Solar Installer Reviews 2026: The Honest Ratings Homeowners Need

Last updated: 2026-06-16

Start Here: What No Review Site Will Tell You

The solar installation industry went through a brutal shakeout. Over 100 companies filed for bankruptcy between 2023 and 2026 — including some of the biggest names: SunPower, Sunnova, Titan Solar, Pink Energy. Most of those homeowners still have functioning panels, but they lost their installer warranties and have no one to call when something breaks.

Before you read any installer review — including this one — understand what you're actually hiring: a contractor who will be responsible for a system on your roof for 25 years, long after the sales rep is gone. The installer relationship matters more than the brand name on their truck.

That said, here is an honest look at who is doing this well in 2026.

The Quick Comparison: National Solar Installers

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Ratings based on aggregated BBB data, Google reviews, and EnergySage platform feedback (2024–2026).

Palmetto Solar — Best National Installer for Most Homeowners

⭐⭐⭐⭐½ | Mid-range pricing | 22 states

Palmetto is not the largest solar company, and it is not the cheapest. But it consistently earns the strongest customer satisfaction scores among national installers that have been in business long enough to matter.

What makes Palmetto stand out:

In-house installation crews in most markets (not subcontractors). This is the single biggest factor in installation quality, and Palmetto does it better than most nationals.
Protect plan — Palmetto's ongoing monitoring and maintenance subscription catches performance issues before the homeowner notices. It is an optional add-on, but it addresses the post-install support gap that plagues the industry.
Transparent pricing — Quotes are itemized, with specific panel and inverter models named before you sign.
No-pressure sales process — Consistently cited in reviews as a differentiator vs. aggressive national competitors.

Where Palmetto falls short:

Geographic coverage is limited compared to Sunrun. If you are not in one of their 22 states, you cannot use them.
The Protect plan is an extra monthly cost. Homeowners who do not want an ongoing subscription may prefer the one-time warranty approach.
Quote-to-install timelines are slower than some competitors — expect 3–5 months total.

Palmetto is the right choice if: You want a national company with local accountability, you value post-install support, and you plan to own the system (not lease).

Get a quote from Palmetto →

Sunrun — Largest National Installer

⭐⭐⭐ | Mid to high pricing | 22 states

Sunrun is the largest residential solar company in the United States by installed capacity. That scale cuts both ways.

What Sunrun does well:

Lease and PPA options — Sunrun originated the solar-as-a-service model, and it remains the most polished execution of that approach. If you want solar with zero upfront cost and no ownership responsibility, Sunrun's lease product is the industry benchmark.
BrightPath battery — Sunrun's in-house battery product integrates with its monitoring platform. It is less capable than a Powerwall 3 but is competitively priced when bundled with a lease.
Virtual Power Plant program — Sunrun operates the largest VPP program for residential storage in the U.S. in partnership with utilities in California, Illinois, and New England.
Financial stability — Unlike the dozens of installers that failed in 2023–2026, Sunrun is a publicly traded company with genuine financial depth.

Where Sunrun falls short:

Lease/PPA complexity — The agreements span 20–25 years and transfer with the home. Many homeowners who chose Sunrun leases report difficulty selling or refinancing their homes because buyers and lenders are unfamiliar with solar encumbrances. Read the full contract before signing.
Customer service inconsistency — With 750,000+ customers, Sunrun's support structure is bureaucratic. Reviews in markets like California and Florida skew much more negative than Midwest markets where they are newer and smaller.
Subcontractor use — A portion of Sunrun's installs are performed by third-party crews. Quality varies.
Premium pricing for purchases — If you plan to own your system outright, Sunrun is typically not the most competitive quote. Get at least two or three competing bids.

Sunrun is the right choice if: You want a solar lease with zero upfront cost, you are in a state where Sunrun operates its own VPP program, and you have read and understood the lease terms.

Compare Sunrun with local installers on EnergySage →

Tesla Energy — Premium Integration, Inconsistent Experience

⭐⭐⭐ | Premium pricing | Select markets

Tesla Energy installs solar panels and Powerwall batteries as an integrated system. The product is legitimately excellent. The experience getting there is legitimately inconsistent.

What Tesla Energy does well:

Powerwall 3 integration — Installing Powerwall 3 with a Tesla solar system gives you DC-coupled efficiency and a single-app experience that no other installer can match.
Long-term product support — Tesla's size means the hardware ecosystem is not going away. Powerwall firmware updates happen automatically.
App and monitoring — The Tesla app sets the standard for home energy management.

Where Tesla Energy falls short:

Timeline — Tesla's quote-to-installation timeline runs longer than most competitors. 4–6 months is common. In some markets, homeowners report waits exceeding 9 months.
Communication gaps — Tesla does not assign a dedicated project manager. Many homeowners report weeks of silence between signing and hearing any status update.
Limited market availability — Tesla Energy does not serve all markets. In some areas, the only option is a third-party Tesla Certified Installer, whose quality varies.
No lease/PPA option — Tesla only offers cash purchase or solar loan. If you want a lease, Tesla is not the right installer.
Post-install support — Tesla routes all support through the app. Getting a human on the phone for warranty issues takes time.

Tesla Energy is the right choice if: You are committed to the Powerwall 3 and want the integrated DC-coupled installation, you are buying outright or financing, and you have patience for a longer timeline.

ADT Solar (Sunpro) — EXITED THE MARKET (January 2024)

> ⚠️ Status: Company closed — do not sign new contracts.

> ADT Solar exited the residential solar business in January 2024, closing all remaining branches. Source: Solar Power World, PV-Tech.

ADT, the security company, acquired Sunpro Solar in 2021 for $825 million and rebranded it ADT Solar. After $89 million in losses over the first nine months of 2023, ADT's board approved an exit from residential solar in January 2024. All branches have been closed.

If you are an existing ADT Solar customer: Your panel and inverter manufacturer warranties (Enphase, SolarEdge, etc.) remain valid — those are backed by the equipment makers, not ADT. Contact your inverter manufacturer directly to verify warranty registration. Your workmanship warranty from ADT Solar is effectively voided; find a local O&M provider to cover future service needs. See our guide: What to Do If Your Solar Installer Goes Bankrupt.

The Installer No One Talks About: Local Contractors

National brands dominate solar advertising, but local solar installers frequently outperform them on customer satisfaction, price competitiveness, and installation quality.

The industry's bankruptcies created an opening for regional installers who survived the shakeout. They tend to be:

Faster to install (they are not managing 50,000 projects simultaneously)
More responsive post-install (you can call and reach the owner)
More competitively priced (lower overhead than nationals)
More knowledgeable about your specific utility's interconnection process

The risk with local installers is financial stability. A company that has been around for 10 years with a strong local reputation is lower risk than one that launched two years ago. Before signing with any local installer, verify:

State contractor license — Check your state's licensing board website. Installation without a proper license is a red flag.
Insurance — Ask for certificates of general liability and workers' compensation insurance. Do not accept verbal assurances.
Years in business — 5+ years in business significantly reduces the risk of mid-warranty bankruptcy.
Local references — Ask for 3 references from installations completed in your county in the past 12 months. Call them.
Who installs — Ask directly: "Are these your employees, or subcontractors?" A company using its own trained crew is preferable.

How to Get Competitive Installer Quotes

The most reliable way to compare solar installers in your market is to use EnergySage, the largest solar marketplace in the U.S. Here is how it works:

Enter your address and monthly electric bill
EnergySage pre-screens installers by license, insurance, and customer reviews
You receive 3–7 quotes from competing installers
You compare them side by side in a standardized format (same metrics for each)
You can ask questions anonymously through the platform before revealing your contact info

The average EnergySage user saves 20% compared to going directly to a single installer. The competitive quotes also give you leverage when negotiating.

What to look for when comparing quotes:

Price per watt (installed) — lower is better, but extremely low bids warrant scrutiny
Panel brand and model — name-brand panels with 25-year performance warranties vs. off-brand budget panels
Inverter type — string inverter vs. microinverters (see our inverter comparison guide)
Production estimate (kWh/year) — compare this across installers to see if one is over-promising
Workmanship warranty — 10 years minimum; 25 years is available from some installers

The Five Questions That Separate Good Installers from Bad Ones

Ask every installer you talk to:

1. "Who will actually install my system — your employees or subcontractors?"

The answer tells you a lot. Installers who use their own trained employees generally produce more consistent work. If they use subcontractors, ask how those subs are vetted and whether the main company stands behind the subcontractor's workmanship.

2. "What specific panel and inverter models are you proposing, and why?"

A good installer can explain why they selected specific equipment for your roof orientation, shading conditions, and utility rate structure. An installer who says "we'll figure that out" is winging it.

3. "How many installations have you completed in my county in the past 12 months?"

Familiarity with your local utility's interconnection process matters. An installer who has done 50 installs in your area knows how to navigate permit timelines. An installer entering a new market is learning on your dime.

4. "Who do I call in year 3 if a panel stops producing?"

The answer should be a specific process, not a vague reference to "our support team." Companies that have a clear warranty claim process have actually thought through what happens post-install.

5. "Can I see your contractor license number and proof of insurance right now?"

Any legitimate installer hands these over immediately. Hesitation is a red flag.

Frequently Asked Questions About Solar Installers

Which solar installer has the best reviews in 2026?

No single national installer earns consistent top marks in every market. Palmetto Solar tends to earn the highest customer satisfaction scores among national providers, especially for installation quality and post-install support. Sunrun is the largest and most widely available, but reviews vary significantly by region. Local installers frequently outperform national chains on customer experience, though financial stability is harder to verify. EnergySage is the most reliable way to get competing quotes from vetted local and national installers in your area.

Who is the most reputable solar company?

Reputation varies more by installer than by brand name. Among national providers, Palmetto Solar consistently earns the strongest customer satisfaction scores for installation quality and post-install support, while Sunrun's scale means experience varies widely by region. The more reliable signal than any single "most reputable" company is verifiable track record: 5+ years in business, in-house (not subcontracted) install crews, a documented workmanship warranty, and no recent bankruptcy filings — over 100 installers have gone under since 2023, including former household names like SunPower and Titan Solar.

Which company is best for solar systems?

There is no single best company for every homeowner — the right pick depends on your roof, budget, and equipment priorities. Palmetto Solar is the strongest overall pick for most homeowners based on customer satisfaction and installation quality. Tesla Energy fits homeowners who want tight integration with a Powerwall battery and are comfortable with a more self-service sales process. Well-vetted local installers often beat both on price and post-install service. Getting 3–5 quotes through EnergySage is the fastest way to see which company is actually best for your specific system.

Should I use a national solar company or a local installer?

Local installers typically offer better customer service, more competitive pricing, and faster response times post-install. The tradeoff is that smaller companies carry more financial risk — over 100 solar installers have gone bankrupt since 2023. For a local installer, verify they have been in business at least 5 years, check their contractor license with your state, and confirm they carry both general liability and workers' comp insurance. National installers provide more financial stability but often at higher cost and with more bureaucratic support structures.

What should I ask a solar installer before signing?

Ask for a detailed itemized quote (not just a total price), the specific panel and inverter brands they plan to install, who performs the actual installation (in-house vs. subcontractors), their workmanship warranty terms, who you call if something breaks after year 1, and how many installations they have completed in your county in the past 12 months. Any installer who pressures you to sign on the same day as a site visit is a red flag.

What red flags should I watch for with solar installers?

Walk away if the installer refuses to provide an itemized quote, cannot name the specific panel and inverter brands until after you sign, pushes same-day signing with an expiring discount, cannot answer basic questions about your local utility interconnection process, or has a pattern of recent BBB complaints about post-install warranty service. Also check whether they use in-house crews or subcontractors — this is often what determines the actual installation quality.

Bottom Line

The solar installer market has consolidated. Most of the marginal players who drove the worst customer experiences went bankrupt in 2023–2025. What is left is a smaller field of better-capitalized companies — plus a healthy population of regional installers who survived by doing good work.

For most homeowners, the best path is:

Get 3–5 quotes through EnergySage to establish the market range
Identify the 2–3 most competitive bids
Vet each installer on the five questions above
Choose based on the combination of price, equipment quality, and confidence in the company's long-term viability

The company with the lowest bid is not always the right choice. The company with the most convincing answers to those five questions usually is.

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