How to Choose a Local Solar Service Company

Why you need a local solar service company

Most solar companies focus on selling and installing new systems. Once your system is up and running, you may not hear from them again—unless something breaks. More and more homeowners have a system that works fine but no one to call, because the original installer stopped answering, scaled back or shut down. If that sounds familiar, you’re not stuck.

Even if your installer is out of business, the manufacturer warranties on your equipment may still be valid, and a qualified local service company can step in to handle repairs, monitoring, and troubleshooting. You need someone who can diagnose real problems, not just reset error codes. Someone who understands how warranties work and can help you file claims when parts fail. And ideally, someone local who can respond quickly when your production drops or your monitoring goes dark.

If your original installer has disappeared, start with our guide on what to do when your solar installer goes out of business to understand your options and next steps.

What to ask before hiring a solar service company

Not all solar repair companies are created equal. Some are experienced electricians branching into solar. Others are roofers who dabble. And some are neither. The risk isn’t just poor workmanship—it’s hiring someone who can replace a part but can’t confirm your system is safe, compliant, and producing correctly afterward.

Before anyone steps on your roof, ask these questions directly:

• Do you service systems you didn’t originally install? Many good service companies focus on repairing systems that other companies installed, including systems whose installers are no longer around.
• Will you confirm production after the repair, not just clear the error code? A service call isn’t complete until your monitoring data shows the system is performing as expected.
• Can you help with manufacturer warranty claims? The right company can figure out which warranties still apply, help you file claims and get production back to where it should be.
• Do you inspect roof penetrations and flashings during service visits? Small leaks around mounting hardware can turn into expensive roof damage if ignored.
• Can you explain the failure in plain language, with photos? You deserve to understand what went wrong and why, not just get handed a bill.

These aren’t gotcha questions. They’re the baseline for competent solar service work.

Credentials and experience that matter

Solar service work sits at the intersection of electrical, roofing, and monitoring systems. The best service companies bring deep experience across all three. Here’s what to look for:

NABCEP certification: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) offers the gold standard credential for solar professionals. A NABCEP-certified technician has passed rigorous exams and demonstrated hands-on experience. It’s not required, but it’s a strong signal of technical competence.

Electrical contractor license: Solar work is electrical work. Your service company should hold a valid state electrical contractor license and carry current general liability and workers’ compensation insurance. Ask to see proof.

Experience with your equipment brands: If you have a SolarEdge inverter or Enphase microinverters, ask if the company regularly services that brand. Most real service calls involve inverters and batteries. String inverters are usually warranted for 10 to 12 years, and microinverters such as Enphase for 25. Familiarity with your specific equipment speeds up diagnosis and repair.

Local track record: A company that’s been serving your area for years will know local permitting requirements, utility interconnection rules, and the quirks of regional weather. They’re also more likely to still be around when you need them again in five years.

Understanding warranty coverage and service responsibilities

One of the most confusing aspects of solar ownership is understanding what’s covered under warranty and who’s responsible for what. Solar coverage comes as several separate warranties from your installer and your equipment makers. Most home systems have three: product warranties, performance guarantees and an installation (workmanship) warranty.

Manufacturer product warranties cover defects in the panels, inverters, and other hardware. Product warranties usually run at least 10 years, and premium equipment can be covered for 25 years or more. But here’s the catch: those warranties usually pay for the replacement part, not the labor or shipping to install it. You may get the part free or at a discount, but the cost of having someone swap it is typically yours.

Workmanship or installation warranties cover the labor and quality of the original installation. Workmanship coverage varies a lot by installer and usually lasts somewhere between 1 and 10 years. If your installer is out of business, this coverage is likely void—but manufacturer warranties on the equipment itself remain in effect.

A qualified service company will know how to navigate these warranty structures, file claims on your behalf, and handle the labor even when parts are covered. For more on how warranties work, see our article on how long solar panels last.

If your installer was acquired rather than closed, see what an acquisition means for your warranty.

Red flags to watch out for

Not every company calling itself a solar service provider has your best interests in mind. Here are the warning signs that should send you looking elsewhere:

• They quote a price before diagnosing the problem. Legitimate service work starts with troubleshooting, not guessing.
• They can’t provide references or examples of similar work. Ask for contact information for past clients, especially those whose systems they didn’t originally install.
• They push you to replace components without explaining why. Don’t let a company swap parts until the error stops showing. A good technician diagnoses the problem, confirms it, and only then fixes it.
• They’re not licensed or insured. If something goes wrong—a roof leak, an electrical fault, or an injury on your property—you need a company with proper coverage.
• They don’t use monitoring data to verify the repair. A completed repair should always be confirmed with before-and-after production data, not just a cleared error message.

If a service company checks all these boxes negatively, keep looking. The solar industry has plenty of competent professionals who do this work right.

How to find a qualified local solar service company

The best way to find a local solar service company is through a combination of referrals, online research, and direct vetting. Start by asking neighbors with solar if they’ve had service work done and who they used. Local solar Facebook groups and community forums can also surface names.

Check online directories like EnergyScout’s installer directory, which includes service providers in addition to installation companies. Look for companies with verified credentials, customer reviews, and a clear service area that includes your location.

When you contact a company, ask about their service call process. Do they charge a diagnostic fee? How quickly can they typically schedule a visit? Do they offer ongoing maintenance contracts, or do they work on a per-call basis? Some homeowners prefer a service contract that includes annual inspections and priority scheduling; others are fine paying as needed.

Finally, get quotes from at least two companies before committing to any major repair. This gives you a reality check on pricing and helps you compare how each company explains the problem and their proposed solution.

What a good service visit should include

When a qualified solar service company shows up at your home, here’s what a thorough service visit should look like:

Pre-visit monitoring review: Before arriving, the technician should ask for access to your monitoring platform (Enphase Enlighten, SolarEdge monitoring, Tesla app, etc.) to review recent performance data and error logs.

Visual roof inspection: Panels rarely need attention, but inverters, monitoring connections, wiring and roof attachments benefit from a periodic check. The technician should check for physical damage, soiling, shading issues, and the condition of mounting hardware and roof penetrations.

Electrical testing: Voltage, current, and continuity tests at the array, inverter, and service panel help pinpoint failures. This should be done with calibrated tools, not eyeballed.

Inverter diagnostics: The technician should pull error logs, check firmware versions, and verify communication between the inverter and monitoring system.

Documented findings: You should receive photos, test results, and a written summary of what was found, what was repaired, and what (if anything) needs future attention.

Post-repair confirmation: Before leaving, the technician should verify that the system is producing power and that monitoring data is flowing correctly. If it’s cloudy or late in the day, they should schedule a follow-up check once production data is available.

This level of thoroughness isn’t overkill—it’s the standard for competent solar service work.