Although availability is limited to five states, Elevation Solar stands out from the competition with its approach to whole-home energy efficiency that can help customers save even more money. In addition to rooftop solar, Elevation offers solar batteries and energy tracking with Curb Energy
Monitoring. Elevation Solar is ranked as one of the best solar panel companies because of its features, great consumer reviews and more.
Pros
- Whole-home energy efficiency audits
- App-integrated monitoring
- Offers solar batteries
Cons
- Limited states serviced
- Communication problems
Table of Contents
- Elevation Solar at a Glance
- Elevation Solar State Availability
- Other Benefits
- Elevation Solar Benefits
- Elevation Solar Installation Process
- Elevation Solar Cost and Financing Options
- Elevation Solar Warranties
- Fine Print
- How Elevation Solar Stacks Up
- Is Elevation Solar Right for You?
- Methodology
- Number of States Covered (22%)
Elevation Solar at a Glance
Based in Arizona, Elevation Solar caters to homeowners who want to make their energy use as efficient as possible. Founded by two experienced entrepreneurs who noticed that energy bills can take a significant bite out of many homeowners’ budgets, Elevation Solar offers solar panels, solar batteries and whole-home energy management systems. In 2020, Elevation Solar acquired Curb Energy, a real-time energy tracking system for users.
Elevation Solar is accredited by the Better Business Bureau and has an A+ rating. Information regarding pricing, installation and details is hard to come by through Elevation Solar’s website. However, customers note via internet reviews that the company struggles with general communication.
Featured Partner
1
SunPower
BBB Grade
A+
Financing Options
Flexible financing with zero down payment
Number of States Covered
50
2
Palmetto Solar
BBB Grade
A+
Financing Options
Purchase, loan, PPA
Number of States Covered
20
3
Blue Raven Solar
BBB
A+
Financing Options
$0 upfront for 18 months
Number of States Covered
21
Elevation Solar State Availability
Elevation Solar’s presence is limited to Arizona, California, Nevada, Texas and Florida. These are all states where solar energy is popular and well-incentivized. In fact, the five states where Elevation Solar is offered are some of the best states for solar energy.
Other Benefits
Solar Batteries
Elevation Solar offers multiple solar storage batteries, including Tesla Powerwall and Generac PWRcell. Grid-connected solar batteries allow users to pull from their own energy stories at night, during cloudy days or during power outages.
Home Performance Assessments
The Energy Efficiency package from Elevation Solar starts with a Home Performance Assessment, which is an audit of the home’s energy efficiency. This checks insulation levels, measures air leakage and looks at the home’s air quality. Then a consultant from Elevation Solar can help advise on possible rebates for improvements.
Curb Energy Monitoring
The Curb system is an app-connected tracker that allows users to monitor their real-time energy usage. This can help users identify where excess energy is used and start to save money or maximize their solar energy.
Elevation Solar Benefits
The company approaches smart energy solutions by looking at the whole home. This includes getting renewable energy from solar panels, sealing the home for efficiency and offering real-time monitoring so that homeowners can make informed decisions about their energy usage.
Customers can qualify for Energy Star certification through the Energy Efficiency package. Elevation says this can increase the home value and can be backed by an appraisal addendum. The company previously received recognition as a Home Performance with Energy Star Contractor of the Year.
Solar Panel Options
Elevation Solar gives customers several high-quality solar panel options from manufacturers including LG and Panasonic. The packages also feature leading edge microinverters and minimum 25-year warranties on labor and products.
Elevation Solar Installation Process
Getting solar panels or other accessories installed through Elevation Solar starts by getting a quote. From there, internal operations and installation crews manage the work. Each customer also has access to a dedicated concierge to answer questions that arise.
- Get a quote: You can get an instant quote from Elevation Solar through the website. The company draws information from Google Earth satellites to give an estimate. For a more detailed assessment, a professional from Elevation Solar will visit the property and advise on options.
- Decide on the best option: With a number of high-quality solar panel options, customers can work with Elevation Solar to decide on the right panels for their needs. The company’s professional installers will also give recommendations on placement.
- Get professional installation: Qualified Elevation Solar crews perform the installation, including solar panels and solar batteries. Customers can talk with their dedicated concierge throughout the process. The company communicates directly with local utility companies and governments to get Permission to Operate (PTO).
Elevation Solar Cost and Financing Options
With high-end solar panels come expenses toward the higher end of the average spectrum of how much solar panels cost. The company isn’t forthcoming with exact pricing information, but interested parties can get their own instant quote or estimate using the website.
Customers can pay Elevation Solar for solar panels with cash or a solar loan. The total cost is less with cash payments as there is no additional interest. However, if you don’t have the money upfront for a full payment, a solar loan can be a more accessible way to buy into solar energy.
As you consider solar panels, it’s important to learn about local and national rebates or incentives that may be available to you. The federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) offers a 30% tax credit for solar energy systems installed through 2032.
Elevation Solar Warranties
Solar panels from Elevation Solar come with a minimum 25-year warranty, which covers parts and labor.
Fine Print
Although this isn’t unique among solar energy companies, Elevation Solar is careful to note that installing solar panels doesn’t mean you’ll go without an electricity bill. If you are connected to the grid, you will likely need to pull energy when the panels aren’t producing electricity, such as at night or when it’s cloudy. However, an adequate solar battery can help offset this. Additionally, if you are eligible for net metering in your area, you may be able to break even on your energy bills.
How Elevation Solar Stacks Up
Is Elevation Solar Right for You?
The biggest limiting factor with Elevation Solar is that it’s only available in Arizona, Texas, California, Florida and Nevada. If you’re not located within those states, you will need to explore other options. If you do live in one and are interested not just in solar panels, but also in fully integrated home efficiency, Elevation Solar helps consumers have more control over their energy use.
Best Solar Companies By State
Methodology
To determine the best solar panel installation company ranking, the Forbes Home Improvement editorial team analyzed 20 major companies, with each company’s star rating determined by evaluating a variety of metrics, including:
Customer Reviews (35%)
BBB customer ratings and accreditation as well as ratio of complaints to reviews, Trustpilot and Google reviews were all analyzed for each solar panel installation company for 35% total.
Customer Support Options (12%)
The editorial team analyzed all solar companies’ support options including live chat (pre-sale), phone service, FAQ page, knowledge base, community forum and blog for a total of 12% of the total ranking.
Number of States Covered (22%)
Nationwide availability of each solar panel installation company makes up 22% of the ranking. The more states a company covers (including D.C.), the more points it is awarded.
Extra Features (20%)
Extra important features like years in business, average warranty (in years) for products, whether financing is available, free energy consultation availability, home and commercial installation availability and vehicle installation availability, were considered collectively for a combined 20% of the total ranking.
Editorial Judgment Points (11%)
Other editorial judgments were offered for a variety of reasons, including improvement of customer rating and ratio of complaint to review scores from the previous year.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which solar company has the best reputation?
Based on our methodology, the top-rated solar installation company is ADT Solar (previously known as SunPower Solar). However, as a large, national company, it’s to be expected that there will be some mixed reviews. Looking solely at the ratio of complaints to reviews for each company through the Better Business Bureau, Green Home Systems has the best reputation.
How long has Elevation Solar been around?
Elevation Solar was incorporated in 2014. It has been accredited by the Better Business Bureau since 2016.
Who owns Elevation Solar?
Elevation Solar is a limited liability company (LLC). It was founded by Jerry Anthony Coleman, and the current CEO is Greg Fasullo.
How long do Elevation’s solar panels last?
With a minimum 25-year warranty on solar panels from Elevation, you can have peace of mind for at least two and a half decades. However, you should be able to expect the solar panels to last about five to 10 years longer than that.
How many solar panels are needed to power a house?
That depends on the size of the home, energy needs, solar exposure and more. Elevation Solar can give a more accurate instant estimate through the website.
How long do solar farms last?
According to the Department of Energy, the estimated operational lifespan of photovoltaic (PV) panels is 30 to 35 years.
