O3 Home Solar
5.0
5.0
Author: Kaitlyn Short
Founded in 2011 as part of the O3 Energy Corporation, O3 Home Solar is a residential solar provider that, in 2021 alone, installed nearly 5,000 kilowatts of clean renewable energy across three states: Colorado, Florida, and Texas. The company also achieved “Top 500 Solar Contractor” status every year from 2013 to 2020 per Solar Power World magazine.
O3 Home Solar strongly advocates for solar ownership as a way to reduce one’s electric bill as opposed to “renting energy” via the grid utility or solar leasing.
O3 Home Solar is so confident it can help customers save on energy costs, it has issued homeowners a challenge: anyone who signs up for a home diagnostic through O3 Home Solar and discovers the company cannot save them money will receive $500.
Top Ranked Companies
The Good
- Robust Warranties
- Backup Power Available
- 3-State Service Area
- $500 Guarantee
Robust Warranties
O3 Home Solar offers customers an array of robust warranties surrounding their solar energy systems. This includes a 10-year workmanship warranty (considered the industry average), which protects the homeowner against system deficiencies or errors caused during the solar installation process.
O3 Home Solar also provides its own 25-year production warranty, meaning if the system’s energy output does not match the projected production, the company will make things right. Every O3 Home Solar system is also equipped with a 25-year equipment warranty directly from the manufacturer(s) to replace or repair defective solar panels, etc.
Backup Power Available
O3 Home Solar provides customers the option to upgrade their solar panel systems to include backup energy storage solutions from industry leader Generac. Solar-powered backup energy is becoming one of the most popular and useful developments in solar; it allows homeowners to store power from their solar panel system for night or emergency use.
3-State Service Area
O3 Home Solar is available in Colorado, Florida, and Texas, and has installed thousands of kilowatts of both residential and commercial solar energy in those states. Homeowners living in this service area will be working with a true industry professional.
$500 Guarantee
As mentioned above, if an O3 Home Solar energy audit reveals the company is unable to help you save money on your monthly electricity bill, O3 Home Solar will pay you $500.
The Bad
- Solar Product Disclosure
- No Lease or PPA Options
- No NABCEP Certification
Solar Product Disclosure
O3 Home Solar does not as yet disclose the specific manufacturers it has partnered with in designing and installing high-quality solar PV systems. While the company likely sources its panels, inverters, and more from top performers, identifying specific brands can empower homeowners looking to get the best possible system for their money.
The specific make and model of a system’s solar panels and inverters can greatly influence the system’s overall energy-efficiency, durability, and cost.
No Lease or PPA Options
O3 Home Solar’s primary interest is in helping homeowners take ownership of their solar panel systems through flexible financing options. Unfortunately, these do not include options like solar leases or power purchase agreements (PPA), which effectively act as long-term rental agreements for either the system itself or the power it produces.
Although solar leases and PPAs do not qualify a homeowner for financial incentives like the Federal Tax Credit, they tend to be less expensive than direct purchase and have lower monthly rates than a solar loan. Additionally, they save homeowners from paying for installation and routine maintenance on the system.
No NABCEP Certification
Although the company boasts several years of industry experience, O3 Home Solar has not been certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP). The NABCEP is the “gold standard” certification program for solar technicians and electricians.
While the lack of this designation is certainly not an indictment of O3 Home Solar’s service quality or expertise, its presence can make the difference to a homeowner comparing multiple solar providers.
The Bottom Line
O3 Home Solar has installed hundreds of residential solar projects since 2011 and has a proven track record of helping customers reduce their electricity bill by making the switch to solar.
However, we don't know which solar panel, inverter, and battery brands this company uses for installations. Additionally, we have very limited O3 Home Solar reviews (below) with which to draw conclusions about O3's customer service throughout the entire process of installing a residential solar service. Homeowners can benefit greatly from reading customer reviews as they determine the best solar company for their situation.
If you live in the company’s service area, we encourage you to read verified O3 Home Solar reviews and take the O3 challenge to see if your home qualifies for solar energy and potentially reduced energy costs. At the same time, ask the company representative to clear up any questions you have, including product manufacturers.
If you obtain an estimate from this company, we invite you to compare it to what other top solar companies in your area may provide.
