Semper Solaris is a younger solar installation company founded in 2012. While a solar installer’s age doesn’t always equate to poor quality or service, our research revealed that the company has more of a mixed reputation with customers than the best solar companies.
On one hand, Semper Solaris features glowing customer feedback about the attitude and demeanor of its customer service representatives, and it has won awards for its customer support, including the Solar Power World Top Solar Contractors Award. On the other hand, customers reported receiving poor installation quality in testimonials we read.
The company’s mixed reputation can be concerning, so it’s important to read reviews regarding your local branch to better understand the installation quality you can expect.
Our thoughts on Semper Solaris
Semper Solaris is an excellent choice if you value personable customer support and want to support a veteran-owned business. During our research, we discovered that even though it provided a mixed experience regarding installation quality, the company was generally responsive to issues.
We don’t like that the company appears not to provide a labor warranty, which is an industry-standard practice. The company earned 4.2 out of 5 stars using our scoring methodology, mostly because of its mixed reputation and lack of a labor warranty.
What we like
Semper Solaris stood out to us for its focus on providing high-quality solar panels and greater customer support. The company states it uses Silfab and Qcell panels, two of the most reputable panels on the market.
Semper Solaris only operates in Arizona, California, Florida and Texas, but this limited availability enables its staff to hone in on learning more about local rebates and incentives. The company claims it focuses on this during its consultation process, including assisting homeowners to obtain the federal solar investment tax credit (ITC). We really like that the company’s limited service area can mean a more friendly and personalized service.
Additionally, Semper Solaris offers solar maintenance plans. These plans are a great perk because you won’t have to schedule maintenance with someone else in the future and deal with fluctuating prices when the time comes. Most solar companies leave you to handle maintenance on your own.
What we don’t like
Our research showed that installation quality varies with Semper Solaris. Another significant downside to the company is that it doesn’t provide a labor warranty, a standard for most solar installation companies. Though it claims one of its Silfab warranties is a “Semper Solaris Enhanced Labor Warranty,” we analyzed this warranty and found no labor coverage.
You’ll also be unable to hire Semper Solaris if you don’t live close enough to one of its locations. If you live in California, you must reside near Bakersfield, Campbell, Concord, Fresno, Inland Empire, Los Angeles, Manteca, Orange County, Palm Desert, Rancho Cordova, Redlands, Sacramento, San Francisco (Bay Area) or San Diego.
Service options are limited to the Dallas metro area for Texas and Tampa for Florida. You must live near Phoenix for Semper Solaris’s Arizona service, and only Chicago residents can receive the company’s offerings in Illinois.
Compare top solar brands
Semper Solaris’s lack of labor warranty coverage makes it fall short compared to other providers such as SunPower and Trinity Solar, but its customer service support is similar to that of leading providers.
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Semper Solaris services
Semper Solaris pairs solar panel and solar battery installation with roofing and HVAC services, helping you make various energy-efficient upgrades simultaneously. Its solar panel installation service follows the standard procedures a solar installer should provide, and it focuses on using monocrystalline panels. Monocrystalline panels, also called mono panels, are the most efficient panels available, reaching average efficiency ratings of 20%–25%.
Overall, Semper Solaris’s solar panel installation service is fairly standard.
Solar battery installation
Semper Solaris installs high-capacity lithium-ion solar batteries, using either the Tesla Powerwall or the Enphase Encharge. It integrates these batteries with your new or existing solar panel system. The batteries store excess solar energy captured during the day to provide power at night and function as a backup energy source during utility outages.
Its solar battery service includes complete technical integration and connections, permitting, inspections and post-install configurations for active monitoring and optimization. Again, the company’s solar battery installation matches industry standards.
Mobile app active monitoring
Semper Solaris provides an optional active monitoring service that offers real-time insights into the production and performance of your solar system. You’ll get access to a specific app depending on the product brand the company supplies for your system. Active monitoring utilizes advanced sensors and software to track important metrics such as solar production, battery charge levels and consumption usage.
This feature enables customized performance reports, alerts for potential issues, software updates and active troubleshooting for optimized uptime. With proactive monitoring, you can identify usage patterns and opportunities to fine-tune your energy consumption.
Roofing services
With Semper Solaris, you can receive both roof replacement and solar installation simultaneously. This is a unique benefit because it ensures your roof has a similar life span to your solar panels, reducing maintenance frequency. The company provides complete, in-depth roofing inspections and works with Owens Corning to include a 50-year Platinum Warranty on all new roofs.
The company also offers cool roof installations. Cool roofs reflect sunlight and absorb less heat than standard roofs, leading to energy efficiency and enhanced durability. They can be installed similarly to traditional roofing but with higher reflectivity materials and additional insulation. We like that Semper Solaris strives to make its other home improvement services align with energy efficiency and eco-friendly initiatives.
HVAC services
Semper Solaris operates its own heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) division. The company offers its own AC units and heating systems for installation. It also offers an HVAC inspection when you schedule a solar project. Semper Solaris sells multiple furnaces and ACs with high-efficiency features, such as variable-speed motors. Variable-speed motors automatically adjust their operating speed based on the system’s requirements, resulting in greater efficiency, accuracy and energy savings.
The specific details of what HVAC options you’d receive from Semper Solaris would depend on the company’s inspection.
Semper 360
Semper Solaris provides a comprehensive package known as the Semper 360, which includes a new HVAC system, a heat-reflective cool roof, a solar panel system and a solar battery unit. Semper 360 also comes with comprehensive maintenance and monitoring services to ensure solar systems are optimized over time. This includes yearly system inspections, proactive cleaning and replacement of components, performance monitoring and on-demand troubleshooting.
To identify issues early, technicians inspect connections, wiring, inverter function and panel output. The service provides instant error alert notifications, tracks energy production, offers remote software upgrades and provides detailed performance reports.
The performance monitoring with Semper 360 and the company’s standard active monitoring are excellent benefits. Will White, solar application specialist at Fluke Corporation, advises, “Homeowners should regularly schedule inspections by a trained professional to address any system faults or external factors detracting from optimal performance.” He mentioned some common points of maintenance that Semper Solaris provides, such as pruning surrounding vegetation, cleaning or repairing PV modules, and remediating loose electrical connections.
Homeowners should regularly schedule inspections by a trained professional to address any system faults or external factors detracting from optimal performance.
Will White
Semper Solaris’s installation process
Semper Solaris follows the standard installation process other providers offer. The company does focus on obtaining local solar incentives and rebates, though. Depending on your location, this can add significant benefits to you going solar. Here’s a breakdown of the process:
- Consultation: Once you schedule an appointment online with Semper Solaris, a salesperson will visit your home to inspect your electrical panel, roof space, orientation and other relevant factors. They’ll discuss the recommended system sizes, potential savings and tentative pricing. Because Semper Solaris offers roofing and HVAC services, they may suggest any necessary roof repairs or HVAC improvements during this step. If you’re satisfied with the proposal, you can sign the purchase agreement and proceed with the installation.
- Second site assessment: After finalizing the initial quote, the company will send an engineer or technician to perform a detailed analysis of your house. This will involve using a drone survey and various calculations to determine the optimal exposure to sunlight on your property. Once the representative has collected enough data to answer these questions, they’ll design a system that meets your home’s requirements.
- Design and permitting: Semper Solaris creates a custom-designed solar panel system tailored to your home’s needs after conducting the second assessment. They also assist you in obtaining the required building permits, applying for local solar incentives and finalizing financing arrangements. A project manager keeps you updated on the progress of any paperwork.
- Installation: You work with the company to determine a suitable installation date. Depending on the size of your system and the inclusion of any additional components, such as a solar battery, installation may take a few days. Most solar panel system installations can be completed within one day.
- Final inspection and activation: Once your solar panel installation is complete, your utility company will collaborate with Semper Solaris to inspect your system thoroughly to ensure the installation is successful and that there are no safety risks to other homeowners or any linesmen working on the grid nearby. If everything meets the required standards, the utility company will grant permission to operate your system, which means you can finally turn on your new solar panels and enjoy the benefits of clean energy and reduced electric bills.
Warranties
Semper Solaris falters when it comes to warranties. The company doesn’t appear to include a labor warranty, unlike other solar installers.
The company provides 25-year and 30-year warranties on Silfab and Qcells panels through manufacturer’s warranties. In addition, the company has Enphase microinverters and Tesla PVI inverters with 25-year and 12.5-year warranties, respectively.
Semper Solaris also offers Enphase and Tesla solar batteries with 10-year warranties. As a roofing and HVAC company, it provides lifetime warranties on some energy-efficient roofs and HVAC products. However, the company doesn’t specify any labor warranty on its own installation quality.
Pricing and quotes
Semper Solaris doesn’t provide much cost information online, as it prefers that you obtain a more accurate solar quote through an in-depth consultation. Based on its service area and product selection, we expect the company to align with recent reports from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory that show the average solar panel installation cost for a 6-kilowatt system as $18,960. Your price with Semper Solaris will vary based on your system size, service selection and location.
If you choose to fully purchase a solar system or take out a solar loan with Semper Solaris, you can benefit from the federal solar investment tax credit (ITC), which can save you a significant amount of money. The ITC is a tax incentive the Department of Energy and IRS facilitate for solar energy system installation. It allows owners of solar systems to deduct some of their qualified solar expenses from their federal income taxes. Currently, the ITC covers 26% of the installation cost for solar systems.
Semper Solaris also provides ongoing discounts and special offers on its website. For example, military and first responders receive a $500 discount, and it offers a discount rate for a tune-up and diagnostics on existing solar panels for a total price of $199. The company’s special offers are always changing, so we recommend you visit its website to see what deal you can get.
The company offers every possible payment method for solar panels, including full ownership and leasing options. It also offers another financing option known as the Home Energy Renovation Opportunity (HERO) program. Here is a breakdown of the company’s payment options:
- Full purchase: The most cost-effective way to go solar is by paying the total price of your solar system upfront. This way, you can enjoy the quickest possible payback period, which is when your solar panels start to pay for themselves. Additionally, you can take advantage of any solar tax incentives. Although a full purchase requires a significant payment initially, it helps you save more in the long run.
- Solar loan: The second most cost-effective payment method is a bank loan that allows you to pay a monthly rate plus interest for your system. The loan payments are typically less than the savings from reduced electricity bills with solar panels, and you still receive full ownership, so you can apply for incentives.
- Solar lease: A solar lease allows you to install solar panels on your home with no upfront costs, but you pay a monthly fee to Semper Solaris to lease the system. You get lower electric bills from the solar energy generated while Semper Solaris owns and maintains the system. Though maintenance is out of your hands, you don’t receive the option to use tax incentives.
- Power purchase agreement (PPA): A PPA is a contract between two parties that allows you to benefit from the solar energy generated by your solar system without paying for its installation, maintenance and purchase. As per the agreement, you’ll be charged per kilowatt-hour for the electricity you use. However, if you choose this option, you won’t be eligible for tax credits and can’t store excess energy.
- HERO program: The HERO financing program enables homeowners in certain areas of California, Florida and Missouri to make energy efficiency, renewable energy and water conservation improvements to their homes and pay for them over time through their property tax bills. The program offers long-term, fixed-interest rate financing that is repaid as an assessment of your property taxes for up to 20 years. HERO helps you afford upgrades that can lower utility bills and reduce your carbon footprint, potentially saving you money in the long run.
Customer thoughts
Though Semper Solaris features an A+ rating and accreditation from Better Business Bureau, it only holds a 3.78 out of 5 star customer rating. Some customer reviews mention having a pleasant experience with Semper Solaris — specifically that its customer service representatives and crew were friendly and personable. On the other hand, some mention shoddy workmanship and long waiting periods for activation due to repeat inspections.
We noticed similar comments from customers and other solar installers in this Reddit thread that was started a few years ago. Overall, your experience with Semper Solaris may vary according to your location and the available teams.
These issues might stem from something JD Dillon, chief marketing officer at Tigo Energy, shared with us. “If you get a solar installer, who’s a roofer and does HVAC and they’ll do your driveway, and it’s him and his son doing it,” he shared, “I would steer away from that because that’s too much of a generalist contractor.” Dillon mentioned that finding a “Goldilocks” installer is the best move for homeowners. By this, he means a solar installer that provides not too many service options but not too few.
It does appear that Semper Solaris tries to avoid this pitfall by offering two separate divisions, one for solar and one for HVAC. We suggest you vet the Semper Solaris location near you to decide whether you want to move forward.
Final take: Your experience with Semper Solaris may come down to the local branch near you
Semper Solaris provides quality, industry-standard solar panel and battery backup installation and helpful roofing and HVAC services. If you want an entire home upgrade to better your home’s energy efficiency, Semper Solaris is ideal with its Semper 360 deal.
However, you should take your time during the consultation phase and ask your sales rep for recent testimonials. Customer experience is varied across the company’s locations, so it’s important that you feel comfortable and confident with your local branch. If so, you can receive quality solar panels and capitalize on local solar rebates, tax incentives and programs.
We recommend you get at least three solar quotes before deciding to move forward with an installer. This approach lets you closely compare local installers on vital factors such as reputation, pricing and service options.
Our rating methodology for solar companies
We rate and compare solar installers using our in-depth methodology. Installers are scored out of 100, and we then divide the final score by 20 to get the 5-star rating we include in our reviews.
We evaluate solar installers on a variety of key factors, including their customer service, breadth of services, consultation process, website experience, panel quality, payment options, financing availability and warranty coverage.
BBB rating is current as of June 2024.
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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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