Universal Solar System
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Author: Kaitlyn Short
Serving the Dallas–Fort Worth, and Austin areas of Texas, Universal Solar System has installed more than 500 commercial and residential solar projects since its founding in 2009. The solar company employs a wide range of solar installation equipment designed to save its customers money on their electric bill while also preserving the environment. However, while the company claims to offer cost-effective solar solutions to its customers, Universal Solar System has not published which specific financing options it actually offers.
Top Ranked Companies
The Good
- Project and Equipment Transparency
- Variety of Solar Panels and Solar Inverters
- NABCEP-Certified Installers
Project and Equipment Transparency
When it comes to equipment used, projects completed, and number of kiloWatts installed, Universal Solar System is one of the few truly transparent solar companies in the industry. The company’s residential solar portfolio page provides exhaustive information for each solar installation. In addition to the specific town the project took place in, along with an accompanying photo of the completed project, Universal Solar System offers the following data points:
- Number of kiloWatts installed
- Approximate annual savings
- Year installed
- Solar panel brand
- Number of panels
- Wattage of panels
- Solar inverter brand
- Number of inverters
- KiloWatts produced
- Overview of the client’s needs and goals
This level of transparency is almost unrivaled by many of Universal Solar System’s competitors and gives customers a clear representation of what they can expect when they have a solar system mounted to their roof.
Variety of Solar Panels and Solar Inverters
Universal Solar System offers a wide array of solar panel types, with warranties up to 25 years, that can be custom-configured to each solar power client’s needs:
| Solar Panels | Solar Inverters | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Panel Brand | Panel Efficiency (%) | Inverter Brand | Inverter Efficiency (%) |
| JA Solar Yingli Solar ReneSola Kyocera LG Jinko Panasonic |
19.5 17.2 16.5 16.1 20.8 18.3 20.3 |
SolarEdge Fronius Sunny Boy Enphase Ginlong Solis |
99.5 97.9 97.2 97.0 98.4 |
Solar panel efficiency typically ranges between 15 and 20 percent, with the industry-leading panels going as high as 22 to 23 percent, and lower-efficiency panels tend to be less expensive to finance. Universal Solar System’s solar panel offerings demonstrate the company’s versatility in providing a wide range of solar solutions to a variety of customers.
To learn more about solar equipment types, brands, and efficiency, visit our solar home page.
NABCEP-Certified Installers
Universal Solar System is one of the few solar installation companies that employs NABCEP-certified installers. The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners is an industry-recognized accreditation organization that promotes best practices in the solar industry. Companies with this certification assure their customers protection from predatory sales tactics, quality installation practices, and honest customer service.
The Bad
- Limited National Reach
- Undisclosed Payment Options
Limited National Reach
Universal Solar System only serves customers in Texas. While a service area limited to only one state is in no way unique to Universal Solar System as a player in the solar industry, the company is just one solar power provider in a competitive Texas solar market and may have trouble standing out. An effective way for companies to separate themselves from the crowd is through verified reviews from actual customers.
Undisclosed Payment Options
In response to the question “How do I finance my solar power system?” Universal Solar System’s FAQ page states, “There are several options to finance your solar power system. Please check with us for further details.” These two statements represent the extent to which the company is willing to disclose its available payment options for residential solar customers. One could assume the company makes its solar panel systems available for purchase; however, information on whether it provides financing through solar loans, or allows customers to lease its systems or pay for energy through power purchase agreement (PPA), is nowhere to be found.
The Bottom Line
Universal Solar Systems has more than a decade of experience installing solar systems for homeowner and business owner clients through the Dallas–Fort Worth and Austin areas of Texas. Even a cursory glance at the company’s online portfolio can give customers a reliable expectation of what Universal Solar System will actually install on their roofs, along with an approximate power output and annual dollar savings. Texas customers will definitely benefit from the company’s NABCEP-certified status, but are required to contact Universal Solar System directly for available financing options.
