Best Solar Companies of 2023

SunPower specializes in designing, installing and maintaining panel systems for residential, commercial and industrial applications. You can choose between front- or back-contact panels with low-profile and solar roofing tile options. The company's Maxeon 5 series solar panels, known for durability, reliability and efficiency, are built on a solid copper foundation.

SunPower also offers solar battery servicing and energy auditing to help you see how your power usage changes over time. After installation, SunPower offers monitoring and maintenance services to maximize your solar system’s efficiency and, if necessary, diagnose any issues.

SunPower is a great option if you're not a solar expert. The company's team takes care of everything: evaluating your energy needs, customizing your system, helping you with permits and coordinating the installation.

We also like that 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.

"When it rains, it doesn't produce as much, but it produces enough for the house," Robert in California told us. "So, I'm happy with SunPower and I recommended them. It's a bit pricey but it's worth it."

As Robert and others pointed out, SunPower isn't the cheapest option — upfront costs tend to be a little higher than other companies. After all, you get what you pay for.

"They are not the least expensive panels, by a long shot, but there is no better 'bang for your buck' brand out there when it comes to efficiency and quality," according to Jeff in California.

"Based on my research, SunPower's panels seem to stand up longer and don't degrade as much," according to ConsumerAffairs reviewer Michele in California.

Another SunPower customer, Jorge in California, told us, "SunPower is consistently one of the top providers for good reason." Jorge and other satisfied SunPower customers have frequently told us about SunPower's helpful staff, easy installation process and immediate savings.

"I got 14 panels, and setting them up took a week," Abell in Texas said. "The system covers my monthly and also sends some power back to the grid. I get paid for that by my electricity provider too. They have an app through which you can monitor the production of your system."

Douglas in Connecticut also 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."

Similarly, Gary in Connecticut is “absolutely hooked on watching the Sunpower app and seeing how much power we are generating and saving on electricity. Have numerous friends and neighbors with solar and they are jealous of the app. Friends without solar are jealous that we no longer have a monthly electric bill.”

"The way that they sold the system was as turnkey, which was exactly that," Cesar in Pflugerville told us. "They did all of the permits and they hooked everything up. They gave me [an] explanation of everything that they did every time they were here. So it was very straightforward."

If an issue comes up, the company does what it can to fix it, according to Christina in California. "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," Christina said. "They came back out and fixed it for no charge."

Sunlux is a Tesla-certified installer, so you get sleek panels plus ongoing customer support. The company can also take care of any necessary roof repairs or replacements before installing your system, whether for commercial or residential use, for an additional charge.

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

Sunlux has flexible financing options, including prepaid energy. With this option, you pay for your home's energy before you use it. When your balance reaches zero, you can either recharge or add more funds to the account.

Once you receive permitting and Sunlux installs your system, the company takes care of submitting the permission to operate (PTO) to your local utility.

Sunlux may not be ideal for small installations. Some customers have had to replace their roof because of the weight of the panels, which can get pricey.

Kim in California 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).

"Sunlux was able to give me a better plan, and their design was better too," James in California told us.

Genario in California also highlighted the price: "They were very competitive. What I really liked is they did not pressure me. I took my time. I thought about it." Genario also likes that Sunlux is "not a broker. So, right there, you're saving $15,000 for that."

Donald in Victorville highlighted the cost benefits: "Sunlux's price was competitive and it was in line with the other people that I had talked to, so I went with them." Donald chose the prepaid lease, "which means I don't have any monthly payments."

Other customers told us about 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," Bill in California said. "But Sunlux's integrity was what I wanted. Communication is everything to me, and they've been very communicative."

Daniel in California told us he "spoke to other companies. They were somewhat pushy. But with Sunlux, it was nothing like that. I asked for a quote. They gave me a quote and left me alone. The gentleman that gave me the quote showed me how extensive their installation process is to prevent roof leaks. That was another selling point."

Elevation specializes in low-profile panels and solar panel roofing tiles. Its systems incorporate high-quality solar panels and either Tesla Powerwall or Generac PWRcell batteries. It earned the ENERGY STAR Award for three years in a row, from 2019 to 2021.

We like that Elevation's in-house team completes the installation and provides ongoing support if you run into any issues. Some companies use third-party contractors for installation work.

You can monitor your energy usage with the Curb monitoring app. Curb connects to your home's electrical system to give you real-time data about your energy usage. The app also lets you remotely turn your smart devices on and off to stop waste and maximize efficiency.

Customers occasionally experience installation delays due to equipment upgrades, local permitting and supply chain issues. Additionally, the company only offers solar panel services in the Southwest.

"Elevation installed the highest quality panels available," Janet in California told us. "The process from start to finish was about 6 months, which is fast in California. They were attentive and helpful all the way. My system is working at 100%."

Amy in California was also impressed by the customer service: "I can't believe how helpful these people were. It made the experience super stress free."

Others who were pleased with their experience with Elevation Solar mentioned reasonable prices and the Curb app.

"Elevation Solar had the cheapest quote that I got," Ravi 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."

Kevin 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."

Tesla Energy rolled out more efficient and powerful solar roof tiles a few years ago. The company also offers options for community solar and low-profile solar panels and has a price-match guarantee.

You can schedule virtual or in-person consultations to determine your needs, and a rep helps you find any solar incentives you qualify for. After installation, the Tesla app lets you monitor your energy usage.

We like that Tesla manufactures its own panels — made of sleek black anodized aluminum — that you can have installed in the ground or on your roof. We also like the company's Powerwall backup battery, which lets you store solar energy to use later.

Some reviewers 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," Timothy in Rhode Island told us. He also noted multiple delays and a lack of communication during the initial design phase.

Additionally, it might 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.

Jane in Delaware went with Tesla because she wanted both solar panels and solar batteries, and she liked the price. "Now that the system is up and running, I love the ease of seeing how everything is going on a certain day through their easily understood app," she said.

"Throughout the entire permit process, I was kept well-informed, and both the installation and electrician teams were excellent and helpful," Mark in Utah told us. "Now, I am excited to watch the app in action and experience the power of the sun energizing my home and car."

"The lead technician provided me with a good introduction to the app on the phone and some critical parts of the solar/powerwall system," Aziz in Orlando told us. "My system has been generating enough energy as it was designed, my power bill is near zero."

Motman in Texas recommends Tesla for everything solar: "This entire process was extremely simple and we are in [our] early 60s. The Tesla app lets us monitor everything from the palm of your hand. Already saving/offsetting our energy cost."

Palmetto Solar has had the mission of "flipping the traditional solar industry model on its head" since 2015. The company developed software to calculate your monthly savings instantly, and its decentralized network of solar sellers and installers gives you quick access to service and support. In-house project management and active system monitoring also set Palmetto apart.

Palmetto identifies and initiates any minor roof repairs and replacements you need to go solar, and the company's representatives help you find incentives you qualify for in your area. Like the other picks on our list, Palmetto offers low-profile panels and solar panel roofing tiles, and you can get started with an in-person or virtual consultation.

We also like its "Get Solar, Give Solar" program, an initiative the company launched in 2021 to provide clean energy to underserved communities. Palmetto has pledged $5 million to invest in Solar Sister, a woman-owned entrepreneur program dedicated to making solar energy more accessible.

Palmetto is a relatively new solar company with limited availability. You're also required to submit an initial reservation order for a residential solar installation and pay a $99 refundable deposit.

Cory in Georgia seemed 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.)

Happy customers highlight good deals and helpful reps. "They're honest and informative," James in Massachusetts told us. "The quote was almost $3,000 less than the other two we received. So, we went with Palmetto."

Yuli in California also appreciated the Palmetto's sales rep: "He is not sales-y at all … he is very knowledgeable in all aspects of solar, credits, tax benefits, roof fixes, net metering, panels and battery."

Sunrun is a residential solar panel company that designs, installs, finances, monitors, maintains and insures its systems.

Navigant Research ranked Sunrun as the world's leading solar-plus-storage vendor in 2018. 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.

Sunrun customizes home systems based on your energy usage history, roof space and design preferences. The company uses an automated site modeling tool that profiles roof characteristics like shading, pitch and sun exposure.

Unlike some of its competitors, Sunrun contracts have a roof warranty that covers leaks and holes. The company also has options for community solar. As of publishing, the company's available discounts include $0 down for some financing and loan plans.

Some recent reviewers have told us it's hard to get in touch with customer service if there's a problem after installation.

"Sunrun needs to tighten up their act a little bit when it comes to their people in customer service," according to Sheryl in California. "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," she said.

"The process with Sunrun went perfectly. The installation was very quick. It took shorter than we were expecting," Reykhan in Colorado told us, adding that their monthly bill went down from $150 to $90.

Pamela in New Jersey is leasing solar panels through Sunrun: "It's been a win-win for us. Our bills are $5 or $6 a month, and there have been months where we had credits, so we had no bills. Usually, one month in the winter, we will have what I consider a normal bill."

Another verified customer, Christopher in California, highlighted the financial benefits since going solar with Sunrun: "Before, my electricity bill was $600 a month. And this was in winter. But now, if I pay anything, it's 20 bucks. And I'm running the AC all the time. We're an all-electric house, so going solar has made a huge impact."

Others appreciate Sunrun's efficiency and coordination. "For the original installation, we needed to get a roof as well," Mark in California said. "So, part of Sunrun that I also liked was they had a roofing company attached to them when they took over. I liked the idea that you have one place where you could hold someone accountable and responsible."