512 Solar
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Author: Kaitlyn Short
512 Solar is an Austin, Texas based solar installation and roofing repair company working to provide renewable energy solutions to home and business owners. The company designs, installs, and offers subsequent maintenance services to its clients in order to help them cut energy costs and create a more sustainable environment.
Each client that utilizes 512 Solar will receive a complimentary and comprehensive solar site evaluation. This service will provide prospective customers with an opportunity to ask clarifying questions and receive any information needed to make a decision. A project lead will guide clients throughout the entire process.
After installation, 512 Solar will provide maintenance and 24-hour emergency service to ensure that clients have access to clean, renewable energy.
Top Ranked Companies
The Good
- Equipment Partners
- Roof Repair
- Warranties
Equipment Partners
Solar installation companies need high level relationships with equipment providers in order to be able to install the best technology on clients’ properties. 512 Solar has developed and maintained relationships with high level equipment partners including the following:
- Enphase
- SolarEdge
- SMA
- PowerOne
- Fronius
While there is no information on the company’s battery partnership, these panel and inverter manufacturers offer some of the latest and most efficient solar equipment on the market.
Roof Repair
512 Solar offers roof installation and repair services to clients. The company can repair roof leaks, damage from storms, and even replace the roof entirely before the system is installed. Not many solar installation companies offer roofing repairs or replacements, but 512 has the team of professionals needed to provide this service.
Warranties
512 Solar only partners with manufacturers that offer at least 25-year equipment warranties essentially guaranteeing the system will produce throughout its equipment lifespan.
On top of that, 512 Solar offers a workmanship warranty. This warranty lasts 10 years and offers repairs and replacements when necessary. The unique aspect of the 512 Solar workmanship warranty is the monitoring service that is coupled with it.
The Bad
- Limited Service Area
- Certification
- Purchasing Options
Limited Service Area
By nature, solar installation is a local operation. Most solar installation companies will only offer services within the state it operates out of or in a select few populated cities within a state. However, some solar installation companies have figured out how to scale business in order to service more prospective solar consumers. These companies offer services in multiple states or regions across the country. However, 512 Solar is not one of these operations. Instead, the company solely focuses its attention on the Austin, Texas area. This vastly limits the number of prospective consumers that can take advantage of the 512 Solar service.
Certification
The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is the gold standard for solar accreditation. The accreditation organization provides both individual and company accreditation programs for solar professionals. Technicians can be certified as photovoltaic system installers, solar heat installers, and in technical sales.
The organization was originally created to help build confidence in the industry as a whole and the NABCEP has done just that. Most reputable solar installation companies are either accredited or have a certified installer on staff. However, 512 Solar has neither.
Purchasing Options
Having a solar system installed can cost anywhere from $15,000–$25,000 on average. While some clients can pay for the solar system and the subsequent installation upfront, that is not a reality for most people who want access to renewable energy.
Most solar installation companies offer a wide variety of financing options to provide flexibility to clients with wide ranging financial situations. This allows more people to have solar installed without compromising a client's savings.
That being said, 512 Solar does not offer financing options to its clients. Typically, a solar company will offer a PPA or loan option (sometimes both) to accommodate clients' needs, but 512 Solar does not. Instead the company banks on clients utilizing state and federal tax incentives to finance the installation and system itself.
The Bottom Line
As a local Austin-based company, 512 Solar provides solar and roofing services on residential and commercial properties. The company maintains relationships with tier-1 solar providers, will provide roofing repair services prior to solar installation, and offers both workmanship and equipment warranties.
While 512 Solar is equipped to handle solar system installations, there are some concerns surrounding the company’s dealings. First, 512 Solar only services the greater Austin area and its installers are not certified with the NABCEP. Additionally, the company does not offer any of its own financing solutions to prospective clients.
Considering what the company has to offer and its limitations, prospective solar clients should do additional research prior to using 512 Solar for installation services. Other companies do not have the same drawbacks as 512 Solar and would be more preferable for solar installation.
