Solar in your state
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 Arkansas, as rated by our SolarReviews experts and Arkansas 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 Arkansas:
Company Description
About Us: AEV Solar provides solar energy products and services to Little Rock, AR, and surrounding areas. Services: Solar for Homeowners Solar for Business Owners Tesla Powerwall Installation Associations: Arkansas Advanced Energy Association Poultry Federa...
Learn moreSolarReviews Expert Rating Score:
Elite
Rating breakdown
Positives:
8 / 10
Time in business
10 / 10
Litigation and background
10 / 10
Verification of licenses and insurance
10 / 10
Profitability of installer
5 / 5
Reliability of consumer reviews
5 / 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
5 / 5
Sustainable pricing of systems
Negatives:
1 / 5
Consumer reviews performance
2 / 5
Transparency about reputation
2 / 5
Employee satisfaction and safety record
Services offered
- Solar - Installation
Latest Good Review
Rd | Little Rock, AR | 11-11-2023
Great experience
I am delighted to share my positive experience with the entire team that worked on my solar system. The crew communication was exceptional, providing thorough explanations of the system's components, pricing details, warranty coverage, and overall functionality of the solar panels. Jaimin, in particular, showcased an impressive depth of knowledge and was always willing to clarify any queries. I left the interaction feeling completely satisfied and inclined to engage their services again in the future. While the team outside the office demonstrated excellence, I believe there's room for improvement within the office staff. Enhancing attention to detail and thoroughness in document preparation and follow-up could elevate the overall performance. Despite this suggestion, my overall experience was positive, and I wholeheartedly recommend their services.
See full reviewCompany Description
Providing renewable energy to the Ozarks and Northwest Arkansas for over 25 years. Full service NABCEP certified solar panel installation, design and consulting.
Learn moreSolarReviews Expert Rating Score:
Unrated
Services offered
- Solar - Installation
SolarReviews Expert Rating Score:
Unrated
Services offered
- Solar - Installation
- Solar - Installation
Latest Good Review
Jack Keeth | 06-21-2008
Sun City Solar Energy of the Ozarks is the company that installed my solar water heater and two solar attic vents and they all work great. The crew were well informed and cleaned up the whole area. The training was great and they gave everything a second inspection and made sure I knew how to set the controler and how everything worked. I love going out there and seeing the themp.gage of the water on the tank and knowing that it is heated by the sun and not by my electric company. I see the differance on my electric power bill and smile. <br />I had solar hot water in California and knew the advantages of it but this is a better syatem by far.
See full reviewLatest Bad Review
| 01-25-2018
Poor Operational Product and Install
I have not had a full month of daily full panel operations since install! Same 14 microinverters not reporting and roof leaks for over 10 months!! I need a resolution and the local rep in Arkansas apparently doesn't have the knowledge nor skill set needed to fix the problem
See full reviewBest solar installers in Arkansas
Company | SolarReviews expert rating | Consumer rating | City | Quote |
---|---|---|---|---|
New Farm Solar | Unrated | Rogers | Get Quote | |
Stitt Solar | Very Good | Rogers | Get Quote | |
Seal Solar | Unrated | North Little Rock | Get Quote | |
Perihelion Solar | Good | Russellville | Get Quote | |
AEV Solar | Elite | Little Rock | Get Quote | |
EightTwenty | Unrated | - | Get Quote | |
Arkansas Wind and Solar | Unrated | Prairie Grove | Get Quote |
Best solar companies for home battery installations in Arkansas
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.
A solar battery in Arkansas can make sense for homeowners, especially under the state's new net metering policy. Arkansas used to offer full retail net metering -- but in 2023, new rules were introduced that allow utilities to request an alternate rate structure, which can lead to lower solar savings. By storing your excess solar energy instead of sending it to your utility, you can get the full retail value out of each kilowatt-hour.
Here are some Arkansas companies that install panels and solar battery storage systems:
Company | SolarReviews expert rating | Consumer rating | City | Quote |
---|---|---|---|---|
ArrowPoint Solar | Unrated | - | Get Quote | |
ADT Solar (formerly Sunpro Solar) | Excellent | - | Get Quote | |
Design 1 Group LLC | Unrated | - | Get Quote | |
Stellar Sun | Unrated | Little Rock | Get Quote | |
LibcoSolar | Unrated | Hot Springs | 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 Arkansas:
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.
There is an extensive list of requirements for solar installers in Arkansas. All installers must obtain a general commercial or residential contractor's license.
On top of that, solar installers are also required to hold an electrician's license and a state license to do any electrical work, including solar photovoltaics. There are additional licensing and education requirements for those who wish to become solar thermal installers.
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.
Arkansas incentives and rebates
Solar incentives and rebates can cut the cost of installing solar in Arkansas 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 states and utility companies offer additional solar incentives, saving homeowners even more money. Here are the solar incentives available in Arkansas:
Incentive | Eligibility | Type |
---|---|---|
Residential Clean Energy Tax Credit | Federal | Personal Tax Credit |
Net Metering | State | Net Metering |
How much can you save with solar incentives?
What to look for in solar quotes in Arkansas
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.
Arkansas experiences pretty seasonal weather but doesn't shy out on sunny days. With the state having over 200 sunny days per year on average and about 5 peak sun hours each day, a solar system in Arkansas can produce plenty of energy -- they don't call it the Land of Opportunity for nothing!
This amount of sun will affect the size of your solar system, but your solar installer will help determine exactly how many solar panels you need.
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 $2.1 to $3.16 per watt in Arkansas, 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 Arkansas
How much do solar panels cost in Arkansas?
How much can solar panels save in Arkansas?
Do I need a solar battery in Arkansas?
How can you pay for solar panels in Arkansas?
What are the best solar companies for a solar lease in Arkansas?
What are the best solar companies for zero-down solar loans in Arkansas?
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 whether 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
- Licenses and insurance
- Profitability
- Consumer reviews
- Local service
- Brand quality
- Vertical integration
- Transparency
- Loan options
- 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.