Encor Solar Review: Costs, Quality, Services & More (2024)

Encor Solar Review: Costs, Quality, Services & More (2024)

Here’s what we’ll cover in this Encor Solar review:

  • Is Encor Solar a legit company?
  • What does the installation process look like with Encor Solar?
  • Is Encor Solar expensive?
  • What do customers have to say about Encor Solar?
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In 2016, a small group of experienced solar salespeople came together and decided to start a solar power company in Utah, and thus Encor Solar was born. This Encor Solar review will give an overview of the company’s services, pricing, customer experiences and more.

Is Encor Solar a Good Solar Company?

Key attributes of a good solar company include informative salespeople, high-quality equipment and good customer service. Going by the majority of its customer reviews, Encor ticks most of these boxes. It has extensive experience, having installed tens of thousands of solar panel systems in 17 states across the country. It has also received recognitions like the Inc. 5000 fastest-growing companies in the U.S. and Utah Business Fast 50.

What Should You Know About Encor Solar?

Encor Solar was founded by a group of salespeople in Utah, branding the company as a “reincarnation” of what used to be Evolve Solar. Evolve Solar did $52 million worth of business in 2015 and was SolarCity’s largest retailer.

Although only founded in 2016, Encor has since installed tens of thousands of solar systems across 17 states.

Encor Solar Fast Facts
Year Started 2016
Service Areas OR, CA, NV, ID, UT, AZ, CO, NM, TX, KS, MO, OK, VA, NC, SC, GA, FL
Services Offered Solar panel and solar battery installations; roofing services; energy efficiency upgrades
Types of Solar Equipment Offered LG Solar, SolarEdge, Enphase, Unirac
Certifications Technicians certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Professionals (NABCEP); accreditation by the Better Business Bureau
Better Business Bureau Rating A+
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Encor Solar

Outstanding Regional Installer

EcoWatch rating

Average cost

Pros

  • Expansive service area
  • Speedy and efficient installations
  • Easy and efficient consultations

Cons

  • Limited warranty coverage
  • Issues with post-installation support

Encor Solar Services and Installation

Encor is a full-service solar company that offers solar panel and battery installations. It also offers roofing services and energy efficiency upgrades.

Solar Installation Experience

While every experience may differ, this is the installation process you can expect to have with Encor solar.

Qualifying Call

Based on your energy bills and satellite imagery of your house, Encor will put together what it calls a “dynamically customized quote,” which will include what the system will look like and how much solar can save you over 20 years (including the federal tax credit). The company’s solar sales team will explain the initial design to you over a phone call or in person.

Solar Consultation

If you’re satisfied with the initial design and numbers, you’ll have a more detailed solar consultation with Encor’s engineers. The team will put together a design tailored to your energy consumption and roof shape and size to create an optimal layout for your home.

Lock In Rate

Encor will prepare a personalized agreement with you, which, upon signature, will lock in your solar rate for the next 20 years.

Review Your Final Design

Once you’ve signed the agreement, Encor’s site engineers will come to your home to conduct a detailed survey, including taking measurements for a precise system design. This final design will take you to the next step.

Single-Day Installation

Encor’s team handles all permitting, including for net-metering, solar incentives and rebates as available in your area. Once permits are secured the appointment setter will set an agreeable time with you and the experienced installation crew will complete the solar panel installation. The company claims most installations take only a day.

Start Saving

Once your jurisdiction has approved your new system, you’re ready to flip the switch and start enjoying your energy savings.

Encor Solar Customer Service

With Encor’s extensive service area and vast experience installing solar systems, you might expect its customer service to be top-notch. Unfortunately, it can’t be described as among the best. Many customers have reported issues with communication, especially after their purchases were completed.

Encor Solar Costs and Financing

The cost of a solar energy system from Encor will vary based on several factors including location, size and complexity of the system. On average, Encor’s costs can be described as somewhat on the lower side.

Encor offers a $0-down financing option, but doesn’t not offer leasing or PPA (power purchase agreement) options. It does offer a $250 referral bonus.

Financing Options Through Encor Solar

Here’s a quick overview of the two buying options with Encor Solar:

Cash Purchase Solar Loan
System Ownership
Upfront Cost
Added Property Value
Eligible for Tax Credit
Payment Due to Solar Installer Loan Provider

Choosing the right buying model can be difficult, especially when some salespeople use the “free solar panels” gimmick to sell leased systems. You can check out our solar financing guide for a complete understanding of how each purchasing option works, including loan payments and respective pros and cons for owning versus leasing your solar panels.

Encor Solar Panel Warranty

Encor Solar provides two types of warranties. The first is the equipment warranty, which is passed on from the original equipment manufacturer. Solar panels typically come with a 25-year performance guarantee, while a SolarEdge inverter comes with a 12-year warranty.

Although not transparent on their website, research has found that Encor provides a 5- or 10-year workmanship warranty on its systems. Ten years is usually standard, but Encor falls short of the industry-leading 25-year warranty many solar installers are now offering. Because it’s not explicitly mentioned, we suggest you ask your Encor Solar sales representative for details about the workmanship warranty — and make sure it’s written in the contract.

Encor Solar Reviews

Encor Solar’s customer reviews highlight some positive aspects of the company, such as speed of installation and its teams’ expertise. However, there is a significant number of negative reviews that cite lack of communication, less-than-optimal customer service and aggressive door-to-door sales practices. Let’s take a look at some examples.

Positive Encor Solar Reviews

“Dealing with Encor has been a breeze. The panels were quickly delivered and installed. The system has quit producing a couple times [due to] storms and Encor was quick to send a technician to fix the problems. Very happy after nearly 3 years.”

– Patrick B. via BBB

“From the salesman to the installers we are very satisfied and impressed with their ability to work with Idaho Power and the city for inspections and permits. We highly recommend Encor Solar over other companies due to their professional behavior and care of their customers.”

– TH via Google

Negative Encore Solar Reviews

“This company’s sales team is practically harassing me at this point. They show up at least once or twice a week. I have a clearly posted ‘no soliciting’ sign and they still knock on the door and ring the doorbell until someone comes to the door (5 min. in one case). Every one of them has the same lame story that they are installing on either my neighbor across the street or the one beside me… ”

– Phillip P via BBB

“We used Encor solar to install panels this year. We had only been in our new house 5 wks but the sales guy created a system without asking for historical bills or waiting like he should have. Since the panels were turned on, our kWh usage has doubled and even tripled for some months. … I cannot get timely return emails or phone calls…“

– Kimberley M. via Yelp

Solar Energy Provider Comparison

A wise way to shop for solar panel installers is to compare multiple companies. Here’s a side-by-side comparison of Encor and two other similarly sized solar providers:

Encor Solar Momentum Solar Trinity Solar
EcoWatch Rating 4.0 4.5 4
Year Started 2016 2009 1994
Services Offered Solar panel and solar battery installations; roofing services; energy efficiency upgrades Solar panel and solar battery installations Solar panel, solar battery, EV charging and solar roof shingle installations
Service Areas OR, CA, NV, ID, UT, AZ, CO, NM, TX, KS, MO, OK, VA, NC, SC, GA, FL U.S. NJ, NY, CT, MA, PA, MD, RI & DE
BBB Rating A+ A+ A+
Payment Options Cash, loan Cash, loan, lease Cash, loan, lease, PPA

Frequently Asked Questions

Below we’ve answered some of the most common questions customers ask about Encor Solar. If you have specific questions that aren’t answered here, reach out to our team of solar experts at solar@ecowatch.com.

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Article author
Aniket Bhor is a solar engineer who has spent nearly a decade studying and working in the solar power sector in the European, Asian and North American markets. He recieved his Master’s degree in Renewable Energies from Germany at Technische Fachhochschule Wildau. He has since worked in the industry in a variety of capacities including Solar Energy Consultant, Business Development Head, Solar Entrepreneurship Trainer, and more recently writing for solar organizations including Venuiti Solutions, Green Integrations, Solengy, Ecotality.com. Overall, he is a climate enthusiast and avid cyclist, and he also loves to lose himself in books and cooking.
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Expert reviewer
Andrew Dunn is a veteran journalist with more than 15 years of experience reporting and editing for local and national publications, including The Charlotte Observer and Business North Carolina magazine. His work has been recognized numerous times by the N.C. Press Association and the Society of American Business Editors and Writers. Andrew earned a degree in journalism from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, as well as a certificate in business journalism and a minor in Spanish. He's also an avid outdoorsman, an Eagle Scout and volunteer leader in the Boy Scouts of America. He lives in Charlotte, N.C.