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Best for
Customer satisfaction
Warranty coverage
Good
States available
19
states
Years in solar
10
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Blue Raven Review 2024
This solar company has good customer satisfaction scores and is available in 19 states.
Written by Whitney Vandiver
Writer
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Blue Raven Solar, which operates in 19 states, is an excellent option for homeowners who prioritize a company’s track record and strong customer satisfaction ratings. The company has been installing solar panels since 2014. It designs residential solar systems with optional battery storage and is the primary installer for SunPower solar panels.
SunPower, which acquired Blue Raven Solar in 2021, transferred some of its residential solar operations to Blue Raven following layoffs in 2024.
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Our take on Blue Raven
Overall |  |
Warranty | 3.0 NerdWallet rating |
Experience in industry | 3.0 NerdWallet rating |
Customer satisfaction | 5.0 NerdWallet rating |
This snapshot shows some factors that we consider when rating a solar company and is not representative of the full evaluation process. | |
What we like
Blue Raven has several good things going for it, including:
Solar battery options for storage. Blue Raven offers three options for batteries, giving homeowners options for budget and storage capacity with their systems.
In-house installers. The company has its own installers instead of third-party contractors.
Good customer satisfaction scores. Compared to other companies we reviewed, the company has good customer satisfaction ratings on several consumer websites, including SolarReviews.com, ConsumerAffairs and the Better Business Bureau. It has more than 4 out of 5 stars on all three websites.
What we don’t like
A few things we wish were better about Blue Raven include:
No pricing transparency. Like its competitors, Blue Raven doesn’t publish prices, so you have to provide your contact information to get a quote.
Limited transparency about solar panels. The company says that availability of its solar panel brands depends on location, and it doesn’t publish a full list of the brands it installs.
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Blue Raven’s services
Blue Raven sells and installs several brands of monocrystalline solar panels, including SunPower, REC, Panasonic, Solaria, Trina and Maxeon. Availability depends on a customer’s location, so you’ll have to get a quote to find out which brands Blue Raven can install on your home.
Blue Raven also can install solar batteries. A solar battery allows you to store solar power for use later, such as when there’s a power outage or the weather or time of day prevents your system from producing enough power. It offers solar batteries from Enphase, FranklinWH and Tesla.
The company offers maintenance and repair services as well. It doesn’t estimate how long it takes technicians to respond to service requests on average, only stating that response times vary based on several factors, including location.
» MORE: Are solar panels worth it?
How much does Blue Raven cost?
Blue Raven doesn’t publish its pricing, which is common among solar companies. To get an idea of how much a system will cost, you have to provide your name, ZIP code, phone number and email address for a quote.
According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, the average cost of a residential solar system is around $25,000 before tax incentives and rebates. However, several factors influence the total cost of a solar system, including your system’s design, how you pay for the system and financing terms (if applicable).
Blue Raven’s payment options
Blue Raven offers various loan options. Notably, its BluePower Plus+ option comes with:
No down payment. BluePower Plus+ customers don’t have to pay any money upfront for the design, permitting and installation of their panels.
Fixed interest rates and monthly payments. This means your total cost won’t fluctuate with interest rate volatility.
No monthly payment for the first 18 months. Blue Raven sends BluePower Plus+ customers a check each month for the first 18 months of their loans to cover their monthly payments.
Unlike with leasing programs, solar loans allow you to purchase and own your system. This means you can qualify for a federal tax credit of up to 30% of the cost of your system. Your state might also offer tax incentives.
Blue Raven doesn’t charge customers for paying off their loans early. If you sell your house, the loan and ownership of the equipment can transfer to the new owners.
Blue Raven partners with financial lenders to provide solar loans. Each lender’s eligibility criteria is different, but homeowners who want to borrow from two of the company’s major lenders — GoodLeap and SunPower Financial — must have a credit score of at least 650. Customers must have a credit score of 680 or higher to qualify for the BluePower program.
The company doesn’t publish all of its lenders’ terms, such as annual percentage rates (APRs) or origination fees.
Blue Raven’s installation process
The company is similar to its competitors when it comes to its installation process. Blue Raven generally follows these steps with new customers:
Custom proposal. It reviews your energy usage, roof type and other things to design your system.
Installation agreement. The company sends you the installation agreement. This is when you give them the go-ahead or decide to back out of the process.
Site evaluation. Someone from the company visits your house to finalize the system’s design.
Permitting. The company requests necessary permits from the city and works with your homeowners association (if applicable).
Scheduling the installation. Someone will call you to get you on the installation schedule.
Installation. Blue Ravel employees install your system.
Inspections. Inspectors from your city and your utility provider will visit your home to sign off on the system.
Activation. You turn on your system to start creating solar energy.
Full-time employees install Blue Raven systems, and the company says most installations take up to two days, depending on the size of the system. However, the entire process from a consultation to turning on your new panels takes longer.
Blue Raven’s warranties
Warranties for the installation
Blue Raven warranties its installations for 10 years, which includes repairing roof leaks related to the installation. It also warranties your system’s power production for two years, which is separate from the individual panel performance.
Warranties for the equipment
Specific solar panel and equipment warranties depend on which brands you choose for your system. The manufacturers provide these warranties, not Blue Raven. However, Blue Raven says it handles your manufacturer warranty claims for you for free during the two years after installation.
Transferring warranties
If you sell your home, you can transfer your warranties to the new homeowner by emailing Blue Raven and updating the account information.
Blue Raven availability
Blue Raven installs systems in 19 states: Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Utah, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.
Customer reviews and experiences
NerdWallet considered customer reviews from three review websites to get a wider perspective of customer experiences. We’ve highlighted the most common themes, keeping in mind that online reviews tend to lean toward negative experiences.
SolarReviews.com: 4.5 out of 5. ConsumerAffairs: 4.8 out of 5. Better Business Bureau: 4.37 out of 5.
What customers like about it
Some customer reviews highlight the company’s fast installation, with many saying their systems were installed within a day. Reviews also note that employees are professional and helpful, including the installers and company representatives. Customers say the company isn’t pushy about making sales, so they didn’t feel pressured into a decision.
What customers don’t like about it
Many negative reviews say that Blue Raven dropped the ball on getting their systems up and running when promised. Some customers are frustrated that their systems don’t produce as much energy as they expected. Customers also describe bad experiences with having to talk with different departments to solve issues with installations, which makes it difficult to keep track of progress.
Frequently asked questions
What company bought Blue Raven solar?
How efficient are Blue Raven’s solar panels?
Can you finance solar panels with Blue Raven?
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Can I get financing for a solar panel system?
In addition to tax incentives and rebates, there are options available. Many solar installers offer financing, but you may also be able to finance your solar investment through a home equity loan or home equity line of credit (HELOC). These options may have lower interest rates than financing with an installer, future opportunities for refinancing and possible tax benefits.
Home equity loans and HELOCs are ways to borrow against the value of your home, converting equity into cash. With a home equity loan, you receive a lump-sum payment and then pay it back at a fixed interest rate over an agreed period of time, typically from five to 30 years. HELOCs are more akin to a credit card, something you use as needed. You’ll usually have 10 years to draw from the line of credit, during which time you only have to pay interest, and after that you pay both the principal and interest. HELOC interest rates typically are variable, meaning your monthly payment could rise or fall over time. And with each of these options, you're using your home as collateral.
 Quicken Loans: NMLS#3030 | ||
|---|---|---|
Max LTV85% | Max LTV90% | Max LTV90% |
Min. Credit Score640 | Min. Credit Score680 | Min. Credit Score680 |
National / regionalNational | National / regionalNational | National / regionalNational |
Another option is a solar loan. Many banks, credit unions and online lenders offer these to fund solar panels and installation, with amounts typically from $1,000 to $100,000, and annual percentage rates ranging from 6% to 36%. They function like a personal loan: you receive a lump sum and repay it in equal monthly installments over a set period, typically two to seven years. And unlike with home equity financing, there is no collateral required for a solar loan. This means your home or solar panels aren’t at risk if you miss payments, but you may have to pay late fees.
So, yes, you likely can get financing. If you go this route, compare interest rates, terms and fees with any financing package that a solar provider may offer you to ensure you get the best deal.
