EnergySage's most popular solar systems

Before going solar, one of the biggest decisions you'll need to make is which equipment to install. But there are many different solar panels, inverters, and batteries (if you're looking to install solar-plus-storage) products to choose from – so where's the best place to start? We'll explore the most popular solar system setups on the EnergySage Marketplace. If you want to learn more about the most popular equipment generally, check out our articles about the most popular solar panels, inverters, and batteries.

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More and more new solar equipment, from solar panels to inverters to batteries, becomes available every year. So, given the increasing variety of equipment options, what solar system setups do residential solar shoppers compare–and choose–most often on the EnergySage Marketplace? There are a few different ways to assess the popularity of solar system setups; below, we do so in two separate ways:

1. The solar systems installers most frequently quote

2. The solar systems shoppers most frequently select and ultimately install

It's important to note that the top quoted and selected solar systems are not identical. So, if there's an equipment brand you're particularly interested in but don't see in your quotes, always ask your installer!

Most quoted solar systems

First, we'll examine the top 10 quoted solar systems on the EnergySage Marketplace. Solar systems, including Panasonic EverVolt solar panels (370 Watts, or W) and Enphase IQ7 microinverters, come first. The first three most quoted solar systems include Enphase inverters (though they're all different models). The REC Alpha Pure Black panels (400 W) are popular among installers and included in the second and third most quoted systems.

Top 10 solar systems (quoted) on the EnergySage Marketplace, nationwide

Most selected solar systems

Not only is the Panasonic EverVolt solar panels (370 Watts, or W) and Enphase IQ7 microinverters combination the most quoted solar system – it's also the most selected! Interestingly, the first three popular systems are the same for the most commonly quoted and selected. Enphase dominates the most selected solar systems, with each of the top 10 system combinations including their microinverter products. On the solar panel front, both REC and Panasonic are popular options to be selected in solar systems.

Top 10 solar systems (selected) on the EnergySage Marketplace, nationwide

As with almost every data point in the solar industry, the results vary depending on the state – so we looked at how the most popular systems differ in some of the top solar states. Enphase once again dominates on the inverter front, with six of the top eight states including an Enphase microinverter in the most popular solar system. However, the solar panel selected in the most popular system varies widely from state to state. REC and Q CELLS are the most popular in the two states, while Panasonic, LG Solar, SunPower, and Aptos Solar solar panels are included in the most popular systems in one state.

Most popular solar systems (selected) by state on the EnergySage Marketplace

Storage is becoming an increasingly popular add-on to solar systems. According to our most recent Intel Report, 13 percent of residential systems installed through EnergySage included a solar battery in 2021, up from 9 percent in the second half of 2020. So, which solar-plus-storage systems are the most popular on the EnergySage Marketplace?

Most quoted solar-plus-storage systems

Once again, the Panasonic EverVolt solar panels (370 W) and Enphase IQ7 microinverters combination are in the most quoted solar-plus-storage system. This system also includes the Enphase IQ 10 Battery: the most popular battery on EnergySage. Not surprisingly, in each of the top quoted systems, including an Enphase inverter, the IQ Battery is the quoted storage solution (as these two products integrate). Overall, there's a lot of diversity in the most quoted solar-plus-storage systems on EnergySage – the top 10 list includes five different solar panel brands, four different inverter brands, and four different battery brands.

Top 10 solar-plus-storage systems (quoted) on the EnergySage Marketplace, nationwide

Most selected system solar-plus-storage systems

The Panasonic EverVolt solar panels (370 W), Enphase IQ7 microinverters, and Enphase IQ 10 Battery are the most selected solar-plus-storage system on the EnergySage Marketplace! However, unlike the most quoted solar-plus-storage systems, there's much less diversity among the most selected systems: Enphase dominates eight of the ten spots for inverters and batteries, while REC or Panasonic make up nine for solar panels.

Top 10 solar-plus-storage systems (selected) on the EnergySage Marketplace, nationwide

Why is any book, TV show, or gadget more popular than others? As anyone who's experienced the Twilight series knows, there isn't always a perfect correlation between quality and popularity. Multiple factors impact the demand for particular inverters:

Distribution networks

Distributors serve as liaisons between manufacturers and installers. There are a few major solar equipment distributors in the United States, each with its relationships with specific manufacturers and installation companies. If certain equipment brands are more prevalent in your area than elsewhere in the country, a distributor with closer ties to particular manufacturers may have a stronger presence in your market – thus, your installer is more likely to carry and quote that equipment.

Equipment availability

Like other products, the solar industry gets hit by supply constraints. Material shortages and shipping restrictions can impact the availability of solar equipment – look at our latest Installer Survey, in which almost 60 percent of installers said solar panel and battery availability had decreased! Even in a world without supply issues, you'd find that some products are more readily available than others simply because larger equipment companies have more factories and build more products.

Installer preference

Every type of contractor–solar installer or otherwise–has likes and dislikes towards the equipment they work with. In solar, you'll come across installation companies that prefer and recommend installing certain products because of the ease of installation, quality, and cost (which we'll dive more into later).

Brand loyalty is also prevalent in the solar industry: many reputable installers have direct relationships with manufacturers through their endorsement programs, meaning they can access special opportunities or better deals by selling products from a particular company. In fact, according to our most recent Intel Report, almost 50 percent of installers only offer one inverter brand, and over 30 percent of installers only offer one solar panel brand. This isn't a bad thing; often, it means passing on cost savings, more robust warranty offerings, and product expertise to you and other solar shoppers!

Consumer preference

Consumer demand plays a huge role in the popularity of a particular product or manufacturer. Think about it: if you want to install a specific product and make those preferences known to your potential contractor, they will do what they can to provide you with that equipment – or at least present an attractive alternative. The more solar shoppers ask for particular brands and products, the more likely installers are to buy, store, install, and recommend that equipment in the future.

Cost

Another factor that influences the popularity of certain equipment is cost. That doesn't mean cheaper equipment is more popular. Most shoppers on EnergySage reject the lowest-cost option, and most installers on the Marketplace propose higher quality, more expensive equipment. Popular equipment often offers good value, balancing cost and quality.

There's a pretty extensive range in cost among the most quoted and selected solar systems: the various systems spread out across a $1.24 per watt ($/range) on the EnergySage Marketplace. The least expensive system includes 450 W LA Solar Group solar panels and Hoymiles microinverters. In contrast, the most costly system includes SunPower solar panels and inverters.

Average $/W of the most popular solar systems on the EnergySage Marketplace

As mentioned above, consumer preference is a driving force behind solar inverter popularity. As you're choosing an inverter product, here are a few questions to ask yourself:

• Technology & performance of the individual equipment: what power output do you need from your solar panels and inverters? Do you need equipment with maximum efficiency? Do you care if you have module-level inverters or a central inverter with power optimizers? This may depend on your roof's size, direction, angle, and shading.

• Warranties of the individual equipment: do the manufacturers offer comprehensive warranties for their products?

• Overall system compatibility: how well do the individual products all work together? If you want to install storage, is the inverter compatible with the battery you want to install?

• Overall system monitoring: what do you think of the monitoring app for your inverters? If you're installing a solar-plus-storage system, do you care if you have separate apps for your inverters and your battery, or do you want all the information in one place?

• Quality rating: how does the quality and durability of the inverter compare to other options on the market?

• Manufacturer reputation: does the company standing behind the warranty offer good customer service? Are they bankable?

• Country of manufacture: are you willing to pay more for American-made inverters?

• Cost: will you get your bank for your buck? Is more expensive equipment worth the extra cost?

Learn more about choosing solar equipment.

The most popular solar systems aren't always suitable for your home. The best way to ensure you install the right equipment for the right price is to compare multiple options. Register for free on the EnergySage Marketplace today to get up to seven custom quotes from pre-screened local installers. Already have specific equipment in mind? Note it in your account so installers can include the panel in their quotes.