15 Best Solar Companies in Austin, TX (2023 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in Austin based on:
-
Customer review scores - Service area for Austin, TX
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Austin homeowner saves $1,530/year with solar panels
Updated September 15, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Austin
If you're looking for the best solar companies in Austin, sifting through so many options can be overwhelming, but it can pay off since switching to solar energy can offer so many good benefits. Installation costs can be high, but switching to solar will save you money on your utility bills in the long term. In fact, you can look forward to saving about $18,000 over 20 years.
The cost of installing solar panels can change a lot depending on your home's infrastructure and your overall energy usage. To get an idea of how much you would pay to install solar panels on your roof, you can get a free quote from one of the top solar companies in Austin by clicking the "get quote" button below.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Austin
crSolar Energy Solutions
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Reliable Customer Support - Clear Pricing Policy
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
-
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
-
Tailored solutions - Expert panel installation
- Integrated roofing
- Home installations
- Business installations
- Energy storage solutions
Momentum Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Energy storage solutions
- Business installations
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Integrated roofing
- Home installations
SunPower Corporation
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Integrated roofing
- Energy storage solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
Austin's Best Solar Panels
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
Smart Energy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Integrated roofing
- Home installations
- Energy storage solutions
Solar365 Austin
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Integrated roofing
- Tailored solutions
- End-to-end services
Easy Simple Solar
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Business installations
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
Green Planet Solutions
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Energy storage solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
512 Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Integrated roofing
- Home installations
- Professional reinstallation
- Tailored solutions
- Skilled repairs
Bat City Solar Co
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Skilled repairs
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
- Integrated roofing
- Business installations
ATX Solar
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Energy storage solutions
Lighthouse Solar
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Business installations
- Home installations
- Energy storage solutions
- Tailored solutions
- Skilled repairs
Texas Solar Power Company
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
- Business installations
- Integrated roofing
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
Austin Discount Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
Optimum Solar USA
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- End-to-end services
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
- Integrated roofing
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Austin
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Austin based on criteria such as its reputation in the industry, customer reviews, services, warranty coverage and financing. Using this solar methodology, we used the data we collected to rate and rank each company and narrow down our picks for the best solar companies in Austin
Below are some the criteria we examined specifically for Texas solar companies
- Brand reputation and certifications (20%): We take each company's Better Business Bureau (BBB) score into consideration, as well as how long the installer has been in business (at least 5 years is required, 10 preferred) and what type of solar certifications it holds.
- Customer reviews (20%): Trust is a top priority at EcoWatch, so we take customer experience under close consideration. We scour different review sites and customer testimonials when ranking our top solar companies, checking sites such as Trustpilot and Google Reviews. We also consider any potential complaints or lawsuits filed against these companies and award or remove points accordingly.
- Warranty (20%): A company earns a perfect score in this category if it offers 25-year warranties that cover performance, product and workmanship. The industry standard that we measure companies against is 25-year product and performance warranties, along with a 10-year workmanship warranty. We also look closely into the track record of the post-installation support each company provides in terms of honoring its contracts
- Solar services (10%): All of the companies we review install solar panels, but we award companies higher points if they offer additional services for customers, like battery installation, energy-efficiency audits, and EV chargers.
- Pricing and financing (10%): It's hard to get exact quotes for solar projects, but we use marketplace research to determine how each company prices its equipment and installation services. Additionally, companies that offer more help for panel financing — like in-house loans, leases, or PPAs — score higher than those that don't.
- Availability (10%): The bigger the service area, the higher the company will score.
- Transparency and accessibility (5%): Solar installers that offer free consultations and easy contact methods score higher in this category.
- Environmental, social and corporate governance factors (5%): A company earns a perfect score in this category if it offers public data disclosure, addresses end-of-life (EOL) products or processes, and demonstrates a commitment to uplifting the communities that it serves.
The Cost and Benefits of Solar in Austin
While solar panels can save you a good amount of money on electricity bills over time, it's necessary to know the startup costs. The installation cost is just one important factor you should bear in mind when looking into installing solar panels. How much it'll cost and how much you can save depend on things including:
- How much electricity your household consumes: Households that consume plenty of electricity each month may call for more solar panels and, as a result, be more expensive, but will also save more on their energy bills over time.
- Your location: This affects how much sunlight your roof gets, which helps determine how many panels you need.
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit currently lets you decrease your taxes by 30% of the project cost. Your state and city may also have various incentives that you can take advantage of. Additionally, you can save about $18,000 over 20 years on your utility bills, without incentives.
- Your income and budget: This shapes what model of solar panels you can afford.
Although a solar panel system costs a sizable chunk of money upfront, it can save you a considerable amount over time. The question of how much, though, depends on several factors, including the angle of your roof and your energy consumption.
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Solar Incentives in Austin
Since solar power is a cleaner source of energy than traditional energy sources, there are several government incentives available to encourage its adoption. There are a lot of federal, state and local rebates and tax credits that can earn you anywhere from 30% to 50% of your money back after installing a qualifying system. For comprehensive information about incentives that apply to you, check out our article on solar incentives.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Austin
There are a few important reasons why many people are considering solar energy: to put more money in their bank account and to help the planet. But how much can switching to solar actually help the environment? The more power your family uses, the the more the environment will benefit if you switch to solar as you won't have to burn as many fossil fuels. In Austin, the average person can reduce their carbon footprint by 80 pounds a year after going solar. For people who care about the environment, the upfront cost of solar is a small price to pay for the offset carbon emissions.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
EcoWatch's Austin, TX Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar panel installer is the best in Austin?
The highest-rated local solar company in Austin is Freedom Solar Power, with a rating of 4.10 stars.
What is the negative environmental impact of solar panels?
Solar panels can be harmful for the environment when manufacturers use toxic chemicals when they're made. Chemicals can make solar panels difficult to dispose of safely once they've reached the end of their lifespan. Making solar panels requires a lot of energy as well. The energy payback period is about 1 to 4 years.
How long does it take to see a return on your investment after installing solar panels?
Solar panels usually pay for themselves in about 9.8 years, but your solar payback period will depend on your utility costs. The higher your typical energy bill, the faster your solar panel system will recoup your installation costs.
What is solar panel capacity and how much do I need for my house?
Solar panel capacity is rated depending on how much power they generate under standard testing conditions. Since each panel can generally produce about 250 to 400 watts per hour, the average household will need 20 to 35 panels.
Our goal is to reach as many people as we can with sensible solutions like solar energy. Our team of full-time local researchers collects solar price and installation data for every city in America then compiles it to create these digestible city guides. If you want to read our solar expert’s opinion on the top solar companies featured here, follow this link.
Company research was conducted by Melissa Smith and Karsten Neumeister. Local data analysis was conducted by James Savino. See something we missed or could do better? Email the editor.