4.9
8.7
Overall Score
Author: Kaitlyn Short
1Solar is a full-service solar installation company with service areas in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, and Utah. Since its inception in 2014, 1Solar has become a growing player in the solar industry, specializing in residential and commercial solar installations. The company offers solar system and solar battery installation services, as well as solar monitoring, repair, and replacement services. In addition, 1Solar is licensed to install EV chargers from a variety of manufacturers, such as Tesla, ChargePoint, and Lectron.
1Solar prides itself in being a full-service installation company, meaning that the company will oversee and handle all aspects of the solar installation process from permitting to post-installation monitoring. Some solar installation companies outsource work to third-party contractors, allowing them to have a wider geographic reach to serve more customers, but often at the cost of efficiency; the more parties that are involved in the solar installation process can result in miscommunication, which can slow the process down significantly.
In addition to a more efficient solar installation process, the fact that 1Solar is a full-service installer offers several other benefits, including the following:
1Solar offers solar battery services as part of their comprehensive solar energy solutions. These services are designed to complement their solar panel installations, providing customers with greater energy independence and resilience.
As a licensed installer of Tesla Powerwall, Enphase, SolarEdge, and Fortress battery backups, 1Solar ensures high-quality products that can assist you in taking advantage of excess energy generated by your solar panel system. This excess energy can be used to power your home at night when your solar panels aren’t generating power, or in the case of a power outage.
It’s worth noting that 1Solar is also a WattSmart partner, providing you with the opportunity to take advantage of the WattSmart battery rebate.
In addition to its solar system and solar battery installation services, 1Solar offers EV charger solutions and installation services.
There are many types of EV chargers available in the market and 1Solar can help you choose the best one for your home and vehicle. 1Solar’s team of licensed electricians can install EV chargers from Tesla, ChargePoint, Autel, Lectron, and more.
It’s important to note that 1Solar EV charger installations are done by licensed electricians. The EV charger installation process can be complicated, including specific permitting and paperwork, but also requiring specialized electrical work — most EV chargers require heavy gauge wiring running between your service panel and EV charger, and it’s important to ensure that all wiring is completed by a professional electrician.
Once your 1Solar solar system is installed, you’ll want to make sure that all components are functioning properly and that your system is consistently operating at peak performance. To assist in system monitoring, 1Solar provides an app through which you can monitor your system. If you notice any system issues or errors through your app, you can contact 1Solar and a company technician will work with you to diagnose error codes and fix your system.
1Solar has a specific solar service and solar repair department that can help any customer, regardless of whether or not you’re a 1Solar customer. When you call 1Solar for repair and/or replacement service, a member of the 1Solar service department will be sent to your home to diagnose your system and determine next steps to get your system back up and running. If possible, 1Solar’s technicians will fix electrical problems on the spot; however, some problems may require more time and/or resources.
1Solar doesn’t provide any specific service pricing on its website. However, because the company is a full-service and integrated installer, you may be able to secure competitive pricing, especially when compared to larger solar companies, such as SunPower or Tesla.
If you’d like a personalized estimate of your solar installation, you can request a free quote on the 1Solar website. Your price quote is subject to change, but it can provide you with an idea of what type of budget you’ll need for your solar project.
1Solar is a solar market leader in the Mountain West and currently has service areas in the following five states:
As noted above, 1Solar’s service area doesn’t necessarily cover all areas in all states listed above. Thus, it’s important to confirm whether or not 1Solar services your area of residence. Unfortunately, if you don’t reside in any of the states/areas listed above, 1Solar’s services may not be available to you.
While 1Solar offers high-quality solar panels, their range of advanced technologies like battery storage and smart home integration might be less extensive compared to industry leaders like Tesla or SunPower. Customers looking for the latest in solar tech might find 1Solar's offerings somewhat limited.
A 1Solar solar project, from consultation to system activation, can take approximately 90 to 120 days. Compared to the industry average speed of 30 to 60 days, 1Solar has a significantly long installation timeline. It’s important to note that no matter which solar company you work with, timelines will vary and you could experience delays. However, 1Solar’s installation timeline is much longer than you may see with other companies in the industry.
1Solar doesn’t provide any warranty or financing information on its website, making it difficult to know whether or not you might be able to afford a solar system installation and what kind of protection your system would have.
1Solar does indicate that warranty information is provided on the purchase and installation agreement, but it can be helpful to have that information upfront. In most cases, solar companies offer 25-year warranties that typically include coverage for equipment and workmanship.
It’s unclear which financing options are available to 1Solar customers. Common solar financing options include outright purchase, solar loans, solar leases, and power purchase agreements (PPAs).
When compared to other solar companies, 1Solar stands out for its customer-centric approach and competitive pricing. Companies like SunPower and Tesla might offer more advanced technologies and wider geographic coverage, but often at higher price points. 1Solar's transparency and quality installations make it a strong contender, especially for customers prioritizing affordability and service quality over the latest technological innovations.
While there are areas for improvement, particularly in increasing solar installation speed and providing clearer warranty and financing information, 1Solar's strengths in customer service, pricing, and installation quality make it a viable installer option in the solar market.
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