Trinity Solar is one of the longest active solar companies in the industry and one of the largest privately held companies as well. It serves nine states on the east coast of the U.S. and offers solar with zero upfront costs. Plus, the company received an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB). This review covers all that and more about Trinity Solar’s financing options, equipment and installation process.
Pros
- Battery backup available
- Nearly 30 years in the industry and largest privately held solar company
- No upfront pricing available
Cons
- Only available in nine states along the east coast
- Workmanship warranty is only five years
- No power production guarantee
Table of Contents
Trinity Solar at a Glance
Trinity Solar has brought solar systems to more than 85,000 homes in its nearly 30 years of business. Additionally, the company offers full-service solar installation with its in-house customer service, construction, electrical and service teams. That also means Trinity Solar will handle any permitting issues associated with start-up. Installation with Trinity can take as little as a day. The in-house approach makes it easier for customers—they can talk directly to a Trinity rep about any issues, rather than going between any installation or service contractors.
Trinity Solar offers several different financing options: full purchase, loan, solar lease or a power purchase agreement. Trinity offers a $0 upfront pricing option for customers who choose to lease their solar system.
The company also provides Q Cells for its solar panels, which rank among the best in the industry for efficiency. Q Cells have an efficiency rate between 20.6% and 21.4%. Anything above 20% is considered above average. Trinity offers solar inverters from SolarEdge and batteries from Generac and Tesla.
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Trinity Solar State Availability
Trinity Solar serves nine states on the east coast, though the company plans to expand in the future. States Trinity Solar operates in include:
- CT
- DE
- FL
- MD
- MA
- NJ
- PA
- RI
Other Benefits
Trinity partners with local nonprofits and donates $100 to the nonprofit when a member of the nonprofit meets with a Trinity consultant. Trinity will donate $1,000 to a nonprofit when a member installs solar with Trinity.
Additionally, the U.S. government offers incentives when purchasing solar. The Investment Tax Credit (ITC) provides a credit of 30% of the cost of solar installation. Homeowners must meet several requirements for eligibility. The U.S. Department of Energy regularly updates solar tax credit information as it changes.
Trinity Solar Benefits
Trinity Solar benefits include the ability to choose from a variety of products. The company primarily offers Q Cells panels but can also install other panels, according to the customer’s preference. Trinity primarily uses solar batteries from Generac and Tesla and mainly works with inverters from SolarEdge. Enphase microinverters may be used in some cases, too.
Solar Panel Options
Trinity Solar primarily installs Q Cells solar panels, which are nearly on par with industry leader SunPower’s panels. SunPower panels have an efficiency rating between 21% and 23%. It’s possible Trinity will make accommodations for customers who want to use a different brand of solar panel. Q Cells are guaranteed to produce at least 86% of their capacity even at 25 years old.
Additional Solar Options
Trinity Solar typically installs inverters from SolarEdge, and these devices come with a 12-year warranty that can get extended up to 25 years. For some installations, Trinity Solar will use a microinverter from Enphase.
Trinity Solar mainly installs batteries from Tesla and Generac, though customers can request specific battery brands. Many installers use the Tesla Powerwall battery because it can provide 13.5 kilowatt hours of energy. Generac batteries offer 9 kilowatt hours of energy.
Trinity Solar usually uses SolarEdge or Enphase for a solar system monitoring app so you can check energy production, usage and any performance issues. Trinity might use a different system monitoring app based on the type of inverter you use.
Trinity Solar Installation Process
Trinity Solar keeps the entire installation process in-house, meaning it doesn’t work with contractors for installation. That typically makes things easier for homeowners. Instead of having to go between the solar company and the installer for service, they can go straight to Trinity Solar. The installation process involves a consultation, service agreement, installation and final inspection.
- Consultation: You can schedule a consultation with Trinity Solar online or by calling. You’ll meet with a consultant to discuss solar system options and next steps. If you want to proceed, you’ll have to determine the financing and other details.
- Service Agreement: The service agreement will determine how you will pay for the solar system. You can pay for it all upfront, lease the equipment, take out a loan for the equipment or use a power purchase agreement to finance the system. You’ll also go through all the warranty information and maintenance requirements.
- Installation: Trinity Solar will obtain any necessary permits before installation day. Once installation day arrives, Trinity Solar can add solar panels to the desired location and electricians will set up power systems. Depending on the size of the system, it can get installed in as little as a day.
- Final Inspection: Trinity Solar will conduct a final inspection and schedule any final walkthroughs with local officials that are needed in order to start running solar power to your home.
Trinity Solar Cost and Financing Options
Trinity Solar doesn’t disclose pricing on its website, but installation costs will vary based on the size and complexity of the project. Trinity has four financing options available: solar purchase, solar finance, zero upfront lease or PPA.
Solar Purchase
With a solar purchase, you pay all of the costs upfront. Solar panel installation costs range between $15,000 and $25,000, on average. Tax credits can help with that price, but it’s usually a steep expense for many homeowners.
Solar Finance (Loan)
Homeowners can choose to finance their solar projects with a loan. Solar companies typically work with financing providers to offer loans for homeowners. Those who choose to finance can still take advantage of tax credits, however, interest rates can vary. Homeowners who opt for a loan will pay monthly fees.
Solar Lease or PPA
Instead of getting a loan, you can lease the solar equipment from the company. You can also choose a power purchase agreement and pay only for the power you use. In both cases, you do not own the solar panels, but you can often get them installed with $0 down. Trinity Solar offers the $0 down option and you pay a monthly fee to use the panels or to lease them.
Trinity Solar Warranties
Trinity Solar offers warranties of up to 25 years, though the workmanship warranty lasts only five years. The equipment you choose comes with its own warranty. A SolarEdge inverter comes with a 12-year warranty that can be extended to 25 years. Q Cells panels have a 25-year warranty, while a Generac battery has a 10-year warranty. Tesla offers a 10-year workmanship warranty, too.
Fine Print
Homeowners who choose to lease or use a PPA will want to pay attention to escalator rates. Escalator rates refer to the rise in the annual fee for the service. They typically hover around 3% each year. Additionally, Trinity Solar does not have a power production guarantee, so the amount of electricity your system generates can vary.
How Trinity Solar Stacks Up
Is Trinity Solar Right for You?
This company has the decades of experience that most customers appreciate in a solar installer, plus you deal directly with the employees. Trinity Solar is a great option if you reside within the nine-state coverage area. You’ll have to analyze the finer points of the costs and decide which financing option suits you best to determine if Trinity Solar is right for you, but it’s nice to know that the company will take care of details like permitting to make the process easier.
Some point to Trinity’s limited warranty as a negative, but the solar equipment comes with a separate warranty package, too.
Best Solar Companies By State
Methodology
To determine the best solar panel installation company ranking, the Forbes Home Improvement editorial team analyzed 20 major companies, with each company’s star rating determined by evaluating a variety of metrics, including:
Customer Reviews (35%)
BBB customer ratings and accreditation as well as ratio of complaints to reviews, Trustpilot and Google reviews were all analyzed for each solar panel installation company for 35% total.
Customer Support Options (12%)
The editorial team analyzed all solar companies’ support options including live chat (pre-sale), phone service, FAQ page, knowledge base, community forum and blog for 12% of the total ranking.
Number of States Covered (22%)
Nationwide availability of each solar panel installation company makes up 22% of the ranking. The more states a company covers (including D.C.), the more points it is awarded.
Extra Features (20%)
Extra important features like years in business, average warranty (in years) for products, whether financing is available, free energy consultation availability, home and commercial installation availability and vehicle installation availability, were considered collectively for a combined 20% of the total ranking.
Editorial Judgment Points (11%)
Other editorial judgments were offered for a variety of reasons, including improvement of customer rating and ratio of complaint to review scores from the previous year.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does Trinity Solar go door to door?
Trinity Solar does have door-to-door sales staff. And in response to complaints, the company has noted that it will put people on a no-knock list if requested.
How long do solar panels last?
Solar panels typically have a lifespan of 25 years, but that can vary based on climate and panel type. Most solar panel manufacturers have a 25- to 30-year warranty, and the panels only need annual cleaning. Solar panels come designed to handle hail storms and wind.
How many solar panels are needed to power a house?
An average-sized home usually needs between 20 and 25 solar panels to power the entire property. The number needed depends on the home’s energy usage as well. Finding room for that many solar panels on a home often presents challenges, as roofs have limited square footage.
Is Trinity Solar better than Sunrun?
When it comes to the best solar companies, Forbes Home ranks Trinity Solar higher than Sunrun. Trinity Solar offers a workmanship warranty while Sunrun does not, and Trinity typically has a better equipment warranty. Trinity Solar has provided solar service longer than Sunrun as well.
How long has Trinity Solar been in business?
Trinity Solar started business in 1994 and is the largest privately owned solar company in the country. It has more than 2,700 employees and has installed solar systems on more than 85,000 homes.
Who is Trinity Solar owned by?
Trinity Solar is a privately owned company, and Tom Pollock serves as the company’s CEO. Trinity Solar started as an HVAC company in 1994 before transitioning to solar in 2004. Trinity Solar is based in New Jersey.