We may be compensated if you purchase through links on our website. Our team is committed to delivering honest, objective, and independent reviews on home products and services.More
solar panels on roof, renewable energy source

4 Best Solar Companies in Alabama (2024 Guide)

Get a quote from local solar energy experts

Join the 6,755 people who have received a free, no-obligation quote in the last 30 days

Invalid Zip Code
Enter details in under 3 minutes

Join the 6,755 people who have received a free, no-obligation quote in the last 30 days

Clicking “Get Your Estimate” submits your data to Home Service Quotes, which will process your data in accordance with the Home Service Quotes Privacy Policy.

Ad Disclaimer

Author Image Written by Tamara Jude Updated 12/09/2024

Alabama’s electricity rates are lower than the United States average, but its residents consume 31.45% more energy than most American households. This usage translates to energy bills about 26.17% higher than usual. Going solar can help residents tap into more affordable renewable energy, reducing their average utility bill spending. Solar panels with batteries also provide backup power during active hurricane and tornado seasons.

Our team spent more than 60 hours researching top solar installers on the national, regional, and local levels. Our guide includes details about Alabama’s best solar companies, available solar incentives in the state, and tips for selecting the right company for your home.


Compare Solar Energy Companies in Alabama

Company Star Rating Warranties Payment Options Link
4.4
10–25 years Full purchase, loan GET QUOTE
4.2
25 years Full purchase, loan, lease GET QUOTE
4.4
25–30 years Full purchase, loan, lease, PPA GET QUOTE
4.5
10–25 years Full purchase, loan, lease, PPA GET QUOTE
No results were found.

Alabama’s Top Solar Energy Companies


Our Picks for Solar Panel Installers in AL

Blue Raven Solar

4.4

Blue Raven Solar has one of the best reputations for reliability and trustworthiness. It has won awards for its team and CEO, and customer reviews report great customer service and prompt installations. The company also stands out for its in-house financing, which includes 18 months of free solar energy.

Out of all solar brands in the market, 6.5% of our survey respondents chose Blue Raven.

How We Scored Blue Raven Solar

Blue Raven received 4.4 out of 5 stars according to our rating system. The company scored the most points for its customer service reputation and warranty coverage. It also earned points for providing all standard solar panel services but lost some due to its limited financing options and lack of roof leak coverage.

  • Solar Equipment and Services (18 out of 25 points): Blue Raven offers solar panel and battery installation, active monitoring services, and energy audits. However, it doesn’t offer solar roofs, EV chargers, or additional roofing services. 
  • Warranty and Performance Guarantees (22 out of 25 points): The company offers top-of-the-line warranties, including a 25-year workmanship warranty. The company earned points fo providing a performance guarantee, but its guarantee is shorter than many other providers. However, it doesn’t provide any roof leak coverage. 
  • Brand Reputation and Professional Certifications (13 out of 15 points): Blue Raven has high customer review ratings on its BBB profile and other popular review sites. The company uses in-house installers but doesn’t ensure they’re NABCEP-certified, which made it lose some points in this category.
  • Financing Options (12 out of 15 points): Blue Raven offers some of the best in-house financing of the companies this list, but it limits this financing to solar loans. You may want to consider a different provider, such as Sunrun, if you’re looking for a lease or PPA.
  • Industry Experience (7 out of 10 points): Blue Raven has less experience than other providers, with only 10 years in the industry.
  • State Availability (7 out of 10 points): The company limits its service area to 19 states.

Warranty and Financing

Warranty

A Blue Raven system has a 25-year product warranty, a 10-year workmanship warranty, and a two-year production guarantee.

Financing Options

✔ Full purchase
✔ Loan

State Availability

Available in: Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington

Reputation and Reviews

Blue Raven has won numerous awards from Comparably, a site known for its company culture and reputation reviews. It also ranked No. 20 on Glassdoor’s Best Place to Work in the USA in 2021.

Blue Raven is accredited by the BBB and currently holds an A+ rating. We noted that customers praised the knowledgeable staff and prompt installation but cited poor communication after completing projects. We analyzed several consumer reviews and found that some of these issues stem from the company’s financing department and third-party installers.

Read our review of Blue Raven Solar for more information.

Venture Solar

4.2

Venture Solar specializes in installing systems that are perfectly symmetrical and have no visible wiring or mounting devices. This design provides a simple, stylish look tailored to your roof’s appearance. Additionally, Venture offers comprehensive financing options similar to Sunrun, making solar energy more accessible to homeowners.

How We Scored Venture Solar

Venture earned 4.2 out of 5 stars. It gained most of its points due to its flexible financing options paired with an in-house financing department. It also provides plenty of solar services to match most customers’ wants and needs, though it lost points for lacking roofing services, energy audits, and EV charger installations. 

  • Solar Equipment and Services (16 out of 25 points): Venture offers solar panel and battery installation with active monitoring. The company lost points in this category because it doesn’t provide EV chargers, solar roof installation services, energy audits, and roof repairs.
  • Warranty and Performance Guarantees (25 out of 25 points): The company features excellent warranty perks with 25 years on labor, products, and performance. It also includes roof leak protection. 
  • Brand Reputation and Professional Certifications (13 out of 15 points): Venture has a great reputation. It features high ratings on its BBB profile with an accreditation and no active issues like lawsuits.
  • Financing Options (14 out of 15 points): Venture provides financing options through an in-house financing team and works with every payment method except PPAs. 
  • Industry Experience (7 out of 10 points): The company holds only eight years of experience in the solar industry.
  • State Availability (7 out of 10 points): Venture has a limited service area of only three states.

Pros and Cons

Pros Provides transparent information about its financing options online Includes remote monitoring Includes a 25-year roof and system warranty with all panel systems Cons Requires your phone number to submit an online quote Reviews mention mixed experiences with customer support Doesn’t work with power purchase agreement

Warranty and Financing

Warranty

Venture offers a 25-year bumper-to-bumper warranty that covers workmanship, products, and power output. 

Financing Options

✔ Full purchase
✔ Loan
✔ Lease

State Availability

Available in: Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York.

Reputation and Reviews

Venture has an A+ rating and accreditation on its BBB profile. According to customer reviews, the company provides high-quality workmanship on its solar panel systems and good customer support. However, some customers have raised concerns about the pricing and quoting process. They found it confusing to determine the total cost of their system and experienced frequent back-and-forth over pricing.

Some customers also noted that Venture focuses on premium products, leading to higher pricing even when unnecessary. We found several Reddit threads discussing Venture where other solar customers and installers mentioned similar experiences.

Solar Energy World

4.4

Solar Energy World (SEW) is one of the most robust and well-regarded solar installation companies. It boasts several impressive features, such as its 30-year manufacturer’s warranty. Its service area is limited, and it doesn’t offer energy auditing services. We like that SEW discloses what solar panels it primarily works with and that the panels are from trusted, quality brands such as Qcells and Silfab.

Roughly 11% of our surveyed solar users purchased their system from Solar Energy World.

How We Scored Solar Energy World

SEW scored 4.4 out of 5 stars according to our methodology. The company received many points because of its warranty, which is longer than most other solar companies’ warranties. SEW offers a 30-year manufacturer’s warranty on all its solar panels and inverters, whereas many providers only offer 25-year warranties.

  • Solar Equipment and Services (18 out of 25 points): The company is an ideal option for many basic solar products and services, such as solar panels and battery installation. It lost points because it doesn’t install EV chargers or perform energy audits.
  • Warranty and Performance Guarantees (19 out of 25 points): SEW’s manufacturer and labor warranties are standout features, but the company doesn’t include any production guarantees with its work. 
  • Brand Reputation and Professional Certifications (15 out of 15 points): The company’s reputation is one of the best, with high BBB and Google Reviews ratings. We also found no active alerts or lawsuits.
  • Financing Options (13.5 out of 15 points): SEW offers all possible solar payment options but doesn’t provide an in-house financing department. 
  • Industry Experience (8 out of 10 points): The company has been in business since 2009, so it received most of the points in this category.
  • State Availability (6 out of 10 points): SEW limits its service area to eight East Coast states.

Pros and Cons

Pros Features an extensive solar product catalog with trusted brands Includes free active monitoring Hires NABCEP-certified installers and designers Cons Reviews mention communication issues with staff Warranty coverage varies by solar panel brand Doesn’t offer a power production guarantee

Warranty and Financing

Warranty

SEW offers a 30-year manufacturer’s warranty on all purchased solar panels and inverters. However, coverage varies by brand, and the company doesn’t guarantee them with every panel option. 

Financing Options

✔ Full purchase
✔ Loan
✔ Lease
✔ PPA

State Availability

Available in: Washington, D.C, Delaware, Florida, Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Virginia

Reputation and Reviews

The company landed on Solar Power World’s 2023 Top Solar Contractors List in the No. 10 spot.

The BBB accredits SEW, and the company holds an A+ rating. Former customers praise the company for its professionalism, assistance with applying for financial incentives, and smooth installation process. However, some reported discrepancies in finances and scheduling.

Sunrun

Best Solar Panel Leasing
4.5

Pros and Cons

Pros Provides system monitoring that signals issues with your system Offers diverse financing options to suit various budgets Provides EV and solar battery solutions Cons Requires added costs for the same coverage plans as leased and prepaid customers Solar and battery availability varies by state

Why We Chose Sunrun

Sunrun offers four financing options, including a monthly lease, full (prepaid) lease, monthly loan, and full-system purchase. The company’s unique full lease option allows you to prepay for 25 years of service, locking in savings for the rest of your contract. 

Leasing contracts have full-service coverage, including protection from damage, theft, and degradation. Sunrun will fix your system at no cost if its efficiency decreases. These services are included for loan and full purchase through an added Protection Plus service. While reviewing the warranty details, we discovered that full-payment and loan customers don’t receive the same benefits and must add the Protection Plus Service for an undisclosed fee. 

Its solar systems include panels from leading manufacturers, such as LG, Trina, and LONGi. Its signature Brightbox home battery includes either the Tesla Powerwall or LG Chem. Homeowners can pair an EV charger with their system for added benefits.

Warranty and Financing

Warranty

Sunrun backs its systems with a 10-year comprehensive warranty which includes product, roof penetration, and workmanship coverage.

 

Financing options

✔ Full purchase

✔ Loan

✔ Lease

✔ PPA

Reputation and Awards

Since 2007, Sunrun has served over 100,000 customers across the country. It has retail partnerships with national brands such as Best Buy, Comcast, and Costco. The company earned DroneDeploy’s 2022 Guardian of Safety Award for incorporating drone technology in its site assessments. In 2021 and 2022, Sunrun was recognized by Comparably with 14 awards. Its accolades include Best CEOs for Diversity 2022, Best Company Culture 2021, and Best Company for Women two years in a row.

Sunrun currently holds an NR rating with BBB. The company profile is being updated. Customers praised the comprehensive coverage for leased systems but complained about delayed installations and poor customer service.

States Available

Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Vermont, and Wisconsin plus Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C.

Learn more: Tesla Solar Panels Review

Note: In July 2024, SunPower notified dealers it would be halting all new shipments and project installations. The company also noted it would “no longer be supporting new Leases and PPA sales nor new project installations of these financing options.


Are There Solar Incentives in Alabama?

Solar rebates and credits help homeowners offset solar panel installation costs, making the move to clean energy more affordable. Although there are limited solar incentives in Alabama, homeowners still have opportunities to save on their solar conversion. 

Alabama residents should apply for the federal tax credit to help reduce initial costs. You receive up to 30% off solar system costs for photovoltaic (PV) panels, components, and racking systems. You can also receive credit for standalone solar battery installations. To qualify, you must be the legal solar system owner.

The Property Tax Exemption for Renewable Energy Facilities incentive prevents additional property taxation due to a new solar energy system. Since solar systems add home value, you’d typically also see property taxes increase. With this incentive, you’re exempt from the added property value of a solar system. This tax exemption is statewide and requires no additional applications or paperwork. 

With net-metering programs, when you send excess energy back to the power grid, you receive credits on your electric bills. These credits help reduce future energy costs. Unfortunately, Alabama does not mandate net-metering programs for statewide utility companies. However, some utility companies, such as Alabama Power and Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), offer their versions of net-metering programs with payments for returned excess energy. Programs vary between utility companies. We recommend contacting your local company for details on any available net-metering programs. 

The state offers additional energy efficiency rebates that compensate homeowners for certain efficiency improvements. Although they don’t help lower solar costs, they could improve your home’s efficiency, resulting in lower energy use and better savings. Visit the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE) for more details about all efficiency and solar rebates in your area.


What Should You Look For in a Solar Company?

As you shop for solar installation companies, look for the following key features and benefits to find the best options. 

Solar Services

Solar providers will use either in-house installers or third-party contractors for their projects. In-house installers work directly for the company, offering better communication and maintaining better quality solar panel installation. Results with third-party contractors vary by area, with fewer checks and balances for installation quality. We recommend using companies with in-house installers.

Some solar panel companies offer additional services and benefits beyond solar power. This may include solar performance maintenance or a home energy efficiency audit. We’ve included more service examples below: 

  • Dedicated mobile app or web portal
  • Electrical, plumbing, or roofing services
  • Energy efficiency audits
  • Home energy monitoring equipment
  • Smart-home device installation 
  • Solar water heaters and other equipment
  • Solar system monitoring

Warranties

Your included warranties should align with the average panel life span of 25 years. Solar contracts typically offer two or more coverage plans to protect your solar energy system. Here’s an overview of some typical solar system warranties:

  • Manufacturer’s (or product) warranty: This plan covers your panel for any manufacturer defects. 
  • Workmanship (or labor) warranty: This warranty covers issues caused by a faulty system installation. 
  • Power performance guarantees: This coverage outlines and guarantees your expected panel performance through a certain timeframe. If they fall short, companies typically offer panel replacement or repair.  

Based on our research, we found that best reviewed home solar panels usually have the best long-term coverage compared to the top affordable solar panel options.  

Payment Options

Most solar providers offer two or more financing options for solar power systems , allowing homeowners to find the best choice for their budgets. Below are the most common payment options offered: 

  • Up-front (or cash) payment: Homeowners pay the full up-front system cost. They become the system’s legal owners, qualifying them for federal, state, and local solar incentives. 
  • Solar loans: Homeowners make a smaller down payment and continue monthly payments for a set payment period. This option also qualifies you for solar incentives and credits. 
  • Solar leases: Customers pay little to no money down and make monthly payments to lease the system. Since the provider retains ownership rights, you won’t qualify for added incentive savings. 
  • Power purchase agreements (PPAs): This leasing option lets customers pay for their solar energy usage on a monthly basis. System ownership remains with the solar provider, so you receive no added financial benefits.  

If you’re looking for the best return on investment and financial savings, we recommend cash payments or solar loans.

Customer Support

Solar contractors should offer multiple customer support channels. Typical methods include email, online forms, or phone. Additional methods include online chat and text messaging. If the company offers a dedicated app, there may be a direct channel to tech support for troubleshooting assistance. We also recommend checking online reviews for any ongoing answered queries or unfriendly representatives. 


How To Get a Solar Quote in Alabama

To find the right Alabama solar installer, request solar quotes from multiple providers and assess their product catalogs, services, and costs. Based on conversations with solar installers and our own shopping experiences, we’ve created the below guide outlining the typical solar quote process. 

  • Contact the solar provider: Check each company’s website for solar quote information. You’ll usually need to call a phone number or request through an online form. Some companies offer online consultations to help you estimate potential savings and see if you’re a good solar candidate. 
  • Schedule a solar consultation: Companies offer virtual or in-person consultations. We recommend checking system requirements before your video call. Many consultations take at least two hours, so choose a timeframe with minimal interruptions. 
  • Have your energy bill(s) ready: Have your latest utility bill on hand for your appointment. The consultant will review your bill and build a system based on your energy needs. Some companies request multiple energy bills to get a clearer picture of your typical energy usage. 
  • Assess your home’s roof: Depending on your chosen type of solar panels, you may need ample roof space. The consultation will check your available space and make note of any structural damage or design elements, such as chimneys. They will choose the most shade-free spot for your solar array since solar panels work best with direct sunlight
  • Build your ideal system: A consultant will design your solar system based on the previous assessments. You’ll decide on your preferred solar panel type and brand, system components, and additional upgrades, such as solar batteries and electric vehicle (EV) chargers. 
  • Review the final quote: Once completed, you’ll receive a final itemized quote detailing your full system, associated costs, labor charges, and warranty coverage. Your quote will include financing options and your estimated payback period, or the time it takes for panels to pay for themselves in energy savings.

Our Conclusion

We chose LGCY as our top choice for Alabama residents thanks to its easy to understand guided solar setup process. The company ensures that you understand the installation process and get the right solar setup for your needs.

We recommend getting at least three free quotes from solar providers to find the best deals in your area. 


Other Alabama Home Service Resources


FAQ About Solar Companies in AL

Is Alabama a good state for solar power?

Yes, Alabama is a good state for solar power thanks to its abundant annual sunny days and incentives like the federal solar tax credit. Homeowners also benefit from property tax exemption for solar panels, helping residents avoid increased taxes for their home upgrade. These perks make solar worth the investment in Alabama. 

Does Alabama charge tax on solar panel purchases?

Yes, Alabama does charge sales tax on solar panels. The state does not offer any sales tax exemptions for solar systems. However, Alabama does offer a property tax exemption for installation, allowing homeowners to boost property value without added taxation.

Can an HOA block solar panels in Alabama?

Yes, an HOA can block solar panel installation in Alabama. It’s one of the few states that doesn’t have solar access laws. These laws typically prevent HOAs from stopping residents from installing solar panels. Without this protection, Alabama HOAs have control over your solar system installation. 

What is the best direction for solar panels in AL?

The best direction for solar panels in Alabama is true south. This rule holds true for any homes located in the Northern Hemisphere. 


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:

  • Solar equipment, installation, and services (25%)
  • Warranty and performance guarantees (25%)
  • Brand reputation and certifications (15%)
  • Financing options (15%)
  • Experience (10%)
  • Availability (10%)

Total scores are divided by 20 for a final 5-point rating scale.

To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.