Solar energy systems haven’t been around for too long, especially compared to other forms of energy. Due to the relative newness of solar energy production, the most reputable solar companies have around a decade of experience. However, Trinity Solar is one of the most experienced names in the industry, with over two decades of experience.
The switch to solar is a massive undertaking that requires careful planning and research to ensure you choose the perfect provider. Trinity Solar simplifies this process by removing the barrier to entry with no-cost solar installation.
The company has created a name for itself as a solar provider on the east coast, offering straightforward and stress-free solar installations. It’s a solid choice for homeowners in its area, but here’s what you should know.
3.4
Our Rating
Our Preferred Solar Installers
Trinity is just one of many popular companies in the solar industry. Use the panel below to retrieve free estimates from several of our other recommended providers:
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 Trinity Solar Review
If you’re in the market for a solar provider, Trinity Solar might be a solid fit. Our review outlines Trinity Solar’s details to help you decide on the best solar provider for your project. It’s essential to consider each aspect of the company, including financing options, overall costs, and what to expect based on customer reviews.
Trinity Solar Pros & Cons
The tabs below provide a high-level overview of Trinity’s benefits and drawbacks. Keep these points in mind as you navigate the rest of the review.
What Is Trinity Solar’s Nationwide Availability?
Trinity Solar has a limited service area, as it only serves a fraction of the United States, all of which are on the east side of the U.S. The company offers its services to nine states across the Northeast seaboard. These states are shown in the map below:
How Does Trinity Solar Compare To Its Competitors?
Comparing a company to other popular industry figures can help you determine whether it’s your best option. The table below shows how Trinity Solar stacks up to some of the best solar companies in the nation:
Company | Our Rating | Superlative | Availability | Panels |
 | Highest Quality Panels | All 50 states | SunPower Panels, made with Maxeon Solar Cells. | |
 | Best Financing Options | 22 states | Numerous brands, including Trina and Canadian Solar | |
 | Best Customer Service | 11 states | Numerous tier-one brands, monocrystalline only | |
 | Most Widely Available | All 50 states | Qcells | |
 | Best Customization Options | 9 states | Qcells | |
 | Best Protection Against Damage | 19 states | LG and LONGi | |
 | Best Product Selection | 10 states | Numerous brands including Panasonic, LONGi, &LG. |
Read also: How Does Solar Tax Exemption Work?
How Much Does Trinity Solar Cost?
Trinity Solar doesn’t offer specific cost information on its website. Although this isn’t particularly convenient for homeowners looking for inexpensive solar options, the lack of pricing is likely due to variation from one solar installation to the next. Every scenario is different, so pricing usually varies between projects, and giving overall estimates, in general, is different.
However, we can use the average per-watt cost of solar in the United States and the average system size to paint an estimate. For example, the average per-watt cost of solar in the U.S. is $2.94. Using the average size of a residential solar energy system, we can determine the average price of a solar energy system.
For a 5-kilowatt system at $2.94 per watt, homeowners can expect to pay between $22,000 and $33,000. The base cost for this system is $11,000, but most solar installers charge an additional 100% to 200% to account for labor, operating expenses, profit, and other related expenses.
These numbers may fluctuate based on your particular scenario, as the size of your home, your energy consumption, the type of equipment you choose, and several other factors can significantly affect the final cost. On top of that, these costs are before applying available state and federal rebates or incentives.
For instance, homeowners could apply for the Federal Solar Investment Credit, which would shave off about 26% (as of 2022) of the total solar panel installation cost. Available incentives vary from one state to the next, but homeowners may be able to take advantage of these as well. Plus, a solar power system will always lower your electric bill and make solar worth it once you break even.
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What Is Trinity Solar’s Warranty?
Although many solar providers offer warranties extending at least 25 years or longer, Trinity Solar isn’t one of them. The company provides shorter warranties, although customers can extend the warranty to 25 years after the initial purchase.
The company offers a standard inverter warranty extending 12 years and a workmanship warranty of five years. The workmanship warranty covers hiccups during installation, whereas the inverter warranty covers the inverter. Compared to other companies that offer 25-year workmanship and equipment warranties, this coverage falls flat.
Related: New Jersey Solar Conversion Incentives
Does Trinity Solar Offer Financing Plans?
Trinity Solar’s website doesn’t detail its financing plans, but there is some insight into its financing options. Like most other companies, Trinity Solar offers a few financing options to accommodate different budgets. Its financing and payment plans include:
This is the most cost-effective option for homeowners who can afford to pay upfront. While it isn’t feasible for everyone, it eliminates the need to pay interest on a loan, therefore saving money in the long run. In addition, homeowners can save using the Federal Solar Tax Credit (as of 2022).
Solar loans are similar to home loans in that they allow homeowners to pay a monthly fee which includes financing costs to own the panels. This is often a suitable choice for homeowners who cannot pay the entire cost upfront. Homeowners who go this route can take advantage of local and federal rebates and incentives.
This option is often suitable for residents who don’t own their homes. The lease allows homeowners to “rent” the system by paying fixed monthly rates based on credit. Power purchase agreements (PPAs) allow homeowners to pay a monthly fee that hinges on the amount of energy their systems produce. If you go with either of these options, you cannot take advantage of state or federal rebates and incentives.
You might be interested in checking out our article on solar panel leasing versus purchasing.
Does Trinity Solar Offer Specials or Incentives?
As of 2022, Trinity Solar offers referral bonuses for customers who bring in friends and family. With this referral program, customers can refer friends and family to the company for solar services. The company reaches out to the contact to set up an appointment, and once the installation is complete, the company mails you a check.
The company claims customers can make thousands of dollars by referring friends and family through this program. However, receiving the check is contingent on your friend or family member following through with the installation process.
Aside from this, Trinity Solar doesn’t offer financial incentives or specials that apply to your solar energy system. However, homeowners can take advantage of the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (as of 2022) and local rebates, although state incentives vary from one area to the next.
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Does Trinity Solar Perform In-House or Contracted Installations?
Although some solar energy companies outsource the installation process to third-party contractors, Trinity Solar handles its own installations. The company has a large team of employees that make up various sectors, including customer support, construction, electrical, and service teams.
According to multiple reviews on several platforms (Google, Better Business Bureau, etc.), Trinity Solar can complete some solar installations in as little as one day. So, once the process begins, it could be done within a single business day. Of course, the installation time frame hinges on your scenario (size of your home, size of the system, etc.), so it could take more or less time for your solar project.
What Solar Panels Does Trinity Solar Use?
Most solar providers offer a few different types and brands of solar panels, which allows customers to select the option that best fits their needs. Some brands are more expensive than others, usually due to higher efficiencies, so customers can choose what works best.
Trinity Solar offers Q-Cells for solar panels, which are highly efficient. Q-Cells panels boast an energy efficiency between 20.6% and 21.4%, which is comparable to the best in the industry. The company offers more selection for solar inverters, including equipment from SolarEdge, Tesla, and Generac.
Partnerships
Trinity Solar prides itself on partnering with local nonprofits in its service areas throughout the whole process. The company helps nonprofits raise money while assisting their members with no-cost solar installations (usually indicates a solar lease or PPA).
According to the company’s website, Trinity Solar will contribute $100 to the nonprofit when a member sits with a Trinity Consultant. In addition, Trinity will contribute $1,000 to the organization when a member of the nonprofit installs solar with Trinity.
3.4
Trinity Solar Reviews From Actual Customers
As you browse for the perfect solar energy provider, it’s important to consider customer reviews of each provider. These reviews can offer insight into how the company dealt with other individuals similar to you, giving you a solid indicator of how the company handles feedback.
Like any company, a few negative reviews are scattered across Trinity Solar’s pages on various platforms. However, a few negative reviews are common on almost every company’s page. Even still, it’s wise to consider both positive and negative reviews.
In addition, reviews fluctuate somewhat based on location, so be sure to check the reviews on your local Trinity Solar office.
Here are a few actual customer reviews of Trinity Solar:
Bottom Line: Is Trinity Solar A Good Company?
Trinity Solar could be a good option if you’ve committed to switching to solar energy, providing you reside within its service area. The company has established a name for itself in the industry as a leading installer offering great quality equipment. Although the brief warranties may deter some potential customers, they can extend the warranty to meet their expectations.
Trinity Solar has a few negative reviews sprinkled throughout various platforms like any other company. However, companies like Trinity Solar don’t become massive industry leaders without excellent customer support.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Trinity Solar
How long has Trinity Solar been in business?
Trinity Solar is one of the more experienced companies in the solar industry. The company started in 1994, eventually growing to become the largest private solar company in the country. With over two decades of experience under its belt, the company has served over 77,000 homeowners.
Where is the Trinity Solar headquarters?
Trinity Solar’s headquarters are located in Monroe Township in New Jersey. The company has multiple locations throughout the United States, but its headquarters are centered in New Jersey.
What inverter does Trinity Solar use?
According to a Trinity Solar spokesperson, the company prefers to install SolarEdge inverters. SolarEdge manufactures string inverters capable of connecting to power optimizers. These inverters feature impressive efficiencies up to 99% (depending on the model).
Who owns Trinity Solar?
Trinity Solar is a privately owned company, with Tom Pollock serving as the company’s CEO and John Bedard working as CFO. John Bedard is listed as a shareholder of Trinity Solar. The company’s website lists itself as a family-owned company.
Does Trinity Solar Go Door To Door?
Some non-customers and customers have mentioned experience with Trinity Solar going from door to door. Reviews from non-customers have reported a few negative interactions with sales reps, although many reviews are positive. The company does send out sales representatives from door to door in service areas to encourage potential sales.
Is Trinity Solar Free?
Although Trinity Solar offers no-cost installations, solar services from this company aren’t free. You will need to pay for services and equipment if you choose Trinity Solar for your project. You can choose to utilize the company’s $0 upfront payment option, although this usually comes in the form of a solar lease or PPA, so you don’t technically own the system.
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, 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.
