Nelnet Renewable Energy
Author: Kaitlyn Short
Nelnet Renewable Energy (formerly GRNE Solar) is a residential and commercial solar contracting company based in the Midwest. The company installs solar systems, battery backup systems, and electric car charging stations. These installations can be ground mounted, installed on a pitched roof, or in a ballasted array.
Nelnet Renewable Energy installs panels from various solar manufacturers. The products sold by Nelnet Renewable Energy typically have a 25-year equipment warranty and a 10-year workmanship warranty, similar to other competitive warranties in the industry.
Top Ranked Companies
The Good
- Variety of Payment Options
- Numerous Positive Reviews
- Serves 13 Midwest States
- Free Consultation and Virtual Estimates
- Referral Incentives
Variety of Payment Options
With Nelnet Renewable Energy, customers have the option to purchase their solar system outright, finance the purchase with a monthly payment, or through a Power Purchase Agreement with $0 down. Each payment option has pros and cons.
Purchasing the system upfront can maximize solar savings immediately; however, solar is not cheap. With Nelnet Renewable Energy’s financing option, customers pay back the monthly fee and there are no prepayment penalties. With the Power Purchase Agreement, a third party owns the solar system. The fees may be lower and customers may save on their electric bill--but customers will not own their system if they sign a PPA.
Numerous Positive Reviews
There are many reviews on Nelnet Renewable Energy’s website and on third-party sites. These reviews tend to be quite positive and applaud the company’s ability to deliver on its promises and execute jobs promptly and smoothly.
Serves 13 Midwest States
Nelnet Renewable Energy has locations in Illinois, Nebraska, Indiana, and Iowa — but the service does not stop there. Nelnet Renewable Energy has installed solar panels in 13 states across the Midwest and beyond, including:
Virtual Estimates and Free Consultation
Nelnet Renewable Energy has an online system that allows customers to get an estimate almost instantly. All that it requires is an address, a name, and an email. The software uses satellite images of the property to give a ballpark estimate.
Referral Incentives
When you refer anyone to Nelnet Renewable Energy and they get a free consultation, you get a $25 gift card. As a bonus, if that person signs a solar contract, Nelnet Renewable Energy will reimburse you $500 after installation.
The Bad
- State Limitations
State Limitations
As a company that installs solar in different states, sometimes the company is limited by what it can offer. For instance, when it comes to finance options, Nelnet Renewable Energy allows customers to purchase, finance, or sign a Power Purchase Agreement. In the fine print, customers will see that those in Nebraska or Indiana do not qualify for a PPA.
Similarly, when it comes to credit incentives, there are a lot of tax incentives that vary state by state. On Nelnet Renewable Energy’s website, it provides information about Solar Renewable Energy Credits, but this applies to Illinois only.
Note that Nelnet Renewable Energy is not hiding this information. When a service, incentive, or financing option is not available in a state, Nelnet Renewable Energy has it written on the website. But for those customers who are quickly skimming the website, this is something to be aware of.
The Bottom Line
Nelnet Renewable Energy is capable of installing solar in many different states and has a strong history of satisfying its customers. As a distributor of many different solar panel brands, pricing and quality of solar panels may vary. We recommend you speak with a Nelnet Renewable Energy consultant about your budget and goals for energy savings to ensure you get the best solar system for your property.
