Solar Planet
Founded in 2018, Solar Planet Inc. is a full-service solar panel installation company operating in residential markets in both Missouri and Kansas. Despite its relative youth, Solar Planet has already made a name for itself by ranking among Solar Power World magazine’s “Top 500 Solar Contractors” after its first year in business, installing approximately 157 kilowatts of clean energy in a single year — and with only two employees.
Top Ranked Companies
The Good
- Full-Service Installation Company
- Quality Solar Products
- Flexible Loan Options
Full-Service Installation Company
Solar Planet is a full-service solar installation company, meaning the company handles every step of the process in-house:
- Initial energy consultation — assessment of the electric bill and current home energy needs
- Solar array design — custom solar panel system design by an expert team
- Permitting — applying for all state and municipal permits
- Solar PV system installation — expert-installed solar panel system by Solar Planet's team
- City inspection — final walkthrough of system to ensure it's up to code
- Interconnection — system and energy savings activation
Some companies operate within a network of schedulers, installers, and manufacturers that could confuse some homeowners in terms of who they’re speaking with over the phone versus who is actually installing their system. The advantage of working with a full-service company for customers is both quality assurance and having a single point of contact.
Quality Solar Products
Solar Planet sources its solar equipment from some of the top manufacturers in the world, with several panel brands, including S-Energy and Q CELLS, in its solar panel inventory, as well as solar inverters from SolarEdge. Q CELLS solar panels in particular rank among the most energy efficient on the market, and come with a 25-year equipment warranty.
Flexible Loan Options
The solar company has partnered with several local credit unions to provide flexible loan options to its customers interested in financing a solar panel system over purchasing it outright. Loan terms range from 5 to 21 years, with no liens on the home and 100 percent financing of the system. Borrowers who obtain a loan through Solar Planet are also entitled to federal and state tax incentives, including the Federal Solar Tax Credit.
The Bad
- No Lease, PPA Options
- Limited Availability
- Undisclosed Labor Warranty
- No NABCEP Certification
No Lease, PPA Options
Despite offering competitive loan financing for its solar energy systems, Solar Planet does not appear to offer solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA) options for customers with greater financial limitations.
Limited Availability
As mentioned above, Solar Planet is only available to homeowners in Kansas and Missouri. Customers living in these two states are encouraged to read verified Solar Planet reviews to see how the company compares to other providers in their neighborhood.
Undisclosed Labor Warranty
All of Solar Planet’s solar cell installations come with a 25-year manufacturer’s warranty, which protects the system against damaged or defective parts; but the company makes no mention of any kind of workmanship or labor warranty, which offers additional protection against installation errors or installer-caused damage to the system or home. Leading solar companies offer up to 25 years on their workmanship warranties.
No NABCEP Certification
Solar Planet does not appear to hold a certification from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP). While this is no indictment on the company’s service quality, customers should note that companies with this designation have undergone advanced solar installation training.
The Bottom Line
Solar Planet builds quality systems with industry-leading equipment, and is with you at every step of the process, start to finish. If you live in Kansas or Missouri and are looking for a local solar installer with flexible loan options, Solar Planet is a solid choice.
However, if you are interested in a solar lease or PPA or would prefer to work with a NABCEP-certified installer, you may find better luck elsewhere.
