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Solterra Solar

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Author: Kaitlyn Short

LAST UPDATED: August 18th, 2021

Founded in 2008, SolTerra is a Seattle-based residential solar company providing services across the Evergreen State. The solar company has been named a “Top 500 Solar Contractor” by Solar Power World every year from 2015 to 2021, and has installed more than 11,000 kilowatts of clean, renewable energy since its founding.

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The Good

  • Zero-Down Loan Financing
  • Energy Storage Available
  • NABCEP Certified

Zero-Down Loan Financing

In addition to direct purchase, SolTerra has partnered with local credit unions to provide homeowners with low-interest solar loan financing, often for zero-money down. This type of solar financing is a great way to invest in solar energy while still taking advantage of available state rebates and other incentives like the Federal Tax Credit.

Energy Storage Available

SolTerra has partnered with Tesla to provide clean, sustainable solar energy storage to customers. The Tesla Powerwall is one of the most efficient solar battery options on the market, and comes with a 10-year equipment warranty. Backup batteries are a great way to upgrade any solar panel system because they expand system efficiency and can be integrated with EV charging solutions.

NABCEP Certified

SolTerra has been certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP). The NABCEP is responsible for some of the most advanced solar technician training programs in the industry. These certifications are proven to reduce errors during the solar installation process, as well as protect homeowners from predatory sales practices.

The NABCEP seal ensures that every SolTerra solar energy system is expertly installed and built to last.

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The Bad

  • Limited Availability
  • Undisclosed Workmanship Warranty
  • Silicon Energy Panel Issues

Limited Availability

SolTerra's residential solar services are limited to Washington State. This narrow service area may disadvantage the solar company against larger, more nationally known solar brands. 

Undisclosed Workmanship Warranty

SolTerra has yet to disclose its workmanship or labor warranty. The labor warranty protects homeowners against damage or other errors caused during the installation process. Leading solar companies warranty their systems in this way for up to 25 years or more.

Silicon Energy Panel Issues

SolTerra has been known to use panels from Seattle-based manufacturer Silicon Energy. While the use of local, U.S.-made solar modules is to be applauded, documented cases as late as 2017 of malfunctioning Silicon Energy panels have been made. Some models have even been labeled a “fire risk.” 

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The Bottom Line

If you live in Washington State and would like to work with a local company, SolTerra could be the right choice for you. The company is NABCEP-certified and provides system upgrades like solar battery storage to improve the system’s overall efficiency.

If you decide to work with SolTerra, read verified SolTerra reviews and ask about specific panel makes before agreeing to a service contract.

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