Horizon Solar Power was once a major solar installer based in California, known for custom system designs and in-state service. Although the company officially ceased operations in late 2020, many homeowners continue to search for information about its services and legacy. In this review, we break down what Horizon offered and recommend other top national solar company choices for your solar needs.
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| Company | Star Rating | BBB Rating | Warranties |
|---|---|---|---|
A+ | 25-year panels, 10-year workmanship | ||
A+ | 25 years | ||
A+ | 25–30 years | ||
A+ | 25-year panels, 10-year workmanship |
Our Thoughts on Horizon Solar Power
Horizon Solar Power was a local solar installer that offered a variety of purchasing plans. Compare the advantages and disadvantages of Horizon Solar Power below.
Pros
- Offered customers up to $2,000 through its referral program
- Allowed customers to choose from four financing options
- Was accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB)
Cons
- Was only available in California
- Didn’t provide system warranties to residential customers
Horizon Solar Power Services
Horizon Solar Power provided customized solar panel installation for residential and commercial customers.
Residential Solar Panel Installation
To begin your solar project, Horizon Solar conducted a free in-home consultation that analyzed your home’s energy needs and infrastructure to determine if your home is compatible with solar. Following your consultation, Horizon Solar provided you with a free proposal detailing your custom system design and installation quote. At that time, you would learn about local rebates and available savings.
If you decided on solar from Horizon, the company would take care of the necessary inspections and paperwork to ensure your solar panel installation was completed within three days. Once installed, your local utility provider would change your electric meter and a Horizon Solar Power technician would teach you how to use your system.
Pro Tip
- On a This Old House project visit, solar expert Mark cautioned that shading assessments need to account for seasonal changes: “Today is a really bright summer day here in New England, and the sun is real high above our heads. And as you think about it, in the winter, it’s going to be much lower across the horizon, so we’ve even got to be worried and concerned about” trees and buildings that may not cast shadows in summer but block critical low-angle winter sun.
Commercial Solar Panel Installation
Horizon Solar Power followed a similar installation process when working with commercial clients and helped maximize savings by designing a system unique to each business. Horizon guaranteed the performance of its commercial systems for 20 years.
Horizon Solar Power Purchasing Options
Horizon Solar Power offered customers four financing options to help pay for their solar energy system.
| Options | Solar Purchase | Solar Loan | Power Purchasing Agreement (PPA) | Solar Lease* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Description | You purchase a system outright and assume full responsibility without monthly payments | You owe a set monthly payment to assume full ownership of the system over time | You enter into a contract with your solar provider at a fixed monthly rate | You enter into a lease and pay monthly for solar energy, similar to a rental agreement |
| Cost | Full cost of the system | Set monthly payments | Set monthly payments | Set monthly payments |
| Covers maintenance | No | No | ✓ | ✓ |
| System owner | Customer | Customer | Horizon | Horizon |
| Tax rebates | Eligible | Eligible | Not eligible | Not eligible |
*Horizon only offered solar leasing agreements to commercial customers.
How Much Can You Save With a Referral Program?
Horizon allowed customers, non-customers, and employees to register for its referral program. The referral program rewarded users based on the number of referrals given.
Here’s a quick overview of the rewards that were available to program members:
- 1st referral: $500
- 2nd referral: $1,000
- 3rd referral: $2,000
Horizon Solar Power created a referral mobile app to simplify the referral process by letting users submit referrals and check on their status remotely.
Horizon Solar Power Warranties
Horizon Solar Power didn’t provide any system warranties for residential customers, explaining that system warranties were available for solar purchase customers under their individual homeowners insurance policy.
Pro Tip
- One often-overlooked maintenance concern is wildlife damage. During a This Old House segment on solar troubleshooting, solar expert Ross showed a panel wire that had been completely shredded by squirrels. The air gap between panels and the roof creates a perfect nesting spot, and squirrels chew on wires because their teeth grow up to 10 inches a year. Ask your installer about critter guards to protect wiring beneath your panels.
Our Conclusion
Horizon Solar Power provided customers with a variety of solar system financing options and a lucrative referral program. Although Horizon received some customer complaints about aggressive sales tactics, the company offered a concise and simple installation process to customers interested in switching to solar energy.
Since Horizon Solar Power is no longer in business, we recommend obtaining quotes for other installers.
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FAQs About Solar Systems
Will solar work on my roof?
There are four main factors to consider when determining if your roof can support solar: orientation, shading, surface, and durability.
- Orientation: Solar panels are most efficient when facing south because they receive sunlight all day long in that position. A solar system can be operational facing another direction or angle, but the system’s efficiency may decrease.
- Shading: Roofs that aren’t excessively shaded by trees, buildings, or other obstructions produce the most energy.
- Surface: Your roof must have enough space to support your solar panels. Roofs with steep slopes or multiple chimneys may prevent solar panel installation.
- Durability: Before solar panel installation, consider the age of your roof. If it needs to be replaced in the near future, replace it before installing your solar panels.
Will my solar panels need maintenance?
Solar panels rarely need maintenance, but you should clean your panels twice a year with soap and water. Additionally, call a solar professional to inspect your panels every three to five years to make sure your system remains in good condition.
Can you recycle solar panels?
Yes. Once your panels reach the end of their life, there are recycling programs for your old or damaged system.
Our Rating Methodology
We are committed to providing comprehensive and unbiased reviews to our readers. After over a thousand hours of research on solar companies, interviews with experts, and common customer needs, we’ve created a detailed rating system for solar providers based on six factors, which we then use to determine a final 5-star rating:
- Solar equipment, installation, and services (25%)
- Warranty and performance guarantees (25%)
- Brand reputation and certifications (15%)
- Financing options (15%)
- Experience (10%)
- Availability (10%)
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our team at [email protected].
