Editorial Methodology & Advertiser Disclosure
This page explains exactly how we evaluate solar installers, how we earn revenue, and how those two things interact — or don't.
Advertiser Disclosure
SolarRatings.org is operated by the team at directsolar.ai, a residential solar lead-generation platform. We earn referral fees when homeowners request quotes through links on this site. This compensation may influence which companies appear on the site and, in some contexts, the order in which they are displayed. It does not influence the editorial scores produced by our five-point research framework — those scores are determined by equipment quality, warranty depth, pricing transparency, verified customer reviews, and licensing standing, as described below.
Installers cannot pay to raise their rating, add a badge, or remove a criticism from a published review. Always obtain multiple quotes and review all contract terms with a licensed local installer before making a purchase decision.
Five-Point Review Framework
Every installer we review is assessed on the same five criteria. Here is exactly what each criterion measures and how we gather the data.
Equipment Quality
Panel sourcing, efficiency, and degradation
We verify which panel manufacturers each installer sources from and whether those manufacturers appear on recognized Tier-1 supplier lists. We review published specification sheets — not marketing summaries — for real-world efficiency ratings, temperature coefficient figures, and annual degradation rates.
A company that installs panels with lower published efficiency is not automatically penalized; we weigh the quality-to-price ratio. However, installers that cannot or will not disclose the specific panels used in a given market receive a lower transparency score under this criterion.
Warranty Depth
Coverage scope, exclusions, and transferability
We read the full warranty documents, not the summary bullets on a company's website. We evaluate three distinct warranty types: (1) the manufacturer panel product warranty covering materials and workmanship; (2) the manufacturer performance/power output guarantee; and (3) the installer workmanship warranty covering roof penetrations, mounting, and wiring.
We flag exclusion clauses that materially limit coverage — for example, voiding conditions tied to roof maintenance requirements, weather events, or third-party service. We also note whether warranties are transferable to a new homeowner at sale, which affects resale value.
Pricing Transparency
Cost benchmarks, quote completeness, and contract terms
We collect real installer quotes for a standardized 8 kW residential system across multiple markets and compare them against NREL residential solar cost benchmarks and regional averages. This is not a guarantee that the price a given homeowner receives will match our test quotes — system size, roof complexity, and local permitting costs all affect final pricing.
Beyond the dollar figure, we evaluate whether the quote clearly itemizes hardware, labor, permitting, and interconnection costs; whether the financing terms (for loan or lease products) are clearly disclosed upfront; and whether the contract includes an equipment specification list.
Verified Customer Reviews
Multi-source review aggregation and pattern analysis
We source verified reviews from multiple third-party platforms. We do not rely on reviews published directly on the installer's own website or marketing materials. We look for statistical patterns — not isolated data points — in both positive and negative feedback, with particular attention to installation timeline complaints, communication problems, and post-installation service responsiveness.
Review counts and average ratings shown on this site reflect our aggregation methodology at the time of last update. We do not publish a review count or rating without a minimum number of verifiable third-party reviews on record.
Licensing & Background Standing
State contractor licenses, NABCEP certifications, and complaint history
Each reviewed company is cross-referenced against state contractor license databases for the states in which they operate, NABCEP (North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners) certification records, and available BBB complaint history. An active, clean license in the states listed for a given installer is a baseline requirement for inclusion.
Significant regulatory actions, active consumer protection complaints, or FTC-related proceedings trigger an immediate review cycle and may result in a rating suspension pending our assessment.
When and How Ratings Are Updated
Scheduled Reviews
All installer ratings are reviewed at minimum once per calendar quarter. Review cycles begin with fresh data collection — new quote samples, updated review aggregations, and a re-check of licensing records.
Event-Triggered Reviews
A rating may be updated at any time when a material event occurs: company acquisition, regulatory or enforcement action, significant warranty term change, or a sustained pattern of new negative feedback that alters our statistical assessment.
Accuracy Requests
Installers or homeowners who believe a published finding contains a factual error may submit a request to editorial@solarratings.org with supporting documentation. We review and publish corrections when warranted.
Questions About Our Process
Can an installer pay to improve its rating?
No. Ratings are produced using the five-point framework above and are not available for purchase. A company that participates in our referral network does not receive a higher score for that reason alone.
Can an installer pay to remove a negative review or criticism?
No. Factual criticisms documented in our research remain in the published review. If an installer believes a specific finding is factually incorrect, they may submit a request to editorial@solarratings.org with supporting documentation. We review the claim and publish a correction if warranted.
Do all installers on the site participate in your referral network?
Not necessarily. We may review and rate an installer without a referral arrangement in place. However, the 'Get Quotes' links on this site route through directsolar.ai, and we may earn a referral fee for leads we generate. If an installer is not available through our referral network, we note that in their profile.
How are ratings displayed — are higher-rated companies shown first?
In our primary comparison table, default sort order is by our editorial score (highest first). We provide sorting controls so homeowners can re-order by price tier, warranty length, or other factors. Compensation from referral arrangements does not determine sort order.
How often are ratings updated?
At minimum once per quarter. We also conduct out-of-cycle reviews triggered by material events such as company acquisitions, FTC or state AG actions, significant warranty term changes, or a sustained pattern of new negative reviews.
Editorial Contact & Legal
For questions about a specific rating, factual correction requests, or editorial inquiries, email editorial@solarratings.org.
For privacy-related requests — including data access, deletion, or opting out of data sharing — see our Privacy Policy and Do Not Sell My Info page.
For general background on how this site operates, including our ownership and revenue model, see our About page.
The content on this site is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or contractor advice. Solar savings projections depend on many site-specific variables — always confirm estimates with a licensed local installer.