Like
High quality gear choices
Triple Platinum 30-year guarantee
Lengthy enterprise historical past
Do not like
Restricted service space
Little pricing transparency
The photo voltaic business faces headwinds in 2024, with over 100 photo voltaic firms shutting down on account of rising rates of interest, tighter financing and coverage adjustments, like California’s NEM 3.0. That is why paying a bit extra for a corporation with a strong monitor document, like Photo voltaic Vitality World, is definitely worth the funding.
Based in 2009, Photo voltaic Vitality World brings about 15 years of expertise to clients on the East Coast. With over 25,000 accomplished installations and a powerful fame, you’ll be able to rely on its crew to be there in a difficult business. Local weather change issues proceed pushing the shift to renewable vitality and a dependable installer ensures you benefit from the photo voltaic advantages with out worrying about future points.
Photo voltaic Vitality World’s Triple Platinum 30-year guarantee presents a security web even when your system wants upkeep or repairs. This can be a huge benefit over most firms, which usually provide solely a 25-year producer guarantee and simply 10 years for labor and weatherization. The 30-year guarantee applies solely to photo voltaic purchases, although, so these leasing get the usual producer guarantee as an alternative.
Photo voltaic panels can value some huge cash, however they could be cheaper than your traditional electrical energy invoice over the long term.
We want Photo voltaic Vitality World was extra clear about pricing, however photo voltaic firms are normally fairly obscure except you get a particular residence quote. “We worth competitively towards {the marketplace} and are usually within the center vary of firms,” stated Wyatt Everhart, discipline vitality adviser at Photo voltaic Vitality World. “Our longevity and stability is why we do not worth on the very backside, we keep within the center.” Getting quotes from a number of firms is an effective way to match costs, choices and discover the perfect match for you.
This evaluate relies on analysis and business expertise, so we do not have firsthand expertise going by means of Photo voltaic Vitality World’s set up course of. We won’t converse to what working with the set up crew is like however can provide steerage primarily based on the corporate’s choices and comparability to opponents. We additionally advocate speaking to neighbors with photo voltaic to be taught concerning the expertise and perceive your vitality wants earlier than making the funding.
Huge rooftop photo voltaic firms have struggled in 2024 as excessive rates of interest and coverage adjustments put strains on their funds. Will rate of interest cuts assist?
What do I get from Photo voltaic Vitality World?
Photo voltaic Vitality World’s in-house crew installs high quality gear and extends a notable 30-year guarantee for panels, batteries, inverters, labor and weatherization. You’ll be able to pay in money with 30% upfront and the remainder after set up. There are additionally mortgage choices to finance your system from 5 to twenty years. In some states, you’ll be able to select a photo voltaic lease that sometimes lasts 25 years. The 30-year guarantee applies solely to purchases, however leases nonetheless get producer warranties.
As a substitute of leaving you to determine authorities incentives by yourself, the corporate presents post-installation steerage. “We proceed to work collectively after receiving permission to function to ensure they get all their incentive paperwork accomplished,” Everhart stated. “We discover that the shopper who will get probably the most a refund is the happiest buyer.”
What photo voltaic gear does Photo voltaic Vitality World set up?
Photo voltaic Vitality World presents a variety of tier-one rooftop photo voltaic panels, with in style manufacturers like QCells, Silfab and Longi. QCells is the one model on our finest photo voltaic panels checklist, however all choices present sturdy effectivity scores between 21% and 21.99%.
The corporate installs Tesla Powerwall, SolarEdge and Enphase photo voltaic batteries for storage and backup energy. All three choices are featured in our finest photo voltaic battery checklist for efficiency and guarantee however aren’t the perfect choices for modularity or increasing your system. The Tesla Powerwall is hottest with Photo voltaic Vitality World clients due to its aggressive pricing.
The corporate’s hottest inverter selections embrace Enphase and SolarEdge (each on our finest inverter checklist). Inverters convert the vitality produced by your panels into usable electrical energy in your residence. “We do a 50/50 break up on inverters with half Enphase microinverters and half SolarEdge string inverters,” Everhart stated. “SolarEdge has a central inverter inside the home with an optimizer underneath the panels.” Microinverters connect to every panel as an alternative of getting a central location. Each inverter varieties work to perform the identical objective, the best choice is de facto as much as your choice.
Powerwall 3 is offered within the US now.
What warranties does Photo voltaic Vitality World provide?
All photo voltaic producers provide at the very least a 25-year manufacturing guarantee, which additionally applies to leases. For photo voltaic panel purchases, Photo voltaic Vitality World goes a step additional by extending the guarantee to 30 years for all elements and labor. This implies you will not pay something for website visits, labor or half replacements throughout that point. Most firms provide solely 10-year labor or weatherization warranties, so tripling that protection is a giant deal. The one exception to the 30-year guarantee is that if your roof wants changing; you’ve gotten 10 years to have the panels eliminated and reinstalled at no further value.
Moreover, Photo voltaic Vitality World presents a first-year vitality manufacturing assure. In case your system does not produce at the very least 90% of the estimated output, the corporate pays you double the distinction. This further protection can convey peace of thoughts, particularly in case you reside in an space with frequent storms or unpredictable climate.
It is vital to discover a respected installer, or else you would possibly find yourself with a poor high quality photo voltaic panel system set up.
Does Photo voltaic Vitality World provide monitoring providers?
Whereas Photo voltaic Vitality World does not have its personal monitoring service, you should use your lease firm or inverter producer to maintain monitor of your system’s manufacturing and effectivity. The Enphase Enlighten cell app has a 4.6-star score on the App Retailer and 4 stars on Google Play. The mySolarEdge app additionally has a 4.6 out of 5 score within the App Retailer and a 4.4 Google Play score.
Does Photo voltaic Vitality World use subcontractors?
No, Photo voltaic Vitality World’s in-house crew completes the photo voltaic installations. Having an in-house crew means higher high quality management and communication between you and the corporate. This makes it simpler to reply questions and any issues all through your set up journey.
Every member of Photo voltaic Vitality World’s set up crew completes in-house coaching, with mid to senior-level installers licensed by the North American Board of Licensed Vitality Practitioners. “Apprentices is probably not totally licensed but, however they work underneath the supervision of those that are,” Everhart stated. “By our coaching program, we have had former roofers and folks with restricted development expertise develop into crew leads.”
How a lot do Photo voltaic Vitality World panels value?
Most photo voltaic firms keep away from giving particular costs as a result of the price varies by location, system dimension, vitality wants and obtainable incentives. Photo voltaic Vitality World did not present precise figures however emphasised it is not the most cost effective or the most costly.
“We are usually within the center vary of firms, nevertheless it’s completely different for everybody,” stated Everhart, noting that elements like panel model, critter guards or financing charges can have an effect on the ultimate value.
The easiest way to get an correct estimate is by requesting a quote. Based on 2022 information from Wooden Mackenzie, the common value for rooftop photo voltaic is $2.99 per watt for an 8-kilowatt system. This implies the common residential system prices about $23,920 earlier than native and federal incentives, with the 30% federal photo voltaic tax credit score, that drops to $16,744. Whereas this tax credit score is offered nationwide, you will have state-level incentives that offset the price much more.
What financing choices does Photo voltaic Vitality World provide?
You should purchase photo voltaic panels outright, finance with a photo voltaic mortgage or take part in a 25-year photo voltaic lease. Everhart talked about the corporate used to supply extra energy buy settlement choices, however now it is much less widespread and it presents just one.
Once you pay in money, you do not pay all of sudden. It is break up between a 30% cost upfront and the remaining after set up. This feature presents the best return on funding and qualifies for incentives just like the federal tax credit score. For individuals who want to not pay upfront, a photo voltaic mortgage is a good different. Whereas it might end in barely decrease long-term financial savings in contrast with paying in money, it nonetheless helps offset electrical energy payments and qualifies for a similar incentives.
The federal photo voltaic tax credit score may help you save an honest chunk of change on a photo voltaic panel system.
Does Photo voltaic Vitality World function in my state? How do I order?
The corporate serves six states and Washington, DC. Everhart defined that sustaining constant high quality with an enormous service space is difficult and that is why it stays targeted on the East Coast.
These outdoors Photo voltaic Vitality World’s service space can try different high photo voltaic firms, resembling Palmetto Photo voltaic, EnergyPal and Freedom Eternally.
To begin the method with Photo voltaic Vitality World, you’ll be able to both go to its web site or name its crew straight. It presents a free photo voltaic quote, the place you may reply a number of questions on your location, residence sort and roof age. As soon as that is achieved, you’ll be able to schedule a website go to to evaluate your property and get a personalised photo voltaic design.
Photo voltaic Vitality World opinions: What are clients saying?
Whereas on-line opinions might be hit and miss, they supply useful insights into what the shopper expertise is actually like. By studying opinions, you’ll be able to spot patterns and discover potential inquiries to ask earlier than deciding on the finest photo voltaic firm for you.
Listed below are some constructive and unfavourable opinions discovered on Photo voltaic Vitality World’s Higher Enterprise Bureau web page with minimal edits for readability.
One-star Photo voltaic Vitality World opinions
“I used to be offered on the concept of not having to pay a utility invoice and being my very own energy supply. Nevertheless, they calculated twice what number of panels I would want. I defined how vital it was that I produce sufficient vitality to have extra. Now, I am not producing extra and nonetheless paying over $100 per thirty days. How can their skilled calculations be that far off? That is not the worst of it. They refuse to reply or tackle my grievance that my array is not producing practically sufficient energy. They’re simply ignoring my complaints.” Timothy B. 02/09/2023
5-star Photo voltaic Vitality World opinions
“I went photo voltaic with Photo voltaic Vitality World a few years in the past. They have been quick, curious and really skilled. I’ve saved over $2,000 since our system has been turned on. Their complete crew is so pleasant and educated. Extremely advocate!” Julia M. 06/28/2024
“Nice total expertise with our photo voltaic set up. Ben Harlow was our wonderful Gross sales Affiliate and he was terrific at explaining every thing, together with all of our choices and answering our questions. The set up crew (Zack, Eric, RyLee, Nate, Jake and Adam) and others have been nice, all extraordinarily educated, pleasant and environment friendly. They appeared to get pleasure from their job and preferred who they labored for and with. We positively had an “A” crew! All the pieces was put in completely and precisely the way it was deliberate.” Rob S. 10/13/2023
Is Photo voltaic Vitality World your best option?
As with all main residence funding, store round earlier than making a ultimate resolution. Evaluating quotes from a number of photo voltaic firms will enable you to discover the perfect match in your vitality wants and funds preferences. Photo voltaic Vitality World is a strong possibility for a dependable firm with sturdy warranties for photo voltaic purchases. We do not know a lot about its particular costs, however the firm presents top-of-the-line gear choices, resembling QCells panels and the Tesla Powerwall.
Photo voltaic Vitality World does not provide nationwide providers, which may very well be a professional or con, relying on who you ask. These residing within the firm’s service space might profit from its long-standing historical past and dedication to high quality. You’ll be able to select from a wide range of financing choices, however the prolonged guarantee applies solely to money purchases and financed methods, not photo voltaic leases.
The corporate is accredited by BBB with an A+ score and 4.53 out of 5 stars from buyer opinions. Though it hasn’t addressed many complaints, its responses are customized and particular quite than generic or obscure. This means that the corporate takes a real method to addressing points, specializing in every grievance individually.
If your property is tremendous vitality environment friendly and it has photo voltaic panels, you possibly can pay nearly nothing to the facility firm or reside fully off the grid.
Photo voltaic Vitality World execs and cons
Professionals
Cons
Often requested questions
Is Photo voltaic Vitality World legit?
Sure. Photo voltaic Vitality World is an actual firm providing photo voltaic set up providers in Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Florida and Washington, DC. The corporate was based in 2009 and has accomplished over 25,000 photo voltaic installations.
Who’s the best rated photo voltaic firm?
Based mostly on our checklist of finest photo voltaic firms, Palmetto Photo voltaic is the highest possibility, with an total 8.3 out of 10 score. Photo voltaic Vitality World isn’t far behind, with an total 7.8 out of 10 and EnergyPal in an in depth third with 7.7.
How we consider photo voltaic firms
Reviewing photo voltaic firms in a hands-on method is troublesome. Accounting for all of the variations mission to mission is not possible. To offer a useful evaluate, we targeted on what we are able to measure and meaningfully evaluate amongst firms.
We deal with three buckets of standards: gear, warranties and repair.
Inside the gear class, firms obtain scores for the panels, inverters and batteries they set up. Warranties embrace the ensures on the panels, workmanship and weatherization towards leaks. Firms earn factors for service if they provide a worth match, a significant degree of worth transparency and a well-rated app for monitoring photo voltaic manufacturing. They lose factors if there are main points pertaining to customer support (lawsuits, investigations or clear reputations for shoddy service). These points will all the time be detailed within the evaluate.
You’ll be able to learn an in depth take a look at how the scoring breaks down.
We do not think about the common worth of an organization’s installations of their rating. This info is troublesome to search out and exhausting to match throughout service areas (and even roof to roof). Firms are sometimes gradual to reveal it too. We additionally omit simply discovered however not helpful info like what number of states an organization operates in.
Learn extra: When you’re in search of extra perception into the perfect photo voltaic {hardware}, check out our picks for the finest photo voltaic batteries and most environment friendly photo voltaic panels.
