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Warranty coverage
Excellent
States available
12
states
Years in solar
15
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Momentum Solar Review 2024
Momentum Solar offers batteries with its systems, but several things keep it off our list of best solar companies.
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Written by Whitney Vandiver
Writer
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Momentum’s ability to incorporate battery storage makes it an option for homeowners looking for a solar-plus-storage option. But we don’t recommend the company above its competitors, because of its low customer satisfaction ratings, difficulty getting basic information without a salesperson and its limited warranties.
Momentum installs solar panels as well as Enphase batteries (for energy storage). Customers can lease the panels, purchase the panels or sign up for a power purchase agreement (PPA), and the company offers workmanship and roof penetration warranties (what’s covered depends on the agreement). Momentum’s website isn’t as informative as some competitors’ websites, and we found contradicting information in some areas. The company replied to some of our questions to clarify certain items, but it didn’t answer all of our questions.
NerdWallet's Research: Top-Tier Solar Companies
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Our take on Momentum Solar
Overall |  |
Warranty | 3.0 NerdWallet rating |
Experience in industry | 3.0 NerdWallet rating |
Customer satisfaction | 1.0 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
Offers battery installations. Customers can purchase a solar energy system that features a battery so that they can store energy to use later on, such as during a power outage.
Includes 25-year warranty with system leases. Customers who lease a system get workmanship and equipment coverage for the full lease term.
What we don’t like
Offers shorter warranties for customers who purchase instead of lease. The company provides a 25-year workmanship warranty for customers who lease systems but only a 10-year workmanship warranty for customers who purchase a system.
Doesn’t publish financing terms. You have to go through the application process to find out the interest rate and other loan terms.
Doesn’t give quotes online. You have to talk to a company representative in order to get an estimate.
Not available in most states. The company is limited to 12 states.
Good to know: Momentum Solar’s website provides some contradicting information, including in which states it installs solar energy systems. We reached out to the company to clarify some information; however, it didn’t provide all of the information we requested. We’ve noted in this review where we were unable to clarify contradicting information.
Momentum Solar’s services
Momentum sells and installs different brands of solar panels, but the company confirmed that its primary brand is Hanwha solar panels.
Momentum partners with Enphase to offer two batteries for energy storage.
The Encharge 10 stores up to 10.1 kWh of energy.
The Encharge 3 stores up to 3.4 kWh of energy.
» MORE: Solar net metering: What to know
How much does Momentum Solar cost?
Although you can request a free quote on Momentum’s website, you have to talk tor a sales representative to get the actual information.
According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, the average cost of a residential solar system is around $25,000. Tax incentives and rebates are factored in. However, the final cost of a solar energy system depends on multiple factors such as the system design and the loan terms (if you’re financing the purchase).
Momentum Solar’s payment options
Customers can purchase solar energy systems from Momentum with cash or a loan. They can also lease the equipment instead, or they can sign up for a PPA. However, the company confirmed that not all options are available in every state.
Momentum doesn’t publish its origination fees or annual percentage rates (APRs), which isn’t unusual for solar companies. The company also uses third-party lenders to provide customer loans, and the loan terms vary by lender.
Customers can also go with a PPA through Momentum. Under that arrangement, they only pay for the power their systems generate. However, they won’t qualify for tax incentives (because they're not the legal owners of the panels).
Momentum Solar’s installation
Momentum’s installation process is similar to that of its competitors and includes the following steps:
Consultation: A Momentum employee collects your information to determine the type of system you need.
Design: The company designs your system.
Permitting: The company requests necessary permits from your utility company and city. However, if you are a member of a homeowners association (HOA), you have to get HOA approval on your own.
Installation: The company installs the solar panels.
Activation: The company activates the system and generates solar energy.
Momentum Solar’s warranties
The company’s warranties depend on your payment method.
Warranties on leased systems
25-year workmanship warranty. This covers most issues related to the equipment, as well as the installation and uninstallation of the panels and system defects. It doesn’t cover normal wear and tear.
Five-year roof penetration warranty. This warranty covers installation-related roof damage that causes leaks.
🤓Nerdy Tip
Despite the company’s workmanship warranty covering installation-related damage, Momentum leasing agreements require that customers’ homeowner insurance policy cover damage caused by the system. Check that your homeowner policy provides the proper coverage.
Warranties on owned systems
For customers who purchase a system, either with cash or a loan, Momentum provides three warranties for systems with batteries:
10-year workmanship warranty. The company’s agreement doesn’t outline specific coverage.
Five-year equipment warranty. This warranty covers defective or malfunctioning equipment.
Five-year roof penetration warranty. This covers installation-related leaks that occur in the first five years.
We were unable to locate warranty information for systems without batteries, and the company did not respond to our requests for additional information.
Momentum Solar availability
According to its website, Momentum installs solar panels in 12 states: Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas and Rhode Island. However, the website has conflicting information about coverage areas, and the company did not confirm its full service areas with us.
Customer reviews and experiences
NerdWallet considered customer reviews from three review websites to get a wider perspective of customer experiences. We’ve highlighted the types of experiences that we’ve found to be most common, keeping in mind that online reviews tend to lean toward negative experiences.
SolarReviews.com: 2.89 out of 5.
ConsumerAffairs: 1.2 out of 5.
Better Business Bureau: 3.08 out of 5.
What customers like about it
Happy customers report the company completes installations within its promised time frame and that their systems saved them money by reducing their electricity bills. Some customers also mention that Momentum’s technicians perform fast repairs when systems experience issues.
What customers don’t like about it
Some customers say it takes too long for Momentum to activate systems, leaving customers with loan payments and their regular monthly utility bills. Other customers who have had their systems working for a while mention their dissatisfaction with their systems’ energy production and energy bills after installation. Additionally, some customers note that the company has long wait times for troubleshooting and repairs, especially for roof repairs that require Momentum to uninstall panels.
Of particular note is multiple online reviews that describe continued contact by salespeople after potential customers asked to be removed from the company’s contact list.
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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 Score640 | 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.
How we review solar companies
NerdWallet's Home Services team evaluated solar panel installers across several factors, including financing terms, responsiveness to repair requests, customer satisfaction ratings, number of years in solar, pricing transparency, warranty coverage and customer service options. Because costs can vary by location, it's best to get quotes from multiple companies before making a decision. Read more about how NerdWallet rates solar panel installers.
