IGS Solar
Is This Your Business?1.6
1.6
Author: Kaitlyn Short
IGS Solar is a branch of the parent company IGS Energy which has been providing natural gas, electricity, and renewable energy since 1989. IGS Solar provides residential and commercial communities the opportunity to start harnessing solar energy through its featured plan, the power purchase agreement (PPA).
IGS currently offers solar services in Pennslyvania, Massachusetts, Illinois, and Maryland and is making the shift away from selling and installing solar systems outright to only providing financing for them.
Keep reading our IGS Solar review to learn more about the pros and cons of choosing this solar company or read reviews below.
Top Ranked Companies
The Good
- No Upfront Costs
- Longevity and Reputation of Parent Company
- Customer Service Availability
No Upfront Costs
Since the electricity provider only offers PPAs, there will never be an upfront cost for the customer. This is a power purchase agreement where a developer sells the power generated to the host customer at a fixed rate, as opposed to a variable rate plan. Even though the customer is still paying a fixed rate for energy, the price tends to be lower than the monthly electric bill from the local utility company.
Longevity and Reputation of Parent Company
IGS Solar has only been around for a couple of years, but the company is associated with IGS Energy, which has been around for nearly 30 years. IGS Energy has a proven track record as a reliable energy supplier; to learn more about how IGS Solar specifically helps customers convert to green energy, check out our verified IGS company reviews.
Customer Service Availability
According to IGS Solar's website, customers can reach customer service representatives Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST or Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. EST. This gives customers the flexibility to get help outside of typical business hours. Customers can reach out by phone, email, or online inquiry.
The Bad
- Too Many Unknowns
- Limited Financing Options
- Penalties for Moving
Too Many Unknowns
IGS Solar has gone through some structural shifts recently. The company currently has customers in Massachusetts and Maryland, but is no longer taking new customers. Instead, IGS directs all new customers to a third-party solar power company that then sells and installs the solar panels. The company's role is now simply to provide financing. The company lists few specifics about its involvement in solar installation or financing on its website.
Additionally, IGS Solar has few positive reviews posted online, so residential customers will gain little insight into how the company will actually help them reduce their electricity bill through solar energy.
Limited Financing Options
IGS Energy does not offer solar financing plans like third-party loans, cash purchases, or equipment leases; instead, IGS Solar limits customers to a PPA. This may be the best (or only) option financially for some customers as it does require the least amount of upfront investment; however, this does limit customers from receiving tax breaks and credits for installing a solar system.
Penalties for Moving
If a customer moves during the course of their contract, ideally, they will be able to transfer the contract to the new homeowner; however, if the new homeowner is unwilling to take over the contract, the original customer must either buy out the rest of the remaining balance on the PPA.
The Bottom Line
As IGS Solar is going through some transitions, it's difficult to really gauge what a new customer will get by using their services. IGS does not currently disclose the identity of the third-party who will be taking over its sales and installs, so potential customers may want to wait until that information is readily available and instead research that company's prices, products, and reputation.
IGS Solar is largely transferring its responsibility to the financing of the PPA contracts to lower customers' monthly bills from the utility company.
With so few customer reviews available, homeowners are encouraged to investigate the top solar providers in their area.
