Zero Energy
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Author: Kaitlyn Short
As a prominent member of the Zero Energy family, Zero Energy–Raleigh Durham Division serves communities throughout North Carolina, primarily in the greater Raleigh-Durham metro areas. Zero Energy was founded in 2020 on the idea of providing affordable, clean energy to North Carolinians, and helping them (literally) take power back from utility companies that continually increase their rates every year. Through a combination of solar energy, LED light bulbs, and energy efficiency kits, the company aims to reduce the state’s carbon footprint one home at a time.
Top Ranked Companies
The Good
- High-Quality Solar Equipment
- 5-Step Installation Process
High-Quality Solar Equipment
Zero Energy implements some of the solar industry’s best panels, solar generators, inverters, and backup batteries into its solar energy systems. These include solar panel modules from LG, widely considered to be one of the most energy efficient on the market (around 22 percent efficiency); solar inverters from Enphase, which come with consumption and solar output monitoring; the Titan Solar generator; and the Tesla Powerwall solar battery.
In addition to top-tier equipment, every solar power system comes with a 25-year equipment warranty, and a 25-year production guarantee, meaning the system is guaranteed to perform at peak efficiency for its entire lifetime. In short, Zero Energy installs quality systems that are built to last.
5-Step Installation Process
Zero Energy follows a simple, five-step installation process to help customers make the switch to solar:
- Prequalification — Homeowners must ensure their homes qualify for a solar installation prior to a free consultation with Zero Energy.
- Free In-Home Consultation — Once qualified, homeowners will receive a visit from the Zero Energy team to discuss the home’s current energy consumption, energy needs, and potential utility savings.
- Site Survey — Next, Zero Energy will thoroughly inspect the site, make sure the roof is in good condition, and determine the optimal solar PV system design to help customers maximize their solar energy output.
- Permitting — Prior to installation, Zero Energy will pull all the necessary municipal and state permits to ensure the solar installation is built up to code.
- Installation — Once all the paperwork is completed and signed, Zero Energy will set to work installing the solar panel system. Usually, the Zero Energy team can complete a solar project within one to two days depending on system capacity.
The Bad
- No Lease or PPA Options
- Limited Workmanship Warranty
- No NABCEP Certification
- Time in Business
No Lease or PPA Options
While purchase and loan options both appear to be available through Zero Energy, the solar provider does not appear to offer customers a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). Solar leases and PPAs are cost-effective, low-risk-low-reward financing options that allow homeowners to benefit from solar energy without having to pay for the installation and maintenance of a costly solar panel system.
Limited Workmanship Warranty
Zero Energy attaches a 10-year workmanship warranty to every solar power system it installs. Leading solar companies protect the system for up to 25 year (or the system’s projected lifetime) against defects or problems caused directly by installation errors.
No NABCEP Certification
Zero Energy does not appear to have a certification from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP). The NABCEP is an industry-recognized organization that sponsors some of the most challenging and rigorous certification programs in solar. And while the lack of an NABCEP certification in no way reflects poor quality on the part of the company, its presence does indicate to customers that the company has undergone extensive additional training to ensure that every installation meets industry standards.
Time in Business
Zero Energy clearly designs and installs quality solar energy systems; however, since the company was founded in 2020 and the Zero Energy RDU Division only serves communities in North Carolina, the company still has some ground to cover in terms of building a solid track record and portfolio of customer satisfaction. Garnering and promoting verified Zero Energy reviews can be an effective way to do so.
The Bottom Line
Zero Energy installs high-quality solar power systems in North Carolina, and conducts a thorough process to make sure customers are receiving the most savings possible; however, the company lacks some qualities of leading solar companies (e.g. additional financing options, extended workmanship warranty, etc.), and given its relatively short time in business, customers may want to explore more established options with a positive customer review profile prior to obtaining a free quote through Zero Energy.
