How to choose a reliable solar installer in 2026

Check the credentials. Understand the contract. Know when to walk away.

A good installer can explain your system, costs and responsibilities in writing, give you time to compare, and show evidence of the credentials they claim. Start with several quotes for the same scope—not the biggest promised saving.

Request free solar quotes

1. Verify licenses, insurance and the people doing the work

Ask for the company's legal name and license number, then check the state contractor licensing board or relevant local authority yourself. Requirements vary by jurisdiction and type of work. Ask for current insurance documents and whether subcontractors will perform the installation; check their credentials too.

NABCEP certification is a separate, voluntary qualification. Ask which individual holds it, what credential they have and whether that person will supervise or work on your project. A certification badge is not a government license or a promise that nothing will go wrong.

2. Separate the warranties

Do not treat “25-year warranty” as one blanket promise. Read the panel product warranty, panel performance warranty, inverter warranty and installer workmanship warranty separately. Ask whether labor, travel, removal, reinstallation and roof penetrations are covered, and who pays when the manufacturer and installer disagree.

Warranty length and exclusions vary. Get the provider's legal name, claim process and documents before signing, including what happens if the installer stops trading. A long equipment warranty does not automatically cover roof leaks or installation labor.

3. Compare local and national companies on evidence

Neither company size nor a familiar name is a substitute for due diligence. Look for relevant experience, recent references, a clear service contact, and a plan for repairs. Ask who is responsible for permits, inspections and utility interconnection—not just who sells the system.

4. Five red flags to slow down for

“The government gives everyone free panels.” Ask who pays, who owns the system, and what contract you are being offered. A loan, lease or PPA is not free equipment.
“Sign today or lose the deal.” Do not sign before you have reviewed the whole agreement and compared alternatives.
“Your electric bill will be $0 forever.” Ask about fixed utility charges, seasonal imports and export-credit assumptions. Check your utility's actual rules.
No clear site-assessment plan. An initial remote quote can be reasonable, but do not accept unexplained assumptions about roof condition, structure or electrical upgrades before a final design and binding scope.
No written equipment list or itemized price. Require panel and inverter models, system size, exclusions, upgrade costs and payment milestones on paper.

Seven questions to ask every installer

What is your legal business name and license number, and where can I verify its current status?
Can you provide current liability insurance documents and identify any subcontractors?
Who designs and installs my system, and which relevant solar credentials do they hold?
Can I contact recent customers with a similar roof and system in my area?
Which panel and inverter models are included, and how will you assess my roof, structure and electrical panel?
What is the itemized cash price, and what are the full financing, lease or PPA costs and fees?
Who handles permits, utility approval, roof leaks, repairs and warranties, and what are the cancellation terms?

5. Read the financing as carefully as the hardware

Request the cash price separately from the financed price. Compare the interest rate, fees, total payments, annual price increases, ownership, maintenance obligations and home-sale terms. For a lease or PPA, confirm who owns the equipment and who is entitled to any applicable incentives. Do not assume projected savings or tax benefits are guaranteed.

Use our Solar Quote Checker to compare price per watt, read what drives solar installation costs, and check how your utility credits exported electricity. Those tools support a comparison; they do not verify a contractor.

What our directory does—and does not—mean

Our installer directory currently contains clearly labeled fictional examples. The Verified plan describes a license-and-insurance document check before approval; it does not guarantee workmanship, savings or a specific warranty. Featured Partners pay for placement. Always verify a real contractor's current documents yourself.

Sources and further reading

U.S. Department of Energy: Choosing a solar installer — licenses, insurance, subcontractors and references.
U.S. Department of Energy: Step-by-step guide to going solar — assessments and comparing offers.
FTC: Solar scams and misleading sales claims — free-panel promises and sales pressure.
FTC: Solar power for your home — purchase, lease and PPA considerations.
NABCEP: Certification FAQs — voluntary credentials and licensing.

Frequently asked questions

Does a solar installer need NABCEP certification?

NABCEP credentials are voluntary, not a universal legal requirement. They are a useful additional qualification to check, but do not replace the contractor licenses required by your state or local authority. Verify the named credential holder and their role in your project.

Is a local installer always better than a national company?

No. Compare experience on similar homes, licensing, references, subcontractors and who handles service. Company size alone does not establish reliability or tell you whether a warranty will be honored.

What is the difference between equipment and workmanship warranties?

Equipment warranties cover specified product defects; performance warranties address stated output levels under their terms. Workmanship warranties cover specified installation issues. Durations, labor cover, roof-leak protection and exclusions vary, so request the actual documents.

Are the installers in this directory already vetted?

Current directory entries are fictional examples, not vetted contractors. A paid placement is not a quality endorsement. Check each contractor's license, insurance, references and written contract yourself before committing.

Estimates only. Actual results depend on your home, installer and local rules.