With so many solar companies to choose from, we know how daunting it can be to find an installer you can trust with your home’s solar system. To help you make the right decision, we’ve put together this comprehensive guide to the best solar companies in Tampa, FL, as rated by our SolarReviews experts and Tampa residents who’ve already gone solar.
We look for solar companies with owners who understand that when they sell you a solar system, you expect them to be there for the next 25 years to fix any issues that may arise. Here are the top companies we recommend for solar in Tampa:
Company Description
One of the smartest decisions you as a homeowner can make to lower your monthly energy bill is to get the best solar panel installation done to your home. Solar Roof Air is the company most qualified to help homeowners throughout the Sunbelt to realize this go...
Learn moreSolarReviews Expert Rating Score:
Elite
Rating breakdown
Positives:
3 / 5
Employee satisfaction and safety record
3 / 5
Sustainable pricing of systems
10 / 10
Competitiveness of loan options
4 / 5
Transparency about reputation
5 / 5
Vertical integration
10 / 10
Quality of brands sold
5 / 5
Company size and location
4 / 5
Transparency of pricing and sales process
4 / 5
Consumer reviews performance
8 / 10
Profitability of installer
10 / 10
Verification of licenses and insurance
10 / 10
Litigation and background
7 / 10
Time in business
5 / 5
Reliability of consumer reviews
Negatives:
Services offered
- Solar - Installation
Latest Good Review
John Ward | Clearwater, FL | 03-16-2025
Were snowbirds that are gone the majority of the year. We only needed 11 panels to cover our usage & being able to lease the panels made it an exciting opportunity. I’m excited to see how much credit we’ll build up the months we’re not here. Our timeline fell right about 2 to 2 and a half months & I was impressed with the work from the installers and responsiveness from their team in the office.
See full reviewLatest Bad Review
Ruonan ingram | Tomball, TX | 11-06-2023
Bad company
don't use this company they play world game on the contract . salse people lied and they use the world on contract explained different meaning . not like what they said to you will have no bill or negative bills . because they never tell you when you change to 1:1solar buy back energy company every months have TDU deliver fee that's meaning you have to reduce more power than what you really use then can cover your bills. and they told me i have to use the solar panels one years see can reduce the energy on contract or not if not they will add more panels after one year i called they tell me they can't put because of contract they use word syetem will offset last 12 months of usage . start one year before i sign the contract . but my house is new i not have one year before energy bills. if anyone looking for solar company try open your eyes. my bills not lower higher than before.
See full reviewCompany Description
Solar Energy World is the fastest-growing, independently-owned and operated solar company serving Delaware, Florida, Maryland, New Jersey, Northern Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Washington, DC. With thousands of solar panel system installations since our foundin...
Learn moreSolarReviews Expert Rating Score:
Elite
Rating breakdown
Positives:
10 / 10
Time in business
10 / 10
Litigation and background
10 / 10
Verification of licenses and insurance
10 / 10
Profitability of installer
5 / 5
Consumer reviews performance
5 / 5
Reliability of consumer reviews
4 / 5
Transparency of pricing and sales process
5 / 5
Company size and location
10 / 10
Quality of brands sold
5 / 5
Vertical integration
5 / 5
Transparency about reputation
10 / 10
Competitiveness of loan options
5 / 5
Sustainable pricing of systems
5 / 5
Employee satisfaction and safety record
Negatives:
Services offered
- Solar - Installation
Latest Good Review
KW | Laurel, MD | 02-17-2025
Smooth experience
Working with Solar Energy World was easy. Larkin Keys was our Field Energy Advisor. He was knowledgeable and responsive to all of our questions. Coordination between the different departments from sales through installation was seamless. Would recommend working with them.
See full reviewLatest Bad Review
Solomon | 01-28-2025
I am not happy with the solar energy. I agreed to pay $ 58 but I agin paid for pico company around $ 19 . I should not pay two times. Reach me out for more details
See full reviewCompany Description
Established in 2009. Sol-Up’s commitment to quality is especially visible in our installations. As Southern Nevada’s only NABCEP certified residential installer, Sol-Up combines years of experience in the field with the latest installation methods to provide ...
Learn moreSolarReviews Expert Rating Score:
Elite
Rating breakdown
Positives:
9 / 10
Time in business
6 / 10
Litigation and background
7 / 10
Verification of licenses and insurance
10 / 10
Profitability of installer
5 / 5
Consumer reviews performance
4 / 5
Transparency of pricing and sales process
5 / 5
Company size and location
10 / 10
Quality of brands sold
5 / 5
Vertical integration
10 / 10
Competitiveness of loan options
3 / 5
Employee satisfaction and safety record
3 / 5
Transparency about reputation
5 / 5
Sustainable pricing of systems
5 / 5
Reliability of consumer reviews
Negatives:
Services offered
- Solar - Installation
- Windows - Windows - Install & Replace
Latest Good Review
Tim H | Las Vegas, NV | 01-21-2025
Professional
We had the pleasure of working with Mary Lorenzo, very professional and no hard sell!! Loved the German engineering and made in the USA. Thank you Mary
See full reviewLatest Bad Review
Geoffrey | Las Vegas, NV | 05-10-2024
Good and Bad
The good is that the solar panels were installed and now I have my electricty is $19/month. Another good and bad is that the system was late to be installed by a couple months but I was credited a month's worth of utility expense by Sol-Up and my sales rep. The bad is Sol-Up recommended and does business with a local family owned company called Ariat Roofing. Ariat was very misleading in their bidding process and what they said in person didn't match the fine print. Even worse is they labled the attachments in a way that was further misleading to hide what you think you are paying for. Basically in person they said they would give me two bids one for entire roof and another for just the areas where the solar panels would be. They gave me two prices via email one to redo the entire roof and another to just do the areas where the solar panels would be. On their bids attached it also said entire roof and solar areas also. When you open up the fine print and read it, it's different than what they said in person. It turns out the fine print said they would replace the "entire upper roof" not the "entire roof" which makes no sense considering they advised me that the underlayment has expired and I needed to replace the entire roof not just the entire upper roof. Why would they not provide me a bid for the "entire" roof after telling me it all needed to be replaced? After calling them out on it they agreed that it was misleading and apologized and said they would replace the lower roof as well at their material cost only and would cover all the labor costs. That cost would have been around $500 as underlayment and some battons just don't cost that much for such a small section of roof. They came out and said another $3000 is what I have to pay. It's a joke. I paid for an entire roof and they didn't finish the job. Thankfully my father in law noticed they didn't do the lower section so when I called to confirm they in fact said they only did the upper section. After reaching out to my rep Brian Grinn at Sol-Up he kept saying hes going to ask a Mr. Sweet and make it right, but that never happened and now it's been 4 months and now my communications are being ignored. My experience with Sol-Up was ok but I would not do business with people they recommend especially Ariat Roofing as they are very deceiving. Now I have have warranties with these companies and very nervous about their practices.
See full reviewBest solar installers in Tampa, FL
| Company | SolarReviews expert rating | Consumer rating | City | Quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Affordable Solar Roof & Air | Elite | Clearwater | Get Quote | |
| Solar Energy World | Elite | - | Get Quote | |
| Sol-Up | Elite | - | Get Quote | |
| ION Solar | Elite | - | Get Quote | |
| Freedom Solar Power | Elite | - | Get Quote | |
| Go Solar Power | Unrated | West Palm Beach | Get Quote |
Best solar companies for home battery installations in Tampa
Batteries have become increasingly popular because they take an intermittent energy source like solar and turn it into a reliable and consistent supply of electricity. We recommend getting a solar battery quote if you want a backup power source or if your utility company doesn’t have a net metering program that buys excess solar energy at the full price of power, as you could save a little extra on your electric bill.
Here are some Tampa companies that install panels and solar battery storage systems:
| Company | SolarReviews expert rating | Consumer rating | City | Quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SunVena Solar LLC | Elite | Sanford | Get Quote | |
| Lunex Power Inc | Unrated | Tampa | Get Quote | |
| Solar Source - The Solar Experts | Unrated | Altamonte Springs | Get Quote | |
| Solar Bear | Elite | Largo | Get Quote | |
| Efficient Home Services | Elite | St. Petersburg | Get Quote |
How to find the best solar panel company near you
Picking a solar company is the most important decision you make when going solar. You need to trust them to drill holes in your roof, help you navigate financing and incentives and provide you with 25+ years of customer service.
Check out this video where our founder, who also founded a successful solar installation company, explains what to look for when choosing the best solar company near you.
Top things to consider when choosing a solar company in Tampa:
Years in business
One of the first things to look at when finding a company is how long they have been in business. We suggest looking for companies that have been around for at least five years, as the longer it has been in business, the more likely it is you’ll have a positive installation experience.
Companies with five or more years of experience will probably have established after-sales service and warranty support. It signals that they aren’t a company in it to make a quick buck; they’re in it for the long haul.
Of course, there are exceptions to this rule, which is why you should also keep a few other factors in mind.
Licenses, insurance, and certifications
Solar companies that are licensed, insured and hold certifications take their business seriously. Look for companies that have NABCEP Certified professionals or certified electricians on staff and are properly insured, so their workers, and you, are protected.
Financing options
Not everyone has thousands of dollars to spend on a solar panel installation. So, you’ll want to find a company with solar financing options that work for you. Ask for quotes for various types of financing plans to see which one will work best for your budget. Solar loans are often your next best choice if you can’t pay in cash. But, if you don’t pay federal income taxes or can’t qualify for a loan, finding a company that offers solar leases or power purchase agreements might be the right move.
Services and products offered
Don’t choose a company that can’t complete the job that you want to be done. If you need an energy storage system, get quotes from companies that install batteries! Maybe you want a particular brand of panels or an electric vehicle charger installation. Ask the company if they provide those services or carry those brands so you don’t have to settle for less.
Customer review scores
Customer ratings give valuable insight into how a solar company actually operates and treats its customers. Read SolarReviews, Google and Yelp reviews to understand the company’s installation process, sales practices and overall customer service. But remember that some companies incentivize customers to leave positive reviews, so make sure you read reviews with some scrutiny.
Warranty
Any reputable solar installation company will offer a workmanship or labor warranty that covers any damages that may occur during the installation process. We recommend using an installer with at least a ten-year labor warranty.
Some installation companies, like SunPower, include a system performance guarantee. This promises you’ll get a certain amount of electricity from your solar panels and is an excellent added protection.
Tampa incentives and rebates
Solar incentives and rebates can cut the cost of installing solar in Tampa by thousands of dollars. The most significant incentive is the 30% federal solar tax credit, available to any taxpayer in the country when they purchase solar panels or battery storage.
Some cities, counties, states and utility companies offer additional solar incentives, saving homeowners even more money. Here are the solar incentives available in Tampa:
| Incentive | Eligibility | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Clean Energy Tax Credit | Federal | Personal Tax Credit |
| PACE Loans | State | Loan Program |
| Property Tax Abatement for Renewable Energy Property | State | Property Tax Incentive |
| Net Metering | State | Net Metering |
| Solar and CHP Sales Tax Exemption | State | Sales Tax Incentive |
| SELF Loans | State | Loan Program |
How much can you save with solar incentives?
What to look for in solar quotes in Tampa
Once you’ve found a few companies you like, you can start getting solar quotes. You can get a better deal when you get quotes from multiple solar installers; we suggest getting at least three quotes. Here are a few of my favorite tips and tricks for comparing quotes and what questions you should ask installers.
System size and energy production
All solar quotes should include the size of the system and how much energy it is projected to produce. Most of the quotes you get will probably be in the same ballpark. But, if one is drastically larger or smaller than the others — ask about it! Maybe one installer included shading from a tree, while another based its estimates on having that tree removed.
If you choose reliable installers, you can trust that these estimates will be as accurate as possible. But you can always double-check using the SolarReviews solar calculator and enter the information received in your quotes.
Pricing
You should know as much as possible about how much the solar panels cost. Make sure you know both the total cost of the system and the price per watt of solar installed. The cost per watt makes it easier to compare prices between quotes and gives you a better idea of how fairly the system is priced. The average price of solar is about $2.06 to $3.1 per watt in Tampa, so anything in that range is a fair price.
Financing
Financing is one of the most important things to look for in your solar quote. There are a few different things to keep an eye out for, depending on what type of solar financing you’re using.
If you’re looking to use a solar loan, you should ask the company for both a cash quote and the financed quote. Solar loans include something called dealer fees, which can sometimes add 20% or more to the total cost of your system in exchange for a lower interest rate. It’s worth comparing what dealer fees and interest rates you’re quoted from different companies to get the best deal possible.
If you want a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA), you’ll want to look for an escalator clause in the contract. The escalator clause outlines how much your payments will go up every year. Ideally, this should be lower than the rate at which electric prices increase in your area, typically about 3% annually. If the escalator rate is higher than this, you could end up paying more than if you hadn’t gone solar at all!
Payback period
Some quotes may include when you’ll break even, meaning when your panels have saved as much as you spent on them.
If it’s not explicitly listed on the quote, you can compare any savings estimates they provide to the system’s total price and get a rough estimate of when your panels will pay themselves off. The shorter the payback period, the better.
Equipment
Good quality solar installers will carry good quality equipment. So if you pick an installer you trust, you can expect reliable products. But, it can’t hurt to research and ask the installer questions about what would be going on your roof.
Most solar panels installed today are about 400 watts in size and have efficiency ratings above 19%. Higher wattage and efficiency panels can produce slightly more electricity but may add a price premium. You’ll want to make sure the solar panels have the industry standard 25-year product and performance warranties.
Frequently asked questions about solar in Tampa
How much do solar panels cost in Tampa?
How much can solar panels save in Tampa?
Do I need a solar battery in Tampa?
How can you pay for solar panels in Tampa?
What are the best solar companies for a solar lease in Tampa?
What are the best solar companies for zero-down solar loans in Tampa?
How SolarReviews rates installers
SolarReviews developed our Expert Rating criteria to make it easier for homeowners to find solar companies they can trust. It’s not just about the consumer reviews or the products they sell - it’s about how they treat their employees, how they support their customers, and if they run an honest business.
We used our team’s extensive knowledge of the solar industry to create a data-based scoring system for rating solar companies that encompasses all of the most important things to consider when picking the best solar company, including:
- Background checks
- Brand quality
- License and insurance
- Vertical integration
- Profitability
- Transparency
- Consumer reviews
- Loan options
- Local service
- Responsible pricing
Learn more about the SolarReviews Expert Rating system.
Andy is arguably the most qualified rooftop solar expert in America. He is in a unique position, having founded a large solar company but now being independent of any particular company. He has appeared on CNBC, has been referenced in public hearings concerning the rooftop solar industry ( such as the recent CPUC NEM 3 decision) and has been referenced by many major publications such as the Wall Street Journal, Business Week and many others.