Updated 1 month ago

SolarReviews Addresses Solar Industry Concerns and Provides Homeowners Advice

The solar industry is seemingly in shambles with bad press, lawsuits over customer scams, and major players filing for bankruptcy — but let’s look at the facts.

On this page:

  • Timeline of key events that have disrupted the solar industry over the past two years

  • Consumer insights from 35,000+ homeowner reviews submitted to SolarReviews

  • Expert commentary from SolarReviews industry analysts about the state of the industry

  • Additional advice and resources for consumers


Timeline of Key Events


Data-Driven Insights Into Solar Consumer Satisfaction

We analyzed over 35,000 consumer reviews submitted on the SolarReviews site from 2018 to 2023, and here is what we found about solar satisfaction:

  • According to our data, a majority of consumers have a positive experience with their solar journey.

  • Between 2018 and 2023, we saw an over 1,000% increase in 1-star reviews compared to a just under 260% increase in 5-star reviews.

  • The top three areas for which companies receive 1-star reviews include customer service, the installation process, and misleading sales practices.

  • Overall satisfaction skewed positively from 2022 to 2023, with a decrease in 1-star reviews and an increase in 5-star reviews.

  • On average, SolarReviews sees over 500% more 5-star ratings in a single year than 1-star ratings.

  • On average, over 17% of 1-star reviews were written about companies that have since gone “Out of Business” compared to under 3% of 5-star reviews. 


Quotes from SolarReviews Industry Analysts

Ben Zientara, Policy Analyst

"The best solar companies tend to have a few things in common: they focus on a regional area and intimately know the local regulations, permitting, and utility requirements, as well as employ their own sales teams, service departments, and installation crews. Many of the large national companies that have closed or gone bankrupt failed on one or more of the counts, growing too quickly with third-party sales and subcontracted installation crews that don't have a stake in creating an ongoing relationship with the homeowners they serve."

Catherine Lane, Solar Expert

"In many cases, poor reviews are a result of salespeople promising things to homeowners that can't ever come true. Consumer education is key — when a door-to-door salesperson comes knocking, be wary of their claims, read online reviews, and always get quotes from more than one local installer before you sign a contract."


Resources for Consumers