Simply Solar
4.8
7.4
Overall Score
Author: Kaitlyn Short
Simply Solar is a Bay Area-based solar company that installs residential and commercial solar panel systems, as well as solar battery backup systems. The company provides site analysis, system engineering, permitting, installation, activation, monitoring, and maintenance services. Simply Solar has more than 20 years of experience and has installed thousands of solar panel systems.
Simply Solar provides solar advisors to help customers choose the solar panel system that’s best for their property, whether it’s a residential or commercial property. Then, the customer learns about and chooses their options for equipment, installation, and financing. Finally, Simply Solar completes the installation, putting a portion of the proceeds toward solar projects in foreign and domestic communities.
Top Ranked Companies
The Good
- Equipment Partnerships
- 10-Point Guarantee
- Industry-Leading Warranties
- Roofing Division
- In-House Technicians
- Solar Battery Backup Options
Equipment Partnerships
Simply Solar utilizes top-tier solar equipment with each installation so customers can be confident their system will last and work efficiently. Equipment brand partnerships include, but are not limited to, the following:
- SolarEdge
- REC
- LG Chem
- Franklin WH
10-Point Guarantee
Simply Solar offers a 10-point guarantee that the company says adds more than $13,950 to the lifetime value of each customer’s solar panel system.
The guarantee promises that Simply Solar will do the following:
- Provide a 25-year workmanship warranty covering the work Simply Solar does, as well as any damage that the company’s work might cause
- Cover any additional electric costs if the new solar panel system doesn’t perform at 90% of the quoted production or better
- Remove the customer’s solar panels and reinstall them if the client needs a new roof
- Use the highest quality equipment and installation techniques
- Respond to questions within two business days
- Install the solar panel system as quickly as possible
- Provide a dedicated project manager throughout the solar panel installation
- Use long-lasting products
- Address any roof modifications the customer needs
- Not charge any hidden costs
Industry-Leading Warranties
In addition to Simply Solar’s 10-point guarantee, the company provides a 25-year manufacturer warranty and a 25-year satisfaction guarantee. The products the company installs also provide 25- to 30-year product warranties.
Roofing Division
Sometimes residential solar customers need modifications to their roofs when they install a new solar panel system. Simply Solar has its own in-house roofing division, enabling the company to handle any needed roof adjustments without involving an outside roofer. The roofing division, Rockin’ Roofers, can also perform roofing assessments and dry rot evaluations.
In-House Technicians
While some solar companies hire out their work to outside contractors, Simply Solar handles all of its installation work with in-house technicians. This gives the company greater control over installation protocols and techniques and the quality of the training that the technicians receive.
Solar Battery Backup Options
Simply Solar also sells solar battery backup options, which provide options for customers who want to go off-grid or store energy in case of a power outage. Simply Solar uses LG Chem battery storage for both residential and commercial projects.
The Bad
- Limited Information
Limited Information
While many details are provided so prospective solar customers know what to expect, Simply Solar’s website doesn’t provide information about the average price ranges for its services (solar, solar batteries, roofing, and solar maintenance if applicable) or available financing options.
Financing information, even if it's just the name of the financing partner or presenting an explanation of leasing or Power Purchase Agreements, can prepare customers to pay for their solar system and work towards improving their eligibility based on the credit requirements.
The Bottom Line
With decades of experience, thousands of solar installations, and more than 60 verified reviews on Best Company, Simply Solar has established a positive reputation for solar in the Bay Area.
The company handles everything from site analysis to system engineering to permitting to installation to monitoring to maintenance. Simply Solar even has an in-house roofing division, called Rockin’ Roofers, that handles roofing services that solar customers might need.
Additionally, the company's in-house-only approach not only provides convenience for customers; it also ensures that Simply Solar has greater control over the installation work than companies that hire outside contractors.
Simply Solar shines with its guaranteed efficiency and industry-leading workmanship warranty. The 10-point guarantee makes a number of promises to customers, including that Simply Solar will cover any additional electric costs in the first year if the solar panel system it installs doesn’t perform at 90% of the quoted production or better. Simply Solar also provides a 25-year manufacturer’s warranty, a 25-year satisfaction guarantee, and 25- to 30-year product warranties, which are among the longest in the industry.
In summary, Simply Solar is a great option to consider — just be sure you understand the financing options and obligations prior to signing a contract.
