Thursday, March 27th
2025 Solar Panel Reviews
Lowe's
- Offers a wide range of brands and price points
- Prices start at $19.77 for a 1-watt panel
- Sign up online for installation services
- You can choose to pick it up from the store or have it delivered
- "A+” rating from Better Business Bureau
Lowe's is a home improvement warehouse that can provide you with all the materials to renovate, remodel, or upgrade your home. Lowe's knows that one upgrade people are interested in is solar panels. They offer a selection of solar panels in every price point - and from all the most well-known brands in the solar panel industry.
See what more people are buying at a glance
Lowe's has the advantage of lots of staff to operate and build a really great website. We really loved the search filters, layout, and the simplicity of the user experience. One thing that is nice with an online giant is the sheer number of customers that have previously purchased from Lowe's. When you are looking for solar panels and you see "Bestseller” tagged on a product, you know that it wasn't just a handful of people who were buying this particular panel but lots of people from all over.
Pricing is a little higher than other companies
While pricing is a little higher than some other companies we've reviewed, Lowe's does offer free shipping and/or delivery on some solar panels. You can get a 2-watt solar panel for under $20 or a set of 10 Renogy 320-watt solar panels for around $3250. Lowe's also offers in-house financing through a Lowe's credit card.
A great place to compare brands
Although Lowe's only offers around 30 choices for solar panels on its website, it's nice to see Lowe's selling a diverse group of brands of solar panels. This makes Lowe's a great place to go to compare those different brands. You can contrast Renogy, EcoFlow, and Westinghouse all in one place - some of which you'll find reviewed separately here.
Free delivery
Ordering solar panels online can be frustrating when you check out and the end total has tacked on some pretty hefty shipping fees. Not so with Lowe's. Out of their selection at the time of this review, 81 products were available for free delivery. There are even options for expedited delivery (for an additional fee).
Lowe's now can offer installation
Lowe's has now partnered with a third-party company to offer professional installation of your solar panels, which you can set up online through an easy-to-fill-out form. You just complete the information to book a consultation with one of their solar experts. We saw a few reviews that customers weren't happy with the aggressive sales tactics of the installation company in store, but online, we don't have to worry about that particular complaint.
Gets an "A+” from the BBB
Lowe's has been around for over 100 years - and you don't have that kind of success without knowing a little bit about customer service. Lowe's responds to customers when they have issues and has earned an "A+” rating from the Better Business Bureau. Some customers have been disappointed with the slow response of customer service when dealing with delayed shipments and customers who are not happy with Lowe's attempts at resolution (usually with regard to missing shipments or attempts to cancel).
An above-average choice
We think Lowe's is an above-average pick for finding solar panels. It would have been an even better pick if not for the concerns we had regarding customer service falling short when deliveries are delayed or go missing. But, with the conveniences that come with in-store pickup of online orders and local returns, Lowe's deserves a look when you're shopping for solar panels.
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Where Can You Find the Best Solar Panels?
Solar power is still a relatively new innovation, and it can be overwhelming trying to understand which solar panels are the best. It's important to recognize your priorities: if you're not overly concerned with maximum output and you want to stay on budget, you could choose something less efficient and still be happy with your solar storage system.
If you've decided to do it yourself, you may want to consider a company that also sells the compatible parts you will need when setting up your solar storage system. This way, you can know that all parts will work together. Another thing to consider as a DIYer is whether the company offers tech or permitting support. You may also want a company that can work with you to design a plan that would include helping you with the necessary permits and interconnection if you want to be hooked up to the electrical grid to receive rebates.
Solar Panel FAQ
Continued from above...
There are four common types of solar panels: monocrystalline, which are made from a single source of silicon; polycrystalline, which are made up of silicon pieces all melted together; thin-film solar panels, which are somewhat flexible and lightweight; and PERC panels, which use silicon backing to make them more efficient. Monocrystalline PERC panels will be your most efficient choice, but also your most expensive.
The majority of solar panels available in the United States come from China. This is important to remember when shopping for solar panels, especially if you are doing your solar project on your own and not through an installation service. Most solar panel companies often run low on stock, and it takes a bit of time for shipping, as the panels come from the other side of the globe.
There are some solar panel companies that offer panels made in the United States; however, they are generally going to be more expensive than their Chinese-made and -assembled counterparts.
At this point, things may seem pretty daunting to the uninitiated, but we're here to help. Here are some questions to ask yourself as you consider which solar panel company you should choose:
- Installation. Are you pretty well-versed in setting up solar storage systems, or are you an overly confident Clark Griswold type? Maybe you admit that you know nothing but want to be more environmentally conscious? Depending on your level of expertise, you may want to go with a company that takes care of the installation of the system. If you are confident but still desire some support, there are companies that also provide that service.
- Power needed. If you are only looking for a few portable solar panels to take with you on a camping trip or to set up for an RV, you don't need to worry about installation, but you might want to stick with a company that also offers batteries or solar generators.
- Price. What is your price range? If you have a tight budget, you may want to look at a company that sells refurbished solar panels at a steep discount. You can also look at bargain-priced companies, but beware of location. If the company is located overseas, it means that in the event of a defective panel, you will be spending a lot of money on shipping fees so they can replace or repair it.
To assist you in finding the best solar panels for your needs, Top Consumer Reviews has curated and ranked a list of companies for you to shop from. We're confident that this list will make your solar panel shopping experience brighter!
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