Lumio Solar
Lumio Solar only uses advanced technology to design customized solar systems, and employs in-house installation teams to install them.
Our rating: 3.6
Best for: Quick installation
Warranty: 10-year workmanship warranty
Lumio Solar at a glance
If you’re wondering if Lumio is the right solar company for your solar system, here’s what you need to know.
Fast facts
- Lumio started in the solar industry in 2021 after acquiring four solar companies — Atlantic Key Energy, Lift Energy Solar, Smart Energy Today and DECA — and merging them with Unyte Homes, a home technology company.
- The company has a limited service area, operating in just 16 states at the time of writing.
- Better Business Bureau (BBB) customers give Lumio a rating of 3.07 stars (out of 5), and the company has a BBB accreditation and an A+ rating from the BBB.
What we like
I like that Lumio is an in-house solar company that provides all of its services without using third-party installers or contractors. Also, customers can pay for their solar systems with Lumio with cash, in-house financing, power purchase agreements (PPAs) and solar leases. Finally, the companies that Lumio merged also have decent customer reviews. For instance, Atlantic Key Energy has 4.1 stars out of 5.0 from more than 700 Google reviews.
What we don’t like
Lumio is vague about the products it sells and doesn’t state the manufacturer of its solar panels. In fact, Lumio’s website is extremely vague and has conflicting information, making it hard to know exactly which services, locations and equipment the company sells. On top of this, Lumio has allegations of providing customers with false information, faulty solar panels and poor roof inspection services. There’s currently a class-action lawsuit developing as a result. So, you may want to choose a different solar panel installer.
Lumio Solar pros and cons
Pros
- Integrates advanced home-centered technology for comprehensive home automation
- Offers roof repair services before installing panels
- Most installations take only a day to complete
Cons
- Active lawsuit against Lumio for alleged false claims regarding its products and warranties
- Mixed BBB reviews and closed more than 700 complaints in the past three years
- Limited resources available on the website compared to competitors
*BBB ratings accurate as of August 2024
How much does Lumio Solar cost?
Lumio does not provide information about the cost of its solar panels. However, you can complete an online form to receive a custom quote based on your home’s energy usage and local climate. According to Energy.gov, the average cost to install a typical six-kilowatt (kW) solar panel system with a battery ranges from $25,000 to $35,000. Prices fluctuate based on the efficiency of the panels.
Lumio says it installs all-black panels with 60 cells each, measuring five feet by three feet in size, but it does not disclose the exact manufacturer. With this in mind, here’s a breakdown of standard solar panel costs by size, based on a price range of $2.00 to $3.67 per watt.
|
Average Price Range
|
|
|---|---|
| 3 kW | $6,000 – $11,000 |
| 6 kW | $12,000 – $22,000 |
| 9 kW | $18,000 – $33,000 |
What services does Lumio Solar offer?
Lumio sells solar panels, microinverters, string inverters and small solar generators. However, while Lumio offers several portable power generators, the company does not offer solar shingles. It has flexible payment options: cash, solar loans, leases, PPAs and home equity lines of credit or home equity loans.
In addition, Lumio offers roof repair services, free energy consultations, assistance acquiring permits and assistance scheduling inspections.
Lumio Solar services
|
Offered?
|
|
|---|---|
| Solar panels | Yes |
| Solar shingles | No |
| Microinverter | Yes |
| String inverter | Yes |
| Solar battery | Yes |
| Full cash | Yes |
| In-house loan | Yes |
| Lease | Yes |
| Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) | Yes |
| Other financing | Yes |
| Free energy consultation | Yes |
| Inspection scheduling assistance | Yes |
| Permitting assistance | Yes |
| Roof repair | Yes |
| Power production guarantee | Yes (manufacturer’s only) |
| Workmanship warranty | Yes (10 years) |
| Micro inverter warranty | Yes (manufacturer’s only) |
Lumio Solar add-ons and optional features
Lumio designs standard solar panel systems customized to your home’s energy needs, so it does not offer much in the realm of optional features. If you’re interested in batteries or other equipment, talk to your representative for recommendations.
What does Lumio Solar not cover?
Lumio provides a variety of solar products and services, but it doesn’t do everything. The company doesn’t sell or install solar roofs. Also, Lumio doesn’t offer a live chat or other potentially helpful online resources, such as an FAQ page or community forum, on its website.
Lumio Solar customer service and experience
Lumio has an easy-to-use website, with large fonts and simple structures. To contact the company, you can call their customer service number at 1-888-586-4649 or send them an email at [email protected]. Their hours of operation are Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. MT. The company does not have a live chat option.
When I called Lumio to clarify mixed information, the customer service representative didn’t answer my questions because I wasn’t an active or prospective customer. This gave me the impression that the Lumio representative cared more about commissions than providing clarifications that could help future and current customers. They directed me to an email to speak with someone higher up in the company, but after sending an email inquiring for more information about choosing Lumio, I waited a week and did not receive a response.
Some customers complain of underperforming solar panels and difficulties resolving issues and disputes with Lumio, while others are pleased with the services they receive. Here are a few reviews that best summarize customer experiences.
Understanding Lumio Solar installation process
When you choose Lumio Solar as your installer, you’ll follow a series of steps to make your dream of going solar a reality.
Step 1: Home preparation
The Lumio team helps prepare your home for installation by creating a custom solar design, getting your local permits approved, handling HOA approval if needed and helping you sign and submit a net metering agreement.
Step 2: Solar installation
After the team completes the necessary prep work, they’ll schedule your installation. Lumio claims that its average installation time is eight hours, so your installation can be finished in as little as a day.
Step 3: Power production
Before you can crank on the power, your solar panel system needs to pass an inspection. Your local utility will also review the interconnection application before you can receive permission to operate (PTO) your solar panels.
Lumio Solar vs. competitors
Evaluating Lumio against its competitors, the company has a broader swath of financing options and has a fair number of products and services. However, the company is only available in 16 states, has an active class-action lawsuit developing and provides limited information regarding pricing and equipment.
Sunnova may be better choices for homeowners looking for well-established companies to conduct business with. Likewise, if you’re looking to customize your solar system, then you might prefer going with a company like Green Home Systems, which offers equipment from all kinds of manufacturers.
Solar company competitor comparison
|
Our score (out of 5 stars)
|
No. of states available
|
Years in business
|
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Lumio | 3.6 |
16 |
8 |
| Sunnova | 4.7 |
50 |
12 |
| Blue Raven Solar | 4.1 |
20 |
10 |
| Green Home Systems | 4.1 |
21 |
15 |
| Tesla Solar | 4.1 |
50 |
9 |
| Momentum Solar | 3.8 |
12 |
15 |
| NRG Clean Power | 3.8 |
2 |
7 |
Methodology
The CNN Underscored team analyzed data from 18 solar installers. We reviewed 26 data points, including the brand of panels, inverters and battery brands they offered, each company’s payment options, installation and service options, warranties, nationwide availability, customer reviews and years of experience. We scored companies by the quality and number of services provided to calculate our impartial rating.
Bottom line
Lumio is a fast-growing solar company that offers homeowners many ways to pay for new solar systems. The company is relatively new to the solar industry, does not have much of an online presence and limited availability. If you’re looking for a well-established solar company, then you might be better off choosing another top solar panel company.
