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Semper Solaris has become a leading name in California solar energy since its founding in 2012. The military veteran-owned company focuses on community-building by working with the National Women in Solar Initiative and AmeriCorps. To help you determine if it’s the right installer for your solar project, we’ve analyzed Semper Solaris’ panel options, pricing, and warranties and compared it to other top solar companies in our review.
Fast Facts About Semper Solaris
Here’s a quick overview of Semper Solaris.
- State availability: 4 (Available in Arizona, California, Florida, and Texas)
- Warranty options: 25-year bumper-to-bumper
- Panel options: Monocrystalline (Silfab, Q Cells)
- Payment options: Full purchase, loan, lease, PPA
- BBB rating: Not rated
Benefits and Drawbacks of Semper Solaris
We like that Semper Solaris offers system maintenance for ongoing customer support but notice that some people have a difficult time scheduling service. See more benefits and drawbacks in the table below.
| Benefits | Drawbacks |
|---|---|
|
Offers additional solar maintenance services |
Only operates in four states |
|
Includes comprehensive warranties with its products |
Doesn’t provide much cost information online |
|
Partners with the Home Energy Renovation Opportunity program |
Customer reviews mention difficulty with scheduling |
Semper Solaris Solar Reviews
Semper Solaris does not have a rating on the Better Business Bureau (BBB), but it is accredited by the organization.* The company may not have a rating on the BBB because there’s not yet enough data for the BBB to rate it, or it’s currently under review.
We analyzed the company’s 100 most recent Google Reviews for its San Diego headquarters and found that it has an outstanding reputation among homeowners. A majority (89%) of the reviews are three stars or higher, with many customers praising the company’s professionalism, quality of work, and helpfulness throughout the installation process. Critical reviews mention difficulty scheduling installation and maintenance, and some homeowners say they received high estimates.
Below are some of the reviews we analyzed during our research:
“I love my Tesla Powerwall set up in my garage! I’ve had my set up for about a year now, and we have lost power twice, and didn’t even notice besides a little flicker of the lights. The whole house was up and running like nothing ever happened. I thought about getting three batteries, but my [Semper Solaris] rep… suggested starting with two because she believed that was enough to run the house and three was overkill. We appreciated the undersell! Great job on the install Semper!” —Jim Bolton via Google Reviews
“Being active duty, I always try to support companies that are military owned. That’s the initial thing that caught my eye about Semper. After doing my research and meeting with a few companies, we chose them. Their products and warranties seem better than the competitors, so I can see why their price was slightly higher. I’m okay paying more if I feel that it’s worth it. After seeing the product and the workmanship of the install, I’m happy I paid a little more.” —Mitchell Hopper via Google Reviews
“This review is based solely on the terrible customer service post-roof replacement/solar panel addition. The products and installation seem fine. … Trying to get a hold of anyone to deal with customer service issues is impossible with Semper Solaris. Not even their own workers seem to be able to reach anyone.” —Andrea P. via Google Reviews
“I had a backup Tesla battery installed. All went well, and it’s still functioning great. The problem is that 10 days ago I placed a call to speak to someone from service. I waited two days, and I got an email saying the request was delivered to the service department and someone would call. I called again that day, but I had no response whatsoever from the service department.” —Douglas Paulson via Google Reviews
*BBB information is current as of June 2023.
Semper Solaris Overview
Semper Solaris primarily operates in California but recently expanded to Arizona, Florida, and Texas. It limits its service area to focus on providing quality products and services, resulting in higher pricing than more budget-conscious solar panel companies. Semper Solaris offers roofing, heating, and air conditioning (HVAC) services—such as AC replacement—in addition to solar panel installation. These benefits make it ideal for those upgrading multiple home systems simultaneously.
Semper Solaris Cost and Payment Options
Like many solar installers, Semper Solaris doesn’t provide up-front cost information. You’ll need to request a consultation for estimated pricing. The latest cost details it shared were in a 2019 blog post stating that the average cost of solar in San Diego was between $13,200 and $17,900, or $2.70 to $3.60 per watt.
This is in line with the average cost of solar panel installation. The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) estimates that a typical 6-kilowatt solar panel system costs roughly $16,000 to $25,000 before applying any federal tax credits or local incentives.*
Semper Solaris offers four payment options, detailed below. These are all standard for the solar industry.
- Full payment: We recommend this payment method if you’re willing to make a hefty up-front investment. You’ll receive full ownership of your solar system and avoid any unnecessary interest charges, maximizing your return on investment (ROI). Selecting this option also qualifies you for the federal solar tax credit and any additional incentives offered by the state or local government.
- Solar loan: If you prefer to pay for your system over several years, a solar loan may be better. Note that a loan includes an interest rate, so you’ll pay more for your system in the long run. Solar loans still qualify you for available tax incentives and credits, helping to reduce your overall project cost.
- Solar lease: A solar lease allows you to pay a monthly fee to rent your panels without committing to owning your system. Agreeing to this option means you won’t qualify for any federal or state incentives because Semper Solaris remains the system owner. At the conclusion of your lease, you can renew for an additional term, buy the system, or have the system removed.
- Power Purchase Agreement (PPA): A PPA lets you pay little to nothing to install a solar panel system. Instead, you pay a monthly rate depending on how much energy your system generates, similar to an electricity bill. However, you don’t own the system and are thus ineligible for tax incentives. This is the least cost-effective payment option.
*Based on a 2022 report.
Compare Semper Solaris to Other Top-Rated Solar Companies
Compare Semper Solaris to other reputable solar companies in our table below.
Provider |
Semper Solaris |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
State availability |
4 |
50 |
23 |
21 |
|
Warranties |
25-year manufacturer |
25-year system and labor warranty |
25-year Power Production Guarantee |
25-year product and workmanship warranty |
|
Panel options |
Monocrystalline (Silfab, QCells) |
Monocrystalline (Maxeon) |
Monocrystalline (LG) |
Monocrystalline (various manufacturers) |
|
Payment options |
Full purchase, loan, lease, PPA |
Full purchase, loan, lease, PPA |
Full purchase, loan, lease |
Full purchase, loan, lease, PPA |
|
BBB rating |
Not rated |
A+ |
A+ |
A+ |
Our Recommendation
We recommend Semper Solaris for homeowners within its service area—especially California residents, where the company is more prominent and established. We also recommend the company if you want to upgrade your home’s HVAC and roofing systems in addition to installing solar panels.
You may get more competitive pricing for similar products from other solar installers near you. If your priority is long-term warranties or protection plans, you may want to consider a different company, such as SunPower or Sunrun.
We recommend getting at least three quotes to compare pricing and services. Use our tool below to connect with solar companies near you.
Semper Solaris FAQ
How much does Semper Solaris cost per watt?
Semper Solaris has not publicly shared its cost per watt. You’ll need to request a consultation for estimated pricing. However, it shared a blog post in 2019 stating its average cost in San Diego was $2.70 to $3.60 per watt, which is in line with the national average.
Do solar panels need to be cleaned?
Solar panels must be cleaned, but the frequency depends on your property. You may need to remove the occasional buildup of leaves, bird droppings, and other debris to maximize your panels’ sunlight exposure. Most homeowners clean their panels annually.
Is too much heat bad for solar panels?
Too much heat can be bad for solar panels. If the panels get too hot, they can overheat, causing them to decrease in efficiency and lose energy they would otherwise convert from the sun. However, this issue mainly influences the panels’ performance and not necessarily their health. Ask your solar installer about your panels’ temperature coefficient to learn how heat might affect your system.
How We Chose the Top Solar Companies
We researched and analyzed dozens of solar panels and solar installation companies. We then formulated a rating system based on each solar installer or manufacturer’s services and products. We weighed several significant factors, including the quality and type of solar panels offered, the customer support network, warranty lengths and limitations, and additional benefits such as mobile apps for monitoring and customer service.
Speaking directly to representatives, we determined how each solar company personalizes its solar panel installation for each home. We also analyzed each company’s warranty options to ensure their product and performance guarantees match or exceed industry standards.
We evaluated each provider based on their rating and history with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to determine reputation. In addition, we analyzed the 100 most recent Google Reviews for each provider across various locations and branches.