WindMar Solar and Roofing has been installing solar since 2002.
Over 90% of customers finance or lease through Sunnova, WindMar told CNET.)
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Below we’ll lay out what WindMar offers and how it stacks up againstother solar companiesin the industry.
What do I get from WindMar?
What solar equipment does WindMar install?
Each is among the most widely used in the industry.
WindMar installs solar panels fromQcells, many of which are manufactured in Georgia.
For batteries, WindMar opts for Tesla Powerwall.
It’s a leading battery and one of the most recognizable in the space.
It backs up its name recognition with performance.
With strong marks for both efficiency and depth of discharge, it earned CNET’stop spot for solar batteries.
A new, more powerful model was announced in September andwill be available in 2024.
All of WindMar’s residential solar installations are equipped with microinverters from Enphase.
Inverters turn direct current solar electricity into the alternate current electricity the devices in your home use.
WindMar recently introduced roofing to its offerings (and rebranded to include roofing in its name).
While a roof isn’t technically solar equipment, it’s a vital foundation for most solar installations.
In some cases, you’ll need to replace your roof before installing solar panels.
It can be convenient to take care of both with just one company.
As always, you should shop around for the best deal.
What warranties does WindMar offer?
Ten years is considered standard, but not as long as some other warranties we’ve seen from competitors.
It also extends the weatherization warranty to 10 years.
Carefully read the details of any long-term agreement before signing it.
Does WindMar offer monitoring services?
That app scores a4.1 on Google Playand a4.6 on the App Store.
CNET hasn’t tested either of these apps.
Does WindMar use subcontractors?
WindMar exclusively uses in-house installers, except for the occasional job in Miami-Dade County, Myers said.
A company’s use of subcontractors doesn’t factor into CNET’s scoring of the company.
How much do WindMar solar panels cost?
Like much of the industry, you won’t get much pricing information until you request a quote.
This makes sense since the cost of a rooftop solar installation varies because of a bunch of factors.
Still, we’d like to see greater price transparency from most companies.
WindMar doesn’t offer a price match guarantee.
Another estimate from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory put the average at $4.20 per watt.
TheBerkeley Lab suggests (PDF)estimates like these can vary for a number of reasons.
Loan fees may be included or excluded or the group of systems these averages measure could be different.
Here’s a look at estimated solar panel prices by state, according to data from FindEnergy.com.
What financing options does WindMar offer?
WindMar offers solar panels for purchase and through leases.
The vast majority of its customers finance or lease through Sunnova, Myers said.
Does WindMar operate in my state?
How do I order?
WindMar operates in Florida and Puerto Rico.
The installation process is pretty typical for the industry.
From there, a WindMar representative will visit your home to provide a more detailed estimate.
Once all the paperwork is in order, you’ll get an installation date.
Installation typically takes a day or two.
The last step is getting permission to operate from your utility.
Myers said the process typically takes anywhere from one to three months.
Is WindMar the best choice?
Even the top-rated companies may not be the best fit for every customer.
WindMar has a long track record of installing solar panels in Florida and Puerto Rico.
History in a place can be an advantage when it comes to acquiring permits and navigating local bureaucracy.
If you work with WindMar you’ll get quality panels, batteries and inverters installed.
They’re some of the most popular models in their category.
If you buy your panels outright, you’ll be left with less robust warranties.
WindMar’s 10-year warranty isn’t as long as some larger companies out there.
There are too few customer reviews to draw a meaningful conclusion.
Pros
Cons
WindMar Solar reviews: What are customers saying?
Customers have only left a fewreviews of WindMar with the Better Business Bureau.
Below are excerpts from a couple of them.
WindMar, for its part, has replied to each review it’s been left.
Their service was exceptional, from the helpful and informative sales team to their seamless installation process.
The savings on my energy bills have been significant since the installation."
It is not producing enough."
Doing this once would be unwieldy.
Doing it more than once would be impossible.
We tried to check that it measures what’s useful to the average customer and ignores what doesn’t.
We always speak to someone from the company.
If it’s not possible, we’ll note it.
Customer service is difficult to get at in any detail.
You canread a full breakdown of the scoring methodologyon your own.
We also report but don’t include in the scoring how many states a company operates in.
Solar FAQs
Is free solar legitimate?
What’s more likely is that you might get solar for no money down.
They do come without the large, upfront price tag, though.
How do I choose the right solar company?
The best way to avoid a bad deal is to get multiple quotes and work with established companies.
A legitimate company won’t be afraid to answer your questions.
Correction, Oct. 13: An earlier version of this story misstated WindMar’s penetration warranty.
The warranty is 10 years.
