Solnova
5.0
5.0
Author: Kaitlyn Short
Solnova is a solar contractor with the goal of offering customers an easy and transparent experience to switch to solar-powered energy. It has an experienced team in place to work with customers about cost, savings, tax rebates, forms, and questions about solar.
Top Ranked Companies
The Good
- Mobile/Manufacturered Homes Qualify
- Full Service Solar Installer
- Expanding Service Area
- Roofing Expert
Mobile/Manufacturered Homes Qualify
Solnova is one of the few residential solar installers in the country that specializes in mobile and manufactured home solar installation. These homeowners do not need to own the land their home sits on, but do need to receive a bill directly from their utility provider.
Additionally, owners of manufacturered and mobile homeowners qualify for Solnova's zero down financing option, meaning they do not need to pay for their system completely upfront. Zero down financing qualifies solar users for all the benefits of direct purchase, including the Federal Solar Tax Credit.
Full Service Solar Installer
Solnova provides a full slate of solar installation services to its customers. This includes a free initial consultation where the company will review homeowners' one-year history of energy usage to determine whether they're a good candidate for solar panels.
If solar is a good fit, homeowners are assigned a solar specialist to guide them throughout the entire process, answer questions, and coordinate site inspections and other important visits. Once a satisfactory contract and scope of work agreement has been signed by both parties, Solnova will provide a white glove service that extends to every aspect of the solar installation process, including the actual system construction and permission to operate notice from the city.
All Solnova systems are protected by a 25-year warranty.
Expanding Service Area
Since its founding in 2017, Solnova's service area has rapidly expanded. The solar provider currently operates across the following seven US states, with plans to extend services to New Mexico, Louisiana, and North Carolina:
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Nevada
- South Carolina
- Texas
- Utah
Roofing Expert
In addition to installing quality solar energy systems, Solnova is also a roofing expert, and can provide homeowners with an accurate reading on the condition of their roof. Many homeowners may not realize that significant repairs or replacement may be required before the roof is able to support a functioning solar panel system.
Solnova offers customers a free consultation to inspect the roof, as well as a hassle-free warranty should any repair or replacement be needed.
The Bad
- Limited Verified Solnova Reviews
- Preferred Partners Undisclosed
- Unclear NABCEP Status
Limited Verified Solnova Reviews
As of October 2022, Solnova has earned fewer than five total reviews on Best Company. Verified online reviews provide potential customers with valuable, unfiltered information on a company's customer service practices, installation quality, and overall level of professionalism.
That said, the solar provider has earned a number of positive reviews on Google and other review platforms.
We encourage current or former customers to post their Solnova reviews below.
Preferred Partners Undisclosed
Another area that allows potential customers to compare solar providers is the disclosure of their preferred manufacturing partners. Although most solar companies offer customers solar panels, inverters, and even energy storage solutions from multiple manufacturers, many leading providers have disclosed their preferred partnerships, and have even taken lengths to earn additional certifications with those brands to fortify their expertise.
Solnova has not disclosed its perferred manufacturing partners.
Unclear NABCEP Status
Solnvoa does not appear to hold a certification from the North American Board of Certified Energy Pracitioners (NABCEP), widely considered one of the most respected training and certification providers in the solar industry. This certification signifies that the company's technicians and designers have undergone additional training to ensure the final product delivers and optimal levels.
The apparent lack of certification should not disqualify Solnova from consideration; however, it can make a difference to homeowners evaluating mulitple solar installers in their area.
The Bottom Line
Overall, Solnova exhibits many of the qualities we like to see in a growing solar company. The fact that it makes special accommodations for mobile and manufactured homes makes the company truly unique, and a real advocate for solar accessibility.
That said, we would like to see more: more verified reviews that speak to the company's service record; more information regarding the products it sells, as well as any relevant certifications the company has earned. All these data points go a long way toward establishing the company as both reputable and dependable to potential customers.
