Simpler Solar Systems Overview
Simpler Solar Systems (SSS) is a solar solutions provider located in Tallahassee, Florida. Operating since 1980, the company specializes in the design and implementation of solar systems for residential and commercial applications.
They handle both high-cost and low-cost projects and offer services such as energy evaluation, solar design, solar installation, and solar financing, solar hot water, and solar pool heating.
Simpler Solar Systems Services and Specifics
Simpler Solar Systems provides the following services;
- Site Evaluation: Simpler Solar Systems offers energy audit and site analysis for clients who wish to go solar. The analysis is usually followed by a solar design that is customized to the energy needs of the client.
- Solar System Design: Simpler Solar Systems experts design solar systems that are configured for a property’s energy needs. The company’s solar experts help the client choose the best solar panel, inverters, etc. depending on the client’s budget or energy preferences.
- Solar Installations: Simpler Solar Systems provides solar panel installations based on a solar design for residential, commercial and non-profits clients.
- Solar Financing: Simpler Solar Systems also offers solar financing options in the form of solar loans or leases.
- Residential Solar Hot Water: This service offers domestic hot water systems that are powered by solar technology as a cost-effective way of generating hot water for residents in their homes.
- Solar Pool Heating Systems: These are solar heating systems built to be an energy-efficient way of heating up pools in both residential or commercial settings.
Simpler Solar Systems services have received very few reviews from clients, all have been positive so far.
In the positive reviews, customers commended the company particularly for their;
- Professionalism
- Product and installations quality
- Clear and polite communication
Solar Panels and Services offered by Simpler Solar Systems
Simpler Solar Systems offers solar products from the following solar manufacturers;
- Generac – is an American manufacturer of backup power generation products for residential, light commercial and industrial markets. Generac’s power systems range in output from 800 watts to 9 megawatts. The most popular Generac system, the PWRcell (formerly known as PIKA Energy Lithium Battery Storage), provides at least 9kWh of storage capacity and includes:
- 1 Inverter
- 1 Battery storage cabinet
- 3 Lithium ion battery modules
PWRcell pairs with solar panels from third-party manufacturers. Based on your needs and your budget, Simpler Solar installers can determine the right panels to integrate with it.
- Enphase: This is an American energy technology company that develops and manufactures solar micro-inverters, battery energy storage, and EV charging stations primarily for residential customers. Their inverters achieve a CEC efficiency of 96.5% which is one of the highest in the industry. Their polymeric enclosure and cabling system also simplifies installation effectively.
- SolarEdge Technologies: SolarEdge is an Israeli company that develops and sells solar inverters for photovoltaic arrays, energy generation monitoring software, battery energy storage products, as well as other related products and services to residential, commercial and industrial customers. One key SolarEdge product used by solar companies is the StorEdge inverter. It comes in different models ranging in output power from 2200 to 6000 watts, and operating at an efficiency of 99.2%.
- SMA: They are producers and manufacturers of solar inverters for photovoltaics systems with grid connection, off-grid power supply and backup operations. Their inverters have an average rated power of 4000 watts and CEC efficiency of 96.5 percent.
- APsystems: APsystems offers solar microinverter technology for residential and commercial systems.
- Xantrex: Xantrex is an American company that designs, manufactures and markets power products that are used when on the move to provide auxiliary or emergency power.
Specific Solar Panels Offered
Simpler Solar Systems installs solar panels from the following solar manufacturers;
- Canadian Solar: They produce panels with a CEC efficiency of 18 to 19% and temperature coefficient of 0.36, which is good for a standard solar panel.
Specific Types of Solar Offered
Simpler Solar Systems offers grid-tied installations. They handle the following types of solar projects;
- Residential Solar: In this service, Simpler Solar Systems installs a complete solar energy kit customized to the electricity needs of a resident’s home.
- Commercial Solar: This service is designed for business organizations. It targets business owners who wish to opt for more economical energy-saving strategies to maximize profit long term.
Installation costs and process
Costs
Based on customer reviews, the cost of going solar with Simpler Solar Systems is about $3 per watt before any solar incentive. There are several solar incentives available that could cut these costs to very affordable levels. Incentives such as;
- Federal Solar Tax Credit (ITC): With this solar incentive, every solar patronizer in the US is eligible to a 26% tax credit for solar systems installed in the years 2020 to 2022, then it comes down to 22% in 2023. This means you can reduce the total cost of installing a solar system for your home or business by 26%. But remember this incentive applies to those who buy their system either by cash purchase or solar loan, and not leases.
- Net Metering Program: Electric utilities in Florida offer “true net metering” to customers with solar PV systems.
Some of the solar incentives available in Florida include;
- Florida Solar System Property Tax Exemption: Florida gives an additional 25% state solar tax credit for purchased home solar systems in the state. (Max. $5,000 state tax credit)
- Florida Solar Tax Exemption: Solar panels are exempt from the 6% sales tax in Florida.
Simpler Solar Systems offers the following financing options;
- Loan – You can apply for a loan through your local bank or credit union or explore Simpler Solar Systems’ loan options, allowing you to finance your solar system even if you cannot purchase it outright. Clients can also utilize tax credits and rebates for a cheaper payment.
- Lease – Low monthly payments to add solar to your home or business.
- PACE – Through the Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program, businesses in participating areas can pay for their solar system through their property tax, allowing repayment for up to 20 years on a fixed rate loan.
Based on our analysis of their competitors in the state, Simpler Solar Systems’ price rates meet the average standard solar rates in Florida. So their rates are not too expensive and not too cheap. The solar incentives available also cut Simpler Solar Systems’ price rates by more than 50%.
Legitimacy
- Simpler Solar Systems is registered and licensed to operate in the state of Florida.
- The company’s website is online.
- Simpler Solar Systems is not BBB accredited.
- The company’s contact details are publicly available. These include their street address, email, phone number and operating hours.
After conducting thorough research, we are confident to say Simpler Solar Systems is a fully registered and legitimate solar company.
Maintenance
Simpler Solar Systems provides after sales support and maintenance. SSS offers solar products with the following warranties;
- 10 Year Limited Warranty (Generac’s PWRcell)
- 25-year product warranty
- 25-year inverter warranty
The duration of each warranty varies with the solar manufacturer.
Customers have expressed satisfaction with Simpler Solar Systems’ maintenance team for their availability and timeliness.
Customer service
Simpler Solar Systems’s customer service has received positive reviews from clients. They have been commended for their responsiveness.
The SolarEmpower View
Simpler Solar Systems is a solar solutions provider located in Tallahassee, Florida.
Simpler Solar Systems has been in the solar business for decades. This makes a big statement about their level of experience in the field. But for a solar company that has been operating for over 41 years, the information we’ve uncovered so far is quite underwhelming, especially with regards the structure of the company, number of customer reviews found and quality of the company website. These underdeveloped areas of the company makes us less confident in recommending their services to our readers.
The table below is a summarized review of Simpler Solar Systems:
| Locations | Tallahassee, Florida |
| Services | Site Evaluation, Solar Systems Design, Solar Installations, Solar Financing, Residential Solar Hot Water, Solar Pool Heating Systems |
| Solar brands used | Generac, SMA, Enphase, Solaredge Technologies, APsystems, Xantrex, Canadian Solar |
| Cost | $3 per watt (before solar incentives) |
| Legitimacy | Fully registered and licensed, Website is online, BBB unaccredited, contact details publicly available. |
