Solar Energy System Suppliers
Solar energy systems generate electricity from sunlight and feed it back into the public utility grid. The utility company then credits your account for the power you produce and bills you for any excess power.
Solar energy distributors can help you design a system that meets your energy needs and budget. They can also help you qualify for government rebates and incentives.
SolarEdge
SolarEdge is a leading smart energy technology company committed to harnessing the sun for a sustainable future. Its DC-optimized PV systems feature power optimizers and centralized inverters that maximize the amount of electricity produced by a solar array. It also offers advanced energy storage, EV charging and home energy management solutions.
Unlike microinverters that have mini inverters attached to each panel, SolarEdge’s power optimizers connect directly to each panel on your roof. The power optimizers optimize the string voltage and send DC current to a centralized inverter. They can mitigate against power losses caused by shading, multiple orientations or soiling.
They are backed by one of the best warranties in the industry with 12 years for the inverter and 25 for the power optimisers. They have a comprehensive support network and community-driven knowledge base. The company is based in Melbourne and has field technicians nationwide.
Enphase Energy
The Enphase Energy System is a modular solar power generation and battery storage solution. It provides energy independence and a reliable source of power for you solar energy system supplier and your family. Its microinverters communicate with a central communications gateway called the Envoy, which is installed by your solar professional and transmits performance data to an online dashboard, called Enlighten.
Enphase is a NASDAQ-listed company that develops and manufactures solar micro-inverters, battery energy storage, and EV charging stations primarily for the rooftop solar market. Its microinverter technology transforms the DC output of solar panels into a standard AC voltage.
In addition to micro-inverters, Enphase also produces other solar-related products such as solar batteries, communications systems, inverter accessories, and trunk cables. Its technology is known for its ability to monitor solar systems at the panel level, allowing installers to spot issues that might impact the performance of their systems.
SunPower
SunPower is one of the top solar energy system manufacturers in the country, offering their industry-leading high-efficiency panels and a comprehensive 25-year warranty. Their products are sold through a network of dealers and solar installation companies.
They also offer a full solar battery storage solution, SunVault. They are the only company to offer a complete home energy system that integrates both. Their solar panels are backed by a 25-year manufacturer’s product and performance warranties.
The solar technology company began in a Stanford University lab and has since expanded to a global manufacturing facility. They continue to invest in research and development to set the bar for high-efficiency solar cells.
They offer a variety of financing options and are rated A+ by the BBB. Customers appreciate the accountability of their customer service representatives and the savings they generate with SunPower systems. However, some Trustpilot reviews note difficulty in reaching their customer support team.
Maxeon Solar Technologies
Maxeon Solar Technologies designs, manufactures and sells state-of-the-art solar panels under the Maxeon and SunPower brands. It specializes in solar innovation with access to over 1,000 patents. Its technology lifepo4 lithium battery supplier platforms target distinct market segments, including the DG and power plant markets. The company’s patented shingled cell technology offers a unique advantage by remaining free from front surface obstruction, with the connection made on the rear side through what is called an Integrated Back Contact (IBC) copper grid.
The company’s shingled cells are more efficient than conventional flat panel alternatives, which may help Maxeon capture more market share in the utility sector, according to CTO Matt Dawson. The company also aims to embrace its U.S. manufacturing lineage, and it has selected Albuquerque as the location for a new record-sized silicon solar cell and module factory. The project is subject to a successful due diligence process with the Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office. Maxeon’s innovative design eliminates many common field failures, such as PID, browning and cell cracking.
LONGi Solar
LONGi Solar is one of the biggest manufacturers of solar panels in the world. They specialize in monocrystalline PV modules and offer building-integrated photovoltaic solutions. They are also members of the Silicon Module Super League, which includes the likes of Canadian Solar, Hanwha Q CELLS parent company, JA Solar, LG, Jinko, and Seraphim.
Founded in 2000, LONGi Solar is based in Xi’an, China, and has factories around the world, including Malaysia, Vietnam, India, and throughout China. They are a fast-growing solar company and in 2020, they were the world’s largest solar manufacturer based on market capital and sales revenue. They produce 110GW of products per year, including 25GW of panels, 30GW of cells, and 55GW of wafers.
Their Hi-MO 6 series of solar panels use a new technology that allows them to achieve an efficiency of 22.8% in mass production. This is a huge improvement over the standard N-type TOPCon or IBC cell design, and they were the first to do it.
Sunrun Inc.
Sunrun is one of the largest solar energy system installers in the United States, operating in 22 states and Puerto Rico. It provides both leases and purchase options for homeowners, as well as a home battery storage solution called Sunrun Brightbox. The company also installs electric vehicle (EV) chargers and offers solar panel maintenance for its customers.
The company was among the first to pioneer a “solar as a service” model, in which it owns and maintains solar equipment on a customer’s roof for 20 years while charging them for the power they generate. This has allowed the company to avoid upfront costs and reduce its risk.
However, a significant percentage of Yelp reviews for the company have complained about delayed response times from its customer support team. The company has responded by increasing staff capacity and working with additional vendors to increase product stock.