Best Solar Companies of 2024 You Need To Know

As of 2024, living in the era of increasing demand for renewable energy options, it is evident that solar power leads in popularity. Solar energy is not just a natural alternative to fossil fuels, but also a smart investment for businesses and homeowners like you seeking solutions to reduce their energy bills and carbon footprint.

Many companies have established themselves with innovative solutions to provide high-quality solar panels and convenient financing options. Due to this, switching to solar energy is much easier. However, the only thing you need to ensure is to find the right solar financing company that meets your exact needs.

Here in this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the best solar companies of 2024, based on their services, customer satisfaction ratings, and availability across different states. Popular companies include — SunPower, Palmetto Solar, Blue Raven Solar, Sunrun, Tesla, Momentum Solar, Freedom Solar, and Elevation Solar.

Our Top picks

While deciding on a solar provider, you must consider several factors that come into play. Checking on their reputation alone is not the selection process. Before we get into various aspects of each company, look at our top picks for solar companies in 2024, where each of them excels in their respective categories.

• SunPower: Best Overall
• Palmetto Solar: Best for High-Quality Solar Equipment.
• Blue Raven Solar: Best for customer satisfaction.
• Sunrun: Best for financing
• Tesla: Best for design
• Momentum Solar: Best for a variety of solar panel options and customization
• Freedom Solar: Best for Off-Grid Systems
• Elevation Solar: Best for Whole-Home Automation

SunPower

Established in 1985, the SunPower Corporation emerged as a prominent solution in the solar energy industry. The company has developed from its initial stage, focusing on solar cells for space applications, to becoming a leading competitor. SunPower’s dedicated efforts in research and development made it a trusted name amongst homeowners and businesses.

Pros and Cons of SunPower

Pros of SunPower:

• High-efficiency rates exceeding 22%.
• Strong panel durability and sturdily constructed panel designs.
• A Long-Term warranty of 25 years.

Cons of SunPower:

• Higher initial costs for SunPower premium quality products.
• Limited availability of SunPower services.

SunPower Product Offerings, Areas of Service, and Regional Availability

Product Offered by SunPower:

SunPower provides a wide range of solar products that are specifically designed to meet your specific energy needs:

• High-efficient SunPower Solar panels with a sleek design.
• SunVault Battery Storage Systems.
• SunPower Advanced monitoring tools and energy management solutions.

Areas of SunPower Service, and its Regional Availability:

Mainly serving in the United States of America, SunPower has a dominant presence in solar-friendly states such as:

• California
• Texas
• Florida

Also, the company has extended its services to international markets, which include:

• Canada
• Australia

SunPower Pricing

SunPower solar systems pricing ranges from $15,000 to $30,000 including its complete installation. However, you might have higher upfront costs in SunPower compared to its other competitors.

Financing Options and Loan Terms offered by SunPower

SunPower makes solar energy more accessible by offering a few financing options such as:

• Cash Purchasing the full upfront allows the solar system’s immediate ownership.
• Solar Loans with flexible tenure of 5 to 20 years, with fixed monthly payments.
• Leasing Options for solar panel installation without upfront cost, and paying a monthly fee.

SunPower Warranties, Customer Service Reputation, and Official Website

Warranties

SunPower comes with a long-term warranty ranging up to 25 years and covers product performance and defects.

Customer Service Reputation

Having a solid reputation for customer service, SunPower has received praise for on-time support and knowledgeable staff.

Company Website

You can get detailed insights and valuable information by visiting SunPower’s Official Company website.

Palmetto Solar

Established in 2009, Palmetto Solar has grown to become a prominent innovator and affordable solar solution across the United States. The Palmetto company has always focused on customer satisfaction and quality workmanship, building its strong reputation in the market.

Pros and Cons of Palmetto Solar

Pros of Palmetto Solar:

• High-Quality Solar Equipment is offered by Palmetto Solar.
• Great efficiency and durability.
• Proactive monitoring services.
• Uses renewable energy.
• Transparent loan terms and various financing plans.
• Strong customer service.

Cons of Palmetto Solar:

• Regional limitations
• High upfront cost
• The complex technology of Palmetto Solar Systems

Palmetto Solar Product Offerings, Areas of Service, and Regional Availability

Product Offered by Palmetto Solar:

Palmetto Solar comes with a handful of innovations and a wide range of solar products such as:

• Solar Panels with high efficiency are built to ensure maximum energy production.
• Battery Storage optimized to store excess energy produced by Palmetto Solar panels.
• Smart Home Devices are integrated with panels to provide better energy management.

Areas of Palmetto Solar Service, and its Regional Availability:

Palmetto Solar operates mainly in:

• California
• Florida
• Texas
• South Carolina

Palmetto Solar Pricing

For a standard residential place, Palmetto Solar System pricing ranges from $15,000 to $24,000 based on size and specifications. However, prices keep varying, which can be offset with the help of tax credits and incentives.

Financing Options and Loan Terms offered by Palmetto Solar

Palmetto Solar helps customers with transparent loan terms and various financing options such as:

• Outright cash purchase with full ownership.
• Solar loans with a long-term paying tenure from 5 to 20 years.
• Leasing options where customers can harness solar energy without paying upfront costs.
• Incentives and tax credits.

Palmetto Solar Warranties, Customer Service Reputation, and Official Website

Warranties

Palmetto Solar comes with a 25-year performance warranty that covers product performance and workmanship.

Customer Service Reputation

Most of the Palmetto customers have reviewed positive feedback about their transparency and on-time support. Also, their team is very responsive and thoroughly looks after the complete installation process.

Company Website

For more Palmetto products, specifications, or its availability and purchase, you can visit the Palmetto official website.

Blue Raven Solar

Established in 2014, Blue Raven has become one of the top companies in the U.S. by expanding its team members from 3 to 3,200+ team members worldwide. Since its inception, Blue Raven achieved a 93% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) by building a profitable business. In 2021, SunPower acquired Blue Raven for $165 million.

Pros and Cons of Blue Raven

Pros of Blue Raven:

• Positive ratings from the Blue Raven customers.
• Uses solar panels from top-tier brands such as Canadian Solar, Panasonic, Trina, and several others.
• Blue Raven offers innovative financing options.

Cons of BlueRaven:

• Blue Raven services are limited only to 19 regions in the U.S.
• Cannot expect the company to offer leasing or power purchase agreements (PPAs).
• Electricity bill savings are less than the expectations compared to other competitors in the market.

Blue Raven Product Offerings, Areas of Service, and Regional Availability

Product Offered by Blue Raven:

These are the products offered by Blue Raven:

• Different types of solar panels such as Monocrystalline, Polycrystalline, and Thin Film.
• Enphase IQ7+ microinverters.
• Solar batteries from top brands such as Tesla Powerwall, Franklin Home Power, SunPower, and Enphase.

Areas of Blue Raven Service, and its Regional Availability:

These are the 19 states where Blue Raven offers its services, which include:

1. Colorado
2. Florida
3. Idaho
4. Illinois
5. Indiana
6. Kansas
7. Kentucky
8. Michigan
9. Minnesota
10. Missouri
11. Nevada
12. North Carolina
13. South Carolina
14. Ohio
15. Oregon
16. Utah
17. Virginia
18. Washington
19. Wisconsin

Blue Raven Pricing

Typically, Blue Raven solar panels cost between $3.20 and $4 per watt. The average cost of a Blue Raven solar system ranges from $9,600 — $12,000 for a 3 kW system and $28,800 to $36,000 for a 9 kW system depending upon the size.

Financing Options and Loan Terms offered by Blue Raven

To make solar energy accessible, Blue Raven offers different financing options such as:

• Cash purchase is a straightforward option as there is no loan payment involved.
• BluePower offers a fixed lower monthly payment without any prepayment penalty and offers an optional tax credit paydown.
• BluePower Plus+ is one of the innovative financing options that allows homeowners to go zero down ($0 down) solar, not paying anything for the first 18 months of the loan tenure.
• SmartStart is another financing option that offers more affordable payments for the first five years (60 months) of the loan term.

Blue Raven Warranties, Customer Service Reputation, and Official Website

Warranties

BlueRaven offers a 2-year service warranty along with a 10-year workmanship warranty to cover solar panel designing and installation faults. Whereas, the solar panels and microinverters come with a 25-year minimum warranty period.

Customer Service Reputation

Several reviews showcase appreciation for Blue Raven sales representatives’ clear communication and spending time to answer customers’ queries. With an A+ rating from the BBB (Better Business Bureau), Blue Raven has gained a reputation for its technical experience.

Company Website

To gain more information about the company or planning for any purchase, you can visit Blue Raven’s official website.

Sunrun

Co-founded by Lynn Jurich, Ed Fenster, and Nat Kreamer in 2007, Sunrun’s company is headquartered in San Francisco, California. The company allows customers to purchase solar power systems either through leases or power purchase agreements (PPAs) without upfront costs.

Pros and Cons of Sunrun

Pros of Sunrun:

• Uses top-tier solar panels.
• Various financing options are available.
• Exclusive Tesla Powerwall batteries.
• Positive impact on the environment.

Cons of Sunrun:

• Limited availability up to 20 states.
• Less warranty coverage for cash or loan payments.
• Solar leases and PPAs restrict ownership.

Sunrun Product Offerings, Areas of Service, and Regional Availability

Product Offered by Sunrun:

These are the products offered by Sunrun solar power company:

• Tesla Powerwall Batteries are a perfect choice to store excess energy during power outages or nights.
• Brightbox Solar Battery Storage is the alternative to Tesla Powerwall, with capacities between 9.8 kWh and 16 kWh.
• F-150 Lightning Charger Station Pro is mainly designed for Ford electric vehicles and acts as a backup generator for energy production.
• Enphase Solar Monitoring App helps homeowners to track real-time solar energy production and consumption.

Areas of Sunrun Service, and its Regional Availability:

Sunrun services are offered in the 20 states listed below, such as:

1. Arizona
2. California
3. Colorado
4. Connecticut
5. Florida
6. Hawaii
7. Illinois
8. Maryland
9. Massachusetts
10. Nevada
11. New Hampshire
12. New Jersey
13. Pennsylvania
14. New Mexico
15. New York
16. Rhode Island
17. South Carolina
18. Texas
19. Virginia
20. Vermont

Currently, the services are also available in states such as Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.

Sunrun Pricing

The cost of a Sunrun solar panel ranges between $2.50 and $3.12 per watt and the average cost ranges between $12,500 to $24,960 approximately based on the system size.

Financing Options and Loan Terms offered by Sunrun

These are the financing options offered by Sunrun typically for 20 years :

1. Monthly Lease programs, offered by Sunrun, lower upfront costs for its customers.
2. Outright Purchases leading to immediate ownership and maintenance of the Sunrun solar system.
3. Provides unsecured loan named “Bright Advantage” which is free of penalties and hidden charges.
4. A prepaid Solar Lease means that customers pay a one-time huge upfront payment without any monthly payments required.

Sunrun Warranties, Customer Service Reputation, and Official Website

Warranties

Sunrun offers a product warranty for 10 to 25 years. It also offers a performance guarantee, which is another type of warranty to assure that panel productivity doesn’t drop below 20% in the first 25 years.

Customer Service Reputation

Sunrun has mixed reviews from customers regarding support and installation delays. While few others praise the Sunrun product’s top-notch performance beyond their expectations.

Company Website

To gain knowledge about the company, you can visit Sunrun’s official website and fill up the form to get a personalized quote.

Tesla

Established in 2003, Tesla manufactures electric automobiles, solar panels, and batteries for home power storage and batteries. The American company was founded by the businessmen Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning. Focusing on innovation, Tesla continues to lead the EV market and renewable energy industry.

Pros and Cons of Tesla

Pros of Tesla:

• Higher efficiency Monocrystalline solar panels.
• Sells innovative products such as solar shingles and batteries.
• Competitive and Affordable price range.
• Visually appealing design.
• A cheaper option for solar panel installation compared to its competitors.

Cons of Tesla:

• Panels degrade at a faster rate.
• Issues related to customer service.
• Possibility of third-party installers to install your system.
• Less information about warranty.

Tesla Product Offerings, Areas of Service, and Regional Availability

Product Offered by Tesla:

These are the solar power products offered by Tesla:

1. Traditional PV Panels such as Monocrystalline panels have higher efficiency.
2. Solar Roofs made of tempered-glass solar tiles replace your existing traditional roof.
3. Powerwall home battery storage provides backup during power outages.
4. Tesla Monitoring App integrates with solar panels to provide real-time energy usage insights.

Areas of Tesla Service, and its Regional Availability:

As of 2024, Tesla offers services related to solar products in all 50 states in the U.S.

Tesla Pricing

Commonly, the Tesla solar power system ranges between $2.10 to $2.85 per watt, while the average cost varies from $16,000 to $23,000 without applying any tax incentives, credits, and rebates.

Financing Options and Loan Terms offered by Tesla

These are the financing options applicable for purchasing Tesla solar power systems:

1. Cash Purchase is the easiest option to gain complete ownership and become eligible for federal tax investment credit.
2. Solar Loans such as $0 down offer no financing payments for 18 months and up to 25 years to pay the system cost.
3. Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) similar to leasing don’t require any upfront costs.
4. Solar Subscription (known as renting) by Tesla installs a solar system on your roof without paying upfront, but you have to pay a monthly fee while benefiting from reduced electricity costs.

Tesla Warranties, Customer Service Reputation, and Official Website

Warranties

Tesla will provide you with a 25-year performance warranty along with a 10-year comprehensive warranty on the entire solar power system.

Customer Service Reputation

Several customers have praised Tesla solar products including the power wall for their cutting-edge design, smooth installation, and professional behavior of the representatives.

Company Website

To know additional information or plan any purchase of solar products, it is recommended to visit Tesla’s official website.

Momentum Solar

Established in 2009, Momentum Solar became one of the fastest growing companies in the U.S. by specializing in various fields such as engineering, solar power system installation, and activation that helps customers shift to renewable energy sources at reasonable prices.

Pros and Cons of Momentum Solar

Pros of Momentum Solar:

• High-quality Tier 1 panels are installed with Enphase microinverters and battery banks.
• Multiple financing options.
• Valuable guidance on how to qualify for solar tax incentives and local rebate programs.

Cons of Momentum Solar:

• Offers only a single brand of solar panels.
• Home battery system installation is done only in five states.
• Lack of information on the company’s official website about power output warranties or performance guarantees.

Momentum Solar Product Offerings, Areas of Service, and Regional Availability

Product Offered by Momentum Solar:

Here are the following products offered by Momentum Solar:

• Monocrystalline roof solar panels by top manufacturers.
• Microinverters to convert Direct Current (DC) to Alternating Current (AC).
• Enphase battery systems (including Encharge 10 battery, Encharge 3 battery, and Enpower Smart Switch) as an option to store additional energy.

Areas of Momentum Solar Service, and its Regional Availability:

These are the 12 states in the U.S. where Momentum Solar offers its services:

1. California
2. Nevada
3. Arizona
4. Texas
5. Florida
6. Georgia
7. New Jersey
8. Pennsylvania
9. New York
10. Connecticut
11. New Hampshire
12. Massachusetts

Momentum Solar Pricing

Customers might expect to pay $2.40 and $3.15 per watt, ranging from $12,500 to $24,900 based on the size of the solar system.

Financing Options and Loan Terms offered by Momentum Solar

These are the four main financing options Momentum Solar offers:

1. Upfront cash purchase to directly own the panels.
2. Loans are fixed for a monthly interest rate scheme for 5 to 20 years.
3. Leases allow using solar panels and systems without paying upfront costs for 20 to 25 years.
4. Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) is offered by Momentum Solar, where the company owns and maintains the system, for which you pay for the power generated per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for 20 to 25 years.

Momentum Solar Warranties, Customer Service Reputation, and Official Website

Warranties

Momentum Solar offers a 25-year product and workmanship warranty.

Customer Service Reputation

You can find a majority of reviews to be positive for Momentum Solar regarding excellent panel quality, customer service, and the best warranty claims. Moreover, customers have experienced a considerable amount of savings on their electricity bills.

Company Website

To learn detailed information about the company and products offered, you can visit Momentum Solar’s official website.

Freedom Solar

Freedom Solar is one such reputed company established in 2007 and completed top-quality solar panel installations for many residential and commercial customers. The company is headquartered in Austin, Texas, and expanded its operations across multiple states, refining its services and product offerings.

Pros and Cons of Freedom Solar

Pros of Freedom Solar:

• Reliable expertise and strong reputation.
• Different types of solar services are offered which include installation, maintenance, and financing options.
• Freedom-Customer priority approach.

Cons of Freedom Solar:

• Limited availability only in a few regions.
• Varying solar product prices depending on location and individual needs.

Freedom Solar Product Offerings, Areas of Service, and Regional Availability

Product Offered by Freedom Solar:

Freedom Solar comes with a handful of innovations and a wide range of solar products such as:

• High-efficient solar panels to maximize energy production.
• Smart Battery Storage solution during peak time or outages.
• Freedom’s Innovative technology integrated with its panels provides improved energy management.

Areas of Freedom Solar Service, and its Regional Availability:

Freedom Solar’s primary operating regions are:

• Texas
• Colorado
• Florida
• Virginia

Freedom Solar Pricing

Homeowners can generally expect to pay around $3.21 to $3.75 per watt of installed solar system capacity, which might range anywhere upto $30,000. And, this cost is applicable before any tax credit benefits or incentives are used.

Financing Options and Loan Terms offered by Freedom Solar

Freedom Solar provides multiple financing options and flexible loan terms, such as:

• Straightforward Cash Purchase option with system ownership.
• Flexible Solar Loan terms with manageable monthly payments.
• Leasing Options as the best alternatives for those who do not want to purchase outright.

Freedom Solar Warranties, Customer Service Reputation, and Official Website

Warranties

Freedom Solar offers a 25-Year Warranty on Solar Panels and a 10-Year Workmanship Warranty to cover quality installations.

Customer Service Reputation

The commitment to customer satisfaction is evident with high ratings and testimonials of Freedom Solar. Their customers have provided numerous positive reviews regarding support throughout the installation process.

Company Website

To further explore Solar products and offerings, you can visit the Freedom Solar official website.

Elevation Solar

Two experienced entrepreneurs founded Elevation Solar in 2015, aiming to help people reduce their energy costs through efficient solar solutions. Since its first year, Elevation Solar constantly worked on offering high-quality solar products and services for its customers.

Pros and Cons of Elevation Solar

Pros of Elevation Solar:

• Broad Range of Services including installation, maintenance, and energy generation assistance.
• Personalized support.
• Cutting-edge solar technology to improve energy production and increase savings.

Cons of Elevation Solar:

• Despite its availability in many states, it has not widely expanded its services.
• Price Variability based on location discourages buying customers.

Elevation Solar Product Offerings, Areas of Service, and Regional Availability

Product Offered by Elevation Solar:

Elevation Solar comes with a handful of innovations and a wide range of solar products such as:

• Elevation solar panels to elevate high efficiency.
• Advanced Battery Storage systems are better optimized for panels from the Elevation Solar brand.
• Smart Innovative technology from Elevation Solar for enhanced energy management.

Areas of Elevation Solar Service, and its Regional Availability:

Elevation Solar’s primary operating regions are:

1. Arizona (Originally Based)
2. Texas
3. California
4. Nevada
5. Florida

The company strives to further expand its services in many other regions in the U.S.

Elevation Solar Pricing

Before applying for the 30% federal tax credit, Elevation Solar’s pricing could range from $19,000 to $27,000 for about an 8kW solar panel system. Also, the cost might vary depending on the system size, installation complexity, and regional factors.

Financing Options and Loan Terms offered by Elevation Solar

Elevation Solar provides multiple financing options and flexible loan terms, such as:

• Standard Cash buyout option with sole ownership.
• Flexible Solar Loan terms with manageable monthly payments.
• Leasing Options without upfront costs.

Elevation Solar Warranties, Customer Service Reputation, and Official Website

Warranties

Elevation Solar offers a 25-year Product Warranty and a 10-year workmanship warranty, which allows for addressing issues at no additional cost to the customers.

Customer Service Reputation

Despite numerous positive feedbacks, Elevation Solar has some mixed reviews regarding service responsiveness. While a few customers have reported their frustration about service delays like repairs or maintenance issues. On the other hand, users have been praising their panel quality and professionalism.

Company Website

To further explore Solar products and offerings, you can visit the Elevation Solar official website.

How To Select The Right Solar Company?

Selecting the right solar company is essential for guaranteeing a successful and effective solar panel installation, which depends upon the following factors:

1. Company’s reputation and reviews
2. Certifications and Licenses from reputed organizations
3. Equipment Brand and Quality
4. Financing Options
5. Customer Support Reviews
6. Transparency and Communications