Not all solar companies are created equal. Unfortunately, some solar companies seem to be more interested in making a profit off of the switch to renewable energy than they are interested in installing high-quality long-lasting solar arrays and serving their customers.
So, I’m going to be honest here for a moment:
We truly care about what we do. Our goal is to help homeowners make the switch to renewable energy by installing solar arrays with the highest craftsmanship possible and exemplary customer service. We’re a small family-owned business: we live in Madison, we are raising a family here, and we will be here for decades to come. You are our neighbors, and we are committed to taking care of you and your home. Integrity is at the forefront of everything we do, and we treat our customers the way we want to be treated.
That is why news like this really bums us out:
Veteran loses 15K after Moxie Solar closes as a former executive starts new solar company
Moxie Solar and Sun Badger Solar, both multi-state solar installation companies, served many homeowners in south-central Wisconsin before going out of business or closing, leaving some homeowners with half-finished systems, broken solar arrays with no route to get them fixed, and at worst, paid-for systems that were never installed. We have heard the stories from homeowners and neghbors who have worked with these companies are saddened by the frustrations they have faced and the money they have lost.
Here is our biggest piece of advice:
Get Three Estimates Before Going Solar
It may take you a little bit of additional time and energy but it could save you thousands of dollars and a lot of frustration down the road. It is worth the time and effort. Yes, we know that means you would be comparing our estimate against those of other solar installation companies, but we think it is that important.
And once you have received your three estimates, I personally recommend checking out our Guide to Comparing Solar Quotes when making a decision between the quotes you have received. Again, going through the steps in the guide may take a little extra time, but it could save you a lot of money and frustration down the road.
Finally:
Don’t Assume Bigger is Better
There are good big solar companies and there a good small solar companies, but we have found that big, multi-state, and national companies do not necessarily mean higher-quality, lower-prices, and better business practices. (Honestly, too often it seems to mean the opposite). We tend to trust big national brands for a lot of our shopping needs, but the same wisdom does not always apply in the solar installation field.
There are a few other solar companies that we would trust to install solar on our home if we did not have our own solar company, and they are all small, locally-owned, locally-based solar companies that have a long track record of great installations, high reviews, and solid business practices. Getting three estimates, looking at reviews, going through the guide, and doing a bit of extra work will help you find the right installer for your project. We know we can’t serve every homeowner ourselves, and we view the other high-quality local solar installation companies in our area as our partners in serving our community.