Fluent Solar Review: Costs, Quality, Services & More (2024)
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.”
Fluent Solar is a solar system installer located in Lindon, Utah. Fluent has grown quickly since its inception in 2016, having expanded to twelve other states and Alberta, Canada.
Its rapid growth can be attributed to its trained professional team and use of state-of-the-art equipment. Fluent also provides an array of solar purchasing options, making it easier to go solar.
Is Fluent Solar a Good Solar Company?
Fluent Solar has the makings of a good renewable energy company, despite a few reported incidents of poor communication and slow service. It has decent warranties, uses high-quality components for its solar systems and offers loans, leases and PPAs (power purchase agreements).
What Should You Know About Fluent Solar?
In 2010, Fluent’s founders started Fluent Home, a home security and home automation company operating in the U.S. and Canada. Six years later, they started Fluent Solar. Founded in Utah, the company has installed a large number of solar systems over the years and expanded to serve 13 states across the U.S., as well as Alberta, Canada.
One of Fluent’s distinguishing features is offering package additions to solar installations. For example the “Attic Package,” which includes a blower door test, attic foam seal, 10 inches of attic insulation, solar attic fan, LED light bulbs and a Nest thermostat. Fluent also offers a roof leakage warranty along with the standard workmanship and equipment warranties.
Fluent Solar Fast Facts | |
Year Started | 2016 |
Service Areas | UT, ID, CO, KS, KY, MO, NE, TX, AR, OH, OR, PA, NC and Alberta, Canada |
Services Offered | Solar panel and solar battery installations; energy-efficiency upgrades; maintenance and repair services |
Types of Solar Equipment Offered | SunPower, Enphase, SolarEdge |
Certifications | Enphase premium installer; accreditation by the Better Business Bureau |
Better Business Bureau Rating | B |
Fluent Solar
Average cost
Pros
- Comprehensive service offerings
- Expansive service area
- Full-service home energy solutions
Cons
- Relatively young company
- Some reports of long wait times for installation
Fluent Solar Services and Installation
Fluent Solar is primarily a home solar installation company that provides consultation, design and installation services to homeowners in 13 states. Through its sister company Fluent Home, it has home improvement packages including home automation, energy efficiency and security that it can provide along with solar systems.
Solar Installation Experience
Going solar with Fluent Solar includes the following steps:
Request a Contact
To get the process rolling, complete Fluent’s contact form on its website or give Fluent a call at 866-736-1253.
Site Survey
Fluent’s appointment setter will work with you to set up an agreeable time and the sales rep will visit your home and gather information, including taking photos. A solar technician will visit about a week later to confirm that your house is eligible for solar and gather more information if needed.
Design
If you decide to proceed, Fluent’s design team will create a detailed solar system design based on the information collected and on your energy bills. The design is then approved by an engineer.
Permitting
Fluent submits the approved design to your jurisdiction for a system construction permit. The time needed for the permitting process will depend on your jurisdiction and its regulations.
Install
It takes two to four days to complete the system installation, depending on the system’s size and the city’s inspection requirements. The install team may take longer if your system requires a ground mount or other electrical upgrades.
Inspection
After installation, a representative from your jurisdiction will come to inspect your system to confirm that it meets standards. Fluent’s team will reach out to inform you when the jurisdiction has placed you on its inspection schedule.
Interconnection
At this stage, Fluent will apply with your electric utility for PTO (Permission to Operate). If net metering is available, the utility will send a rep to install a net meter on your system.
Permission to Operate (PTO)
Once the electric company has provided the PTO, Fluent will call and walk you through turning on your system and ensuring it is operating smoothly. At this point the whole process is complete and you are ready to enjoy the savings from your system.
Fluent Solar Customer Service
Every solar company has at least some room for improvement. In Fluent’s case, customer service may be a weak spot. The company has a terrific lineup of products and a trained staff of solar consultants, designers and electricians; however, many customers are unhappy about unreturned phone calls, describing in their reviews how difficult it is to get their issues sorted through the customer service team.
Fluent Solar Costs and Financing
The price of systems is where Fluent Solar really scores points. While Its systems come with top-tier components, they don’t break the bank. We’ve rated Fluent’s costs 4 out of 5 stars, which means its pricing is about the same or even slightly better than the average price of solar panels across the U.S.
Financing Options Through Fluent Solar
Fluent Solar’s prices aren’t the only positive about the company. It also provides an array of purchasing options to make going solar easier. Here’s an overview of the available options:
Cash Purchase | Solar Loan | Solar Lease | Solar PPA | |
System Ownership | ✓ | ✓ | ||
Maintenance Included | ✓ | ✓ | ||
Upfront Cost | ✓ | ✓ | ||
Added Property Value | ✓ | ✓ | ||
Eligible for Tax Credit | ✓ | ✓ | ||
Payment Due to | Solar Installer | Loan Provider | Solar Installer | Solar Installer |
With different purchasing models having different advantages and limitations, there is no single best option for everyone. What’s best for you depends on your needs and budget. Our solar financing guide can help in this regard, discussing each option in detail.
Fluent Solar Panel Warranty
Fluent Solar offers two types of warranty: one for the equipment it procures and installs and another for the installation workmanship. On the equipment, Fluent passes on the warranty from the manufacturer — often a 25-year panel warranty or a 10- to 12-year inverter warranty.
The workmanship warranty (also known as labor warranty), is for 10 years and covers system malfunction due to faulty workmanship. Fluent also offers a one-year roof warranty to ensure that the system installation hasn’t caused roof damage.
Fluent Solar Reviews
There are plenty of positive reviews about Fluent Solar, with praises for the company’s experience, knowledge and quality of work. However, a significant portion of the reviews are negative, describing slow service and not-so-great communication. Below are a few examples of Fluent’s positive and negative reviews.
Positive Fluent Solar Reviews
“We got our solar last June. The process went pretty smoothly. Permits and approval from the power company took about 6 weeks. The install went smoothly. Our project manager communicated with us the whole time. We have only paid our connection fee of $8 a month since having the system turned on. Happy with the experience and have referred family and friends to Fluent.”
– Daisha S. via BBB
“Fluent as a company was great to work with from day one. Our [sales representative] always followed through with everything she committed to. Incentives we received were great. Customer service was super. All-around service made our experience with Fluent a joy to go through. We would recommend Fluent to our friends.”
– Brian E. via Best Company
Negative Fluent Solar Reviews
“…Multiple delays and over two months after ‘installation’ there is still zero power being produced. Customer service is totally non-responsive. I have spent hours on hold or talking to a rep who is unable to do anything. Stay away!!”
– JB via Best Company
“This company sells you their product then has the worst customer service and communication of any company I’ve ever dealt with. I regret doing business with this company and will not refer anyone to them. It took them months to get our system running and we had to initiate contact and get pushed in circles trying to get responses and answers. They also owe us money – probably why we are getting no responses.”
– Laura M via Yelp
Solar Energy Provider Comparison
Here’s a look at how Fluent Solar stacks up against the competition:
Fluent Solar | Encor Solar | Intermountain Wind and Solar | |
EcoWatch Rating | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.5 |
Year Started | 2016 | 2016 | 2008 |
Services Offered | Solar panel and solar battery installations; energy-efficiency upgrades; maintenance and repair services | Solar panel and solar battery installations; roofing services; energy efficiency upgrades | Solar panel, battery and EV charger installations; energy monitoring; roof repair and general contracting |
Service Areas | UT, AR, CO, ID, KS, KY, MO, NC, NE, OH, OR, PA and TX | OR, CA, NV, ID, UT, AZ, CO, NM, TX, KS, MO, OK, VA, NC, SC, GA, FL | UT, ID, NV, OR, WY |
BBB Rating | B | A+ | A+ |
Payment Options | Cash, loan, lease, PPA | Cash, loan | Cash, loan |
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have specific questions that aren’t answered here, reach out to our team of solar experts at solar@ecowatch.com.
Fluent Solar is a completely legit company operating in Utah and many major cities — including Denver, Columbus and Lehi — for over half a decade. It has obtained all the essential licenses to conduct business as a solar company, and has installed a large number of systems.
Going solar with Fluent is a good deal, considering its attractive pricing and knowledgeable staff. In some cases, however, Fluent may have issues with the speed of installation and customer service.
Fluent Solar uses high-quality solar equipment such as SunPower panels and Enphase inverters. As long as the panels don’t have output issues and the system design is proper, your electricity bill is guaranteed to decrease.
The solar power systems offered by Fluent Solar aren’t too expensive. In fact, Fluent reportedly offers some of the most attractively priced systems in the country, meaning you will have a shorter payback period and greater savings.
Fluent Solar’s main office is in Lindon, Utah. The company’s website is http://www.fluentsolar.com (although it provides bare minimum information on there) and its phone number is 866-736-1253. It also installs systems in Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Texas, and is looking to expand to more states.