Best Solar Companies In Arizona

Many people search for the best solar companies in Arizona when shopping for solar power. If you are looking to install a solar panel system, it is very important that you choose the right company.

There are hundreds of solar installers in this state. Some of them are excellent, some are mediocre, and some should be avoided. Every year, many new Arizona solar companies are started and many close their business. It is difficult for consumers to know which solar installation company to trust.

This article will provide you guidance in finding reputable solar installers in Arizona. Below, we will discuss all the elements that are important when choosing a solar company.

Customer Service

The solar energy company’s level of customer service will affect your experience for many years to come. Solar warranties typically last 25 to 30 years, and they are serviced by the company you choose. If anything goes wrong with your system in the future, you will be dealing directly with the company that installed your solar system.

Keep in mind that when you are shopping for solar, you will be dealing with the sales division of the company. The sales division is always separate from the customer service division that handles customer complaints and warranty work. So, your experience with the solar salesperson does not necessarily reflect the customer service of the warranty and repair department.

You must ask for, and receive, a list of 10 past customers of the company. Speaking to these customers will be the most effective way to judge the customer service of the company. Ask them the following questions about their experience with the warranty and repair department:

• Was it easy to reach the warranty and repair department and report the problem?
• How long did it take for the company to send a technician to your home?
• How long did it take to fix the problem?
• Were you satisfied with the customer service provided?
• Is your solar system currently working?
• What are the pros and cons of going solar with this company?

Customer Reviews

You should investigate the company’s customer reviews online and offline. The main review sites online are Google, Yelp, and the Better Business Bureau.

It is very easy for solar companies to post fake reviews online. In fact, many companies do this to bolster their appearance. Read all of the reviews and determine if some of them are fake.

The entire solar installation process typically takes two to six months. If many of the company’s reviews are posted on the same day, or close together in time, they are likely fake. Also, pay close attention to the negative reviews, as these will always be authentic.

As mentioned above, get the contact information of 10 past customers of the company. If the company will not provide you with a list of past customers, or you can’t reach the past customers, do not go solar with that company.

Call and ask the past customers to give their honest review and feedback on the solar company. You can also ask them the following questions:

• Did all the salesperson’s promises to you come true?
• How long did the solar installation process take?
• Were there any problems before your solar system was installed?
• How many days did the installation take?
• How long did it take for your solar system to be turned on after installation?
• Has anything broke on your system since installation?

Years Of Experience

Experience matters in the residential construction business. The experience level of the company’s owner is an important factor. All of the owner’s knowledge, habits, and methods will trickle down to the employees. The culture and service level of a company is always set by the ownership.

You should not choose a company that is ran by an inexperienced owner. Do your research to find out how long the owner (or owners) has been in the residential solar industry.

The residential solar market has only been around for 10 to 15 years. Any company that claims to have been installing residential solar longer than that is being dishonest.

Remember, the company that has been in business the longest is not always the best company to choose. Management or ownership changes in a long-standing company can negatively affect the quality of their service.

Often times new solar companies are started by disgruntled managers that leave a more established yet declining company. This causes the older company to lose their top managers, resulting in even worse service levels. In this instance, customers would be better off choosing the new company instead of the old company.

Cost

The cost of a solar panel system or solar battery is important because it will affect the customer’s electricity savings in the future. Homeowners with high electric bills will benefit financially from going solar. However, you must also get a fair deal on your solar system to save money.

You should not shop for the lowest cost only. Instead, you should choose the company that provides the best service for a fair price. Sometimes going with the lowest cost provider will cost you much more in the long run.

If your solar company goes out of business in the future, your warranties with them will be worthless. Further, some companies refuse to honor their warranties when a solar system breaks. Other companies take an unreasonably long amount of time to fix their customers’ broken systems. So, choosing the lowest cost provider may end up costing you much more in the long run.

Quality Components

Your company should be installing solar panels from a Tier-1 manufacturer. Tier-1 solar panels are built with higher standards than Tier-2 and Tier-3 panels. Tier-1 panels also cost more, but it will be well worth the investment. Go to this link for a list of Tier-1 solar manufacturers.

Tier-1 solar panel manufacturers meet the following requirements:

• Strong reputation for quality and service
• Producing solar panels for five years or more
• Automated manufacturing and a high level of vertical integration
• Strong and stable balance sheet and/or publicly listed on a stock exchange
• Invest significantly in brand marketing
• Provide high-efficiency solar panels

The top manufacturers for solar inverters are Enphase and SolarEdge. Most solar installers only use these two brands and nothing else.

These inverters are known to be reliable and efficient. Further, Enphase and SolarEdge provide excellent customer service and reliable warranty work. You should not purchase inverters made by other brands.

If you are purchasing a solar battery, choose a well-known brand name such as Tesla, Enphase, Generac, LG, Panasonic, Sonnen, or SunPower.

Financing Options

There are six main solar financing companies that offer solar loans and leases: Concert Finance, Dividend Finance, GoodLeap, Mosaic, Sunlight, and Sunnova Energy.

Each of these finance companies offers different loans that vary in length, interest rate, solar incentives, and solar offers. Each loan also interacts with the Federal solar tax credit differently. You should choose a solar company that partners with all of these finance companies so you have more options to choose from.