Affiliate Disclaimer: All products and services featured are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Solar Optimum is a full-service solar company operating in three states. The award-winning provider has been in business since 2008 and is considered one of California’s most popular solar companies. It not only installs solar panels and batteries, but also offers roofing services as well.
We researched the best solar companies nationwide, comparing their products, prices, warranties, customer reviews, and more. Read on to discover what we learned about Solar Optimum and whether we recommend the company.
Fast Facts About Solar Optimum
- State availability: 3 (Arizona, California, Nevada)
- Warranty options: 25-year warranty coverage on equipment, racking, workmanship, panel performance, and roofing services
- Panel options: Monocrystalline (Enphase, Panasonic Solar, Qcells, REC, Tesla, Unirac)
- Payment options: Full purchase, solar loan, solar lease, power purchase agreement (PPA)
- BBB rating: A+*
*BBB rating is current as of September 2023.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Solar Optimum
Compare the benefits and drawbacks of a solar installation with Solar Optimum:
Benefits
➕ Offers 25-year warranties on equipment, workmanship, and power production
➕ Has excellent customer reviews on online review sites
➕ Has earned awards from Home Advisor, Best Company, and Top Solar Contractors
Drawbacks
➖ Is only available in three states, with locations primarily in California
➖ Is more expensive than some competitors, according to customer feedback
➖ Has limited brand availability across inventory
Solar Optimum Reviews
We read more than 100 customer reviews on sites such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Google Reviews, and Best Company. Overall, Solar Optimum’s customer feedback is some of the best we’ve seen when analyzing solar providers. Positive reviews cite great customer service, responsiveness, and smooth and timely installations. A few customers reported opposite experiences, which may be due to personnel at select locations rather than a widespread company problem.
Here’s a sample of the reviews we analyzed:
“Solar Optimum is super easy to work with and made the whole experience seamless. And they do a ton of follow-up in order to maintain the experience going forward!” —Michael L. via BBB
“They constantly shifted deadlines. Their office would say something different every time I called, and their ‘official’ emails said something completely different. It’s one thing to be busy and have delays, but it’s another to keep moving the bar to where I have to fight the company every step of the way.” —Matthew G. via Google Reviews
“Overall, it’s a great company to deal with—very prompt with scheduling, and great job on installation. Best part is, when you call, you actually get to talk to a person! It seems like the company is smaller compared to competitors, but it’s nice because requests and questions do not get lost in the abyss!” —Rory T. via BBB
“Initially, they estimated installing 19 panels, but after the measurements, they reduced it to 13. And that is ok, but it took them months to change the layout. I had to call them almost every week to nudge them to do something. I was more interested in moving this project forward than they were. Finally, we scheduled installation. After the installation and after I got the ‘permission to operate’ (PTO), it turned out that the panels didn’t work. After a few days of the calls and multiple ‘Please, turn on and off your system/breakers/panels,’ they submitted a repair ticket that they promised to review in five business days. And it is still open.” —Hennadiy H. via Google Reviews
Solar Optimum Overview
Solar Optimum has provided solar services to Arizona, California, and Nevada homeowners and businesses for over 15 years. Its brand reputation is strong according to online customer reviews and its BBB standing. The company has a seven-step process that takes customers from quote estimate to system connection and includes a free consultation and a designated project management team.
Solar Optimum boasts many awards and claims to handle everything in-house from start to finish. The provider holds platinum, elite, and premium certifications from all manufacturers it installs. It received Best Company’s Best of the Best award in 2022, HomeAdvisor’s Elite Service award, a 2023 Top Solar Contractors award, and Angi’s Solar Service award, among others.
Solar Optimum Cost and Payment Options
Like most solar panel companies, Solar Optimum doesn’t provide costs on its website. This is likely because system costs vary greatly based on size, features, brand, and other factors.
We looked at average solar costs for California, where Solar Optimum has the most locations. According to EnergySage, system costs in the state range from $14,850 to $29,700, with the low end being a 5-kilowatt (kW) system and the high end being a 10-kW system. You’ll likely be on the lower end if you live in a smaller home or have minimal electricity usage. You’ll need a bigger system if your home has multiple stories, many appliances, or overall high electricity needs.
Solar Optimum offers four financing options:
- Full purchase: Purchasing your solar power system in full up-front is the best route since you’ll own your system from day one.
- Solar loan: A loan is your next best option. You’ll make monthly payments until you pay off your system, but you’ll still be the owner.
- Solar lease: If you choose a solar lease, Solar Optimum will own your system, and you’ll pay for the energy generated, like a monthly electricity bill. We don’t recommend this option since this disqualifies you from some solar incentives.
- Power purchase agreement (PPA): When you have a PPA, your provider sells the power generated to you at a fixed rate that’s typically lower than your local utility’s retail rate. Again, we don’t recommend this since you won’t own the system.
Compare Solar Optimum to Other Top-Rated Solar Companies
Get a quick overview of how Solar Optimum compares to other providers in the table below.
| Star Rating | Location Presence | BBB Rating | Link | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Momentum Solar |  | 11 States | A+ | Get Free Quote | |
| Palmetto Solar |  | 20 States | A+ | Get Free Quote | |
| ADT Solar |  | 23 States | A+ | Get Free Quote | |
| Tesla Solar |  | 50 States | A+ | Get Free Quote | |
| Sunrun |  | 21 States | A+ | Get Free Quote | |
| Solar Optimum | | 3 States | A+ | Get Free Quote | |
| Blue Raven Solar |  | 18 States | A+ | Get Free Quote | |
| SunPower |  | 50 States | A+ | Get Free Quote |
| Momentum Solar | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
|
| Star Rating | |
| Location Presence | 11 States |
| BBB Rating | A+ |
| Palmetto Solar | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
 |
| Star Rating | |
| Location Presence | 20 States |
| BBB Rating | A+ |
| ADT Solar | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
|
| Star Rating | |
| Location Presence | 23 States |
| BBB Rating | A+ |
| Tesla Solar | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
|
| Star Rating | |
| Location Presence | 50 States |
| BBB Rating | A+ |
| Sunrun | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
 |
| Star Rating | |
| Location Presence | 21 States |
| BBB Rating | A+ |
| Solar Optimum | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
 |
| Star Rating | |
| Location Presence | 3 States |
| BBB Rating | A+ |
| Blue Raven Solar | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
|
| Star Rating | |
| Location Presence | 18 States |
| BBB Rating | A+ |
| SunPower | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
|
| Star Rating | |
| Location Presence | 50 States |
| BBB Rating | A+ |
Our Recommendation
We recommend Solar Optimum if it’s available in your state. Our research shows that it’s a reputable provider. The company has been in business for over 15 years and has more positive reviews than other leading companies. We also like that it’s been recognized with numerous awards.
If you don’t feel it’s the right company for you or if it’s not available in your state, we suggest looking into SunPower, ADT Solar, or Sunrun. Before selecting a company, read customer reviews, analyze provider websites, and check warranty coverage. We suggest getting a quote from at least three solar companies to compare prices.
Solar Optimum FAQ
Is Solar Optimum legit?
Yes, Solar Optimum is a well-respected and highly awarded solar energy company. Its 25-year warranty coverage for all equipment, workmanship, and power production stands out among other industry leaders.
Who is the owner of Solar Optimum?
Arno Aghamalian is the owner and founder of Solar Optimum. Its headquarters is in Glendale, California.
How long has Solar Optimum been in business?
Solar Optimum, Inc. has been in business since 2008.
What customer service options does Solar Optimum provide?
Solar Optimum is reachable by phone, fax, email, and online chat. You can find all contact information on the company’s Contact page.
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 its 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.
Read more: Our Methodology
