1.97 505 Reviews
Latest review
Joel,
5 days ago
Before getting Solar I talked with many companies and got numerous quotes but none were as low as Tesla. With that said, Tesla also had a massive amount of bad reviews so I had to take that into consideration. I spoke with the rep, Shaun, several times about getting Solar before I decided to do it. He was amazing and assured me Tesla had made many changes to better the experience and he was right. The entire process was great and although it has only been up and running for a week, I can see each day how much I am saving. Highly recommend going Solar with Tesla!
Read more
Average cost (5kW system)
$10,000 ($2.00 per watt)
Latest review
Joel, 5 days ago
Before getting Solar I talked with many companies and got numerous quotes but none were as low as Tesla. With that said, Tesla also had a massive amount of bad reviews so I had to take that into consideration. I spoke with the rep, Shaun, several times about getting Solar before I decided to do it. He was amazing and assured me Tesla had made many changes to better the experience and he was right. The entire process was great and although it has only been up and running for a week, I can see each day how much I am saving. Highly recommend going Solar with Tesla!
4.76 906 Reviews
Latest review
Mitchell ,
over 1 month
As the title states, we picked the panel for the efficiency and warranty. I doubt we will be displeased.
Read more
Average cost (5kW system)
$19,950 ($3.99 per watt)
Latest review
Mitchell , over 1 month
As the title states, we picked the panel for the efficiency and warranty. I doubt we will be displeased.
4.84 318 Reviews
Latest review
William Hurley,
over 1 month
The Panasonic panels we had installed had better power generation than what the competition wanted to steer us towards, and a much longer warranty.
Read more
Average cost (5kW system)
$21,700 ($4.34 per watt)
Latest review
William Hurley, over 1 month
The Panasonic panels we had installed had better power generation than what the competition wanted to steer us towards, and a much longer warranty.
4.53 858 Reviews
Latest review
Richard ,
1 week ago
Although it took a while to get started, the 9 panels were laid in an inconspicuous area of our roof, the connections cleanly attached to the electrical panel (new one), and once approved, electrical costs practically disappeared. The tax advantage on last year's bill was nice too! Highly recommend Solar Consultant Mark Barrett in Los Angeles as well.
Read more
Average cost (5kW system)
$24,550 ($4.91 per watt)
Latest review
Richard , 1 week ago
Although it took a while to get started, the 9 panels were laid in an inconspicuous area of our roof, the connections cleanly attached to the electrical panel (new one), and once approved, electrical costs practically disappeared. The tax advantage on last year's bill was nice too! Highly recommend Solar Consultant Mark Barrett in Los Angeles as well.
1.78 225 Reviews
Latest review
Dan Martin,
3 days ago
A panel has been down and out for over 3 months and Sunrun has not fixed it, nor even returned a phone call or email, despite now being up to 6 emails and phone calls. I do receive the automated responses saying they have received my message and will respond soon. Ha! My next communication to Sunrun will be from my attorney. Sunrun away from this terrible company.
Read more
Average cost (5kW system)
$16,750 ($3.35 per watt)
Latest review
Dan Martin, 3 days ago
A panel has been down and out for over 3 months and Sunrun has not fixed it, nor even returned a phone call or email, despite now being up to 6 emails and phone calls. I do receive the automated responses saying they have received my message and will respond soon. Ha! My next communication to Sunrun will be from my attorney. Sunrun away from this terrible company.
2.71 593 Reviews
Latest review
karena,
2 days ago
Vivint Solar (also called SunRun) is a company that will woo you into thinking they are customer-oriented, responsive, and helpful. Their sales-team is on the ball, ready to get you to sign their contract. When they talk you through the contract, it looks like a win-win situation. This is what they tout: "No up front cost! You pay less per kwh than your local utility company! It's a win-win for the environment and for your utility bill!" I was so ready to do my part for the fight against climate change and start using solar energy, plus get a huge discount on my bill, but I did not read the fine print of the contract. You will sign your life away by signing this contract! Do not do it! Once you have signed their contract and the solar panels are on your roof, they forget about you. . Customer service is unreliable and unable to do anything for you. Managers are unhelpful and never call you back. They use stall tactics. Here is the reality: 1) Your utility bill does NOT go down. It goes UP. Read the fine print! You have to pay for all of the energy your solar panels PRODUCE. Not the energy that you CONSUME. So, if you live in a sunny climate, your panels are going to be constantly producing energy. You will PAY for this energy! Even if you are away on a trip, not using any energy. It's not what you consume, it's what the panels produce! 2) They say they will never place a lien on your home. Guess what? They not only placed a lien on my home, they placed TWO liens on my home! 3) You have to pay them for 20 years! And every year you will see a 2.9% increase. Which is way higher than any increase you will see from your local utility company. Eventually, you are going to be paying through the roof for leasing those solar panels from Vivint. 4) Your roof needs repairing? Forget it. This is where their customer service starts to fail miserably. You need to give them at least 30 days notice. You have to pay a fee to remove and reinstall the panels. You can never get a hold of them. Never mind if your roof is leaking. 5) If you move these are your options: a-you can transfer the system to the new homeowner, b-you can take the system with you, at your own expense and provided that your new home is located within their service territory AND where the sun exposure is not less than your current property, c-you can buy the system from them, whatever the price that they set! So, in my case, the new homeowner did not want solar panels from Vivint Solar (imagine that, they actually read the reviews). I could not take the panels with me because I was moving to a location where Vivint did not provide service, so my only option was to buy the panels. I could not get out of the contract any other way. How much do you ask? I had to buy them for $20,000!! Bottom line, don't do it!
Read more
Average cost (5kW system)
$22,350 ($4.47 per watt)
Latest review
karena, 2 days ago
Vivint Solar (also called SunRun) is a company that will woo you into thinking they are customer-oriented, responsive, and helpful. Their sales-team is on the ball, ready to get you to sign their contract. When they talk you through the contract, it looks like a win-win situation. This is what they tout: "No up front cost! You pay less per kwh than your local utility company! It's a win-win for the environment and for your utility bill!" I was so ready to do my part for the fight against climate change and start using solar energy, plus get a huge discount on my bill, but I did not read the fine print of the contract. You will sign your life away by signing this contract! Do not do it! Once you have signed their contract and the solar panels are on your roof, they forget about you. . Customer service is unreliable and unable to do anything for you. Managers are unhelpful and never call you back. They use stall tactics. Here is the reality: 1) Your utility bill does NOT go down. It goes UP. Read the fine print! You have to pay for all of the energy your solar panels PRODUCE. Not the energy that you CONSUME. So, if you live in a sunny climate, your panels are going to be constantly producing energy. You will PAY for this energy! Even if you are away on a trip, not using any energy. It's not what you consume, it's what the panels produce! 2) They say they will never place a lien on your home. Guess what? They not only placed a lien on my home, they placed TWO liens on my home! 3) You have to pay them for 20 years! And every year you will see a 2.9% increase. Which is way higher than any increase you will see from your local utility company. Eventually, you are going to be paying through the roof for leasing those solar panels from Vivint. 4) Your roof needs repairing? Forget it. This is where their customer service starts to fail miserably. You need to give them at least 30 days notice. You have to pay a fee to remove and reinstall the panels. You can never get a hold of them. Never mind if your roof is leaking. 5) If you move these are your options: a-you can transfer the system to the new homeowner, b-you can take the system with you, at your own expense and provided that your new home is located within their service territory AND where the sun exposure is not less than your current property, c-you can buy the system from them, whatever the price that they set! So, in my case, the new homeowner did not want solar panels from Vivint Solar (imagine that, they actually read the reviews). I could not take the panels with me because I was moving to a location where Vivint did not provide service, so my only option was to buy the panels. I could not get out of the contract any other way. How much do you ask? I had to buy them for $20,000!! Bottom line, don't do it!
4.60 110 Reviews
Latest review
Eric B,
over 1 month
NorthStar recommend Jinko based on their reputation and after about a month, all panels are working great.
Read more
Average cost (5kW system)
$20,400 ($4.08 per watt)
Latest review
Eric B, over 1 month
NorthStar recommend Jinko based on their reputation and after about a month, all panels are working great.
Solar panel cost calculator
Best unit price
$320.00 ($0.96 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 5.0kW system
$12,375.07
($2.46 p/w)
LG335N1K-V5 overview
Rated power
335 watts
Efficiency
19.6
Number of Cells
60
Cell type
Monocrystalline/N-type
Manufactured
KR
Best unit price
$562.50 ($1.50 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 4.9kW system
$11,789.81
($2.42 p/w)
LG375A1C-V5 overview
Rated power
375 watts
Efficiency
21.7
Number of Cells
60
Cell type
Monocrystalline/N-type
Manufactured
KR
Best unit price
$430.00 ($1.15 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 4.9kW system
$12,567.14
($2.58 p/w)
LG375Q1C-V5 overview
Rated power
375 watts
Efficiency
21.7
Number of Cells
60
Cell type
Monocrystalline/N-type
Manufactured
KR
Best unit price
$473.34 ($1.30 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 5.1kW system
$12,870.41
($2.52 p/w)
LG365Q1K-V5 overview
Rated power
365 watts
Efficiency
21.1
Number of Cells
60
Cell type
Monocrystalline/N-type
Manufactured
KR
Best unit price
$291.18 ($0.88 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 5.0kW system
$11,995.98
($2.42 p/w)
VBH330RA03K overview
Rated power
330 watts
Efficiency
19.7
Number of Cells
96
Cell type
Mono-crystalline Silicon
Manufactured
US
Best unit price
$340.00 ($1.00 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 5.1kW system
$15,300.00
($3.00 p/w)
VBHN340SA17 HIT+ overview
Rated power
340 watts
Efficiency
20.3
Number of Cells
96
Cell type
Monocrystalline/N-type
Manufactured
US
Best unit price
$432.00 ($1.31 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 5.0kW system
$12,190.19
($2.46 p/w)
VBHN330SA17E overview
Rated power
330 watts
Efficiency
19.7
Number of Cells
96
Cell type
monocrystalline
Manufactured
US
Best unit price
$297.60 ($0.89 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 5.0kW system
$13,045.96
($2.60 p/w)
VBHN335SA17 overview
Rated power
335 watts
Efficiency
20
Number of Cells
96
Cell type
monocrystalline
Manufactured
US
Best unit price
$600.00 ($1.83 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 4.9kW system
$12,346.78
($2.52 p/w)
SPR-E20-327-COM overview
Rated power
327 watts
Efficiency
20.4
Number of Cells
96
Cell type
Monocrystalline
Manufactured
US
Best unit price
$800.00 ($2.22 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 5.0kW system
$12,725.87
($2.52 p/w)
SPR-X22-360 overview
Rated power
360 watts
Efficiency
22.2
Number of Cells
96
Cell type
Monocrystalline
Manufactured
US
Best unit price
$620.00 ($1.90 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 4.9kW system
$13,209.22
($2.69 p/w)
SPR-E20-327-D-AC overview
Rated power
327 watts
Efficiency
20.4
Number of Cells
96
Cell type
Monocrystalline
Manufactured
US
Best unit price
$620.00 ($1.90 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 4.9kW system
$13,120.04
($2.67 p/w)
SPR-E20-327 overview
Rated power
327 watts
Efficiency
20.4
Number of Cells
96
Cell type
Monocrystalline
Manufactured
US
Best unit price
$240.01 ($0.60 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 4.8kW system
$10,466.46
($2.18 p/w)
CS3W-400PB-AG overview
Rated power
400 watts
Efficiency
17.9
Number of Cells
144
Cell type
polycrystalline
Manufactured
CA
Best unit price
$205.00 ($0.58 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 5.0kW system
$10,135.76
($2.04 p/w)
CS3U-355PB-AG overview
Rated power
355 watts
Efficiency
17.7
Number of Cells
144
Cell type
polycrystalline
Manufactured
CA
Best unit price
$207.90 ($0.66 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 5.0kW system
$10,652.98
($2.11 p/w)
CS3K-315MS overview
Rated power
315 watts
Efficiency
18.96
Number of Cells
120
Cell type
Mono-crystalline Silicon
Manufactured
CA
Best unit price
$247.00 ($0.75 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 5.0kW system
$10,981.66
($2.22 p/w)
CS1H-330MS BLACK overview
Rated power
330 watts
Efficiency
19.57
Number of Cells
60
Cell type
Mono-crystalline Silicon
Manufactured
CA
Best unit price
$172.00 ($0.56 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 4.9kW system
$9,732.53
($1.99 p/w)
LR6-60-HPB-305M overview
Rated power
305 watts
Efficiency
18.4
Number of Cells
120
Cell type
Mono PERC
Manufactured
CN
Best unit price
$165.00 ($0.53 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 5.0kW system
$9,929.03
($2.00 p/w)
LR6-60-HPB-310M overview
Rated power
310 watts
Efficiency
18.7
Number of Cells
120
Cell type
Mono PERC
Manufactured
CN
Best unit price
$196.11 ($0.65 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 5.1kW system
$10,118.52
($1.98 p/w)
LR6-60-HPB-300M overview
Rated power
300 watts
Efficiency
18.1
Number of Cells
120
Cell type
Mono PERC
Manufactured
CN
Best unit price
$234.00 ($0.60 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 5.1kW system
$10,300.30
($2.03 p/w)
LR6-72HBD-390M overview
Rated power
390 watts
Efficiency
19.4
Number of Cells
144
Cell type
Mono PERC
Manufactured
CN
Best inverters and optimizers
Average inverter review score: 4.17
Average inverter cost per watt: $0.14
Best unit price
$137
Best system price
Installed 5kW system
$11,565
$2.31 p/w
Table 1: IQ7PLUS-72-E-US overview
Inverter Type
Micro Inverter
Minimum Voltage
16 V
Maximum Voltage
60 V
Maximum Current
15 A
Peak Output Power
295 watts
Best unit price
$126
Best system price
Installed 5kW system
$10,943
$2.19 p/w
Table 1: IQ7-60-E-US overview
Inverter Type
Micro Inverter
Minimum Voltage
16 V
Maximum Voltage
48 V
Maximum Current
15 A
Peak Output Power
250 watts
Best unit price
$3,152
$0.13 per watt
Best system price
Installed 5kW system
$11,434
$2.29 p/w
Table 1: SYMO ADV 24.0-3 overview
Inverter Type
String Inverter
Minimum Voltage
500 V
Maximum Voltage
800 V
Maximum Current
49.5 A
Peak Output Power
24 kW
Best unit price
$3,116
$0.14 per watt
Best system price
Installed 5kW system
$11,020
$2.20 p/w
Table 1: SYMO ADV 22.7-3 overview
Inverter Type
String Inverter
Minimum Voltage
500 V
Maximum Voltage
800 V
Maximum Current
49.5 A
Peak Output Power
22.7 kW
Best system price
Installed 5kW system
$11,772
$2.35 p/w
Table 1: SPH6000TL BL-US overview
Inverter Type
Hybrid Battery Inverter
Minimum Voltage
150 V
Maximum Voltage
550 V
Maximum Current
16 A
Peak Output Power
6 kW
Best system price
Installed 5kW system
$10,938
$2.19 p/w
Table 1: SPH5000TL BL-US overview
Inverter Type
Hybrid Battery Inverter
Minimum Voltage
150 V
Maximum Voltage
550 V
Maximum Current
16 A
Peak Output Power
5 kW
Best unit price
$41
Best system price
Installed 5kW system
$11,711
$2.34 p/w
Table 1: TS4-R-S overview
Inverter Type
Power Optimizer
Minimum Voltage
16 V
Maximum Voltage
90 V
Maximum Current
15 A
Best unit price
$1,270
$0.16 per watt
Best system price
Installed 5kW system
$11,756
$2.35 p/w
Table 1: SB7.7-US-41 overview
Inverter Type
String Inverter
Minimum Voltage
100 V
Maximum Voltage
550 V
Maximum Current
18 A
Peak Output Power
7.7 kW
Top rated batteries
Average battery review score: 3.30
Average battery cost per kWh of usable storage: $1,256.63
Best unit price
$10,600
$785.19 per kWh
Table 1: POWERWALL overview
Type
Lithium-ion
Usable Energy (kWh)
13.50
Inbuilt Battery Inverter
Yes
Manufactured
US
Warranty (years)
10
Best unit price
$33,000
$2,750.00 per kWh
Table 1: ECOLINX 12 overview
Type
Lithium-ion Phosphate
Usable Energy (kWh)
12.00
Inbuilt Battery Inverter
Yes
Manufactured
US
Warranty (years)
15
Best unit price
$7,000
$714.29 per kWh
Table 1: LG CHEM RESU10H overview
Type
Lithium-ion
Usable Energy (kWh)
9.80
Inbuilt Battery Inverter
yes
Manufactured
KR
Warranty (years)
10
Best unit price
$11,360
$1,109.38 per kWh
Table 1: BATTERY-BOX H10.0 overview
Type
Lithium Iron Phosphate
Usable Energy (kWh)
10.24
Inbuilt Battery Inverter
Yes
Manufactured
CN
Warranty (years)
10
Best unit price
$1,294
$924.29 per kWh
Table 1: TR 12.8-110 LI-ION overview
Type
Deep-Cycle Lithium Iron Phosphate
Usable Energy (kWh)
1.40
Inbuilt Battery Inverter
No
Manufactured
US
Warranty (years)
8
Note: Prices for installed systems are shown after 26% federal solar tax credit. Prices for individual panels, inverters, batteries, and DIY complete system kits are shown before federal tax credit.
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How do solar panels work?
Grid-tied solar system
Solar panels are mounted on your roof and wired together in groups called solar arrays. The power they generate flows into a solar inverter, where the direct current (DC) is converted into alternating current (AC). The electricity is then either used by your home or exported to the electric grid.
Off-grid solar system
Off-grid solar power involves meeting all your energy needs from the sun; there’s no utility to fall back on. The solar installation needs to power your home not just during the day, when the sun is shining, but after dark as well. This requires many solar panels, paired with a large battery system.
Hybrid solar system
In hybrid solar systems, rooftop solar panels are connected to both a solar battery and the electric grid. This reduces your reliance on the utility while also providing backup power when needed. Battery storage is still expensive but you may be able to reduce costs by using state incentives.
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