Best solar companies of 2021
Updated: May 07, 2021There are currently 6,718 solar energy companies operating in America. That's a lot to choose from, especially when you're making such a big investment. Below, you can compare the top installers in your area by the type of solar company, their review score, and even how much they cost - so you can get one step closer to making the switch to solar.
It is worth noting that none of the reviews on this site are influenced by any business relationships between SolarReviews and the solar companies. These are truly unbiased reviews.
On this page:
Compare solar company costs
How to choose the best solar panel company?
There are many factors to consider when looking for the right solar company. The solar industry is filled with fly-by-night solar companies - both big and small - and you definitely don't want to get burned.
The best solar companies will meet the following criteria:
- Located near you
- Been in business for 5 or more years
- Employs their own installation crews
- Uses quality, Tier 1 solar panels and inverters
In many cases, going with a local, family-owned solar company is the best choice. Not only does this support your community, but they often provide better customer service than large corporations. You can see this reflected in their reviews: large companies tend to have far worse scores, as they can't give you the same individualized attention that you need throughout the entire solar installation process.
You're going to want a solar installer who can help you with problems over the 25-year warranty of the solar energy system. That's why it's important to keep in mind how long a solar company has been in business and what their customer service reviews say.
These are the highest-rated solar contractors in the U.S. according to customer reviews here on SolarReviews:
Types of solar companies
Solar manufacturers
Solar panel manufacturers are the companies that make solar panels. The leading photovoltaic panel manufacturers are LG, Panasonic, QCells, SunPower, LONGi, Trina Solar, Canadian Solar, and JA Solar.
Most solar panels are manufactured overseas, however, there are a few notable solar panel brands that are manufactured in the U.S., including Mission Solar, Tesla, and Jinko Solar.
Solar wholesalers
Solar wholesalers act as the middlemen between solar manufacturers are solar installers. The largest solar wholesalers are CED Greentech and Krannich Solar. These companies do not sell to the public, as they only sell solar equipment in large quantities.
Solar wholesalers have their own network of warehouses that are filled with stock straight from solar manufacturers. They then distribute the stock to solar installation companies.
Initially, these companies only had warehouses in big solar states such as California, Massachusetts, and New Jersey. But, as solar has continued to grow, they have expanded their distribution facilities in most states, including Florida and Texas.
Solar installers
Solar installation companies are typically one-stop-shops that both sell and install solar power systems. Essentially, solar panel installation companies are the ones who will get solar up on your roof. Installation companies will typically help you with local permitting, the utility company connection, and finding incentives and rebates.
Solar installers can be small local companies or large national corporations. SolarReviews has found that local companies tend to have higher review scores than national companies, as local companies have their own installation crews and provide high-quality, hands-on customer service throughout the installation process and the working life of the system.
Solar financing companies
Solar financing companies provide homeowners with solar financing options, like solar loans, to help cover the upfront costs of a solar project. Some solar financing companies also offer solar leases or solar power purchase agreements (PPAs) in order to make it easier for just about anyone to power their home with clean energy.
Solar financing companies sometimes work directly with banks to help you get a home improvement loan. Some large solar providers, like Sunrun and Vivint Solar, offer solar leasing, solar PPAs, and solar loans themselves, so you don’t need to worry about an additional solar financier.
Average cost of residential solar panels installation 2021
The current average cost of solar panels in the United States is $2.85 per watt. This is the cheapest solar has ever been! But be warned - if a solar company’s pricing is extremely low, they might not be offering the highest-quality solar products or installation.
Chart 1: What is a good price for a 10.2kW solar system after tax credits.
$12K
Low quality warning$12K
Low quality warning$15K
SolarReviews average$15K
SolarReviews average
Table 1: Average cost of residential solar systems by system size
| System size* | Avg cost per watt |
Avg cost
(After tax credit) show before tax |
|---|---|---|
| 4kW | $3.25 | $9,620 |
| 5kW | $3.25 | $12,025 |
| 6kW | $2.85 | $12,654 |
| 7kW | $2.95 | $15,281 |
| 8kW | $2.75 | $16,280 |
| 9kW | $2.75 | $18,315 |
| 10kW | $2.75 | $20,350 |
| 12kW | $2.65 | $23,532 |
| 15kW | $2.85 | $31,635 |
Search solar companies in your state
When choosing a solar installer, you want to make sure that they are using quality equipment. Here are some of the most popular solar modules used for residential solar systems:
Best unit price
$562.50 ($1.50 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 4.9kW system
$12,832.13
($2.63 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
$13,678.19
($2.81 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
$320.00 ($0.96 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 5.0kW system
$13,469.14
($2.68 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
$473.34 ($1.30 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 5.1kW system
$14,008.27
($2.74 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
$12,914.29
($2.61 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
$14,280.00
($2.80 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
$13,123.36
($2.65 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
$14,044.64
($2.79 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
$12,871.25
($2.62 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
$13,266.45
($2.63 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
$13,770.33
($2.81 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
$13,677.37
($2.79 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
$13,272.81
($2.77 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
$12,853.43
($2.59 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
$13,509.34
($2.68 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
$13,926.15
($2.81 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
$165.00 ($0.53 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 5.0kW system
$12,991.41
($2.62 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
$13,239.35
($2.60 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
$172.00 ($0.56 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 4.9kW system
$12,734.30
($2.61 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
$228.00 ($0.60 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 4.9kW system
$12,749.10
($2.58 p/w)
LR4-60HPH-380M overview
Rated power
380 watts
Efficiency
20.9
Number of Cells
120
Cell type
Mono PERC
Manufactured
CN
Is solar right for you?
Solar is a great investment, as it lets you save money on your home energy bills and power your home with renewable energy instead of fossil fuels. But, there are a few key things to consider before you install solar panels, including:
- How much electricity do you use?
- How much does your power company charge for electricity?
- How much roofing space do you have?
- How much of your roof is shaded?
- What solar incentives are available in your area?
Our solar panel calculator will provide a free quote of the costs and utility bill savings of installing a home solar panel system.
All you need is your address and the amount of your latest electricity bill, and our calculator will determine how many panels you need, where they can be installed on your roof, and what incentives you can take advantage of.
Mosaic
- Loan
300 Lakeside Drive, 24th Floor,
Oakland, CA, 94612
(855) 746-7849
https://www.joinmosaic.com/
Description
Mosaic offers choices for solar financing. One loan is structured so that the monthly payment is lower than their existing electricity bill. The average Mosaic customer saves $30,550* over the life of the solar energy system, sometimes starting right from the time the system is energized. And when the homeowner owns their system, they claim all the savings, from the federal tax credit to any state or local incentives.
Dividend Solar
- Loan
- Pace
433 California St, Suite 300,
San Francisco, CA, 94123
(844) 805-7100
https://www.dividendsolar.com
Description
Dividend is a leading national provider of renewable energy and energy-efficient financing solutions to property owners. We give our customers the opportunity to obtain clean energy financing through a comprehensive suite of financing options. Our flagship product, the EmpowerLoan™, continues to expand its product offerings into the storage and home-energy space. Dividend also offers commercial PACE, which is a public-private financing mechanism for energy efficiency, renewable energy, water conservation and seismic upgrades on privately-owned property.
GreenSky
- Loan
6220 Enfield Avenue,
Encino, CA, 91316
(844) 810-7713
https://www.greensky.com/
Description
GreenSky® was founded on the idea that payment, credit and commerce could be enhanced using technology and elegant user experiences. We believed payment and credit could be an asset that empowers and enables commerce, not a distraction or impediment. Today, GreenSky delivers a service that helps business grow and delight their customers.
YGrene
- Loan
- Pace
2100 South McDowell Boulevard,
Petaluma, CA, 94954
(866) 634-1358
https://ygrene.com/
Description
A national leader in residential and commercial clean energy financing via PACE , Ygrene Energy Fund is revolutionizing the home improvement industry.
GreenBiz Financial
- Loan
(800) 764-3601
https://www.greenbizfinancial.com/
Description
The mission of GreenBiz Financial is to offer solar and other energy-efficient home improvement loans with attractive rates to our customers.
Light Stream
- Loan
Description
LightSteam is a national online consumer lending division of SunTrust Bank, the flagship subsidiary of SunTrust Banks Inc., one of the nation’s leading financial services companies.
Home Loan Investment Bank
- Loan
2 Altieri Way,
Warwick, RI, 02886
(401) 773-9948
https://www.homeloanbank.com
Description
Fast loan processing, competitive fixed rates with no pre-payment penalties and attentive customer service Home Loan Investment Bank, FSB is a full-service financial institution offering commercial lending, home improvement lending, small business lending, personal and business banking, automobile financing and mortgage services. We are a federally regulated, FDIC-insured savings bank with branches in Providence and Warwick, Rhode Island and are dedicated to helping our customers with their financial needs through our team of experienced and friendly bank representatives. We will give you personalized one-on-one attention and professional guidance to ensure that your transaction is completed in an accurate and timely manner. We are also a member of the Allpoint Network, providing access to over 40,000 surcharge-free ATMs nationwide. Whether you are looking to open a CD, refinance your home or start a business, we offer competitive rates. Call us today and see how we can help with your financial needs.
EnerBank USA
- Loan
1245 E. Brickyard Road Suite 600,
Salt Lake City, UT, 84106
84106-2562
https://enerbank.com
Description
FDIC insured EnerBank USA® is a highly specialized, national consumer lender that helps strategic business partners and independent home improvement contractors increase sales. Strategic business partners include manufacturers, distributors, franchisors, member or trade associations, and major retailers of home improvement, remodeling, and energy-saving products and services. They all rely on the bank to be here today and tomorrow to fund customer loans and help them achieve their business goals and objectives. We are America's home improvement lender of choice. We are reliable, professional, and we produce results.
Medallion Bank
- Loan
22232 17th Ave SE,
Bothell, WA, 98021
888.833.8570
https://www.medallionbank.com
Description
We offer similar programs and pricing as the big Banks, but with the kind of personal attention that you won't get with a black box lender. Our team provides a level of interaction and dedication to problem-solving that is unique in our industry. We also have a consumer-friendly process with no prepayment penalties or other hidden costs.
Celtic Bank
- Loan
- Pace
268 South State Street,
Salt Lake City, UT, 84111
800.509.6191
https://www.celticbank.com/
Description
Founded in 2001 and headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, Celtic Bank is a privately owned industrial bank chartered by the State of Utah. Celtic Bank specializes in small business finance, helping business owners with working capital, expansion, acquisition, construction, equipment financing, renewable energy finance, real estate purchases and refinances, and more. Celtic Bank has ranked as one of the top ten SBA lenders nationally since 2013. Celtic Bank has a proven track record in a range of industries, including renewable energy finance, healthcare, gas station / C-store, car wash, hotel and others. Every business loan application is approached with a creative and problem-solving mindset, and we aim to structure tailored financing solutions that help our clients meet their growth objectives.
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