Best Solar Companies in Arkansas (2022 Rankings & Reviews)
We recommend vetted solar companies that have:
- Availability in your area
- Affordable pricing and financing options
- At least 5 years of experience
- Outstanding customer reviews
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Best Solar Companies in Arkansas
Our reviews are curated by a team of solar experts, backed by insider data and reviewed by an advisory board to ensure we provide only the most vital information, minus the marketing gimmicks. Let’s jump in.
Jump to Section:
- Top 5 Solar Companies in Arkansas
- SunPower
- Seal Solar
- SunPro Solar
- Tesla Energy
- Sun Valley Renewables
- Criteria for Selecting the Top Solar Company in Arkansas
- FAQ: Best Solar Companies in Arkansas
Nationwide Service
Average cost
SunPower
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Most efficient panels on the market
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National coverage
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Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
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Great warranty coverage
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Expensive
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Customer service varies by local dealer
Services Offered
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Solar Panels
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Solar Batteries
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EV Chargers
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System Monitoring
Regional Service
Average cost
Sunpro Solar
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Industry-leading warranty coverage
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Expansive service area
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Some reported communication issues
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No leases or PPAs
Services Offered
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Solar Panels
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Solar Batteries
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EV Chargers
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Energy-Efficiency Upgrades
Nationwide Service
Average cost
Tesla Energy
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Price-match guarantee
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Sleek, efficient and durable solar panels
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Best solar battery on the market
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Some reported issues with customer service
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Customer service varies by local dealer
Services Offered
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Solar Panels
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Solar Batteries
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EV Chargers
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Solar Roof Shingles
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System Monitoring
Local Service
Average cost
Seal Solar
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Outstanding customer service
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Great warranty coverage
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Representatives are experts on local policies
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Limited service area
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Limited brands of solar equipment available
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No leases or PPAs
Services Offered
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Solar Panels
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Solar Batteries
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EV Chargers
Local Service
Average cost
Sun Valley Renewables
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Outstanding customer service
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Offers products from leading manufacturers
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National coverage
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No leases or PPAs
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Slightly limited service offerings
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Relatively young company
Services Offered
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Solar Panels
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Solar Batteries
When you’re looking for the best solar companies in Arkansas, there are some local factors to consider that most other online reviews fail to mention. For example, solar panels in AK are more prone to physical damage because of the frequency of tornadoes and extreme weather, so panels with a robust physical warranty are better suited for homes in the area. The EcoWatch team carefully considers this factor along with many others to provide you with the most targeted local information possible.
What Are the Top 5 Solar Companies in Arkansas?
Below is a quick side-by-side comparison of the best solar companies in Arkansas. You might be surprised not to see some of the more advertisement-heavy solar installers on our list, like Vivint Solar. We have elected to keep this company and some others out of the ranking entirely due to a number of issues, including ongoing litigation with consumers, poor customer service or communication in Arkansas in particular or other similar problems.
Company | Solar Services | Warranty Coverage | BBB Rating | Year Founded |
SunPower |
Solar panels, energy storage, EV chargers, maintenance and monitoring | 25-year manufacturer, workmanship, production guarantee; 10-year warranty for hardware |
A+ | 1985 |
Seal Solar |
Solar panels, energy storage, EV chargers | 25-30-year performance warranty; 10-25-year equipment warranty |
Not Rated | 2012 |
SunPro Solar |
Solar panels, energy storage, solar monitoring, EV charging | 25-year equipment, labor and production warranty | A- | 2008 |
Tesla Energy |
Solar panel, battery, EV charger and solar roofing installations | 25-year panel performance warranty; 10-year comprehensive warranty |
C | 2003 |
Sun Valley Renewables |
Solar panels, energy monitoring | 30-year equipment and performance warranty | NA | 2016 |
Ready to see which solar installer is best for you and to get a quote? Because EcoWatch has established so much brand authority in the solar industry, we’re often able to get some of the best prices and deals for our readers.
1. SunPower
SunPower is a rather large national solar panel installation company, but it gets our number one spot for its great warranty coverage and high-quality, high energy efficiency panels. In the past, SunPower has outsourced installations to third-party companies and instead focused on manufacturing some of the highest efficiency panels in the industry. It’s transitioning to another business model in which it tackles labor in-house, so while customer service is currently spotty, it’s expected to improve.
SunPower has only one equipment brand available — from its sister company, Maxeon — and the panels are quite expensive. However, it accepts all financing options, including cash purchases, solar loans, leases and Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), to make renewable energy accessible to most homeowners.
SunPower has excellent warranty protection that is sure to provide peace of mind to AK residents, even through tornado season.
Click here for our full SunPower review.
Pros for SunPower
SunPower provides some of the highest efficiency panels available. It accepts all financing options, and it has robust warranties.
- High-quality panels
- Many financing options available
- Excellent warranty coverage
Cons for SunPower
SunPower is rather expensive when compared to competitors, and it only carries one brand of panels. Customer service can also be a bit spotty.
- Expensive
- Only one equipment brand available
- Customer service can be spotty
Facts and Figures: SunPower
Better Business Bureau (BBB) Rating | A+ |
Year Founded | 1985 |
Service Area | Statewide |
Average Cost | $$$$ |
Solar Services | Solar panels, energy storage, maintenance and monitoring, EV chargers |
Brands of Solar Equipment Offered | Maxeon/SunPower |
Financing Options | Cash payments, loans, leases, PPA |
2. Seal Solar
Seal Solar is a small local company that has been serving Arkansas since 2012. Its small size means that it has limited service coverage, so customers outside of the Little Rock area will need to turn to another company. However, its small size means that it can provide unparalleled customer service, constant communication throughout the solar conversion process and one-on-one guidance when it comes to taking advantage of the federal tax credit (ITC) and other solar incentives.
Seal Solar provides the basic panel installations, as well as solar battery and electric vehicle charger installations. The services provide some customization options, although the equipment brands offered are limited.
Seal Solar only accepts cash purchases and solar loans. It includes robust warranty coverage for equipment and production.
Pros for Seal Solar
Seal Solar delivers unparalleled customer service to its customers and great communication. It has the usual services and some add-on products for customization, and it includes good warranty coverage.
- Outstanding customer service
- Nice range of services
- Great warranties provided
Cons for Seal Solar
Seal Solar has a very small service area and only installs a few equipment brands. Additionally, it doesn’t accept solar leases or Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs).
- Limited service area
- Few equipment brands offered
- No leases or PPAs
Facts and Figures: Seal Solar
BBB Rating | Not Rated |
Year Founded | 2012 |
Service Area | Little Rock & Surrounding Areas |
Average Cost | $$$ |
Solar Services | Solar panels, energy storage, EV chargers |
Brands of Solar Equipment Offered | Solar Edge, Silfab, Tesla |
Financing Options | Cash payments, loans |
3. SunPro Solar
Sunpro Solar is another large solar installer that serves all of Arkansas, including major cities like Little Rock, Fayetteville and Fort Smith. It maintains a better customer service record than many national solar panel installation companies, although there have been some customer complaints about slow response times after the installation is done.
Sunpro is perhaps best known for its robust warranties, which are highly desirable in Arkansas and the rest of Tornado Valley. The coverage is comprehensive, covering production, physical damage and even labor for 25 years. This guarantee is far more robust than you’ll find from most competitors.
Sunpro handles the basic solar services, including installations of panels, solar batteries and electric vehicle chargers. It also carries a nice range of product brands for customization.
Click here for our full Sunpro review.
Pros for Sunpro Solar
Sunpro has robust warranty coverage that is ideal for Arkansas homeowners. It has a great range of products and services available as well.
- Excellent warranty coverage
- Good range of products
- Multiple services for solar system customization
Cons for Sunpro Solar
Some customers have complained about slow response times after the installation process is complete.
- Spotty customer service, especially after installation
Facts and Figures: Sunpro Solar
BBB Rating | A- |
Year Founded | 2008 |
Service Area | Statewide |
Average Cost | $$$ |
Solar Services | Solar panels, energy storage, EV chargers |
Brands of Solar Equipment Offered | LG, Enphase, Tesla, Mission Solar Energy, Outback Power Systems |
Financing Options | Cash payments, loans, leases and PPAs |
4. Tesla Energy
Tesla Energy is best known for its electric cars, but this tech giant has also made a name for itself in the solar industry. In fact, it produces some of the highest-quality solar equipment with outstanding performance and efficiency, and it’s backed by fairly robust warranties.
Tesla’s solar roofing is quite pricey, but all other equipment provided is very affordable. Tesla gives customers the option of price matching as well to reduce the total cost of its products even further. We generally recommend cash purchases or solar loans when going solar. However, customers looking for the less appealing leases and Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) will not find them from Tesla.
Tesla outsources its installations to third-party solar contractors, so customer service can vary, depending on which installer is assigned to your solar solution.
Click here for our full Tesla Energy review.
Pros for Tesla Energy
Tesla manufactures some of the highest-quality equipment in the industry and backs it with good warranties. It provides some of the best value and offers price matching to reduce costs.
- Cutting-edge technology
- Good warranties
- Excellent value with price matching
Cons for Tesla Energy
Tesla’s customer service isn’t always the best, as it outsources labor to third-party companies. It doesn’t accept leases or Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), and it only installs its own equipment brand.
- Customer service isn’t the greatest in some cases
- No leases or PPAs
- Only one brand of equipment
Facts and Figures: Tesla Energy
BBB Rating | C |
Year Founded | 2003 |
Service Area | Statewide |
Average Cost | $$ |
Solar Services | Solar panel, battery, EV charger and solar roofing installations |
Brands of Solar Equipment Offered | Tesla |
Financing Options | Cash purchases, loans |
5. Sun Valley Renewables
To round out our top-5 list, we’ve chosen an up-and-coming solar panel company: Sun Valley Renewables. Younger companies tend to rank lower on our list given the lack of experience, but Sun Valley Renewables has quickly made a name for itself and has over 6 years in the industry already.
This company is already known for great customer service before, during and after installation. It maintains outstanding customer reviews, responds to customer inquiries and issues quickly and has knowledgeable techs that are willing to help customers take advantage of solar tax credits and local rebates.
It provides access to a number of solar equipment brands to help you balance quality and budget. However, it only installs solar panels and provides energy monitoring, so customers looking for battery storage, EV chargers or other add-on products will need to turn elsewhere. It also only accepts cash purchases and solar loans.
Pros for Sun Valley Renewables
Sun Valley Renewables brings outstanding customer care and service to the table, along with a number of solar equipment brands for customization. It also has excellent warranty coverage for all products.
- Wonderful customer service
- Several equipment brands available
- Outstanding warranty coverage
Cons for Sun Valley Renewables
Sun Valley Renewables is a relatively young solar installation company with less experience and longevity than most competitors. It only handles solar panel installation, and it doesn’t accept leases or Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs).
- Minimal experience in industry
- Lack of services offered
- No leases or PPAs
Facts and Figures: Sun Valley Renewables
BBB Rating | Not Rated |
Year Founded | 2015 |
Service Area | Statewide |
Average Cost | $$$ |
Solar Services | Solar panels, energy monitoring |
Brands of Solar Equipment Offered | LG, Mission Solar Energy, UniRac, IronRidge, Enphase, Roof Tech, Fronius |
Financing Options | Cash payments, loans |
EcoWatch Criteria for Selecting the Top Solar Company in Arkansas
At EcoWatch, we put an immense amount of time and effort into bringing you the best solar companies in your area. We assess each installer based on over 20 criteria, which you can read about over on our methodology page. Some of the more crucial factors we consider will be discussed below.
Warranty
Most solar panel systems include some type of warranty coverage. Solar warranties can be for physical damage, power production, labor and installation or roof penetration.
All warranty coverage is good warranty coverage, but in Arkansas, where tornadoes and other extreme weather events are typical, warranties covering physical damage can bring you peace of mind if tree limbs or other debris start falling on your panels. We rank companies that include robust physical protection warranties higher, given that they serve Arkansas customers better.
Year Founded
Solar conversions have steadily been increasing in popularity throughout Arkansas. This move to clean energy is great news, but it also has brought a number of “fly by night” companies looking to capitalize on the demand. Young, inexperienced companies are typically more likely to provide poor service, and they can void your warranties if they go out of business.
We consider the year a company was founded and give precedence to solar installers who have proven longevity and long-term success.
Services Offered
If you’re looking for a more customized installation that includes add-on products like electric vehicle chargers, solar batteries or other equipment or services, some companies won’t be able to help. Installers like Sun Valley Renewables only tackle panel installation, so you’ll have to turn elsewhere if you need other products or services.
We rank companies with a robust service offering higher because they are more likely to be able to serve every customer in Arkansas, regardless of the specific system setup they’re looking for.
Brands of Solar Equipment Offered
Some solar companies only install a single product brand — like Tesla with its own panels and Tesla Powerwalls or SunPower with SunPower panels — while others carry multiple brands for customization. Customers looking for the most efficient solar panels will find what they’re looking for in SunPower and Tesla, but those who want the cheapest solar panels, for example, will not.
Companies that provide a wider range of products rank higher because they will appeal to more consumers, especially those looking for specific brands or pricing.
Industry Affiliations
There are many solar organizations, nonprofits and associations that help educate consumers about solar energy, gain access to solar financing and promote conversion to renewable energy. Affiliations with these organizations make a solar installer stand out as an industry advocate and one that is dedicated to making solar more accessible rather than to profit.
Some affiliations we look for include the Arkansas Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and the Arkansas Renewable Energy Associations (AREA).
Size of Company
Many solar customers are surprised to learn that the size of the company you choose for your solar energy system installation can be a major factor when it comes to your experience and your system’s value.
Smaller local companies typically provide superior customer service but come at a higher cost. Some might not have the resources to be flexible with installation timelines, but they often have better relationships with local utility companies and permitting agencies, so they can expedite net metering or connection to the grid via your inverter.
Larger national companies usually have lower prices at the expense of customer service and flashy options like Tesla Powerwalls. They also tend to have better flexibility with installation and consultation timelines.
Solar Pricing and Financing
The last significant factors we consider are the overall pricing of a company’s services, the value provided for the cost, and the financing options available to customers.
The cost of solar panels from any company will be an important thing to consider for any homeowner, but our team assesses the company’s value in comparison to the cost. For example, companies that only install high-efficiency equipment — like SunPower panels or Tesla Powerwalls — will naturally be more costly, but the better equipment can boost your home value more and save you more on electric bills going forward. Cheaper isn’t always better with solar equipment, so the value is a better metric than cost.
Additionally, the more financing options a company provides, the more accessible they are to customers. Companies that accept cash purchases, solar loans with variable terms, leases, and Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) tend to rank higher, even though some options are less appealing and beneficial than others.
EcoWatch FAQ: Best Solar Companies in Arkansas
The EcoWatch team is pleased to get tons of questions from Arkansas residents about the solar conversion process and the costs involved. Below are the questions we see most frequently from AK homeowners, along with our responses.
Our EcoWatch rating is a single number designed to give you an at-a-glance idea of how likely you are to be pleased with a solar installer’s service. This number takes more than 20 factors into consideration. Some of the more crucial factors include overall cost, the value provided, how robust the warranty coverage is, the services and products offered, and more.
We weight all of these criteria based on their individual importance to Arkansas residents, specifically, and then combine the scores to get our EcoWatch rating. You can check out our complete process on our methodology page.
Most Arkansas homeowners agree that a company’s physical damage warranty is one of the most important factors to consider. Arkansas residents are well acquainted with extreme weather, including tornadoes and hail. These weather events can easily damage solar panels, so physical protection provides peace of mind that your panels will be a worthwhile investment that will provide value for a long time.
Finding the most affordable solar company in Arkansas involves contacting the top providers in the state and getting customized quotes for your home. This process would be quite time-intensive, and the most affordable solar installer isn’t always the one that’s best suited for your rooftop solar project.
Instead, it’s wise to find the company that will provide the most value and still falls within your budget. Cheaper isn’t always better when it comes to solar panels, so a company that costs more could offer higher-quality equipment that will save you more money on your electric bills in the long run.
The answer to this question really depends on your needs and expectations, as there are pros and cons to small and large companies.
If you’re looking for outstanding customer service or local knowledge, a smaller company will probably serve you better. Local companies also often have better relationships with permitting agencies and utility companies and can expedite permitting connection to the grid, or net metering.
On the other hand, a larger national company might be a better option for you if you’re looking for affordability. Larger companies tend to have lower prices, although they lack the customer service and — sometimes — the flashier equipment options, like Tesla Powerwalls. Larger companies can, however, usually expedite installations, as they have larger teams to accommodate more customers.
There were some companies that we found that service Arkansas that we decided to exclude from our rankings altogether. Some companies were excluded because of ongoing litigation with customers, below-average customer service specifically for Arkansas residents, or other problems that might prevent a good customer experience.