The 6 Best Solar Companies in Nevada to Save You Money

Key Points

• Nevada has a favorable climate for solar energy production, with some towns receiving 230 days of sunlight annually.
• Nevada ranked fifth nationwide in solar energy production in 2022 and over 910,000 homes in the state have installed solar panels.
• When choosing a solar company in Nevada, consider factors such as location, licensure, warranties, quality of service, financing options, and responsiveness.
• Switching to solar in Nevada allows residents to utilize abundant sunlight, save money on electricity bills, and contribute to the fight against climate change.

Nevada is one of the best places in the United States to switch to solar power. First, Nevada’s climate is favorable to solar energy production, with some towns receiving 230 days of sunlight annually, while others average more than 290 days of sunlight.

Second, the state is considered pro-green energy, with almost a quarter of its annual energy production coming from solar energy. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, Nevada ranked fifth nationwide in solar energy production in 2022. Moreover, over 910,000 homes in the state have already installed solar panels.

However, before enjoying solar energy’s benefits, you must find a suitable solar panel company. This article highlights the best solar companies in Nevada to help you make an informed decision.

Best Solar Companies in Nevada

Nevada has embraced solar energy more than most US states. As a result, the state has numerous companies involved in the solar energy sector. Below are the top six solar companies in Nevada:

1. SunPower

SunPower is a solar technologies company with national coverage and over 35 years of experience providing solar solutions. The company is committed to expanding solar panel coverage, increasing solar energy generation, and driving sustainable practices that help reduce the global carbon footprint.

SunPower supplies Maxeon solar panels, which produce up to 5% more energy than conventional solar panels by using innovative technologies to capture more sunlight. As such, the company guarantees more value for your money than other solar panel providers.  

Maxeon solar panels are resilient and can withstand varying conditions, including hot and humid climates, cold winter temperatures, and salty air. Lastly, Maxeon solar panels do not contain lead and consist of recyclable materials, which helps customers improve their sustainability record.

When you buy Maxeon solar panels from SunPower, you also receive an industry-leading 40-year warranty. The warranty covers installation-related defects, manufacturing defects, replacement and shipping costs, and guarantees a power production of 88.3% on year 40 of Maxeon panel ownership. 

Alternatively, consumers can buy the SunPower Performance Panels built from materials that can produce up to 8% more solar energy than conventional solar panels within the first 25 years of use. The Performance Panels also come with a 25-year warranty.

2. Tesla Solar

Most people probably associate Tesla with electric vehicles. However, Tesla Solar is a nationwide solar panel installation company with operations in about 40 states. Tesla’s solar and EV divisions share several things, including attention to detail, performance, and attractive but functional designs.

Tesla solar panels are pretty unique compared to other offerings on the market. For example, most solar panel installers use railings on roofs to hold their panels in place. However, Tesla installs solar panels using interlocking brackets, which reduces the impact or damage on roofs. The brackets also ensure the solar panels do not stick out, thus limiting the effects on roof aesthetics.

Tesla also sells solar roofs, tiles covering your home like a traditional roof. The tiles are made from glass solar tiles responsible for solar energy generation and architectural-grade steel tiles that offer protection and mitigate the effects of corrosion. Tesla solar roofs are often paired with a Tesla Powerwall, which stores energy generated during the day for use at night.

Tesla solar panels have an inverter efficiency of 97.5% and an inverter warranty that lasts 12.5 years. All other Tesla equipment, including the solar roof, have a 25-year warranty. Lastly, Tesla has an app customers can use to track their solar panels’ production output in real time.

3. Elevation

Elevation operates in five sunbelt states: California, Nevada, Arizona, Texas, and Florida. The company’s primary mission is to reduce the carbon footprint attributable to generating electricity using non-renewable raw materials like coal and natural gas.

The company has an integrated home energy system called Elevated Home that helps clients reduce their carbon footprint and maximize their solar energy potential. Under the Elevated Home package, the company first audits your home to find leaks that allow heat to escape the house resulting in higher energy bills. Elevation’s commitment to customer service places it among the best solar companies in Nevada.

The company then seals the leaks and installs solar panels and batteries for solar energy generation. Clients can monitor their solar energy system using the Curb Energy Monitoring app, which Elevation acquired from the Curb Energy company in 2020.

4. Kota Energy Group

Kota Energy Group is a relatively new player in the solar energy industry, but it has quickly established itself as a reliable provider of solar panel installation services. The company is in thirteen states spread across the Northeast, Midwest, and West of the United States.

Kota Energy’s approach to solar installation involves educating its clients on the benefits of solar energy before they make their investment decision. As a result, the company has a great customer service rating. 

The company states its solar panels are 20% more efficient at energy production than standard solar panels. Kota Energy Group offers a 25-year workmanship warranty and roof penetration cover. In addition, clients enjoy products from some of the world’s leading solar equipment manufacturers like LG. Lastly, the company accepts cash payments but offers flexible loan financing and power purchasing agreements, which appeal to cash-strapped individuals. 

5. ION Solar

ION Solar has been providing solar services since 2013. It operates in eleven states from the East to the West Coast and boasts over 85,000 installations. 

The company offers good-looking and efficient solar panels, which its technicians install in a manner that compliments a client’s roof design instead of having them stick out like a sore thumb. The company also has an excellent customer service track record; its employees have a reputation for answering and resolving client issues promptly.

Now let’s talk about the available warranties. The company offers a 30-year warranty on its high-performance solar panels, a 10-year warranty on workmanship, and a 25-year warranty on microinverters. ION Solar also has a philanthropic arm called ION Earth that works with other non-profit organizations to deliver free solar panels to homes, businesses, and schools in underserved communities.

6. Sol-Up

Sol-Up is the best locally-based solar panel company in Nevada, with offices in Las Vegas and Reno. The company has been operational since 2009 and works with solar companies such as Tesla, SPAN, and Meyer Burger to deliver high-quality solar products and solutions. 

Sol-Up is popular among Nevada residents for their understanding of local issues. This allows the company to offer customized solutions. Although Sol-Up only serves Nevada, its products and services compare favorably against other solar companies operating across the US. For example, the company offers an industry-standard 25-year warranty on solar equipment, just like the nationwide companies on this list.

How to Pick the Best Solar Company in Nevada

As the cost of manufacturing solar panels decreases and government incentives for solar increase, more people are choosing to make the switch. However, it is vital to have all the necessary information about solar energy and solar companies before jumping on the solar energy bandwagon.

That includes information on how solar power works and, perhaps more importantly, how to get reliable solar services. Below are several factors you can use to evaluate potential solar service providers before taking the leap and paying for solar panel installation.

Location

When picking a solar company, always confirm the company is locally based. Even a nationwide company should have a locally-based office. Hiring a local company offers several benefits. First, local companies have installers and technicians who know the area’s building and electrical codes. Therefore, its employees will ensure your solar installation project abides by the necessary statutes. 

Moreover, the employees will inform you of recent legal changes to help you avoid hefty fines and penalties. Lastly, locally-based companies tend to offer better customer service because they are a part of the community.

Licensure

Solar panel installation can be risky as it involves ascending buildings and using potentially dangerous tools. Therefore, it is essential for the solar panel company you hire to have sufficiently certified installers and technicians.

One of the documents to look for is a North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) certification. The document certifies that a solar company’s employees have adequate training to handle solar panel installation. The NABCEP certification also ensures installers and technicians are up-to-date with safety training sessions and penalizes them whenever they have contravened the board’s code of conduct.

Warranties

Solar panels are made from highly reliable and durable components. However, some circumstances, like manufacturing defects and installation errors, can contribute to damage. Thus, it is integral to have some certainties in the form of warranties that the solar company you choose will cover the cost of repairs in case of damage.

In addition, you should remember that there are two types of warranties. The first is equipment warranties which cover any product defects and shipping-related damage. The standard period for equipment warranties is 25 years. On the other hand, performance warranties guarantee that energy production will remain consistent for most of the time you own the solar panels. The best solar companies in Nevada offer these warranties, in addition to service and workmanship covers.

Quality of Service

Customers want to deal with a solar panel company that values its clients. Luckily, you can determine whether a solar panel company is worth hiring by checking what its former clients think of the company. The best way to gather such information is through word of mouth. Speak to neighbors, friends, or relatives who have installed solar panels and evaluate their experiences with specific solar companies.

You can also look for online reviews on sites like Yelp and Google, or social media sites like Facebook, to determine what percentage of a company’s reviews are positive. Overall, a solar panel company should have an overwhelmingly positive customer service record.

Financing

Installing solar panels is expensive, with the average cost of installing solar panels in Nevada being just shy of $16,000 for the average household. That is why finding ways to reduce your installation costs is vital.

Most solar panel companies understand switching to solar energy is costly, so they offer several financing options. A decent solar company should offer loans, leases, or power purchasing agreements as financing options. However, evaluate such financing agreements thoroughly to protect yourself against unnecessary or excessive pricing.

Responsiveness

Most solar companies offer free quotes and estimates on their websites. However, such quotes don’t provide enough information to determine how many solar panels your property needs, what tools the technicians should carry, and the risks involved. It is necessary for the solar panel company to send technicians to assess your property as soon as possible. The best solar companies in Nevada send a team to assess your property within 24 to 48 hours of requesting a quote. A company that takes its time to send someone to evaluate your needs is not worth your time and investment.

Why Solar in Nevada?

Nevada receives abundant sunlight yearly, and shifting to solar allows you to utilize the natural resource. The state gets an average of 252 days of sunlight, meaning Nevadans can generate solar energy for almost three-quarters of the year. In addition, switching to solar will save money. The cost of electricity is constantly rising, especially as fossil fuel prices climb. However, Nevadans can mitigate such financial pressures by installing solar panels and reducing the electricity they source from the statewide grid. The financial savings are further compounded by the Federal tax credit refunding 30% of the cost of buying and installing a solar energy system. Lastly, switching to solar allows you to contribute to the fight against climate change by lowering your carbon footprint.

Summary Table

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