If you live in North Carolina or Virginia and are searching for a solar installer, you have options. Blue Raven Solar is a national company now operating as a SunPower company, with a presence across more than 20 states. 8MSolar is the East Coast’s number one solar installer, rooted in Raleigh, NC, and built around the energy needs of homeowners and businesses in this region.
Both companies install solar panels. Both have customer reviews. But when you dig into what each one actually offers, the differences become clear quickly. This comparison covers what matters most: equipment quality, warranties, local expertise, engineering standards, and long-term support. By the end, you will have what you need to make a confident decision.
Key Points
- 8MSolar is the #1 Residential Solar Installer in NC in 2024 and 2025, with deep local roots in Raleigh.
- 8MSolar is a licensed Chapter 87 Engineering Firm, the only local installer in NC with this distinction.
- 8MSolar offers a Lifetime Workmanship and Roof Penetrations Warranty; Blue Raven offers 10 years.
- 8MSolar provides a free 1-year post-installation performance report; Blue Raven’s service warranty is 2 years.
- 8MSolar installs for major government and commercial clients including RDU Airport, the City of Raleigh, and Caterpillar.
- Blue Raven Solar is a national franchise now owned by SunPower, headquartered in Utah.
Who Are 8MSolar and Blue Raven Solar?
8MSolar is a locally owned and operated solar company based in Raleigh, NC. Their team of employees and installation crews lives and works in the communities they serve. They are fully licensed in NC, VA, and SC, and hold a Chapter 87 Engineering Firm license, making them the only local installer in North Carolina with a licensed professional engineer (PE) on staff to review and stamp every system plan. They have been recognized as the NCSEA Sustainable Business of the Year 2024 and EnergySage Local Installer of the Year in NC for both 2024 and 2025.
Blue Raven Solar is a national company headquartered in Orem, Utah. They were acquired by SunPower and now operate as a SunPower company with installations in over 20 states. Their North Carolina locations include Raleigh, Charlotte, Greensboro, Fayetteville, and Wilmington. Blue Raven positions itself as a speed-and-simplicity installer, advertising single-day installations and 18 months of covered solar loan payments to attract new customers.
The distinction is important: one company was built here, for here. The other operates here as one part of a larger national footprint.
Equipment and Panel Options
When you invest in solar, the panels and components on your roof will be there for 25 to 30 years. The quality of that equipment, and the flexibility to choose the right option for your home, matters.
8MSolar: Premium Equipment With Choices
8MSolar is hardware agnostic, meaning they are not locked into one brand or one panel type. They regularly evaluate the best available equipment and recommend what suits each customer. Their preferred panel brands include:
- Qcells: 420W to 440W panels with a 25-year power output warranty guaranteeing 90.58% output in year 25.
- REC Group: The REC Pure RX 460W panel guarantees 92% of year-one output through year 25. 8MSolar is a REC ProTrust Installer, unlocking extended warranty eligibility for customers.
- Silfab Elite 420W: Back-contact technology with 21.9% efficiency and a 30-year linear power performance guarantee.
- Panasonic Evervolt HK2: Heterojunction cell technology with module efficiencies up to 22.2%.
Customers also have a choice of inverter brands and battery systems, including Tesla Powerwall. 8MSolar is a Tesla Premier Certified Installer, one of the highest-level certifications Tesla awards.
Blue Raven Solar: One Product Line
Blue Raven Solar installs SunPower panels and Enphase microinverters across their system. As a SunPower company, their product offering is tied to that ecosystem. This means less flexibility. If you want to compare panel options or explore a different inverter brand, that conversation has a shorter runway at Blue Raven than it does at 8MSolar.
That is not necessarily a dealbreaker for every homeowner, but it is worth knowing before you have the conversation.
Equipment Comparison at a Glance
| Feature | 8MSolar |
| Panel brands available | Qcells, REC, Silfab, Panasonic, and others |
| Inverter options | Multiple brands, customer’s choice |
| Battery options | Multiple brands including Tesla Powerwall |
| Tesla certification | Premier Certified Installer |
| Panel efficiency range | Up to 22.2% |
| Panel power output warranty | 30 years (select brands) |
Warranties and Post-Installation Support
Warranties are one of the most important parts of a solar purchase. A system installed today needs to perform reliably for decades, and your installer’s long-term commitment to that system tells you a lot about how they operate.
8MSolar’s Warranty Package
8MSolar offers one of the most comprehensive warranty and support packages in the industry:
- Lifetime Workmanship and Roof Penetrations Warranty: This covers the quality of the installation itself with no expiration date. No other local installer in NC matches this.
- 5-Year Annual Production Guarantee: Your system’s output is guaranteed for the first five years.
- 90%+ Output Guarantee Through Years 25 to 30: Your panels are expected to produce at or above 90% of their original capacity well into their useful life.
- Manufacturer Warranties Backed by Real Engineers: 30-year panel power output warranties, 25-year mounting system warranties, and 10 to 15-year battery warranties.
- Free 1-Year Post-Installation Performance Report: 8MSolar’s in-house service team reviews your system’s annual production, verifies everything is working properly, and sends you a detailed production analysis, all at no cost to you.
- In-House 8MSolar Service Team: Industry-leading equipment warranty replacements, diagnostics, response times, and remote monitoring, all handled by 8MSolar’s own team, not a third-party.
Blue Raven Solar’s Warranty Package
Blue Raven Solar offers the following warranties:
- 2-Year Service Warranty: During the first two years, Blue Raven handles any repairs and manufacturer warranty claims for free.
- 10-Year Workmanship Warranty: Covers design, installation, waterproof roof penetrations, and error-free operation.
- Production Guarantee: Blue Raven guarantees your system will hit projected output. If it falls more than 50% below projection for 3 consecutive months, or 15% below for 18 consecutive months, they will add panels or pay you for the shortfall.
- Manufacturer Warranties: After two years, customers handle their own manufacturer claims, with Blue Raven offering assistance.
The main difference is what happens after the first two years. With Blue Raven, your hands-on service relationship with the installer becomes more limited. With 8MSolar, their in-house team continues monitoring, reviewing, and supporting your system for the life of your investment.
Engineering Standards and Local Licensing
This is one of the biggest differentiators between 8MSolar and Blue Raven Solar, and it is one that most homeowners don’t know to ask about.
8MSolar holds a Chapter 87 Engineering Firm license. This is a specialized license that authorizes engineering practice, and 8MSolar is the only local solar installer in North Carolina with this credential. What that means for you: every system plan is reviewed and stamped by 8MSolar’s own licensed professional engineer (PE) in-house. Your project doesn’t go through a third-party stamp or a remote engineering review from another state. It goes through a local engineer who understands North Carolina’s code requirements, utility standards, and climate conditions.
Blue Raven Solar, as a national company, uses standardized design processes across markets. While they have professional engineering support, there is no indication they hold a Chapter 87 license or employ a local licensed PE for NC-specific plans.
For homeowners, this matters in several ways. Local engineering means your system is designed for your home’s structural load, your roof type, and your local utility’s interconnection requirements. It also means a faster permitting process and fewer surprises down the road.
Local Roots vs. National Scale
When you call 8MSolar, you reach a team based in Raleigh. When something needs attention at your home, the people who respond are the same people who installed your system. This is what it means to be locally owned and operated.
Blue Raven Solar operates across 20-plus states with a corporate structure headquartered in Utah. At the local level, their teams work within a national framework. Customer support is centralized, and post-installation service flows through national processes. This is not a knock on Blue Raven’s individual installers, who are often skilled and professional. But the relationship you have with your installer after installation day is a different kind of relationship at a national company than it is at a locally owned one.
8MSolar’s commercial and government work further illustrates their scale and credibility within North Carolina. They are the number one commercial and government solar installer in NC, with projects for RDU Airport, the City of Raleigh, the City of Durham, the Town of Apex, Morrisville, Caterpillar, Honda of NC, and bioMerieux. This is not a residential-only company. They bring institutional-grade engineering and project management to every installation, residential or commercial.
Awards and Recognition
| 8MSolar Recognition | Blue Raven Solar Recognition |
| #1 Residential Solar Installer in NC (2024, 2025) | 10,000+ 5-star reviews nationally |
| NCSEA Sustainable Business of the Year 2024 | BBB accredited |
| EnergySage Local Installer of the Year NC (2024, 2025) | SunPower company affiliation |
| Tesla Premier Certified Installer | |
| REC ProTrust Installer | |
| #1 Commercial & Government Installer in NC |
Transparency and the Customer Experience
Solar is a major purchase. Most homeowners spend $15,000 to $40,000 on a system and live with that investment for 25 to 30 years. How a company communicates during the sales process, installation, and post-installation support says a lot about what they value.
8MSolar’s model is built on answering every question with expert knowledge. Their team includes licensed engineers, certified installers, and a dedicated in-house service department. When you ask about your system’s output projections, the panels recommended for your roof, or how your interconnection application works with Duke Energy, you get a detailed answer from someone who knows your specific project.
The free 1-year performance report is a concrete example of this philosophy. After your first year, 8MSolar’s service team analyzes how your system actually performed versus how it was designed to perform, and shares that information with you at no cost. This is not a standard industry practice. Most installers, including Blue Raven, do not offer this as a standard service.
Blue Raven Solar’s model is built around speed and simplicity. Their messaging emphasizes single-day installs, $0 down, and 18 months of covered loan payments. These are genuine selling points, and their customer reviews reflect a smooth installation experience. Where their model is less explicit is in the depth of long-term support and ongoing customer education.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Blue Raven Solar available in North Carolina?
Yes. Blue Raven Solar operates in Raleigh, Charlotte, Greensboro, Fayetteville, and Wilmington. They are a national company now operating as a SunPower company, so their North Carolina presence is one part of a much larger multi-state operation.
What makes 8MSolar the #1 installer in NC?
8MSolar has been recognized as the number one residential solar installer in North Carolina for both 2024 and 2025. They hold more local awards and certifications than any comparable installer in the state, including the EnergySage Local Installer of the Year award for two consecutive years, the NCSEA Sustainable Business of the Year award, and a Tesla Premier Certified Installer designation. They are also the largest commercial and government solar installer in NC, with installations at RDU Airport, the City of Raleigh, and numerous major corporations.
Does Blue Raven Solar offer a lifetime workmanship warranty?
No. Blue Raven Solar offers a 10-year workmanship warranty. 8MSolar offers a Lifetime Workmanship and Roof Penetrations Warranty with no expiration date.
What is a Chapter 87 Engineering Firm license and why does it matter?
Chapter 87 refers to the section of North Carolina General Statutes governing the practice of engineering. A Chapter 87 Engineering Firm license authorizes a firm to perform engineering services under the supervision of a licensed professional engineer. 8MSolar is the only local solar installer in NC with this license, meaning your system design is reviewed and stamped by an in-house licensed PE. This leads to more precise system design, faster permitting, and a higher standard of technical accountability.
What is the free 1-year performance report from 8MSolar?
After your first year with a solar system installed by 8MSolar, their in-house service team reviews your system’s actual production data, compares it to projections, verifies everything is operating correctly, and delivers a full production analysis to you, at no charge. This is a proactive service unique to 8MSolar.
Can I choose my own panels and inverter with 8MSolar?
Yes. 8MSolar is hardware agnostic, meaning they evaluate multiple brands and give you real options. Their preferred panel brands include Qcells, REC, Silfab, and Panasonic Evervolt, and they offer a choice of inverter and battery brands. Blue Raven Solar installs within the SunPower product ecosystem, which limits your choices.
Does Blue Raven Solar do commercial solar installations?
Blue Raven Solar focuses primarily on residential installations. 8MSolar is both the largest residential and the largest commercial and government solar installer in North Carolina. Their commercial clients include RDU Airport, the City of Raleigh, the City of Durham, Caterpillar, and Honda of NC.
Who handles warranty claims and service after installation?
With 8MSolar, service is handled in-house by their dedicated 8MSolar Service Team, including remote monitoring, diagnostics, and warranty replacements. With Blue Raven Solar, their hands-on service warranty is two years. After that, the customer takes the lead on manufacturer warranty claims, with Blue Raven offering assistance.
The Right Choice for North Carolina Homeowners
Both 8MSolar and Blue Raven Solar will install solar panels on your home. But the experience, the equipment quality, the engineering oversight, and the long-term support you receive are meaningfully different.
If you are looking for a locally owned company with the deepest technical credentials in the state, a lifetime workmanship warranty, premium panel options, and a team that will still be actively monitoring your system a decade after installation, 8MSolar is the clear choice. They are not just the most recognized residential solar installer in North Carolina. They are also the state’s largest commercial and government installer, bringing that same level of engineering discipline and accountability to every home they work on.
To get started or learn more, contact 8MSolar today. Your system deserves more than a single-day installation by a national company. It deserves the attention of local engineers who will be here long after your panels go up.