The solar energy market has taken off in the United States over the past few years. With so many new companies entering the solar manufacturing space, it can be hard to tell which ones are legit and which ones are bound to flop. If you are looking to buy solar panels for your home, it is imperative that you get the highest quality panels from the best companies out there.
At Today’s Homeowner, we are conducting solar panel reviews and manufacturer reviews to help homeowners know where to buy solar panels and what kind of services to expect for their money.
Silfab Solar has been around for just over a decade and has made some major inroads in the solar panel industry during this time. By manufacturing panels in North America, Silfab Solar has cornered much of the American market and become of the most trusted manufacturers out there. Keep reading to find out how much Silfab Solar’s services cost, what financing options they offer, and what customers think of their services.
3.8
Our Rating
Our Preferred Solar Installers
Today’s Homeowner recommends several solar companies to our readers. Below you’ll see our latest suggestions and their unique superlatives. You can also explore our review of the best solar companies to find a top installer in your area.
4.4
Installs high-quality Maxeon panels
Outstanding customer support
Best-in-class warranty lasts 40 years
3.7
Affordable prices
Excellent selection of panels and services
Locations in 22 states
4.3
No payments needed for 18 months
Provides in-house financing
Offers top brands like LG and Trina
3.9
Highly rated customer service
Provides 24/7 panel monitoring
Solid A+ rating with the BBB
Our Silfab Solar Review
At Today’s Homeowner, we think Silfab Solar manufactures effective, durable, and affordable solar panels for homeowners, businesses, and utilities. While Silfab Solar solar panels do not have the greatest power output in the world — its modules range from 370 watts to 380 watts — they are more than capable of achieving the energy production goals of most potential buyers.
Silfab Solar’s panels have an efficiency rating of 20%, meaning they are among the panels with the highest efficiency rating in the world. We are also very impressed by Silfab Solar’s command of its supply chain. With operations solely based in North America, the company can oversee all aspects of its supply chain and ensure limited defects or issues along the way. Finally, Silfab Solar’s products are relatively cheaper than other large manufacturers.
Our one complaint would be that Silfab Solar does not offer solar installation services to its customers. Nevertheless, it is not particularly common for solar panel manufacturers to do so, and Silfab offers customers a comprehensive list of local distributors that will handle solar installation matters. Overall, Today’s Homeowner recommends Silfab Solar and gives this company a 3.8/5 rating.
Read also: Solar Incentives for South Carolina
Silfab Solar Company Profile
Silfab Solar was founded in 2010 and has become an incredibly reliable producer of solar modules in the North American market. With its headquarters in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, and manufacturing facilities in Toronto and Bellingham, Silfab Solar has organized its operations to keep a watchful eye on its manufacturing and distribution processes.
Unlike other companies that outsource these manufacturing processes to faraway countries, Silfab’s locally-based operations enable the company to ensure that its products are high-quality and high-efficiency, have lower rates of defects, excellent reliability, and superior oversight of social responsibility priorities within its supply chain. Finally, the high-efficiency solar panels sold by Silfab Solar are produced in fully automated facilities that help to maintain precision at every step in the production process. Its panels are ideal for residential property owners, commercial businesses, and utilities.
Homeowners can feel safe investing in Silfab Solar panels thanks to the comprehensive warranties offered by the company. In fact, Silfab Solar’s product warranty options are among the best in the industry, with its 25-year product workmanship warranty and 30-year power performance warranty. Silfab Silver additionally services nearly all of the United States. For specific information regarding the company’s local distributors and installers, check out its website.
| Silfab Solar Summary | |
| Company name | Silfab Solar Inc. |
| Year founded | 2010 |
| Headquarters | Mississauga, Ontario, Canada |
| Services | Solar panel manufacturer |
| Certifications | ISO Certification |
| # of Employees | 600+ |
| Google Rating: | 3.4/5 |
| Our Rating: | 3.8/5 |
| Average Cost: | $18,000-$20,000 per solar energy system |
Read also: Solar Incentives in Oregon
Pros and Cons of Silfab Solar
The tabs below cover Silfab Solar’s high-level pros and cons. Keep these points in mind as you read the rest of the review.
Read also: Solar Incentives in North Carolina
How Much Does Silfab Solar Cost?
It is often quite challenging to assess the average cost of a solar system from specific providers because pricing can vary dramatically depending on your state, your roof, and your electric bills and utility bills. Because Silfab Solar is a relatively new company, Today’s Homeowner would expect this company’s solar pricing to be very competitive. To accurately assess the price of Silfab Solar, customers should ask for a quote from one of its distributors. As well, customers should seek quotes from competing solar companies to see whether they are getting sufficient value from their investments.
On average, solar panels cost $2.94 per watt across the United States. Most of Silfab Solar’s complete systems cost between $18,000 and $20,000. These prices may not accurately reflect the cost of Silfab Solar’s distributors in specific parts of the country. While this may appear expensive, the amount of savings that you can accumulate from solar panels is extraordinary.
4.4
Installs high-quality Maxeon panels
Outstanding customer support
Best-in-class warranty lasts 40 years
3.7
Affordable prices
Excellent selection of panels and services
Locations in 22 states
4.3
No payments needed for 18 months
Provides in-house financing
Offers top brands like LG and Trina
3.9
Highly rated customer service
Provides 24/7 panel monitoring
Solid A+ rating with the BBB
Read also: New Mexico Solar Incentives Program
Warranty
The warranties offered by Silfab Solar differ from other companies that offer warranties for workmanship and installations. Because Silfab Solar doesn’t do installations, it provides a warranty on the solar panels themselves. This can be somewhat confusing, so we break down the company’s warranty policies for each panel here:
- 25-year module product workmanship warranty: This warranty covers any defects to panels and repairs needed to fix these defects. The standard warranty length is 12 years, but you can also extend it to a 25-year warranty.
- 30-year linear power performance guarantee: With Silfab’s linear power performance guarantee, you can be sure that your Silfab PV modules will continue to produce as intended for 30 years. This warranty offers benchmarks along the way to ensure your investment stays on track.
Read also: Solar Incentives in New Jersey
Financing Plans & Options
While Silfab Solar does not offer any specific financing options, there are many federal and state-level rebates, loans, and leases available for potential buyers. Here are several options we recommend:
| Financing Plan | Summary |
| Cash Purchases | To ensure the maximum long-term value of your solar energy system, you can purchase the solar system outright. By doing so, you reduce loan fees and interest, allow for a quicker payback period, and become eligible for the Federal Solar Tax Credit. Homeowners who purchase their solar panels outright will ultimately see the largest return on their investment. |
| State-Level Programs | Depending on your state of residence, there are likely numerous financial incentives (explore Texas solar incentive programs) available to help make your purchase of solar panels cheaper. You should look to see whether your state offers sales tax exemptions, property tax exemptions, net metering, and rebate programs for solar panel buyers. Check out this article to see if solar is a good fit for you. |
| Home Solar Loan | If you require a loan to finance the purchase of a solar energy system, a variety of private banks and companies can help service your financing needs. |
Read also: Incentive Options for Solar in Wisconsin
In-House or Contracted Installations
Silfab Solar contracts out its installation of solar panels to local distributors. For more information regarding local contractors, you can consult the Silfab Solar website.
What Solar Panels Does Silfab Solar Use?
Silfab Solar produces two different series of solar panels with slightly different specifications.
Silfab Prime Series
The Silfab Prime Series is Silfab Solar’s primary model of solar panels. These panels are made from half-cut solar cells, which enhance the panels’ output and durability. Specifically, this panel has a capacity between 370 and 410 watts, an efficiency rating of over 20%, and a temperature coefficient of -0.36%/C.
Silfab Elite Series
The Silfab Elite Series is made up of solar modules with 370-watt and 380-watt capacities. With a higher efficiency rating of 21.4%, these panels have the highest efficiency of any panels produced by Silfab. The two elite models use PERC (passivated emitter and rear contact) solar cell technology, which reduces conductive losses, and they have external bussing to provide a sleeker look. These two models also have a temperature coefficient of -0.38%/C.
Partnerships
Silfab Solar maintains a range of partnerships with local contractors and distributors that will install solar panels and batteries in your home. You can find more information about these partnerships on Silfab Solar’s website.
Read also: Solar Incentives for Rhodes Island
Service Area & Availability
Homeowners looking to buy solar panels from Silfab Solar will be happy to learn that this company operates in most areas across the United States. The fact that Silfab Solar operates across such an expansive territory is one of its best attributes. You can request a quote anytime and have Silfab Solar’s distributors serve you in any of the following states:
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Wisconsin
- And more
Read also: Incentives for Solar Power in Arizona
Read also: New Hampshire Solar Incentives Programs
Silfab Solar Reviews From Actual Customers
Assessing actual customer reviews is a very important process of reviewing a company’s services. While customers may sometimes leave somewhat exaggerated reviews, these reviews can serve as a useful barometer to determine whether or not people generally like a company.
For Silfab Solar, customers mostly gave positive reviews while noting the effective and durable solar panels they produce. Customers also like the fact that Silfab Solar’s panels are built in North America. Have a look for yourself to see what people think about Silfab Solar on Google Reviews.
Read also: Califonia’s Solar Programs and Incentives
Read also: Illinois Solar Incentives Program
Bottom Line: Is Silfab Solar a Good Company?
Silfab Solar manufactures high-performing, durable, and relatively inexpensive solar panels all in North America. It is a great company with competitive warranties and a wide array of distributors located across the United States. Overall, we recommend using them as your solar panel provider.
4.4
Installs high-quality Maxeon panels
Outstanding customer support
Best-in-class warranty lasts 40 years
3.7
Affordable prices
Excellent selection of panels and services
Locations in 22 states
4.3
No payments needed for 18 months
Provides in-house financing
Offers top brands like LG and Trina
3.9
Highly rated customer service
Provides 24/7 panel monitoring
Solid A+ rating with the BBB
Read also: Solar Incentives for Connecticut
Frequently Asked Questions About Silfab Solar
How long has Silfab Solar been in business?
Silfab Solar is a relatively new company that has only been in business since 2010. Despite its youth, Silfab Solar has emerged as one of the top players in the solar panel industry.
Where are the Silfab Solar headquarters?
The headquarters of Silfab Solar is located in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.
What inverter does Silfab Solar use?
Silfab Solar uses Enphase’s IQ8 microinverters, which can be vertically mounted while providing 7.83kW of solar power.
Who owns Silfab Solar?
Silfab Solar is owned by the parent company Silfab S.R.L., and Paolo Maccario is the CEO.
Does Silfab Solar offer financing options?
While Silfab Solar doesn’t offer specific financing options, there are many national, state-level, and private options available. These programs include solar leases, home solar loans, and the federal solar tax credit.
Can I lease my solar panels from Silfab Solar?
No, Silfab Solar doesn’t offer leasing programs for its solar panels.
Is Silfab Solar a good company?
Yes, we recommend using Silfab Solar as your solar panel provider. It operates in numerous states across the United States and provides effective and efficient installation of your purchase.
Read also: Solar Incentives in Georgia
Today's Homeowner’s Solar Ranking and Review Methodology
At Today's Homeowner, transparency and trust are our most important values for the reader. That’s why we took the time to create an objective rating system and score each solar energy company/service according to our methodology.
Our research team dug deep into the fine print of contracts, combed through more than one hundred customer reviews, and thoroughly investigated all of each solar energy company’s services, costs, and products. We’ve done the homework for you by researching nearly all of the solar energy companies on the market so you can have the information you need to make the best choice for your home.
We developed a formula to objectively determine the best solar energy companies and give each a score out of 100 based on the following criteria:
- Plan Options (30): Do they provide a variety of plan options? We looked at the number of plans each solar energy company offered and the flexibility of adjusting the plan.
- Services offered (20): How many services are offered in each plan? We looked at whether the company manufactures its own solar panels, whether it contracts out installation, and what additional products each company offers.
- Trust (10): What do customers say after their solar panels are installed? Does this company offer a guarantee? We considered how satisfied customers are post-service if the company does what it says it will, BBB accreditation, and service guarantees.
- Prices (10): How reasonable are the costs of the plan or service in comparison to the industry average? We compared the costs of each company to competitors that offer the same solar energy services.
- Unique perks (10): Does the company offer discounts or special services such as financial incentives (check out the incentives for solar in Florida), rebates, or a useful mobile app? We looked for extras each company offers that set them apart from the competition.
- Customer Service (10): How is the customer experience when contacting the company? We considered the speed of response, weekend/holiday availability, and ease of communication through phone calls, email, and online chat functions.
- Nationwide availability (10): How many states does the company offer its services? Companies that operate nationally and in all zip codes are favored over those with limited availability.
Read also: Solar Incentive Programs in Utah and Solar Incentive Programs in Vermont
