What Freedom Solar Does
Freedom Solar is a solar installation company that designs, installs, and finances rooftop solar panel systems for homes. The company operates in multiple states and handles the full process: they assess your roof, design a system sized to your electricity use, install the panels, and help you arrange financing through loans or leases.
Freedom Solar is one of many solar installers in the residential market. Like other companies in this space, they make money by selling you a system and arranging the financing that pays for it. Understanding how they work, what their typical costs are, and what your payment options look like will help you decide whether to get quotes from them and how to compare those quotes to other installers.
Key Takeaways
- Freedom Solar installs rooftop solar systems and arranges financing through loans, leases, or power purchase agreements (PPAs), so you do not pay the full cost upfront.
- The total cost of a system depends on your roof size, electricity use, and local installation labor rates, which vary significantly by state and region.
- You can own the system outright with a loan, lease it from Freedom Solar, or sign a PPA where you pay per kilowatt-hour of electricity produced.
- Federal tax credits and state incentives reduce the net cost, but the company's quote should show you the price before and after incentives so you can compare fairly.
- Getting quotes from multiple installers — including Freedom Solar, local contractors, and other national companies — is the only way to know whether their pricing is competitive in your area.
How Freedom Solar Pricing Works
Freedom Solar quotes are based on your roof size, the amount of electricity you use each month, and the cost of labor and equipment in your state. A typical residential system ranges from 5 to 10 kilowatts, but the price per watt varies. In some states, installation labor is cheaper; in others, it costs more. The company's quote should break down the equipment cost, labor cost, and any permitting or inspection fees.
The quote you receive is specific to your home and location. You cannot compare Freedom Solar's price to another company's price unless both quotes are for the same system size and both show the same line items. A quote that lists only a total price without detail is harder to compare. Ask for an itemized breakdown that shows equipment cost separately from labor and fees.
Federal tax credits and state rebates reduce what you actually pay. The federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) currently allows you to deduct a percentage of your system cost from your federal income taxes. Some states offer additional rebates or tax credits. Freedom Solar's quote should show the price before incentives and the estimated price after incentives, so you can see the real cost you will bear.
Financing Options: Loans, Leases, and PPAs
Freedom Solar offers three main ways to pay for a system: a loan you own, a lease you do not own, or a power purchase agreement (PPA).
With a loan, you borrow money to buy the system outright. You own the panels, you get the tax credit, and you keep the electricity savings. The loan is typically a home equity loan or a dedicated solar loan with a term of 10 to 25 years. Your monthly payment covers the loan principal and interest. Once the loan is paid off, the electricity is free.
With a lease, Freedom Solar owns the system and you pay them a fixed monthly fee to use it. You do not own the panels, you do not get the tax credit, and your savings are smaller because part of the electricity revenue goes to the company. The lease term is usually 20 to 25 years. At the end, the company removes the panels or you can renew the lease.
With a PPA (power purchase agreement), you pay Freedom Solar only for the electricity the panels produce, usually at a rate per kilowatt-hour. The company owns the system and handles maintenance. Your bill varies month to month based on how much sun you get and how much electricity you use. Like a lease, you do not own the panels or claim the tax credit.
What Happens During the Installation Process
Freedom Solar's process typically starts with a site visit or a remote assessment where they review your roof, electricity bills, and electrical panel. They use this information to design a system and provide a quote. If you move forward, they handle permitting with your local government and arrange inspections.
Installation usually takes one to three days, depending on system size and roof complexity. The company installs the panels, wiring, and an inverter (which converts the panels' direct current to the alternating current your home uses). After installation, the system must pass a local inspection and be approved by your utility company before it can turn on and feed electricity back to the grid.
The entire process from quote to operation typically takes two to four months, though permitting delays can extend this. Freedom Solar coordinates with your local government and utility, so you do not have to manage those conversations yourself.
How to Compare Freedom Solar to Other Installers
The only way to know if Freedom Solar's pricing is competitive is to get quotes from at least two other installers in your area. Local solar contractors, national companies like Sunrun or Vivint Solar, and regional installers all operate in most states. Request quotes from three to five companies using the same roof area and electricity usage so the quotes are comparable.
When comparing quotes, look at the system size (in kilowatts), the total cost before incentives, the estimated cost after federal and state incentives, the financing option offered, and the warranty terms. A lower price is not always better if the warranty is shorter or the company has poor reviews. Check online reviews on Google, the Better Business Bureau, and solar-specific sites to see what customers report about installation quality and customer service.
Ask each company about their warranty on panels (usually 25 years), their warranty on labor and equipment (usually 10 years), and what happens if panels fail or need repair. Some companies offer monitoring apps so you can track your system's output; others do not. These differences matter over a 20-year system life.
Federal Tax Credits and State Incentives
The federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) allows you to deduct a percentage of your solar system cost from your federal income taxes. The percentage changes by year, so check the current rate before you sign a contract. You claim this credit on your tax return in the year the system is installed.
Many states offer additional incentives: rebates that reduce the upfront cost, tax credits that reduce your state income tax, or performance-based incentives that pay you for the electricity your system produces. Some states have net metering rules that let you sell excess electricity back to the grid at the retail rate, which increases your savings. Other states pay a lower rate for exported electricity.
Freedom Solar's quote should include an estimate of federal and state incentives. If it does not, ask the company to calculate them for you. The incentives are real money that reduces what you pay, so understanding them is essential to comparing quotes fairly.
Questions to Ask Before Signing
Before you commit to Freedom Solar or any installer, ask these questions: What is the total system cost before and after incentives? What is the monthly payment or lease fee, and how long is the contract? What warranty covers the panels, the inverter, and the installation labor? What happens if the system produces less electricity than estimated? Does the company handle all permitting and inspections, or do you? What is the process if you want to move or sell your home?
Ask about monitoring: can you see your system's output in real time, and does the company alert you if production drops unexpectedly? Ask about maintenance: does the company clean the panels, and how often? Ask about the company's track record: how long have they been in business, and what do customer reviews say about their installation quality and responsiveness to problems?
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove a Freedom Solar system if I sell my house?
If you own the system with a loan, you can remove it when you move, though the company may charge a removal fee. If you lease or have a PPA, the contract typically transfers to the new owner, or you can pay a buyout fee to remove it. Ask Freedom Solar about their specific policy before you sign, because removal costs can be substantial.
What if my roof needs replacement before the system is paid off?
If you own the system, you are responsible for roof repairs. The company will remove the panels, you pay for the roof work, and they reinstall the panels. If you lease or have a PPA, Freedom Solar typically handles this, but check your contract. This is a real cost to factor in if your roof is aging.
How much can I save on my electricity bill?
Savings depend on your current electricity rate, how much sun your roof gets, and how much electricity you use. Freedom Solar should provide an estimate based on historical weather data for your location and your typical usage. Compare this estimate to your current annual electricity bill to see the payback period — how many years until the system pays for itself.
What happens if the system produces less electricity than Freedom Solar estimated?
If production is significantly lower than promised, ask whether the company's contract includes a performance may provide. Some installers offer a may provide that the system will produce at least a certain amount; others do not. If there is no may provide and production is low, the issue is usually shading from trees or buildings that were not accounted for in the design.
Do I need good credit to finance a Freedom Solar system?
Credit requirements depend on the lender Freedom Solar works with. Some lenders require a credit score above 650; others work with lower scores but charge higher interest rates. Ask Freedom Solar what credit score they typically require and what interest rates they offer at different credit levels before you explore.