, California, Florida, Nevada and Texas. | | ||||
Partners with Solaria, Panasonic, LG, S-Energy and Hanwha for solar panels. Inverters from Generac, SMA and others. Smart energy monitoring. Financing available; no leases. Up to 25-year component warranty. Serves 19 states. Out Of Business |  | Chat with a ConsumerAffairs decision guide Live agent | ||||
Specializes in residential and commercial solar roofing services. Full-service provider for solar panel design and installation. Available throughout the Midwest, South and East. Out Of Business |  | Chat with a ConsumerAffairs decision guide Live agent | ||||
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| Solar energy solutions. Offers solar energy kits, DIY solar kits and lithium batteries. Small- and large-scale equipment. Online purchasing with shipping to 48 states. Partner installer network. Financing and warranty available. |  | ||||
Specializes in residential and commercial solar systems with monitoring. Offers rooftop and ground-mounted systems. Purchase, lease, loan and PPA options. Available in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. |  | Chat with a ConsumerAffairs decision guide Live agent | ||||
Should I go solar?
Going solar isn’t for everyone, but it can benefit large portions of the population. When you’re purchasing a solar energy system, the most important qualifying factor is homeownership. If you’re a homeowner, you can evaluate your candidacy by talking directly with solar panel installation companies and doing some basic research on your property and your state’s laws, limitations and incentives.
» READ MORE: Are solar panels worth it?
Is my house a good candidate for solar?
If you’re trying to determine whether your house is a good candidate for solar, you can look into these three components on your own before contacting a solar company:
- Your electricity usage
- Your home's sun exposure
- Your roof's size, orientation and condition
How much electricity you use is a huge factor in going solar. If your home is already energy efficient, a solar energy system may not make sense over the long term. Your property also needs to get enough sun, and you need enough roof space for the panels to be installed effectively.
The condition of your roof also matters; solar panels can last for 25 years or more, so they’re best on a roof that won’t need replacing midway through the energy system’s life.
» READ MORE: 7 steps to going solar
Pros and cons of going solar
With several individual factors at play, the benefits of going solar vary on a case-by-case basis. In general, however, the pros and cons remain true for most installations
Pros
- Reduced electricity bills
- Increased property value
- Lower carbon footprint
- Possibility of operating off-grid
- Long product life and warranty periods
Cons
- Large investment costs
- Not a one-size-fits-all solution
- Some aesthetic concerns
- Possibility of bad contract or installation
The primary benefit of going solar is the reduced cost of electricity. Most homeowners see significant financial benefits when they switch from utility-powered electricity to solar energy. Homes with solar also attract both environmentally and financially conscious buyers, so they tend to sell faster and for more money than others.
In terms of solar energy disadvantages, most can be avoided by working with a reputable company. While shoddy installations and bad financing rates can cause a drop in solar panel value, most professionally installed systems experience few issues and pay for themselves before long.
» Still deciding? READ MORE: Solar energy pros and cons
FAQ
How does solar energy work?
In simple terms, modern solar energy systems work by harnessing the power of the sun and converting it into usable electricity. With solar panels interconnected to the utility grid, homeowners in areas with net metering programs can get credit for excess electricity production on monthly bills.
How much does a solar installation cost?
The total price of a solar system can vary quite a bit based on system size and local availability, but most homeowners in the U.S. can expect to pay between $14,000 and $18,000 for an average 6-kW system. While this may seem like a lot of money, you have to consider the price of solar versus the cost of utility electricity. In most cases, the cost of solar panels will be lower than that of utility energy over an extended period of time.
How does the federal solar tax credit work?
The federal solar investment tax credit (ITC) can reduce your total solar installation costs by up to 30%. Applied against your federal income tax liability, the solar ITC represents a dollar-for-dollar reduction in avoided tax payments. For example, if your solar energy system costs $18,000, you may be eligible for a federal income tax credit of up to $5,400.
How many solar panels do I need?
The number of solar panels you need for your installation depends on the amount of electricity you’re hoping to produce and the type of panels you use. A typical American home requires about 19 solar panels to match its energy consumption, but many homeowners choose to size up their systems for protection against increased electricity use on the property.
Methodology
To choose our top picks for solar energy companies, we started with 24 popular providers (including those not yet featured on our site). We compared several key features, including:
- Financing options: All our top picks provide at least one alternative to outright purchase — this may include options for solar loans, solar leases or solar PPAs.
- Range of services: We prioritized companies that offer a broad range of services, including permitting and incentives help, energy auditing, usage monitoring, cleaning and maintenance.
- Availability: Although many solar companies are regionally focused, we made sure to include options in our top picks that service a broader area.
Among the top picks that have reviews on our site as of publishing, all have an average CA user rating of at least 3.6 stars out of 5.
- Article sources
- ConsumerAffairs writers primarily rely on government data, industry experts, and original research from other reputable publications to inform their work. To learn more about the content on our site, visit our FAQ page. Specific sources for this article include:
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory, “H1 2021 Solar Industry Update.” Accessed Dec. 5, 2022.
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Read reviews of solar energy companies | ||||||
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Provides renewable energy and energy-efficient financing solutions to property owners. EmpowerLoans and PACE financing available. No lease or PPA options. Sells and installs solar power systems through affiliated partners. |  | Chat with a ConsumerAffairs decision guide Live agent | ||||
Specializes in solar panel sales, installation and net metering. Partners with financing companies to offer loans and PPAs. Guarantees systems for 25 years. Available in select states in the Western, Eastern and Northeastern U.S. |  | Chat with a ConsumerAffairs decision guide Live agent | ||||
Designs and installs solar systems in 11 states. Offers a choice of several solar panel brands. Provides free quotes, multiple financing options and tax incentives. Includes warranties on workmanship and solar panels. |  | Chat with a ConsumerAffairs decision guide Live agent | ||||
Offers solar energy options for homes and businesses. Provides multiple energy storage options and monitoring. Purchase, lease and PPA options. Available in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Jersey. |  | Chat with a ConsumerAffairs decision guide Live agent | ||||
Low-profile design with no visible hardware. One of the country’s largest solar installers. Easy-to-use app to customize settings. Offers in-house financing options. Price-match guarantee. | | Chat with a ConsumerAffairs decision guide Live agent | ||||
Offers solar energy systems for $0 down. Offers 18 months of free solar power. Handles design, permits and installation. Includes a 25-year manufacturer warranty. Available in select states across the country. |  | Chat with a ConsumerAffairs decision guide Live agent | ||||
Provides complete solar service, from design to permits to installation. Installation in as little as one day. NABCEP- and BPI-certified. Partners with local nonprofits. Available in parts of the Northeast. |  | Chat with a ConsumerAffairs decision guide Live agent | ||||
Provides grid-tied solar panel systems with online monitoring. Comes with a 25-year guarantee on power production, labor and certain parts. Offers free quotes. Available in 21 states, with more coming soon. |  | Chat with a ConsumerAffairs decision guide Live agent | ||||
Provides solar panels, add-on Tesla Powerwall batteries and roofing replacements. Warranty coverage available. Financing and $0 upfront cost options. Free quotes. Available in 29 states plus other territories. |  | Chat with a ConsumerAffairs decision guide Live agent | ||||
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| Specializes in solar panels and roofing solutions. Online estimate. Installs solar panels, batteries and EV charging stations. Shingle, flat and tile roofing services. 3D home visualizer. 40-year workmanship warranty. |  | Learn More | |||
Provides free solar energy educational resources. Helps homeowners compare quotes and find local solar installers. Partners with Go Solar California, Massachusetts Clean Energy Center and Environment America. |  | Chat with a ConsumerAffairs decision guide Live agent | ||||
Liaison between homeowners and solar energy installers. Concierge-style service. Estimates based on customized solar layouts. Helps customers explore finance options. Offers solar loans. | | Chat with a ConsumerAffairs decision guide Live agent | ||||
Partners with manufacturers like LG, Panasonic, Tesla, Enphase and Unirac for solar equipment. Offers financing and leasing options. Systems come with a comprehensive 25-year warranty. Available in California. |  | Chat with a ConsumerAffairs decision guide Live agent | ||||
Solar panel marketplace. Partners with providers to file the paperwork and complete your install. No online information on types of panels available. Quotes list available tax credits, incentives and rebates. |  | Chat with a ConsumerAffairs decision guide Live agent | ||||
Partnered with Palmetto. Assigns a trained advisor to help. Loans possible with 0% down. 25-year warranty on solar panels. Sister company is Rocket Loans. Educational resources and savings calculators available. |  | Chat with a ConsumerAffairs decision guide Live agent | ||||
Offers solar panel installation, maintenance and repairs. 25-year warranty. 24/7 usage monitoring. Also provides battery backup, roofing, and heating and air conditioning services. Based in California. |  | Chat with a ConsumerAffairs decision guide Live agent | ||||
Information in this guide is general in nature and is intended for informational purposes only; it is not legal, health, investment or tax advice. ConsumerAffairs.com makes no representation as to the accuracy of the information provided and assumes no liability for any damages or loss arising from its use.
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