Skyline Solar
4.2
5.7
Overall Score
Author: Rebecca Graham
Skyline Solar's ultimate mission is to create sustainable independence by empowering people. With truly humble beginnings (having started in an unfinished basement), cofounders Scott Knudsen and Kyle Larsen decided to start their own solar company after years in the solar industry.
Skyline Solar strives to make a drastic change in the community. Skyline has even teamed up with local tree farms donating its time, energy, and resources to plant trees – aiming to eliminate the harmful pollution that plagues the planet. For every solar installation Skyline Solar completes, its team will plant two trees near that community.
Top Ranked Companies
The Good
- Simple Process
- Incentives
- Refer-a-Friend Program
- NABCEP-Certified Designers
- Quality Materials
Simple Process
Something homeowners might appreciate about Skyline Solar is the company's dedication to providing customized service to their unique needs. When you first meet with a company representative, they will look at your current power usage. This will help Skyline Solar determine the exact size of your solar PV system and how many solar panels you will need based on your home and energy consumption.
After assessing the size and number of panels needed, the company will install your panels. As a full-service solar company, Skyline Solar doesn't make clients work with a third-party installer. Instead, clients work with trained installers who work directly with the company.
Once the solar panels are installed, Skyline will set up net metering. A net metering agreement allows homeowners to connect their current power grid with the solar panels and earn credits when the panels overproduce. Net metering helps homeowners avoid the high cost of a solar battery and power during the winter months when the sunshine is limited.
Incentives
There are a number of benefits to signing up with Skyline Solar.
The first incentive is a free national park pass. Even if you don't end up choosing Skyline Solar as your solar provider, the company will gift you a free one-week national park pass.
The second incentive Skyline mentions is the tax incentives that come with going green. There is a federal solar tax credit, also known as the investment tax credit or ITC. This allows homeowners to deduct 26 percent of the cost of installing a solar system from your federal taxes. Additionally, the ITC applies to residential and commercial systems, and there is no cap on its value.
However, it is important to know that signing a lease or a PPA with a solar installer means you are not eligible for the tax credit (since you are not the owner of the system).
Another incentive that Skyline Solar offers (for a limited time) is the Ecobee4 Smart Wifi Thermostat with any solar panel purchase.
Refer-a-Friend Program
Skyline Solar allows its clients to earn some extra cash. Homeowners with Skyline can refer their family or friends and for every referee who signs up earns you a $250 Visa Gift Card.
NABCEP-Certified Designers
Skyline Solar employs designers who have been certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Producers (NABCEP), an industry-recognized organization and standard-bearer for best renewably energy practices. Once the system has been designed up to code, Skyline Solar's consultants will educate customers on the ins and outs of solar energy, energy costs, and any other questions they may have.
Quality Materials
Skyline Solar offers some of the best solar panels, inverters, and mounting materials in the industry. Its Tier 1 solar equipment includes the following:
- LG solar panels and Hanwha Q Cells
- SolarEdge solar inverters
- IronRidge racking equipment
In addition to industry-leading equipment and know-how, Skyline Solar provides versatile solar setups that are tailored specifically to system requirements and customer input. The company not only specializes in ground-mounted systems, but can also safely mount its solar panels to almost any type of roof — including clay tiles.
The Bad
- Undisclosed Information
- No FAQ Page
Undisclosed Information
While Skyline Solar's website contains a fair amount of information, a few things are missing that we think would help consumers decide on whether or not Skyline Solar is right for them. The first thing we noticed is that there is no clear service area. Skyline Solar is headquartered in Pleasant Grove, Utah, but it is unclear how far its service area reaches. This information is important because many homeowners will only want to speak with a company that services their area and not spend time talking with a company that can't help them.
The second thing we would have liked to see on the site is more information about financing. Skyline Solar briefly mentions that clients can pay zero down, and it will take care of the upfront costs. However, that's all there is. It would be nice to know more about Skyline Solar's loans and if it offers solar leases or PPAs.
No FAQ Page
Unfortunately, Skyline Solar does not have a frequently asked questions page on its website. While this may not be a problem for some consumers, others will be frustrated with the lack of detailed information Skyline Solar provides. A FAQ page is an excellent way to collect all the questions someone might have and put them in one place. This not only makes life easier for the consumer, but it saves the company time and resources (since there won't be as many emails asking common questions).
It would be helpful for Skyline Solar to include the following information:
- How do you know if a home is a good candidate for solar panels?
- What happens if the client sells their home?
- How long does it take for Skyline to install a solar system?
- How soon can homeowners expect to see results after switching to solar?
- Does the company offer financing?
The Bottom Line
Skyline Solar is a young solar company and fairly new to the industry. However, the company has made great strides in making a name for itself. Skyline Solar is a full-service solar provider that doesn't outsource to third-party installers. Instead, clients can expect to only work with Skyline Solar employees. The company offers a number of incentives (such as tax breaks, a smart home thermostat, and a pass for a free week at a national park), and there is a 25-year manufacturer warranty.
However, we recommend that potential customers do some thorough research before signing up with Skyline. There isn't much information regarding the company's service area, installation timeframe, and financing options.
