True South Solar
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Author: Kaitlyn Short
Assessing the solar needs in southern Oregon, founders Eric Hansen and Shawn Schreiner decided to start their own solar company. In 2010, Hansen and Schreiner started True South Solar in hopes of empowering Southern Oregon home and business owners when it comes to energy usage and consumption.
True South Solar is partnered with some of the best solar product manufacturers in the industry and the company's team of experienced professionals is well-equipped to design custom solar solutions for any property.
Since its founding, True South Solar has completed hundreds of successful solar projects across the Southern Oregon area. The licensed and certified True South Solar team is experienced, professional, and efficient.
Top Ranked Companies
The Good
- Services Offered
- SunPower Partnership
- Certified Tesla Powerwall Installer
- Financing
Services Offered
True South Solar offers comprehensive solar services to its clients. From consultation to installation to monitoring, True South Solar manages it all. Services offered through True South Solar include:
- Free Consultations — Professionals will assess the home or business solar energy potential, provide clients with energy savings strategies, and generate a detailed project estimate.
- Solar Design and Installation — Energy experts customize an aesthetically appealing, high performance solar electric system and handle all required permits.
- Tax Credit and Incentive Filings — The company will advise clients on current incentives as well as handle paper and digital filing of the available solar energy incentives such as the Energy Trust of Oregon cash incentive.
- Battery Backup Systems — True South Solar offers battery backup systems for grid tied solar electric systems. Lithium ion technology integrates with solar to store excess energy generated during the day and makes it available when it is needed, minimizing reliance on utility energy.
- Data Monitoring — Clients can keep track of energy production and consumption with customized data monitoring options for all system types.
- System Service — True South Solar stands behind its solar energy installations and products carry their own warranties.
These services set True South Solar apart from the rest of the solar industry. Not many companies have the relationships, process, and ongoing service model to offer clients everything that True South Solar offers to its customers.
SunPower Partnership
A solar installation company can understand the ins and outs of all things system installation, but if the equipment is not top tier, the installation becomes irrelevant. True South Solar recognizes this and is a certified SunPower dealer offering some of the best quality solar panels on the market.
SunPower solar energy systems produce 70 percent more power from the same space than conventional panels. This partnership allows True South Solar clients to truly access some of the best solar equipment in the industry.
Certified Tesla Powerwall Installer
The True South Solar team is a certified Tesla Powerwall installer. This means that the company offers a customized solar-plus-battery solution that allows clients to access generated power from the sun and reduces reliance on fossil fuels.
While many solar installation companies offer some sort of battery or storage product, the Tesla Powerwall is widely recognized as the highest performing battery. Companies must become certified installers in order to put in a Tesla Powerwall. True South Solar is one of the only companies in the state that installs the Tesla Powerwall, setting the company apart from its competition in the industry.
Financing
True South Solar has partnered with Generations, a division of Community 1st Credit Union based out of Olympia, Washington. This partnership allows for True South Solar customers to take advantage of the solar loan/incentives program available to residential and commercial property owners.
True South Solar recognizes that not everyone can pay for a solar system upfront and by partnering with a credit union, more property owners can take advantage of renewable energy sources. Loan decisions are made and communicated to clients quickly.
The Bad
- Service Area
- Workmanship Warranty
Service Area
A few competitors within the solar industry have found a way to expand services and offer installation in multiple states or regions across the country. This allows those companies to service more property owners and help more people realize the benefits of solar energy.
True South Solar has not expanded its service and only services home and business owners in Southern Oregon. This limits the number of prospective solar clients the company can actually help. Currently, True South Solar services the following cities/counties in Oregon:
- Ashlan
- Central Point
- Eagle Point
- Grants Pass
- Jacksonville
- Medford
- Phoenix
- Gold Hill
- Shady Cove
- Talen
- Applegate Valley
- White City
- Jackson County
- Josephine County
Oregon residents outside of this service area will need to look elsewhere for solar installation services.
Workmanship Warranty
While solar systems are less expensive than they were a decade ago, they are still an investment. Both the equipment and the installation can cost anywhere from $15,000 to $25,000 on residential homes to get solar systems operational.
To protect clients’ investment, most solar companies offer two different kinds of warranties.SunPower offers an equipment warranty, so True South Solar clients will be able to take advantage of the manufacturer warranty.
However, a vast majority of solar installation companies guarantee their own service by offering a workmanship warranty. Workmanship warranties are typically 10 years and cover any issues stemming from the installation process. Despite the workmanship warranty being an industry standard, True South Solar does not appear to offer one to clients.
The Bottom Line
True South Solar offers a wide range of solar installation services that allow home and business owners to enjoy new found energy independence. The company’s partnerships with SunPower and Tesla allow for customers to receive high end solar products that are some of the highest producing products in the industry. True South Solar also has a relationship with a credit union to provide solar financing options to customers.
That being said, True South Solar does have some limitations. The company only installs solar systems in Southern Oregon and it has not disclosed any information on a workmanship warranty protecting clients from installation issues.
As a whole, True South Solar is a reputable, experienced company that is widely recognized as professional and competent. Property owners in Southern Oregon would likely benefit from what True South Solar has to offer.
