Trinity Solar has been in business for 30 years, and it’s one of the largest privately-owned solar installation companies in the country. It uses generally high-quality products and offers customers some flexible payment options.
But Trinity is also somewhat limited in its reach, and its ratings with some of the biggest consumer trust websites aren’t always stellar. Sure, it carries an A+ rating with the BBB, but its score with Consumer Affairs is one of the lowest on the list. So is this solar company worth giving your business? Find out in this Trinity Solar review.
Pros
- Uses high-quality products for solar installations
- Most projects are run entirely in-house, from the quote to the final inspection
- Flexible payment options, one of which requires $0 down upfront
- Provides roof repair services
Cons
- Only available in 10 states
- No app available for monitoring
- Low ratings with some consumer trust websites
Table of Contents
- Trinity Solar at a Glance
- What Can You Expect From Trinity Solar?
- Trinity Solar Services
- Trinity Solar Panel Options
- Where Is Trinity Solar Available?
- Trinity Solar Warranties
- How Much Does Trinity Solar Cost?
- Financing Options
- Trinity Solar Installation Process
- Getting a Solar Panel Installation Quote: We Put Trinity Solar to the Test
- What We Like About Trinity Solar
- What We Didn’t Like About Trinity Solar
- What People Are Saying About Trinity Solar
- How Trinity Solar Stacks Up
- Bottom Line: Is Trinity Solar the Right Solar Installer for You?
- Methodology: How We Rated Solar Companies
Taking control of your electricity bill is easy when you install a solar panel system at your home. Trinity Solar, one of the top solar companies, can help improve your quality of life, reduce your environmental footprint and lower your cost of living. The company technicians not only design your system, but they can also professionally install it and handle all the permits so you can begin enjoying the benefits of your new system.
In this guide, we break down everything Trinity Solar has to offer, so potential customers can make an informed decision on the best solar company for their needs.
Featured Partners
1
Green Home Systems
BBB Grade
Not accredited
Financing Options
Full purchase and loan
Number of States Covered
21
2
Blue Raven Solar
BBB
A+
Financing Options
$0 upfront for 18 months
Number of States Covered
21
3
Momentum Solar
BBB Grade
A+
Financing Options
Purchase, loan
Number of States Covered
10
Trinity Solar at a Glance
Trinity Solar is a solar and roofing installation company that serves most states on the East Coast. It has been in business since 1994, but was run as an HVAC-focused company until 2004, when solar became its focus. In that time, it has served over 830,000 families across the coast.
Trinity’s customers have a modest range of services to choose from. The company offers solar panel system installations, roofing installations as well as repair and backup power system installations.
There are three payment options that Trinity customers can choose from. There is a solar finance option which allows the customer to own the system and make payments on it each month. There is also a purchase option which allows the customer to own the system outright. The customer is responsible for maintenance with both of these options. Finally, there is a $0 down lease option through which the customer leases the solar panel system, and Trinity maintains it.
Trinity has basic offerings and flexibility comparable to many solar companies. However, Trinity’s customer review ratings on the biggest consumer trust websites are a real downside. With the BBB and Consumer Affairs, it scores a 2.76 and 1.5, respectively.
Overall, Trinity might be worth considering for any homeowners who want to put solar panels on their roofs with $0 down.
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What Can You Expect From Trinity Solar?
There are a few things to know about Trinity Solar before choosing it or writing it off completely. The following are the most important considerations.
Trinity Solar Services
Trinity Solar handles almost all of its installations entirely in-house. This means that the processes of quoting, designing, permitting, installing and the final inspection are all performed by Trinity employees. This cuts out any middlemen and allows the customer to speak directly with the people responsible for their installation and service.
Services include solar panel system installation, battery backup, storage systems and even roofing installation. The company uses Tier 1 components, all of which feature above-average efficiency levels. Some of Trinity’s top brand choices include Qcells panels and Tesla Powerwall battery systems. A company rep mentioned that Trinity offers additional brandsbut didn’t elaborate further.
Trinity Solar Panel Options
Trinity doesn’t publish much information online about the products it installs. Customer service reps have revealed that Qcells is the preferred supplier for the systems though. The following are some important facts about Qcells’ available panels.
| PANEL | EFFICIENCY RATING | WATTAGE |
|---|---|---|
| Q.TRON BLK M-G2+ | 21.3% - 22.5% | 440 |
| Q.PEAK DUO BLK ML-G10+ | 19.6% - 20.9% | 410 |
| Q.PEAK DUO BLK-G10+ | 19.5% - 20.6% | 370 |
Where Is Trinity Solar Available?
As of now, Trinity Solar is only available in 10 states in the eastern US. Those states include Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, NewHampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island.
Trinity Solar Warranties
Trinity Solar’s warranties are relatively basic. The company offers a five-year warranty on workmanship for any solar, roofing or battery backup installations. The company also passes manufacturer warranties onto the customer, which usually covers the products for 25 years, but this depends on the brand and products chosen.
The panels typically come with a 25-year performance guarantee as well. In most cases, this means that the panels will not lose more than 20% of their efficiency over the first 25 years. If they do, the manufacturer will replace them. This is basically industry standard.
How Much Does Trinity Solar Cost?
Like many other solar installation companies, Trinity Solar keeps pricing close to the chest. Customers will have to sit through an in-depth consultation before they are able to get a quote or rough estimate of their systems’ price. Luckily, requesting a consultation is fairly easy. The customer just fills out a form on the website with some basic information and a representative will reach out with a quote.
While we can’t provide the Trinity Solar cost, we can provide a rough estimate. The average cost of solar panel systems in the US is about $16,000, with a range of $4,500 and $36,000.
Financing Options
There are three ways to pay for a Trinity Solar installation system:
- $0 Upfront: With this method, the homeowner leases the system from Trinity with zero money due upfront. They’ll make monthly payments on the system, but Trinity is responsible for the upkeep. This is an affordable way to supplement a home’s electricity usage, but it might not afford the homeowner all of the financial and tax benefits of owning the panels outright.
- Solar Finance: In this option, the homeowner takes a loan out on the solar panel system and pays for it monthly. While the system is under warranty, the homeowner is responsible for maintenance and is able to take advantage of all tax and financial incentives.
- Solar Purchase: A solar purchase requires the homeowner to pay for the entire system upfront. Again, the homeowner is responsible for maintenance, but they get a warranted system and all of the financial and tax benefits associated with solar.
Trinity Solar Installation Process
Customers have reported similar installation experiences as the following:
- First they receive a free energy consultation from a Trinity Solar rep. During the consult, the customer must provide basic information such as their address, contact info and recent energy bills.
- The Trinity team designs the solar panels system to fit the homeowner’s needs. Afterwards, the permitting process, which is facilitated by Trinity, begins.
- Then installation takes place. The process usually takes one day, but difficult installations or larger systems can take two.
- A final inspection is scheduled, and the team at Trinity handles it to ensure everything is up to code and working properly.
- The system is then tied into the local grid, a process that is handled by Trinity and the local utility company.
Getting a Solar Panel Installation Quote: We Put Trinity Solar to the Test
Getting in contact with a customer representative isn’t all that difficult, but the website’s design can be complicated to navigate.
ICustomers who just want a quote will have to click on either the “Roofing” or “Batteries” tabs on the main navigation menu and fill out the following form:
For some reason, this form is not available under the “Solar” tab nor is it available on the site’s homepage.
The “Contact Us” button is available in the main navigation, but the contact page does not have the quote form. There is a customer service email addres, as well as phone numbers to call for help.
Once you find the quote form, the process of filling out the form is straightforward. All that’s required is the homeowner’s name and contact information, the home’s location and which products the homeowner is interested in. Customers can also opt for text messaging.
Afterwards customers must wait for the rep to reach out and set up an energy consultation. Only at that point will they receive a rough idea of how much the new system will cost.
What We Like About Trinity Solar
There are a few things we like about Trinity Solar. First, the company has a 20-year track record in the solar industry and 30 years in business in total. We also like that Trinity offers three flexible plans for homeowners to pay for their systems.
Another bright spot is that the company uses Tier 1 products from major manufacturers with long warranties. That almost all installations stay entirely in-house is a major plus, as is the fact that Trinity offers roofing repair and installation.
What We Didn’t Like About Trinity Solar
There are a few things that Trinity Solar could improve. To start, the website is challenging to navigate, and there isn’t much information about the installation process, products available and pricing.
We’d also like to see Trinity clean up some of its less-than-stellar customer reviews and expand service outside of the 10 states it operates in.
Finally, Trinity doesn’t offer an app for its installations. Some of the products might feature manufacturer apps, but unless the customer spends for the fancier, monitored equipment, they won’t know how much energy they’re producing or how efficient their system is running.
What People Are Saying About Trinity Solar
Like other solar companies, Trinity Solar has a wide range of reviews. Some customers commented on the professionalism, customer service, and thoroughness of the company, proving that Trinity makes an effort to keep customers in the loop. Customers also noted that Trinity Solar attempts to resolve any and all issues. Negative reviews mentioned unhappiness with the quality of panels and last-minute cancellations for consultations. The company currently holds an A+ rating from the BBB.
How Trinity Solar Stacks Up
Trinity Solar vs. Sunrun
When it comes to comparing Sunrun with Trinity Solar, Sunrun’s more widespread availability and tech focus puts it ahead of Trinity. Sunrun is available in 20 states compared to Trinity’s 10, and Sunrun offers a monitoring app while Trinity does not.
Learn More: Sunrun review
Trinity Solar Vs. Blue Raven
Blue Raven is one of the highest-rated solar installation companies available. Blue Raven doesn’t offer an app (neither does Trinity), but it’s available in more states. It carries much higher review ratings with consumer trust sites and offers financing similar to Trinity.
Learn More: Blue Raven review
Bottom Line: Is Trinity Solar the Right Solar Installer for You?
If you live in one of the 10 states Trinity Solar serves, you might find it to be a decent fit for your needs. This is especially true if you want to take advantage of a $0 down lease option. However, if stellar customer reviews are an important factor, you may prefer a company like Blue Raven foryour solar installation.
Best Solar Companies By State
Methodology: How We Rated Solar Companies
To determine the best solar company ranking, the Forbes Home editorial team analyzed 26 major companies, with each company’s star rating determined by evaluating a variety of metrics, including years in business, equipment options, app and customer reviews and support, nationwide availability, price and warranty, product specifications and features.
You can find out more about how Forbes Home rates solar companies in our detailed methodology page.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How much does Trinity Solar cost on average?
Trinity isn’t forthcoming with its solar pricing. However, it’s helpful to know that the average cost of a solar system in the US is around $16,000, with a range of $4,500 on the low end and $36,000 on the high end.
How efficient are Trinity Solar panels?
Most of Trinity Solar’s solar panels are Qcells models, and they range in efficiency from 19.5% to 22.5%.
How long do Trinity Solar panels last?
Trinity installs Qcells solar panels, and they’re warrantied for up to 25 years by the manufacturer.
How does Trinity Solar compare to other solar companies?
Trinity doesn’t stack up well against some solar companies. It has low customer review ratings and its pricing isn’t as straightforward as we’d like. It also doesn’t offer a monitoring app.
How long has Trinity Solar been in business?
Trinity Solar started business in 1994 and is the largest privately owned solar company in the country. It has more than 2,700 employees and has installed solar systems on more than 85,000 homes.
Is Trinity Solar worth it?
It depends. Trinity’s $0 down solar lease could very well be worth it to some customers, but for those who’d rather not risk it on the poor customer reviews, Trinity may not be worth it.
