Momentum Solar has been installing solar panel systems on homeowners’ roofs for the past 14 years. We awarded this South Plainfield, NJ-based solar installer a 3.9-star rating, making it one of the best solar companies out there.
But is Momentum the right solar company for you? W deep into this installer to find out more about its financing options, innovations, customer reviews and more. Learn more about what we found in this Momentum Solar review.
Pros
- Good mobile app for monitoring
- Offers Tier 1 products along with battery storage options
- Workmanship guarantee far exceeds industry standard
Cons
- Only available in 12 states
- Battery storage is limited to 5 states
Table of Contents
- Momentum Solar at a Glance
- What Can You Expect From Momentum Solar?
- Momentum Solar Services
- Momentum Solar Panel Options
- Where Is Momentum Solar Available?
- Momentum Solar Warranties
- How Much Does Momentum Solar Cost?
- Financing Options
- Momentum Solar Installation Process
- Getting a Solar Panel Installation Quote: We Put Momentum Solar to the Test
- What We Like About Momentum Solar
- What We Didn’t Like About Momentum Solar
- What People Are Saying About Momentum Solar
- How Momentum Solar Stacks Up
- Bottom Line: Is Momentum Solar the Right Solar Installer for You?
- Methodology: How We Rated Solar Companies
If you are looking for a company to provide solar to your entire home, then Momentum Solar may be the company for you. Momentum Solar installs solar panel systems with battery backups to keep your home running strong during power outages or extreme weather.
In this guide, we researched Momentum Solar to arm you with the information you need to help make your choice for a solar company a little easier and help you get on your way to savings.
Featured Partners
1
Palmetto Solar
BBB Grade
A+
Financing Options
Purchase, loan, PPA
Number of States Covered
27
2
Blue Raven Solar
BBB
A+
Financing Options
$0 upfront for 18 months
Number of States Covered
21
3
Momentum Solar
BBB Grade
A+
Financing Options
Purchase, loan
Number of States Covered
10
Momentum Solar at a Glance
Momentum Solar’s story is a fun one. It started as a way for a bunch of guys in a garage to power their massive stereo system without drawing too much from the power grid. The team designed and built their solar panel system before realizing they had something special and starting a business.
Now, Momentum Solar has been in business for 14 years. It is based in South Plainfield, NJ, and currently serves 12 states. As of this writing, it has an A+ grade with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), a 3.27-star rating with the BBB, but holds lower ratings with some other institutions, like 1.8 with Trustpilot and 1.3 with Consumer Affairs.
Momentum offers a range of products and services for its customers. It installs Tier-1 solar panels, which means the panels and their manufacturers have to meet certain criteria regarding financial stability, quality and production. Momentum also installs Enphase solar battery storage systems, allowing homeowners to store their daytime production for use during off hours or cloudy days.
Momentum provides four financing options, loans, PPAs, outright purchases and leases, making it a great choice for anyone who needs payment flexibility.
What Can You Expect From Momentum Solar?
When shopping for a solar installation company, you’ll want to do as much homework and research as possible to ensure it’s a good fit. Below is a rundown of what you can expect from Momentum Solar.
Momentum Solar Services
Momentum Solar customers have a few services to choose from, all of which can help them on their solar journey. Momentum offers free energy consultations, solar panel installations and power storage options. Momentum also has an energy-tracking app that customers can use to check their systems.
Customers may also appreciate that Momentum handles the entire installation process in-house. The contractor quotes, designs and installs the systems themselves, without the help of subcontractors or third parties.
Momentum Solar Panel Options
The solar panels that Momentum installs are something of a secret. This isn’t unusual, though—companies will often avoid advertising the panels they can use so they can better cope with supply chain issues and pivot to the latest and greatest equipment. However, Solar Momentum is clear that it uses only Tier-1 panels.
Tier-1 panels must meet certain criteria. The manufacturer must:
- Have stable finances and a good credit rating
- Be capable of large-scale manufacturing
- Have a proven track record consisting of several years in the industry
- Have rigorous quality control processes
- Offer excellent warranty teams
As far as power storage goes, Momentum uses Enphase products. Enphase has multiple storage offerings, including the Encharge 10, which provides a maximum of 10.1 kWh, and the Encharge 3, providing 3.4k Wh. Enphase also offers a “Smart Switch,” which connects the entire system and allows the user to run on solar automatically in the event of a power outage.
Where Is Momentum Solar Available?
At this time, Momentum Solar systems are available in 12 states. They include:
- Arizona
- California
- Connecticut
- Florida
- Georgia
- Massachusetts
- Nevada
- New York
- New Jersey
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Texas
It’s also worth noting that a note on the company’s site currently reads that new home solar installations are only available in Connecticut, Florida, New Jersey, New York, Nevada, Massachusetts and Texas, which may further limit you. Be sure to reach out to Momentum for more info.
Unfortunately, the power storage options also aren’t widespread. There are only five states in which battery systems are available:
- California
- Florida
- New York
- New Jersey
- Texas
Momentum Solar Warranties
One of the most compelling reasons to choose Momentum Solar is the company’s warranty policies: Momentum offers products with a 25-year manufacturer warranty and offers the same for workmanship. Most solar installation companies don’t offer such long workmanship policies, opting for warranties that last just five years in some cases.
How Much Does Momentum Solar Cost?
Momentum Solar doesn’t provide any pricing information online. You’ll have to get that info through a phone call with a company representative. The process of requesting that phone call is easy, and we’ll get into that in a bit.
Even though Momentum isn’t forthcoming with its pricing, we do have some helpful data to offer. In the U.S., the average cost of a solar installation is around $12,700 for a 6kw system, with a range of $8,500 to $30,500, depending on the system size and features.
Financing Options
Another positive aspect of working with Momentum Solar is its variety of payment options. There are four ways to pay for Momentum systems, including:
- Solar purchase: This option is the most straightforward: The homeowner pays for their solar panel system outright. The customer owns the solar panel system, and Momentum can assist with maintenance. The homeowner receives all of the available tax benefits and incentives.
- Solar loans: Momentum helps set the customer up with a third-party loan provider. The homeowner owns the solar system and makes monthly payments to the lender. Momentum can assist with maintenance. The homeowner benefits from tax credits and incentives.
- Solar PPA: The solar Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) is a payment method in which the homeowner allows the solar company to install a system on their roof, and then the homeowner pays the solar company for the energy they use. Momentum would be responsible for maintenance. The homeowners would not receive solar tax benefits and incentives.
- Solar lease: With this method, Momentum installs and maintains the system and the homeowner makes lease payments to the company every month. There is typically no upfront cost, but the homeowner doesn’t get the tax benefits.
Momentum Solar Installation Process
Momentum Solar outlines its installation process on the company website. Here are the basic steps:
- Submit a request and receive a free energy consultation. Consultations can be held through Zoom or over the phone.
- The Momentum design team creates the solar panel system based on the homeowner’s needs and the home’s design.
- Momentum Solar handles all of the permitting.
- The system is installed on the home. Installation takes approximately four to eight hours, after which the momentum team will provide a system demonstration.
- A final inspection is performed with the utility companies and municipality before the system is brought online.
Getting a Solar Panel Installation Quote: We Put Momentum Solar to the Test
To get a quote, you’ll need to sit through a free consultation with a sales rep. These can be performed via Zoom or a phone call. The rep will ask questions about your energy needs and ask for a copy of your energy bill.
But you have to put in a request for one of these consultations. The process is relatively simple, and you’re launched into it with a pop-up window the moment you land on the Momentum Solar home page
The information required for a quote is minimal and a Momentum rep will call shortly to help set up a consultation.
What We Like About Momentum Solar
We really appreciate Momentum’s generous warranty policies. While all solar customers are entitled to the solar panel manufacturer’s product warranty, most only offer five or so years on workmanship. Momentum’s workmanship warranty lasts 25 years.
Also, Momentum makes it possible for almost anyone to get into solar. Between its four financing options, there is likely a method that works for everyone. While some financing options may offer more advantages than others, the flexibility is a plus.
Momentum’s app isn’t perfect, but it does offer more insight than what most other companies can offer. Out of the 28 leading solar companies we researched, only 11 offered apps.
The Tier-1 products are also a plus. While it’s unclear exactly which panels and components Momentum installs, it does point to the company using quality products.
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What We Didn’t Like About Momentum Solar
Momentum is only available in 12 states. While that’s not necessarily a dealbreaker (and it did expand to two more states since our previous review), it only offers battery storage in five of those states.
Also, we’d like to know more about the products that Momentum installs and its pricing. Very few solar installation companies provide much information about their pricing so this isn’t unusual, but it could be helpful when making a decision.
What People Are Saying About Momentum Solar
Momentum Solar receives a general mix of reviews from customers. The company holds an A+ rating from the BBB as of this writing, as well as a 3.01 star rating on the site. It scores similarly on Google. However, its scores are lower on sites like Trustpilot and Consumer Affairs. Customers praised the company for doing a good job on installation and for the most part answering their questions. However, some customers said they wanted more details of the installation process while others had some difficulty obtaining service.
It’s always wise to seek out localized reviews, but it can be especially helpful in the case when reviews are mixed so you can get a better idea of what your experience may be like.
How Momentum Solar Stacks Up
Momentum Solar vs. Sunrun
When comparing Momentum Solar and Sunrun, it’s easy to see that Sunrun has a bit more reach. Sunrun is available in 20 states rather than the dozen that Momentum is available in. Both companies offer free consultations and mobile apps, but Momentum gives a bit more information about the panels it offers.
Learn More: Sunrun Review
Momentum Solar Vs. Blue Raven
On paper, Momentum might edge Blue Raven a bit due to this mobile app available (Blue Raven doesn’t have one). But, Blue Raven’s reviews and availability say a lot about this solar provider, and it takes the competition.
Learn More: Blue Raven Review
Bottom Line: Is Momentum Solar the Right Solar Installer for You?
Ultimately, there are a few types of customers who might find Momentum Solar to be a good fit. First, folks who need some different financing options will find Momentum’s four choices to be major plus. Also, those who want to ensure their systems are under warranty as long as possible will think Momentum’s long warranties are great.
Ultimately, though, it depends on whether you live in a state that Momentum serves. The company’s service area is relatively small, and it can’t even provide all of its services throughout that service area.
Best Solar Companies By State
Methodology: How We Rated Solar Companies
To determine the best solar company ranking, the Forbes Home editorial team analyzed 26 major companies, with each company’s star rating determined by evaluating a variety of metrics, including years in business, equipment options, app and customer reviews and support, nationwide availability, price and warranty, product specifications and features.
You can find out more about how Forbes Home rates solar companies in our detailed methodology page.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How much does Momentum Solar cost on average?
Momentum doesn’t publish information about how much its systems cost. Customers will have to sit through a consultation first. However, the average solar system in the U.S. costs around $13,000, with the low end of the range around $8,500 and the high end of the range around $30,500.
How efficient are Momentum Solar panels?
Momentum doesn’t publish information about which solar panels it uses. It does use Tier-1 panels, but this refers more to quality and manufacturer reliability than efficiency.
How long do Momentum Solar panels last for?
Momentum Solar panels are under warranty for 25 years, but users can expect them to last longer with proper maintenance.
How does Momentum Solar compare to other solar companies?
In some ways, Momentum Solar far exceeds the offerings of other companies. It offers four payment options rather than the standard three, and its systems are under workmanship warranty for up to 25 years.
Is Momentum Solar worth it?
Momentum may very well be worth it for the right customer. Folks who live within the company’s service area and who want flexible payment options, as well as a long-term warranty, will find Momentum’s offerings to be a good fit.
