3.3
5.9
Overall Score
Author: Kaitlyn Short
Meraki Solar provides comprehensive solar services to residential property owners in several states across the country. Since 2017, Meraki Solar has worked to provide clients with custom solar systems specifically designed to the property and the overall energy needs. Rather than involve multiple moving pieces, Meraki Solar will assist clients throughout the entire solar process.
The professionals at Meraki Solar will provide a free initial consultation to each property owner interested in having a solar system installed. Following this consultation, the Meraki Solar design team gets to work quickly identifying potential equipment options and mocking up what the system would look like aesthetically speaking. Once all parties come to an agreement on a design, the installation process moves forward and the actual system is installed. Finally, Meraki Solar will ensure that the system is successfully activated and clients are ready to utilize clean, renewable energy.
Since its founding, Meraki Solar has quickly expanded its operations, allowing more residential property owners the ability to be energy independent. Prospective customers can request a free quote any time and get the solar process started.
The most unique service that Meraki Solar provides to its clients is the compare and contrast shopping service. Most solar companies will simply inform clients of what equipment can be installed or what equipment is accessible. Meraki Solar takes it a step further by shopping around on behalf of its clients.
After the initial home evaluation, a Meraki Solar professional will design the best solution for the home. After preparing, designing, and ultimately presenting the solar options, the Meraki Solar professional will go over these solutions with the client and compare and contrast the possibilities. This process ideally saves money and provides a completely customized experience that not all solar companies can provide.
One of the most impressive aspects of the Meraki Solar operation is the fact that the company has rapidly expanded, servicing seven states with plans to reach even more. This is particularly impressive as Meraki Solar manages every aspect of the solar process for each client.
By offering services in multiple states, Meraki Solar is able to reach more prospective solar clients looking to become energy independent. To date, Meraki Solar offers services in the following states:
Most solar installation companies only service one state or a select few of the more populated cities within a state. Meraki Solar has expanded to service multiple states and cities.
Most clients cannot pay for a solar system upfront and outright as the national average cost to have a solar system installed on a residential property ranges from $15,000 to $25,000. To combat this expense, many solar companies will offer some type of financing. Most commonly, solar installation companies will partner with a local credit union or bank to offer solar loans to clients.
Meraki Solar offers financing independent of these third-party sources. Clients will not have to put any money down initially for install. Clients will then pay for solar power by the month, just like a utility bill, but at a reduced flat rate. Over time, the panels themselves will be paid off and then the client owns them outright.
Typically, when a solar company expands into multiple states or covers a region of the country, there is some sort of outsourced work involved. Whether the installation process is outsourced to a local contractor or the sales process is handled by an entirely different company, that seems to be the most commonly seen makeup of expanded solar operations.
Meraki Solar has managed to keep all oversight and operations in-house, meaning the team handles all solar services from start to finish. There will not be middle man or outsourced work when clients decide to go with Meraki.
Meraki Solar only provides customers with two financing options: direct purchase and solar loan. While both options grant homeowners to fantastic federal tax credit incentives, direct purchase can require tens of thousands of dollars upfront, while the solar loan can require even more money over time.
Solar lease and power purchase agreement (PPA) options are incredibly cost effective in that they place the financial burden of installation and maintenance on the company; the customer meanwhile only pays a flat monthly rate for either the system or the solar power — and often at a lower rate than the electric bill.
Although Meraki Solar provides customers with robust product warranties through their manufacturing partners, the solar company has not disclosed the terms of its own workmanship warranty, which provides additional protection for the system against installation errors and necessary maintenance. Leading solar panel installation companies provide workmanship or labor warranties of up to 25 years — the lifespan of the system.
Meraki Solar provides a complete solar service to clients all across the country. With the company’s professional compare and contrast shopping service, clients can pick and choose equipment before it is drafted up or installed. Despite only having been in operation since 2017, Meraki Solar has found a way to expand into seven states and is looking to continue that trend.
To combat potential financial constraints, Meraki Solar offers a $0 down plan for anyone wanting to install solar sooner rather than laters. Lastly, Meraki Solar does not outsource any of their work. The company manages the entire solar process from start to finish.
Even though Meraki Solar has been able to quickly expand, there are potential concerns prospective customers should be aware of. For starters, Meraki Solar does not have equipment partnerships and instead shops around for equipment. There is no way to disclose the equipment used because each case may be different. Also, Meraki Solar only does residential solar systems, so any other solar project will need to look elsewhere for services.
Considering all of the contributing factors, clients looking to use Meraki Solar should do thorough research and seek out experiences by former or current clients. There are some concerns mentioned, but there are also some proprietary services that can save clients money and allow for a better customized system.
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