Deciding on the best configuration and components of a solar power system can be confusing and time-consuming. With the dwindling stocks of fossil fuels and the need for cleaner power options, solar power seems to provide the best solution.

While many people want to use this renewable energy resource, they are often deterred by the choices and options, not to mention the upfront costs involved in purchasing and installing these power systems.

Luckily for U.S. consumers Vikram Aggarwal, CEO, and founder launched EnergySage in 2009. It’s a database of solar installation companies that can submit quotes tailored to customers’ needs.
EnergySage aims to make choosing a solar installer as simple as booking a flight online. They strive to make the selection process easy for consumers while saving solar installers money they would’ve otherwise spent on marketing. Then they pass these savings on to the customers.

With EnergySage, homeowners nonprofits can compare rooftop solar PV systems, get quotes and connect with reputable companies in the solar industry. It helps customers choose a solar system with the highest potential energy efficiency while lowering their carbon footprint.

What Is EnergySage?

EnergySage is an online marketplace that puts solar system consumers in touch with solar system installers. The EnergySage database includes hundreds of solar installers across the United States. This gives customers access to smaller, local companies, along with larger, national companies.

There are many factors to consider when deciding which solar system configuration is best for your energy needs besides just the cost of solar panels. There is the system’s hardware, different photovoltaic (PV) panels and inverters, and even various brackets and connections to consider. You can choose whether you want to go completely off-grid by adding a battery pack for energy storage or choosing to use options to feed energy back into the grid for credits.

Then various programs offer tax credits and net metering, rebates, and cash backs. Not to mention the different financing options to consider.
On top of that, multiple solar companies are trying to convince you their products are the best.

EnergySage provides clarity in the chaos. It gives you the pros and cons of different configurations, projects, and systems while connecting you with solar installation companies to provide you the best service at the lowest prices.

EnergySage screens solar installers to gauge their reputation, certifications and licensing, experience level, and quality of service. You can also see other customers’ reviews of solar installers and read their case studies.

With EnergySage, you can save up to 20%, or between $5,000 to $10,000, on your solar system installation. Solar installation companies tend to provide more competitive quotes when they know that consumers are comparing quotes to those from other companies. The National Renewable Energy Lab confirmed this with research done in 2017. Using the EnergySage solar marketplace to get up to 7 quotes, companies know that they are competing with others and tend to offer better rates.

Using this marketplace means that you could get in contact with smaller, local solar installation companies that might better fit your needs than larger companies with big marketing budgets and a further reach.

EnergySage has a team of trained Solar Advisors who will give you impartial advice to ensure that you select the best solar system for your requirements.

How Does EnergySage Work?

When you sign up on EnergySage, you will be asked to complete a property profile, which is then reviewed by a team of Solar Advisors. The solar team can answer all your questions, review solar panel quotes, gather information, and help you make the best decision for your property. They will ask you for your electric bill. This is to examine your energy usage history and how much you spend on electricity on average. From this, they can work with solar installers to design the best system for your energy needs and to predict the financial benefits you can see with a solar system.

As a part of your property profile, you will answer questions about the age of your roof and your financing preferences. During this process, you can choose whether you want solar installers to contact you directly or if you would prefer to communicate with them via the EnergySage Message Center. Using the EnergySage Message Center, you can keep your contact details private until you find a preferred installer.

Once you complete your property profile, you will get quotes from national and local solar installers. Properties that are better suited for solar generally receive more quotes, but you can expect an average of 3 quotes in the first week alone. If you do not receive any quotes, a Solar Advisor will work with you to review your property profile.

Solar installers upload their quotes to the EnergySage Marketplace. Here the quotes are displayed in an accessible, side-by-side format so that you can compare apples-to-apples. You can see critical features, including the solar installer’s profile, customer service, technology they offer, warranties, installation dates, and solar energy production available for different configurations. It also gives you financial metrics like payback periods – all with explanations to assist your understanding of what you will potentially commit to.

When you are ready to go ahead and purchase, it is as easy as clicking a button. The button is labeled, “Select Installer.” Click “Confirm.” By doing this, the installer will be notified to follow up with you. You can still discuss the details of the project before you sign a contract with the solar panel installer. From here, the solar contractor will assist you in obtaining permits and completing paperwork (for rebates, etc.). Usually, a residential solar system can be installed within 2-3 days.
Once you have selected an installer, the “losing” installers will be notified. This means no more sales calls or emails from them.

After your installation has been completed, EnergySage asks you to share your experience. Clear and honest reviews help others who are starting on their solar installation journey. You can choose to add a case study to help other people who are considering switching to solar.

Other benefits of using EnergySage are:

  • It is free to use.
  • Registration is quick and easy.
  • There are multiple ways for you to upload your electricity bill.
  • They have become the online encyclopedia of solar systems with an abundance of educational material and tools.
  • They provide a Solar Calculator, True Cost of Solar Guide, and have recently launched their EnergySage Buyer’s Guide.
  • They provide solar quotes in an easy-to-read and easy-to-compare format.
  • No more sales calls. EnergySage keeps your contact information private until you are ready to be contacted by an installer.
  • Their Solar Advisors are objective and will give you the best advice to make an informed purchasing decision.
  • There is no obligation to buy if you decide that solar is not the best solution for you.
  • All existing financing options are presented to you. This includes cash purchases, leases, power purchasing agreements, and solar loans. They even allow you to customize some of these options
  • It consists of the most recent solar offerings, as shown in their evaluation of the Tesla solar roof.

How Does EnergySage Make Money?

EnergySage is a free-to-use, neutral solar marketplace aiming at making the solar purchasing process easier for customers. They receive a small fee from installers who participate in the marketplace. Thus, they have no interest in promoting one solar installer over another. Solar installers end up spending less money on marketing and customer acquisition, and those savings are then reflected in lower quotes for you.

EnergySage’s Accreditation And Affiliations

EnergySage has partnered with PV Magazine and is backed by the U. S. Department of Energy, New York State Energy Research & Development Authority, Connecticut Green Bank, and Massachusetts Clean Energy Center.

Using EnergySage helps you make informed decisions about your solar power installation and save money in the process. It looks at your unique and individual situation to give you the best solution.