NRG Clean Power
NRG Clean Power installs many top solar panel brands and has competitive solar prices. If you live in Texas or California, you should certainly get a quote from NRG.
Our rating: 3.8
Best for: Solar panel brands
Warranty: 25-year product warranty
NRG Clean Power at a glance
NRG Clean Power is a newer provider of solar energy solutions, but it comes from a strong business legacy.
Fast facts
- NRG Clean Power originally started as a California-based heating and air conditioning company.
- In 2012, the company underwent a split, with NRG Clean Power shifting its focus exclusively to solar energy.
- NRG Clean Power offers solar, storage, roofing and panel-cleaning services.
- NRG Clean Power has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
What we like
Unlike some other solar installation providers, NRG Clean Power has no pending lawsuits and only 23 complaints on the BBB in the past three years. Most solar panel installers only provide quotes if they come out to your home, but NRG’s online quote tool gives you an estimate of what you can expect your solar system to cost. Also, this company offers solar panel cleaning, making it a more robust service provider.
What we don’t like
NRG Clean Power has very limited availability compared to other top solar panel installers, and it operates in only two states: California and Texas. In California, NRG Clean Power serves Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Diego and San Jose. In Texas, the company has offices in Houston, Austin, San Antonio and Dallas. Also, while the company offers loan and cash options, it doesn’t offer a leasing option.
*BBB ratings accurate as of August 2024
NRG Clean Power pros and cons
NRG Clean Power, which is not the same as NRG Energy, specializes in solar energy and supplementary services, such as solar panel cleaning. However, its small size restricts operations to California and Texas. Customer reviews in these areas are generally positive.
NRG Clean Power has an instant quote tool that you can use to estimate how much your solar panel project will cost. This is not common in the industry, and more often than not you need to get someone out to your house for an in-person quote. So, this tool saves you time and allows you to compare your options.
Pros
- Positive customer reviews
- Installs products from reputable providers such as REC Solar, SolarEdge, Panasonic, Enphase, LG and Tesla
- Instant quote tool
Cons
- Serves only two states (California and Texas)
- No lease options
How much does NRG Clean Power cost?
Thanks to NRG Clean Power’s instant quote tool, I was able to get multiple quotes in their service area. These quotes include both solar panels and a solar battery. Keep in mind that this tool is for rough estimates; a consultation will deliver a more exact cost assessment.
Installation costs of solar panels vary based on house size, electricity usage, equipment needed and the number of panels needed. So, use these examples to get a general idea of what an NRG solar system might cost.
|
kW of annual production
|
Number of solar 400 kW panels
|
Estimated cost
|
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.22 | 6,330 |
11 |
$9,633 |
| 5.75 | 8,625 |
14 |
$12,364 |
| 6.90 | 10,350 |
17 |
$14,417 |
| 9.20 | 13,800 |
23 |
$18,522 |
| 13.03 | 19,545 |
33 |
$25,359 |
*Solar estimates are based on a 1,400-square-foot home in Sacramento, California.
NRG Clean Power solar products and services
NRG Clean Power offers comprehensive services, including installing solar panels and batteries. Certified contractors ensure quality installations. NRG guides homeowners from beginning to end by assessing the feasibility of solar, determining panel requirements, utilizing utility bill savings and communicating the installation process.
Along with solar system installation, NRG Clean Power offers solar panel cleaning, maintenance and repair services. If your roof needs to be fixed before your solar installation, the company can also assist in those repairs or replacements. Additionally, NRG can install EV charging equipment.
NRG Clean Power services
|
Offered?
|
|
|---|---|
| Solar panels | Yes (Panasonic, REC, SolarEdge) |
| Solar shingles | No |
| Microinverter | Yes |
| String inverter | Yes |
| Solar battery | Yes (Enphase, Tesla, LG) |
| Full cash | Yes |
| In-house loan | Yes |
| Lease | No |
| Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) | No |
| Other financing | No |
| Free energy consultation | Yes |
| Inspection scheduling assistance | Yes |
| Permitting assistance | Yes |
| Roof repair | Yes |
| Power production guarantee | Yes (25 to 30 years, based on brand) |
| Workmanship warranty | Not listed |
| Micro inverter warranty | Yes (5 to 25 years, based on brand) |
| Solar battery warranty | Yes (10 to 15 years, based on brand) |
NRG Clean Power add-ons and optional features
NRG can bundle services, including storage solutions and roof replacement. With various battery brands available (Enphase, LG and Tesla), the company also offers EV charging installation and solar panel cleaning to maintain optimal system performance. For solar panels, NRG installs products from the best solar panel companies, such as REC Solar.
NRG says its cleaning service could increase home energy production by up to 25%. However, to earn those efficiency gains, your panels must be significantly soiled before cleaning.
What does NRG Clean Power not cover?
NRG Clean offers more services than the average solar panel installer, but it does not install solar shingles like Tesla Solar does.
NRG Clean Power customer experience
Overall, NRG Clean Power has excellent customer reviews with 4.0 out of 5.0-star averages on both Yelp and the Better Business Bureau. While many customers praised a helpful sales team and organized project managers, others had a poor experience and significant delays once they signed the down payment for their solar systems.
Understanding NRG Clean Power’s installation process
NRG Clean Power has more than 30 years in the energy industry, so its installation process is down to science. You can expect the following process if you choose NRG as your solar installer:
- Design: NRG will work with you to design a solar panel system that’s perfectly customized to your home energy needs.
- Permit: NRG’s team will pull permits and arrange inspections.
- Installation: Once permits are in order, NRG’s installation team will install your solar panels. Your system is ready to be turned on after you get permission to operate (PTO).
- Monitor: Monitor your energy production using NRG’s monitoring system. This will help you stay on top of your home energy.
NRG Clean Power vs. competitors
NRG Clean Power only competes against solar providers in California and Texas. As a solar installer, it ranks well among its competitors but has a limited service area. If you aren’t in NRG Clean Power’s select service areas, you may consider Sunnova Solar, a provider that’s available nationwide.
Competitor comparison
|
Our score (out of 5 stars)
|
No. of states available
|
Years in business
|
|
|---|---|---|---|
| NRG Clean Power | 3.8 |
2 |
7 |
| Sunnova | 4.7 |
50 |
12 |
| Blue Raven Solar | 4.1 |
20 |
10 |
| Tesla Solar | 4.1 |
50 |
9 |
| Green Home Systems | 4.1 |
21 |
15 |
| Momentum Solar | 3.8 |
12 |
15 |
| Lumio | 3.6 |
14 |
3 |
Methodology
In determining the top solar panel installers, the CNN Underscored editorial team thoroughly analyzed 170 panels and dozens of solar panel installation companies. We look at cost, financing, customer reviews and more in our data-based review process. We offer a comprehensive evaluation and impartial rating system, and our reviews always center on the customer — as if we were you making an informed decision.
