Best Solar Energy Companies of 2023

SunPower was awarded the Cradle to Cradle Certification for sustainable manufacturing processes in 2014 and 2016, and its Maxeon (DC) solar panels won the inaugural PV Magazine Sustainability Award in 2019.

Also, even though the company is available nationwide, dealers may provide different service levels in different states. For example, "Master Dealers" (those vetted by the most stringent installation, training and customer satisfaction criteria) aren't available in all areas.

“SunPower has exceeded my expectations in quality and customer service for the last year,” a ConsumerAffairs reviewer in California said, adding, “SunPower is consistently one of the top providers for good reason.”

When an issue does come up, the company usually does what it can do to fix it, as another reviewer described: “My experience when I enrolled was extremely positive. I like the communication, the professionalism and the work ethics of the crew that came out to the house. The only thing was there's a turn-off switch that is on the street. … They came back out and fixed it for no charge.”

A reviewer in Connecticut highlighted SunPower’s “awesome” app: “I check it all the time. I can predict my electric bill from that app because it tracks all my power in and out. So I can just look at that to know how we're doing.” Their only issue was it’s been difficult to add more panels after the initial installation was complete.

» READ MORE: SunPower reviews

Overall, its focus on high-quality products, comprehensive services, flexible financing options and exceptional customer service sets it apart from other solar companies in California and Texas.

Because of its limited availability, it won’t be a good fit for you unless you live in Southern California or Central Texas.

Other customers highlight the company’s clear communication and transparency.

“I've been in sales long enough to know when somebody's telling me a lie and somebody's not telling me the whole truth,” another reviewer in California said recently. But Sunlux's integrity was what I wanted. Communication is everything to me and they've been very communicative.”

One customer said they were frustrated by the credit approval process and the fact they needed a new roof to support the panels, but “that aside, all the people were super nice.” A few others we talked to were annoyed by supply chain delays (a common theme in many solar company reviews).

» READ MORE: Sunlux reviews

“Elevation Solar had the cheapest quote that I got,” another in California said. “The only thing about the part was it took a little longer than expected. But other than that, it went nice. Everything worked as it should.”

A customer in Arizona told us they “LOVE the Curb monitoring app, it’s super cool! It shows me all the power/usage/data/etc. I can even see how much energy my pool pump is using vs the AC unit so that’s fun to play around with. Biggest benefit is my power bill has been cut in half.”

» READ MORE: Elevation reviews

Keep in mind it can be difficult (and sometimes impossible) to add more panels after purchase, so make sure that you take advantage of the consultation to explain exactly what you need. Additionally, the process from consultation to installation can be somewhat lengthy.

However, some people mentioned having trouble with the app or Powerwall after the installation was complete. “The price that Tesla offered was great and the installation went smoothly, everything else has been a nightmare,” a customer in Rhode Island told us, noting there were multiple delays and a lack of communication during the initial design phase.

» READ MORE: Tesla Energy reviews

However, another reviewer in Georgia seems annoyed with their financing deal: “The amount I could ‘save’ was an exaggeration to say the least, between my electric bill now, and my solar panel payment, I am losing $80 a month. … I simply want my money back and these things off my house.”

(In general, solar panel companies don’t offer money-back guarantees or free solar panel removal if you change your mind.)

» READ MORE: Palmetto Solar reviews

Others have issues with customer service.

“Sunrun needs to tighten up their act a little bit when it comes to their people in customer service,” according to one reviewer. “Other than that, the installation went smoothly and there were no problems. They did the panels in one day then they had to come back and tie up some loose ends with the box,” the reviewer said.

» READ MORE: Sunrun reviews

“The reality is that solar installation is a service, not a product,” said Luke Cove, managing director of Lightning Energy, an Australian solar energy company. “It really does matter who you get it from. The company you buy solar from is everything, not the products.”

Start by doing some research on the company's ratings and check for any complaints filed against it. When reading solar company reviews, look for indications that a company is responsive to questions and concerns and provides good communication throughout the installation process.

» LEARN MORE: Solar panel installation guide

• Monocrystalline panels: Use cells made from a single silicon crystal. They are highly effective and the most expensive.
• Polycrystalline panels: Use cells made from multiple silicon crystals. They are slightly less efficient but can still produce a significant amount of electricity.
• Thin-film panels: Made by depositing layers of photovoltaic (PV) material onto a substrate, such as glass or metal. They are the least expensive and also the least efficient.

Monocrystalline and polycrystalline panels are the most common types of solar panels for residential and commercial installations. There are pros and cons to each — compare monocrystalline vs. polycrystalline solar panels for more information.

» COMPARE: Best solar panels

Additional hardware: In addition to solar panels, you need several other pieces of hardware, including wiring that connects the panels to the inverter and the wiring that connects the inverter to your home's electrical system. You may also choose to install a battery to store power for at night or in poor weather.

• Solar inverter: This is a device that converts the direct current (DC) electricity produced by the solar panels into alternating current (AC) electricity that can be used to power your home or business.

  It’s not worth it to skimp on the inverter: “A cheaper inverter might be covered under warranty but it could take up to three months to get it replaced, if that happens over summer then you would lose hundreds — potentially thousands — of dollars,” Cove said.

• Mounting system: This is what attaches the solar panels to your roof or another location on your property. The mounting system needs to be sturdy and weather-resistant.
• Optional storage options: If you want to store the energy produced by your solar panels for use later, you need to install solar batteries. This is especially useful if you live in an area with frequent power outages or if you want to use solar energy when the sun is not shining. If you get a battery, you’ll also need a charge controller. Solar generators are another option to get a sustainable source of backup electricity.

According to Cove it’s often worth it to pay a little more in exchange for skilled labor, installation quality and customer service. Otherwise, you risk ending up with an underperforming system, leaky roof or equipment, with the company not willing to help — “or worse, gone bankrupt from selling too cheap; that happens all the time in the solar industry.”

It’s a significant investment, but you don’t have to pay everything upfront and out of pocket. People often finance or lease solar panels, and many companies offer power purchase agreements (PPAs).

• Loan: Solar loans work a lot like other types of loans, so pay attention to the interest rate — a bad financing deal will really throw a kink into your overall cost-benefit.
• Lease or PPA: Both are ways to trade ownership of the system for upfront savings, but there are several differences.

» EXPLORE: Best solar financing companies

• Monitoring service: This lets you track the performance of your solar energy system and monitor the amount of energy it's producing.

  A good monitoring service will make everyday life more convenient. For example, a solar customer in California without reliable monitoring has to “go outside every single day right before sunset and write down all the numbers off of both of the inverters and the hardware that sends it off to the city.”

• Warranty or guarantee: Look for solar panel manufacturers with a good reputation and a history of standing by their products. Panels typically come with a warranty covering the panel's performance and materials. A good warranty should cover at least 25 years.

1. EnergySage, “How much do solar panels cost in 2023?” Accessed April 20, 2023.
2. Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, “Berkeley Lab Illuminates Price Premiums for U.S. Solar Home Sales.” Accessed April 20, 2023.
3. Solar Energy Industries Association, “COVID-19 Impacts on the U.S. Solar Industry.” Accessed April 20, 2023.