Elevation stands out for its extensive solar service catalog and in-house installation crews. With industry-standard warranties and full-ownership payment methods, Elevation’s service selection can fulfill your solar needs for an affordable price.
Although Elevation has some reports of delays and scheduling difficulties, the company appears responsive to reviews and extends help for complaints. We don’t like that the company doesn’t disclose its partnerships with certain solar panel brands, but we do like that it focuses on providing quality monocrystalline panels.
In this review, we tap interviews with home solar experts, a survey of 1,000 home solar customers, and our in-depth analysis of Elevation’s warranties and customer service reviews to help you decide whether this solar company is right for you.
Pros
- Performs whole-home energy upgrades through its Elevated Home service
- Features highly comprehensive active monitoring service
- Provides trained in-house installers
Cons
- Receives customer reviews mentioning scheduling difficulties and delays
- Has a monitoring app that’s not as user-friendly as those of competitors
- Doesn’t disclose much information about the solar panel brands it uses
Our thoughts on Elevation
Elevation scored 4.6 out of 5 stars, landing near the top of our list of the best solar companies. The company provides some of the best solar panel installation services based on our methodology.
We’re not fans of the company’s mixed reviews due to ongoing issues with scheduling and a finicky mobile app, but these issues are minor compared to some of the other problems that solar installation companies have. Also, you can only use its services if you reside in the company’s limited service area, but this may provide a more knowledgeable staff that knows about your local and state solar incentives.
What we like
We like that Elevation aims to keep as much of the solar installation process as possible in-house. The company hires installation crews rather than relying on third-party contractors. This makes the process more accessible and stress-free for you.
Elevation provides designated concierges to your project who are familiar with the ins and outs of going solar in your area. This is a significant perk. As Will White, a solar application specialist at Fluke Corporation, put it to us, “Working with an experienced installer familiar with your location’s requirements is key to a smooth and quick approval process.” He explained that some local jurisdictions make going solar simple and stress-free, but other locations might feature a complicated process with tons of permitting and approval.
Working with an experienced installer familiar with your location’s requirements is key to a smooth and quick approval process.
Will White
What impresses us about Elevation is its service selection. The company provides quality solar panels and battery installation, but it also offers other energy-efficiency upgrades, including additional home sealing, insulation improvements and active monitoring through Curb Energy Monitoring.
We also like Elevation’s Elevated Home service. If you opt for this service, you achieve renewable energy through solar panels, and your home becomes more energy-efficient and eco-friendly overall. Elevated Home provides one of the most well-rounded and comprehensive energy upgrade services we’ve seen.
What we don’t like
During our customer review analysis, the most common complaint was that Elevation struggles with scheduling and maintaining certain deadlines. This problem results in a pattern of delays with the company. Though rescheduling is a hassle, this complaint is milder than those of the other solar providers we’ve reviewed.
The other thing we don’t like about Elevation is that it doesn’t disclose what solar panel brands it offers. Rather, Elevation relies on the local supply chain at the time of purchase to determine what solar panels you receive. Though this is common with many other solar installation companies, it’s an added benefit that the company is missing. If you had a particular solar panel brand you wanted to use, this downside affects you more.
Compare top solar brands
Elevation offers top-of-the-line warranties when compared to other top solar installers.
Elevation solar services
Elevation stands out for its unique set of services that focus on energy efficiency upgrades in a general sense, not just in terms of electrical improvements. The company provides quality monocrystalline solar panels for grid-tied and off-grid solar power systems.
Although you won’t know the specific brand of solar panel you’ll receive until further in the consultation process, you can have peace of mind knowing that Elevation uses only monocrystalline panels. These panels provide the highest average efficiency ratings, between 15% and 22%.
Solar battery installation
Elevation follows standard procedures for installing solar batteries, which include obtaining necessary permits, performing electrical work, configuring the battery system and activating it. The company offers reliable solar battery models such as the Tesla Powerwall and Generac PWRcell. Both models provide ample support during low sunlight hours, such as at night and during power grid outages.
We’ve noticed solar batteries are becoming more and more necessary for home solar energy systems. Based on our October 2023 survey of 1,000 solar customers, almost 59% of respondents opted to get a solar battery backup in addition to their solar panels.
JD Dillon, the chief marketing officer at Tigo Energy, mentioned just how beneficial a solar battery can be to a homeowner. “Adding battery storage to a home solar system is a powerful way to unlock many incremental benefits to simply producing your own electricity from the sun.” He explained that you store more cost-friendly electricity this way and can use it whenever utility prices increase. This is especially true, he said, when paired with high-quality monitoring services like the one Elevation provides.
You can unlock the real value of solar-plus-storage through energy management systems that make it easy to set up the batteries to do any combination of the functions listed above.
Home insulation and sealing
Many homeowners overlook one simple energy upgrade method: improving insulation and sealing. Elevation offers a comprehensive home energy assessment to identify areas where warm air escapes during winter and enters during summer. The most common problem areas include attics, walls, foundations, windows, doors, ducts, fireplaces and recessed lighting. Drafts in these areas result in higher utility bills.
Based on the results of the home assessment, Elevation will create a plan to address any issues by using various insulation materials and air-sealing methods. These options include blown-in cellulose, spray foam, batt insulation, weatherstripping and caulking.
Mobile app active monitoring
Elevation provides an active monitoring service through Curb, one of the most comprehensive platforms of its kind that we’ve seen. With the Curb mobile and desktop apps, you can get a detailed view of your home’s energy consumption.
The system connects to your breaker box and monitors up to 18 major appliances or zones in your home. It can identify your power-intensive appliances in real-time and provide insights into your solar energy production and utility bill costs. Additionally, you can use the device to remotely control any SmartThings devices installed in your home.
Elevated Home package
Elevation provides a comprehensive package of solar and energy-efficient solutions called Elevated Home. The company’s team will identify structural issues and perform repairs or upgrades as needed, such as insulation and sealing. According to Elevation, an energy audit can help decrease energy waste by 10% or more, resulting in long-term savings on utility bills. These upgrades may also help you reduce the number of solar panels required for your project.
Overall, this service is a comprehensive package deal to receive as many energy upgrades as possible in addition to solar panel and battery installation. Ask Elevation about this service to accomplish as much as you can for a reasonable price.
Elevation’s installation process
Elevation focuses on a whole-home approach for solar panel installation with an eye toward general energy optimization. Though you can purchase only solar panel installation from the company, it strives to let you know where your home stands regarding its energy use.
You can expect the following installation process from Elevation:
- Consultation and audit: After you contact Elevation to express your interest in exploring solar energy, a representative will arrange for an energy-efficiency audit of your home. If the technician identifies areas where you can conserve more energy during the audit, they’ll recommend fixing those issues before installing solar panels.
- Design: After addressing the energy efficiency concerns, the design team at Elevation will proceed with a solar analysis. To better understand your home’s energy usage patterns and requirements, Elevation recommends providing 12 months of electricity bills. The team will create a customized design for your house based on an AI tool and satellite imagery that will assess your roof’s size and orientation.
- Final quote and permitting: If you’re happy with the final quote and want to proceed with the purchase, you must sign a contract. Elevation will take care of all the necessary permits and tax incentives on your behalf. You’ll receive a dedicated project manager’s phone number so you can always get in touch for project updates.
- Installation and activation: After it obtains the necessary permits from the local governing bodies and utility companies, Elevation schedules the installation date. Elevation’s in-house installation crew will typically complete the installation within one day. If your project is more complex, it might take two days. Elevation then works with your energy company to conduct a final inspection. Once complete, you receive permission to operate (PTO), and your clean energy generation and electricity bill savings will begin.
Warranties
Elevation provides impressive warranty options for its equipment. A 25-year product warranty backs premium equipment. The company’s regular inverters come with a 12-year warranty, and 10-year warranties also cover its Tesla and Generac batteries.
The company exceeds the industry standard by offering a 25-year labor and workmanship warranty. This means that if any malfunction results from faulty installation within 25 years of your initial purchase, Elevation will fix it at no additional charge.
Pricing and quotes
Based on the survey we conducted in October 2023, the average cost for an Elevation solar panel system was $11,507. This price point is relatively affordable compared to the national average cost of a 6-kilowatt system, which is estimated to be $18,960, according to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
Elevation’s payment methods prioritize options that offer complete ownership. Its customer service representatives are available to assist you in claiming the federal solar investment tax credit (ITC). The ITC is a government incentive provided by the Department of Energy and IRS to encourage the use of solar energy systems. It allows owners of solar systems to deduct a portion of their qualified solar expenses from their federal income tax returns. Currently, the ITC covers 26% of the installation cost for solar systems.
Though Elevation only offers full purchase and solar loans, these financing options yield more cost-effective results than a lease or power purchase agreement.
- Full purchase: The most economical option is investing in a solar system by paying the full price. It guarantees a shorter payback period once your solar panels start producing electricity. Additionally, you’re eligible for any relevant solar tax incentives. It may seem like a large upfront cost, but purchasing a complete solar system can result in significant savings in the long run.
- Solar loan: You can choose a solar loan if you can’t pay the full cost of solar panels upfront. You pay a monthly fee that includes financing costs until you fully own the panels. This option is especially suitable if you still want to take advantage of rebates and incentives offered by local and federal authorities, thus reducing the overall cost of your solar panels.
Elevation availability
As of December 2023, Elevation actively installs systems in five states:
- Arizona
- Florida
- Texas
- California
- Nevada
The company is looking to expand its service area soon, so we recommend contacting Elevation to find out if it services your area.
Customer thoughts
Elevation features an A+ rating and accreditation with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and it holds a favorable customer rating of 4 out of 5 stars. The company’s Trustpilot page features a similar rating with two reviews.
As previously mentioned, while some reviews have cited issues with scheduling and delays, many others have praised the helpful customer service staff and quality of installations. Numerous customers were impressed with Elevation’s follow-up calls and check-ins.
Final take: Elevation provides the most versatile selection of solar services, but you might experience delays
Elevation offers comprehensive warranties and a robust service selection. Its unique mix of energy efficiency upgrades complements its quality solar panel installation services.
Additionally, its designated concierges provide transparency and project updates and help you easily apply and qualify for solar tax incentives and rebates. These pros far outweigh the cons of experiencing possible delays or rescheduling.
We recommend you get at least three solar quotes from local installers to compare costs, warranty coverage and available services closely.
Our rating methodology for solar companies
We analyze, rate and compare solar installation companies using our in-depth methodology to help you decide which solar installer to hire. Our analysis provides us with a deeper understanding of the solar industry, as well as the needs and demands of solar consumers.
Our methods include research into solar systems’ efficiency and durability, solar’s cost-effectiveness and which services solar installers offer. We update and review our data semiannually to ensure our 100-point score system accurately reflects the industry’s current state. We divide each provider’s final score by 20 to get ratings out of 5 stars.
Here are our subcategories and their points values:
Service options (47 points): We base our scores on available service offerings such as solar battery installation and panel maintenance, as well as sustainability practices, customer service breadth and consultation options.
Payment, financing and warranty (27 points): We score based on available payment options and companies’ willingness to stand behind their work.
Reputation and consumer reviews (26 points): We check the certification and ratings listed by consumers on sites such as Trustpilot and the Better Business Bureau for each installer we review.
Read our full methodology for more information.
BBB information is current as of November 2024.
Editorial note: The name “Homefront” refers to the alliance between USA TODAY and Home Solutions that publishes review, comparison, and informational articles designed to help USA TODAY readers make smarter purchasing and investment decisions about their home. Under the alliance, Homefront provides and publishes research and articles about home service and home improvement topics.
Homefront has an affiliate disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Homefront editorial staff alone (see About Homefront). Homefront adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.
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