Our top rated solar companies are SunPower, Palmetto and Sunrun. Get a quote on your solar installation today.
Updated:
Apr 10, 2024
Written By:
Faith Wakefield
Faith Wakefield
Edited By:
Tori Addison
Tori Addison
Reviewed By:
Karsten Neumeister
Karsten Neumeister
Retail Energy Advancement League
If you want to make the switch to solar energy, some of our top recommendations for the best solar companies are SunPower, Palmetto and Sunrun. However, every provider in this guide to the best solar companies offers a unique experience, and 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+ | GET QUOTE | ||
| $20,000–$25,000 | A+ | GET QUOTE | ||
| $20,000–$25,000 | A- | GET QUOTE | ||
| $20,000–$25,000 | A+ | GET QUOTE | ||
| $25,000–$27,500 | A+ | GET QUOTE | ||
| $20,000–$22,500 | A | GET QUOTE | ||
| $25,000–$30,000 | A+ | GET QUOTE |
| Company | BBB Rating | Star Rating | Cost of an 8 kW System* | Visit Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A+ | $24,000–$36,000 | GET QUOTE | ||
| A+ | $20,000–$25,000 | GET QUOTE | ||
| A- | $20,000–$25,000 | GET QUOTE | ||
| A+ | $20,000–$25,000 | GET QUOTE | ||
| A+ | $25,000–$27,500 | GET QUOTE | ||
| A | $20,000–$22,500 | GET QUOTE | ||
| A+ | $25,000–$30,000 | GET QUOTE |
The Top 8 Solar 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
- Sunrun: Our top pick for leasing options
- Momentum Solar: Our pick for solar system customization
- Solar Energy World: Our pick for sustainability initiatives
- Blue Raven Solar: Our pick for financing
- Freedom Solar: Our pick for off-grid systems
- Tesla Energy: Our pick for panel design
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
Sunrun Solar
Our pick for leasing options
System Cost $20,000–$25,000
Warranty 12 and 30 years
Momentum Solar
Our pick for easy integration
System Cost $20,000–$25,000
Warranty 20 and 25 years
Solar Energy World
Our pick for long-term warranty coverage
System Cost $25,000–$27,500
Warranty 30 years
Blue Raven Solar
Our pick for financing
System Cost $20,000–$22,500
Warranty 10 and 25 years
Freedom Solar
Our pick for off-grid systems
System Cost $25,000–$30,000
Warranty 25 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 | Bakersfield | Chicago | Dallas | Washington D.C. | Denver | Honolulu | Houston | Las Vegas | Los Angeles | Sacramento | San Diego | San Francisco | Tucson
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.
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, financing, 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.
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.
Horowitz warns customers: “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.
