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If you’re thinking that it’s time to go solar, you’re not alone; solar power is becoming increasingly more popular. With rising electricity costs, and especially due to folks spending more time at home and working from home, the demand is higher than ever.
There are many solar companies that service Long Island and NYC, and it can be overwhelming to choose one. We’ve created a guide to help you understand how to do a little research online and read solar company reviews to find the best organization for your home energy needs.
The Best Sites for Solar Company Reviews
To start, we’ve compiled a list of the best websites to find helpful reviews and other information about solar companies on Long Island and in NYC.
SolarReviews.com
Established in 2021, SolarReviews is the leading consumer review website when it comes to residential solar panels and solar panel installation companies, and an excellent resource for homeowners. For each individual company listed, SolarReviews provides information on:
- Consumer reviews
- Services offered
- Brand of panels and battery systems offered
- Service locations
- How long the company has been in business
- Accreditations and affiliations, such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and NABCEP (a national accreditation for builders and contractors). This means that employees hold credentials to prove that they have achieved the highest level of training for solar system design and installation
SolarReviews Sample Comparison | |||
| Industry Average | EmPower Solar | Centereach Solar Company | Ronkonkoma Solar Company |
| 3.97 | 4.74 | 3.75 | 3.31 |
Angi
Angi (formerly known as Angie’s List) is “your home for everything home.” The site allows you to search for top-rated solar installation companies near you. Once you find the company that you’d like to learn about, you can see:
- Consumer reviews
- How long the company has been in business
- How long the company has been affiliated with Angi
- Services offered
- Licensing information
Angi does not allow for anonymous commenters and verifies their reviews, which means that you can have more confidence in the information you read on the website. You can even directly request a quote from the company you’re researching. Just enter a few details about your project and you’re on your way to learning what solar can look like on your home!
Yelp
Did you know that you can use Yelp to do more than find your favorite new restaurant? It can also be used to help you connect with great local businesses. In addition to a five-star rating system, Yelp provides access to thoughtfully-written reviews by real people who have experience working with Long Island solar companies. You can also find photos of home solar installations, which may help show the quality of the company’s work and help you visualize what solar may look like on your roof.
Yelp Sample Comparison | ||
| EmPower Solar | Bellmore Solar Company | Islip Solar Company |
| 4.5 stars | 3.0 stars | 2.5 stars |
Operating on a 5-star system, Google makes it easy to tell at a quick glance how different local solar companies rank when comparing them to one another. You can sort reviews by relevance, age, or by highest rating to lowest rating. Google reviews also have a great function which allows you to see common words that people use when reviewing the solar company, like “honest” or “respectful.” Other helpful words include “salesperson” or “project manager” so you can learn more about the company’s employees and how they work.
As we all know, social media is an increasingly popular platform for people to share opinions and experiences, particularly on Facebook. Most solar companies have a Facebook page to allow people to learn more about their offerings, and to like and follow them for updates. Facebook business pages have a dedicated section for reviews, using a five-star rating system like Google. This rating is determined by how many people recommend or don’t recommend the company, as well as any past ratings and reviews it may have received. People who leave reviews often provide helpful insight on why they chose to work with a certain company and what their experience was like.
What to Look For in a Review
Now that you know where to look for solar company reviews, it’s important to understand what to look for in those reviews.
Customer Experience
One of the most important determining factors in choosing a solar installer is good customer service. It’s also one of the most talked about topics in online reviews. Reviewers oftentimes provide valuable information on specific employees. Including how they have gone above and beyond to accommodate schedules, answer questions, work safely, and educate and empower them.
Product + Service Information
Aside from the company’s website, reviews are a great place to understand what types of products they offer. For example, if you have your heart set on Maxeon panels (the most efficient panels with the industry’s best warranty) or a Tesla Powerwall to keep your lights on in the event of an outage, it’s important to know which companies offer those products.
It’s also important to understand what kind of services the company will provide during your installation. For example:
- Do you need to hire an outside contractor to inspect your roof prior to installation, or will your solar installer take care of that for you?
- Does the company offer a monitoring system so that you can keep track of your solar production and energy consumption?
- What happens if you need your solar array cleaned, or if you need to move? Does the company offer help with these issues?
Online reviews can provide valuable insight into these details.
Aesthetics
Many homeowners take pride in the way their home looks. Another important factor to consider is the overall aesthetic of your home solar installation. Most sites allow users to post photos with their reviews, so be sure to look through the pictures available. You’ll notice things like the visual differences in some panels (black and white versus all black), different mounting systems, whether or not a company uses snow guards, and discreet critter guards to keep the space between your panels and roof free of squirrels and birds. The way an installation looks can speak volumes about a company’s workmanship and attention to detail.
Get Started Today
Now that you’ve read our guide, you’re ready to take the next step and start saving on your electrical bill!
As a leading Long Island-based solar installer with rave reviews, we offer unmatched technology, service, and customer experience to homeowners looking to make the switch to solar.
Schedule a virtual consultation today and we’ll walk you through the process!
Say goodbye to high-energy bills and hello to worry-free solar
Say goodbye to high-energy bills and hello to worry-free solar
About the Author
EmPower Solar develops, engineers, installs, and services solar and battery systems for residential and commercial clients. Since 2003, EmPower Solar has empowered thousands of New York homeowners and businesses with 47 megawatts of distributed solar. Its vision is to create a new energy paradigm powered by clean, renewable energy for a more prosperous, healthy, and civil world. The company culture is defined by the EmPowering Way, which results in consistent 5-star customer service reviews. For more information visit empower-solar.com.