Renu Energy Solutions Review: Costs, Quality, Services & More (2024)
Here’s what you need to know about Renu Energy Solutions:
- EcoWatch Rating: 4.5/5
- Service Area: North Carolina and South Carolina
- Warranty Length: 25 years for equipment and efficiency
- Better Business Bureau Rating: A+
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.”
If you’re looking for a Renu Energy Solutions review to see if this is a trustworthy and reputable company to take your home solar, then you’re in the right place. We’ve taken a deep dive into the company to find out what kind of service you can expect, the quality of the products offered, the length of the warranty coverage and more.
In this review, we’ll include all the information you need to know before you decide if Renu Energy Solutions is the right solar panel company for you.
Is Renu Energy Solutions a Good Solar Company?
Overall, yes, Renu Energy Solutions is a reputable solar panel installer that has over a decade of experience. During its time in the solar industry, it has provided great quality photovoltaic (PV) products and reliable and fast service to residents of North and South Carolina. As it scored a 4.5/5 for our EcoWatch scoring we believe Renu Energy is a good regional installer and can hold its own when it is measured up against national players like Sunrun and Momentum.
What You Should Know About Renu Energy Solutions?
Renu Energy Solutions is a small, locally-owned solar provider that operates in North Carolina — from its main warehouse in Charlotte — and South Carolina — from another primary warehouse in Columbia. The company has been serving local solar customers for over a decade since 2010, and it performs all of its installations in-house, which is great for ensuring quality and consistency.
Renu Energy Solutions provides access to quite a few solar services and products, including installations for PV panels, solar energy storage solutions, electric vehicle (EV) chargers and solar roofs (specifically the Tesla solar roof). The company’s warranty coverage on these products lasts for 25 years for the equipment and panel efficiency.
Renu Energy Solutions Fast Facts | |
Year Started | 2010 |
Service Areas | North Carolina and South Carolina |
Services Offered | Solar panel, battery and EV charger installations; solar roofing; residential solar and commercial solar |
Types of Solar Equipment Offered | Tesla, LG, REC, Enphase |
Certifications | NABCEP, BBB, Certified Electrician Licensing, General Contractor Licensing |
Better Business Bureau Rating | A+ |
Renu Energy Solutions
Regional Service
Average cost
Pros
- Excellent reputation
- Many financing options
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- No leases or PPAs
Cons
- Doesn’t have a formal workmanship warranty
- Less equipment brand options available
Renu Energy Solutions Services and Installation
Some of the most important things to look at when you’re considering a solar energy system installer include the customer experience the company provides and how smooth and professional the installation will be. We’ll discuss how Renu Energy Solutions shines in both of these areas in the sections below.
Solar Installation Experience
The actual process of converting to solar with Renu Energy will be similar to what you can expect from other providers in the area. We’ll include a breakdown of the process below.
Step 1: Request a Free Quote and Consultation
To begin the process, you’ll first need to provide your contact information to Renu. You can do this by calling the company’s phone number directly or by filling out the contact form on the company’s website.
Shortly thereafter, a sales representative will contact you to set up a consultation. They’ll also ask for a recent electric bill to prepare for the virtual or in-person meeting.
During that consultation, you’ll need to answer some questions about your energy consumption, including what major energy draws you have — like appliances, heating and cooling systems and EV chargers — and any expansions you plan to make in the future.
Step 2: Home Inspection
Renu will then schedule to send a representative to your home to do a brief inspection and take measurements of your roof. This is a necessary step in the process to ensure you get a system that fits your home and meets your energy demands.
You will likely need to provide interior access during the inspection so that your technician can see the underside of your roof — from your attic or crawl spaces — your water meter and any areas of your home where inverters and add-on equipment will be installed, like your attached garage.
Step 3: Design and Installation
Once the inspection is completed, your solar project will be moved over to Renu’s design team. During the design process, the team will custom design a system that not only fits on your roof but is expected to provide enough energy to power your home.
If you approve the design, your sales rep will discuss when and how to make the first payment so that the equipment can be ordered and the permit process can begin.
When permits are opened and the equipment has been delivered, Renu will schedule a date for the system installation. You should plan on being home for the entire day when your system is being installed, as you might need to answer questions or provide interior access to complete the work.
All of Renu’s labor is done by its in-house installation team, so the customer service, punctuality and actual installation labor are all on point for the large majority of customers.
Step 4: Commissioning Your System
Finally, Renu will commission or turn on your system. At this point, your panels should start producing energy for your home, and you’ll start seeing solar savings.
Renu has an excellent reputation for customer service post-installation, and it is known to respond quickly to all warranty claims. If you have issues with your system stemming from manufacturer defects or dips in panel efficiency, Renu will very likely be quick to respond and offer a resolution.
Unfortunately, one area where Renu falls short is with the workmanship warranty. If you install LG panels through the company, you can get up to $450 of labor covered, but no other labor warranty is offered.1
Thankfully, the company has reputable installers certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and holding years of experience, so the risk of installation problems is relatively low.
Renu Energy Solutions Customer Service
Renu Energy Solutions excels in customer service, and the company’s attention to detail and customer experience is reflected in its online reviews.
It maintains an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) with few complaints filed, as well as a 4.6 rating on Google Reviews. You can expect a hands-on and communicative approach from this company.
Renu Energy Solutions Costs and Financing
Renu Energy Solutions has pricing that is right in line with the average in NC and SC. The quality you get for that price is outstanding in terms of both equipment and customer service. Renu offers a decent selection of tier-one panel brands — like REC, Tesla and LG — and its customer service is second to none.
The company doesn’t offer leases or power purchase agreements (PPAs), which we generally don’t recommend anyway. Instead, it accepts cash purchases and in-house loans that come with a $0-down option and low interest rates. This option is referred to as “same-as-cash consumer financing,” and it’s a highly accessible option for solar conversion.2
With average costs and accessible loan options, Renu Energy Solutions remains affordable for most residents in its service area.
Financing Options Through Renu Energy Solutions
The table below includes a quick look at how the different solar financing options compare. Remember, Renu only accepts cash purchases and solar loans, although these are generally the most beneficial for solar customers.
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 |
You can read more about these options and discover which suits your budget and needs most accurately by reading through our complete solar financing guide.
Renu Energy Solutions Solar Panel Warranty
Solar equipment is expensive, and much of it will be exposed to the elements on a daily basis, so choosing a company that offers solid warranty coverage is crucial. There are three types of solar warranties to look for:
- Equipment warranties, which cover manufacturer defects
- Production warranties, which guarantee your panel performance
- Labor warranties, which cover issues arising from poor installation technique
Renu Energy Solutions provides equipment and production warranties for 25 years each. The equipment warranty is in line with the industry average, and the production warranty is a bit longer than the standard 20-year warranty.3
Unfortunately, Renu doesn’t offer any workmanship warranty for the labor, so this pales in comparison to the 10-year industry standard.
Renu Energy Solutions Reviews
Renu provides high-quality equipment, outstanding customer service and localized knowledge and experience, so it should come as no surprise that it receives mostly positive customer reviews.
We’ll include some of the positive and negative reviews we found on the internet in the sections below to give you an idea of what you can expect if you choose this provider.
Positive Renu Energy Solutions Reviews
Online reviews for Renu Energy Solutions are overwhelmingly positive. The majority of customers rave about the company’s communication throughout the entire conversion process and overall customer service.
There are also many instances of customers pointing out that the techs are local experts who can help navigate solar incentives and other perks to get the most out of solar conversion.
Below are some of the positive reviews we found:
“I received 3 quotes for my solar project. Renu came in with the best price and warranty. Nich was excellent with helping us understand the system, options, cost etc. Blake, Mark, Jordan, Alex, Ben, Dylan, and Owen did our 35 panel install in ONE DAY! Calli kept us informed on the process. From start to finish only about 6 weeks! Happy to be offsetting our electric bill!” —Abe P. via Google Reviews
“Very responsive, and installation was timely and fast. There was a glitch in the installation, which only affected our ability to track performance. They were prompt and professional in coming out and fixing the problem.” —Christopher W. via BBB
“Outstanding company. They had all of my questions answered before I even asked. Contacting someone is a blessing these days to be able to discuss your concerns and speak to a real person. Already referred this company to my neighbors and so far 1 family has gotten on board.” —Raymond M. via BBB
Negative Renu Energy Solutions Reviews
As is the case with nearly any company, Renu Energy does have some negative reviews. Thankfully, it seems like most of the issues customers have had have been one-off problems with a lack of communication. There have been some delays in installation timelines mentioned as well.
We’ll include some of the negative reviews we found below to help illustrate the entire picture.
“Very bad experience with ****. I signed a contract and since the teams have been very unhelpful and unprofessional. It’s been over 6 months and my system has not been installed. I escalated to management who said they could help but nothing has been done to move my project along. Communication has been terrible because they tell me they will come to my house and then don’t show up. They tell me that a different team will help with my project and then no one helps.” —Jim H. via BBB
“I was excited by the opportunity to get solar installed at our home. Unfortunately the promises of eliminating 90% of our energy bill did not materialize. We did everything we were asked to do, including cutting down trees by our home. They did honor the shortfall the first year by issuing a check as promised in the contract. [I] am extremely disappointed with the customer service post-installation and the promises of making it right, which have not yet materialized…in two years.” — Scott D. via BBB
Pros and Cons of Renu Energy Solutions
Renu Energy Solutions Pros | Renu Energy Solutions Cons |
Lengthy equipment and efficiency warranties (25 years each) | Doesn’t have a formal workmanship warranty |
Tier-one equipment, including high-demand products like Tesla Powerwalls | Not many equipment brands available |
Excellent customer service and positive customer reviews | Minimal service area (NC and SC only) |
Offers a wide array of solar services | |
Relatively affordable |
Renu Energy Solutions EcoWatch Rating
Category | Renu Energy Solutions Star Rating (Out of 5.0) |
Reputation | 5 |
Cost & Financing | 4.5 |
Services | 4.5 |
Installation Process | 5 |
Customer Experience | 5 |
EcoWatch Rating | 4.5 |
Solar Energy Provider Comparison
If you’re not convinced that Renu Energy Solutions is the right option for you, then we implore you to look into some companies that provide similar service and quality but with more extensive warranty options and service area coverage.
The table below provides a side-by-side look at how two of our top solar companies in the country compare to Renu Energy.
Renu Energy Solutions | SunPower | Momentum Solar | |
EcoWatch Rating | 4.5 | 5.0 | 4.5 |
Year Started | 2010 | 1984 | 2009 |
Services Offered | Solar panel, battery and EV charger installations; solar roofs; services for homeowners and business owners | Solar panel; solar battery and EV charger installations; solar monitoring | Solar panel and solar battery installations |
Service Areas | NC and SC | Nationwide | 11 states |
BBB Rating | A+ | A+ | A+ |
Payment Options | Cash payments and solar loans | Cash payments, solar loans, solar leases, power purchase agreements (PPAs) | Cash payments, solar loans, solar leases, power purchase agreements (PPAs) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Below, we’ll answer some of the questions we get asked most frequently by customers looking to go solar. If you have additional questions that aren’t addressed here, feel free to reach out to our team of solar experts at solar@ecowatch.com.
Yes, Renu Energy Solutions is a legitimate company that has been providing high-quality PV system installations and excellent customer service for over a decade. Its representatives are known to be friendly, courteous and helpful, and the care and response times after system activation are unparalleled in the company’s service area.
Yes, Renu Energy Solutions provides an excellent deal on solar equipment and services.
While the pricing is about average, you get a lot for your money. Renu provides access to some of the most efficient panel brands in the industry and couples the equipment with unmatched customer service throughout the entire solar journey. Overall, your money will go further with Renu than it will with many of the company’s direct competitors.
Plus, Renu offers in-house financing with no down payment requirements and no interest at first, as well as long-term financing. These options make solar affordable and accessible to most residents looking to convert to renewable energy.
Energy savings are never guaranteed when you convert to solar, but the large majority of Renu customers will find massive savings on their utility bills after the installation is completed.
The high-efficiency panels offered by Renu, coupled with the 25-year panel efficiency warranty and the company’s years of local experience, means you’ll most likely get an appropriately-sized system that eliminates or significantly reduces your energy bills.
Renu Energy Solutions comes in about average in terms of pricing. That means systems in NC and SC from this provider will average around $19,000 and $21,000, respectively, after the federal income tax credit (ITC) but before any solar rebates or local solar incentives. While the pricing is typical for the company’s service areas, the quality you get is above average, making Renu an overall great option.
Renu Energy Solutions is a small, local company that only provides solar services in North Carolina and South Carolina. Its warehouses are located in Charlotte, Asheville (Arden) and Raleigh (Jamestown) in NC, and Columbia and Greenville in SC.