Overview
Empower Energy Solutions
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
25 Years
Yes
Lease, PPA, Loan, Cash
6 Years
SolarCity
SolarCity
SolarCity
Tesla
10 Years
20 Years
N/A
N/A
19 Years
Ratings
Empower Energy Solutions
SolarCity
Reviews
Empower Energy Solutions
Reviews
SolarCity
Reviews for Empower Energy Solutions
Helpful Favorable Review
George Foryoung
November 22nd, 2025
USA
Verified Customer
Review Source
Helpful Critical Review
J F
August 16th, 2025
DETAILS
Verified Customer
Review Source
The company was great to deal with at the beginning. Installation went OK with some minor issues. 2 years after installation I had issues with my system and they would only help if I paid $600 for a service call even though the part that broke had a 25 year warranty. Said warranty only covers parts not labor. I said I would replace part myself if they could help with the reprogramming of the inverter with the manufacturer. They would not, said would void warranty, said I didn't care about warranty, would not help. Apparently won't stand behind the products they sell. Now I have a 2 year old system that's been broken for 2.5 months with no support and not working
Reviews for SolarCity
Helpful Favorable Review
CLAIRE KAZLMAN
January 24th, 2023
Princeton, WV
DETAILS
Review Source
I love Solar City. For the 10 years+ we have had them, our monthly bill sits at the same price every month. So, being in California, even during the very hot summers with the AC running, our bill never went up. It was very, very affordable, and we never had any technical issues with them. We would own the solar panels after 15-20 years and then pay even less every month. Thank you Solar City. I should say our solar bill was equal to half of what our Electrical/Power bill would have been. And we even have a credit of a few hundred dollars with our electric company.
Helpful Critical Review
Boyd Norman
November 29th, 2022
Wheatland, CA
DETAILS
Review Source
Since going with solar city in 2015, I have not rec and discounts the ,system has often been off line and with error codes and I am paying high bills. I suspect it has to do with the company purchase I, still have not been able to monitor usage. I would like to spk with a rep ASAP for resolution or removal thank you. Jim b Roseville. Ca
The Final Word
When evaluating solar providers, homeowners want more than just panels—they’re looking for reliability, transparency, and long-term value. Empower Energy Solutions and SolarCity are both recognizable names in the residential solar market, but they differ significantly in their approach to service, financing, and overall customer satisfaction. Here’s how they stack up:
Customer Experience
Empower Energy Solutions is known for its personalized, customer-first approach. From initial consultation to installation and post-installation support, Empower consistently receives praise for clear communication, professionalism, and responsiveness. The company offers tailored system designs based on individual home needs, ensuring every homeowner gets the most out of their solar investment. Customers frequently note that Empower avoids high-pressure sales and instead educates buyers, allowing them to make informed, confident decisions.
SolarCity, while a pioneer in the residential solar space, relied heavily on aggressive sales tactics and standardized processes. Many customers reported confusion around contracts, inconsistent communication, and delays in installation or system activation. While SolarCity helped popularize solar adoption, its service experience could vary widely depending on location and representative.
Bottom Line: If you value transparency and consistent support, Empower Energy Solutions provides a superior customer experience.
Financing
Empower Energy Solutions provides one of the most flexible financing structures in the industry. Homeowners can choose from:
- Cash purchases
- Solar loans
- Leases
- Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs)
Empower’s financing options are designed to fit a variety of budgets and goals, whether homeowners want to own their system outright, minimize upfront costs, or maximize long-term savings. The team also assists with securing local and federal incentives to reduce the total investment.
SolarCity primarily relied on leases and PPAs, which allowed homeowners to go solar with little to no upfront cost. While this approach lowered initial expenses, it limited ownership and potential long-term returns, and complicated home sales in some cases. Cash purchases and loans were available but less emphasized.
Bottom Line: Empower Energy Solutions provides more ownership-oriented, customizable financing, empowering homeowners to choose what’s best for them both now and in the future.
Equipment Quality
Empower Energy Solutions partners with premium solar manufacturers, including REC, Q Cells, and Jinko Solar, providing panels that are efficient, durable, and visually appealing. Systems are paired with SolarEdge inverters, which optimize panel-level output and allow intelligent system monitoring, maximizing long-term performance.
SolarCity typically used standard-tier panels and micro-inverter systems suitable for various roof layouts. However, the equipment provided could vary, and customers often lacked clarity on exact panel models or specifications before installation.
Bottom Line: Empower’s commitment to high-efficiency, name-brand components ensures superior performance and long-term value, giving it an edge over SolarCity in both consistency and transparency.
Warranties
Empower Energy Solutions backs its systems with a 25-year equipment warranty and a 10-year workmanship warranty, providing homeowners peace of mind that both components and installation are protected. Strong partnerships with top-tier manufacturers ensure reliable support if issues arise.
SolarCity also offered warranties, but coverage could vary depending on whether the system was leased or purchased. Customer experiences highlighted confusion about what was included and how service requests were handled.
Bottom Line: Empower Energy Solutions offers clear, dependable warranty protection, providing stronger post-installation support and homeowner confidence.
Conclusion
Both Empower Energy Solutions and SolarCity played important roles in the growth of residential solar, but they serve very different homeowner needs. SolarCity’s lease-heavy model appealed to those seeking low upfront costs, but its inconsistent service and limited ownership options could leave homeowners frustrated.
Empower Energy Solutions, by contrast, delivers flexibility, premium equipment, transparent warranties, and a customer-focused approach. For homeowners looking to maximize their solar investment, enjoy peace of mind, and maintain control over their system, Empower stands out as the more competitive and trustworthy choice.
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