Solar Energy World (SEW) was founded in 2009, and they have installed over 170,000 kilowatts of solar capacity. SEW covers its solar installations with a 30-year warranty, which is currently one of the longest in the industry. The company operates in Washington DC and eight states:

  • Delaware
  • Florida
  • Maryland
  • New Jersey
  • North Carolina
  • Pennsylvania
  • South Carolina
  • Virginia

Solar Energy World is accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB). As of July 2023, they had a score of 4.56/5.00 on the BBB website based on 41 reviews. The company also has a high customer score on the EnergySage marketplace: 4.5/5.0 based on 39 verified reviews. On average, SEW installs between 130 and 140 solar panel systems each month.

When you purchase a solar PV system from SEW, part of their profits are donated to the GivePower Foundation. The foundation installs water purification farms powered by solar energy in communities dealing with water scarcity around the world.

How Much Does a Solar Energy World Installation Cost?

Normally, solar installation companies don’t disclose their prices until you contact them for an actual quote. However, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has determined that solar panel systems have an average cost of $3.16 per watt in the US.

SEW installs solar panels from Silfab, LONGi, Q CELLS and REC. All four brands are frequently ranked among the best, and covered by solid warranties. According to EnergySage, these brands have the following price ranges:

  • Silfab Solar: $2.45 – $3.09 per watt
  • LONGi: $2.26 – $3.66 per watt
  • Q CELLS: $2.32 – $3.16 per watt
  • REC: $2.50 – $3.46 per watt

Considering all solar panel brands, EnergySage has determined that photovoltaic (PV) systems have a price range of $2.49 – $3.41 per watt. The following table provides the estimated prices of solar installations ranging from 6 to 10 kW:

System SizeTypical CostNet Cost after 30% Tax Credit
6 kW$14,940 – $20,460$10,458 – $14,322
8 kW$19,920 – $27,280$13,944 – $19,096
10 kW$24,900 – $34,100$17,430 – $23,870

Note: These are general cost figures for the solar brands listed above, not specific prices for Solar Energy World.

The federal tax credit is available for all solar systems installed in homes that are occupied directly by the owner, including vacation homes but not rentals. This benefit can be combined with local incentives such as state tax credits and utility company rebates. SEW has published a list of solar incentives available in the states where they operate.

Does Solar Energy World Offer Any Financing Options?

SEW offers three purchasing options: upfront cash payment, solar lease and Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). SEW designs and installs all home solar systems directly, with no subcontractors involved, and their technicians are NABCEP Certified (North American Board of Accredited Energy Practitioners).

When you sign a solar lease or PPA, SEW is responsible for all upfront costs and ongoing maintenance. However, your long-term savings are also lower since you commit to monthly payments. According to the SEW website, customers who purchase solar PV systems directly typically save 50% – 100% of their power bill, while lease and PPA customers save 20% – 30%.

SEW has a referral program, where you get a gift card for every referred customer who installs a solar PV system:

  • $300 for PV systems smaller than 6 kW
  • $500 for PV systems larger than 6 kW

Keep in mind that you only get the gift card for successful referrals. The benefit applies for all three purchasing options: upfront payment, solar lease and PPA.

What Solar Brands Does Solar Energy World Install?

As mentioned in the previous section, SEW installs solar panels from four manufacturers: Silfab, LONGi, Q CELLS and REC. All four brands are frequently ranked among the industry leaders.

SEW installs solar inverters from Fronius, Enphase and SolarEdge. Fronius offers traditional string inverters, Enphase offers microinverters, and SolarEdge offers power optimizer inverters. By partnering with several inverter brands, SEW can install home solar systems in multiple configurations. The three inverter brands used by SEW come with energy monitoring apps, which means you can easily track the performance of your solar PV system.

Home Battery Options from Solar Energy World

Solar Energy World offers three battery options to complement their solar panel installations:

Home BatteryEnergy Storage CapacitySystem Configuration
Tesla Powerwall13.5 kWhAC-coupled
Enphase IQ10.08 kWhAC-coupled
SolarEdge Home Battery4.6 kWh per moduleUp to 23 kWh with five modules
Compatible with LG Chem RESU batteries, available in 9.6 kWh and 16 kWh versions.		DC-coupled

Note: All three battery options are covered by a 10-year manufacturer warranty.

SEW only installs home batteries as part of their own solar power systems. They don’t install home batteries as stand-alone systems, or as additions to solar arrays from other companies.

Solar Energy World Installation Process

The installation process followed by SEW can be summarized in six steps:

  1. Free cost-benefit analysis: SEW schedules a meeting to discuss your energy needs, solar installation options, local incentives and payment options.
  2. Solar panel site assessment: SEW send their technicians to analyze your power bills and site conditions. Your solar energy system is designed based on this assessment and local permitting requirements.
  3. Solar panel installation: Once your solar design has been approved by the local authority, SEW proceeds with the installation, which normally takes 2-3 days.
  4. Solar panel system inspection: SEW will schedule any inspections required by your municipal government or utility company. After the inspection, your solar PV system can be switched on and connected to the local grid.
  5. Solar rebates and incentives: SEW takes care of all the paperwork required for solar tax credits and local rebate programs.
  6. Monitoring and support: Your home solar system is monitored permanently. If any technical issues are detected, SEW will send a notification and schedule an inspection.

Does SEW Offer a Good Warranty?

Solar Energy World offers the Triple Platinum 30-Year Warranty for purchased PV systems. This is one of the longest warranties in the US solar industry:

  • 30-year warranty for solar panels and inverters
  • Labor warranty for all service and maintenance issues
  • The warranty includes solar panel removal and reinstallation if you replace your roof within 10 years.
  • Your solar PV system is covered against rodent damage if SEW installs critter guards at the time of purchase.
  • If you sell your home, the warranty can be transferred to the new owner at no cost.
  • If you need a part replacement and the manufacturer has gone out of business, SEW offers a free replacement of equivalent quality from another brand.

SEW also offers a first-year energy production warranty. If your home solar system does not achieve at least 90% of the electricity output estimated by the SEW, they reimburse 200% of the missed savings.

Note that the Triple Platinum 30-Year Warranty is only available for purchased systems, not for solar leases and PPAs. Also keep in mind that the 30-year coverage only applies for solar panels and inverters. If you add a battery system, it gets the 10-year warranty normally offered by manufacturers.