Solar panels are solar panels, right? Well, not exactly. Since the types of solar panels vary in cost and efficiency, getting the type best suited for your home may help prevent unnecessarily high installation costs and maximize long-term savings on your electric bills. “There are three major types of solar modules: monocrystalline, polycrystalline and thin-film,”…

Solar panels save homeowners money on their energy bills since they’re not using as much — or any — electricity from the power grid. But how do solar panels work? To help explain, we spoke to Will White, a solar application specialist at Fluke Corporation, who distilled all of the technological and scientific information down…

Going solar can reduce your reliance on grid energy and save money on energy bills simply by harnessing the sun’s energy. But even if you have some of the top solar brands out there, solar panels only work when the sun is shining, you’ll be left without power for large portions of each day. That…

You might think solar panels require a lot of maintenance due to the complexity of the technology, but most systems require only routine inspections to stay in good working order, according to Will White, a solar application specialist at Fluke Corporation. Monitoring your system’s performance is the most important thing you can do to ensure…

In a perfect world, your solar panels always point directly at the sun. In practice, that’s highly unlikely unless you have the space and money to install ground-mounted panels with a tracking system to adjust their tilt according to the sun’s position. That’s why it’s important to set your solar panels at the optimum angle…

DIY projects have a reputation for saving you money, but DIY solar panels are not something a novice should tackle. Unless you’re an electrician who has experience installing solar panels, we don’t recommend tackling DIY solar panels. Installing your own solar power system without the proper experience and certification is asking for trouble. Solar systems…

ADT Solar (formerly known as Sunpro Solar) offers a 25-year warranty for its panels, performance, workmanship and microinverters, making it an investment that will give you peace of mind. While the industry average panel warranty is 25 years, most companies only offer five- or 10-year warranties for other system aspects. Customer reviews applaud ADT’s 24/7…

Solar panels last around 25 years, on average, although many continue to function even after 30 years or more. According to David Schieren, CEO of EmPower Solar in Long Island, New York, “The standard solar panel life span is 25 to 40 years, with reputable manufacturers offering warranties to cover those first 25 years.” A…

Elevation stands out for its extensive solar service catalog and in-house installation crews. With industry-standard warranties and full-ownership payment methods, Elevation’s service selection can fulfill your solar needs for an affordable price. Although Elevation has some reports of delays and scheduling difficulties, the company appears responsive to reviews and extends help for complaints. We don’t…

Trinity Solar features some of the best customer support tools we’ve encountered in our research. Past customers comment on its quality service, and it only works with certified installers.  Although its customer support and personable staff help you once you contact the company, Trinity’s online presence is vague compared to other popular solar providers. Its…

Palmetto Solar is an excellent option for going solar — depending on your priorities. If you care about treating your solar panel system as an investment and desire financial flexibility, Palmetto is for you. The company provides some of the most comprehensive active monitoring and ongoing protection we’ve seen from any of the popular solar…

Semper Solaris is a younger solar installation company that was founded in 2012. While a solar installer’s age doesn’t always equate to poor quality or service, our research revealed that the company has an overall mixed reputation among the other top solar companies.  On one hand, Semper Solaris features glowing reviews about the attitude and…

Blue Raven Solar is worth considering if you can’t afford the high upfront cost of a new solar system installation. The company offers its BluePower Plus+ loan option through an in-house financing department and uses some of the highest-performing solar panels on the market, Maxeon. These benefits help you get the most out of your…

If you want the most optimized and high-performance solar panel system possible, SunPower is your best choice. SunPower has a close relationship with Maxeon, which used to be SunPower’s sister company but now operates independently. This relationship allows SunPower to provide some of the most efficient solar panels on the market.  However, this results in…

Sunrun has substantial experience in the solar industry, as it was founded in 2007, but that doesn’t necessarily make it the best choice for you. However, if you’re primarily interested in a solar lease, Sunrun is an excellent option.  The company offers two leasing plans, which is uncommon compared to the standard leasing plan most…

Solar panel installation is a hefty investment, so you’ll want to ensure that you hire a quality and trusted solar installation company for the job.  We research, review and rate professional solar installation companies to help you find a reputable and reliable installer when you decide to go solar. Research Our research practices include understanding…