Choosing a solar installer in North Carolina is not a small decision. You are making a long-term investment in your home and your energy independence. The company you pick will shape that experience from the first conversation to the last kilowatt-hour your system ever produces. Two names that often come up for homeowners in the Triangle and across NC are 8MSolar and Yes Solar Solutions. Both are local, both have real track records, and both are worth a serious look.
So how do you choose? This article gives you a comparison of both companies across the factors that matter: expertise, equipment options, transparency, warranties, and long-term support. By the end, you will have a picture of which installer is better aligned with your goals.
Key Points
- 8MSolar is the #1 Residential Solar Installer in NC for 2024 and 2025, and the #1 Commercial and Government installer in the state.
- 8MSolar is the only local installer in NC licensed as a Chapter 87 Engineering Firm, meaning a licensed professional engineer (PE) reviews and stamps every project.
- 8MSolar offers a Lifetime Workmanship and Roof Penetrations Warranty, a 5-year annual production guarantee, and a free 1-year post-installation performance report.
- Yes Solar Solutions is a well-established Cary-based installer with 15+ years of experience and the only NABCEP-accredited company in NC.
- Both companies are Tesla Powerwall Certified Installers and serve the greater Triangle area.
- Equipment flexibility, engineering depth, and long-term accountability are areas where 8MSolar holds a clear structural advantage.
8MSolar vs. Yes Solar Solutions: A Direct Comparison
At a high level, both companies are credible local installers with real experience in the North Carolina market. Yes Solar Solutions was founded in Cary in 2009 and has completed over 2,500 installations. 8MSolar is headquartered in Raleigh and serves NC, VA, and SC with a team of employees and installation crews who are locally owned and operated.
The differences become more meaningful when you look at the depth of each company’s engineering capabilities, the breadth of their equipment options, and what their warranty packages actually cover over the life of your system.
Expertise and Engineering
One of the most overlooked questions homeowners can ask a solar company is: “Who is designing my system, and what are their qualifications?” The answer matters a lot for long-term performance.
8MSolar is the only local solar installer in North Carolina licensed as a Chapter 87 Engineering Firm. That means every system design gets an internal review and official stamp from a licensed professional engineer (PE) on staff. This isn’t a third-party review or a rubber stamp from a contracted firm. It is in-house engineering accountability, which translates directly into better designs, fewer problems at permitting, and systems that perform as promised.
Yes Solar Solutions holds both an unlimited general contractor’s license and an electrical license, which are solid credentials. They also hold NABCEP company accreditation, which is the most rigorous industry certification available and one that Yes Solar is rightly proud of. NABCEP sets a high bar for training and professional development, and it is a meaningful credential.
That said, NABCEP accreditation and a Chapter 87 engineering license are different things. One speaks to training standards; the other gives your installer the legal authority to produce and stamp engineered drawings in the state of North Carolina. For homeowners who want every i dotted and t crossed, that engineering credential is a big differentiator.
8MSolar’s expertise extends well beyond residential work. They are the #1 Commercial and Government Installer in NC, with completed projects for RDU Airport, the City of Raleigh, the City of Durham, the Town of Apex, Morrisville, Caterpillar, Honda of NC, and bioMerieux, among others. That level of commercial and government work demands rigorous engineering and project management. The processes and standards they bring to those projects carry over to every residential installation they do.
Equipment Options
Not all solar panels are created equal, and the right equipment depends on your roof, your energy goals, and your budget. A good installer presents you with options and explains the tradeoffs honestly. A less thorough one installs whatever they have the best margin on.
8MSolar takes a hardware-agnostic approach. They regularly survey the market and identify the best panels for each customer situation. Their preferred brands include Qcells (with a 25-year product warranty and 25-year power output warranty guaranteeing 90.58% output in year 25), REC Group (guaranteeing 92% of year-one output in year 25, with 8MSolar holding REC ProTrust Installer status), Silfab, and Panasonic Evervolt. You get real options with real explanations, not a single-brand pitch.
The same flexibility applies to inverters and batteries. 8MSolar helps you choose from multiple battery brands and inverter configurations based on what fits your home. If you want a Tesla Powerwall 3, they are a Tesla Premier Certified Installer. If another battery solution is better for your situation, they will tell you that too.
Yes Solar Solutions mainly partners with Tesla for battery storage, offers SPAN panels, and focuses largely on the Tesla ecosystem. For homeowners who have already decided on a Powerwall, that is a fine fit. But if you want a side-by-side comparison of battery options or want to explore alternatives, the conversation at 8MSolar will go deeper.
On the panel side, both companies offer quality equipment. The distinction is the degree of choice and the engineering rigor behind the recommendation.
Transparency and Honesty
Solar can be a confusing purchase. The financial projections, production estimates, incentive stacking, and long-term payback calculations are easy to manipulate to make a proposal look better than it is. The best installers build their reputation on telling you the truth, even when the truth is complicated.
8MSolar has built its whole reputation on this. Every question gets answered with expert knowledge, and every step of the process is explained clearly. There are no hidden fees, no bait-and-switch on equipment, and no inflated production estimates to win a sale. Their engineers and project managers are the people you talk to throughout the process.
Yes Solar Solutions emphasizes their commitment to transparency and customer service, and their customer reviews reflect a largely positive experience. Their Yes Solar Portal gives homeowners visibility into system performance, installation progress, and service requests.
The structural difference is that 8MSolar’s transparency is backed by an engineering firm’s accountability. When a PE stamps your plans, they are personally and professionally liable for those drawings. That is a level of built-in honesty that no amount of good intentions can replicate.
Warranty Coverage
Warranties are where the marketing language meets real-world accountability. Here is how the two companies compare.
8MSolar Warranty Package:
- Lifetime Workmanship and Roof Penetrations Warranty
- 5-year annual production guarantee
- 1-year post-installation performance report at no cost (8MSolar’s internal service team reviews your production, verifies everything is working correctly, and sends you a detailed analysis)
- 90%+ output guaranteed at 25 to 30 years (panel manufacturer warranties)
- 30-year panel power output warranty
- 25-year mounting system warranty
- 10 to 15-year battery warranties
The lifetime workmanship warranty is particularly important. Roof penetrations that fail years after installation are a real problem with substandard solar work, and most installers do not stand behind them indefinitely. 8MSolar does.
Yes Solar Solutions Warranty Coverage:
Yes Solar Solutions offers standard manufacturer warranties on their equipment and backs their installation work. Their annual maintenance plan (available through the Yes Solar Portal) provides ongoing access to performance data and service ticketing. Specific warranty terms are worth discussing directly with their team.
The 1-year free performance report from 8MSolar is a standout feature. Most installers walk away after the job is done. Having the team that installed your system proactively check in, verify production data, and confirm everything is functioning correctly after year one is the kind of follow-through that pays off over a 25-year system lifespan.
Awards and Recognition
Awards aren’t the only thing that matters, but they are a useful proxy for consistent performance. Here is where 8MSolar stands:
- #1 Residential Solar Installer in NC, 2024 and 2025
- #1 Commercial and Government Installer in NC
- EnergySage Local Installer of the Year in NC, 2024 and 2025
- NCSEA Sustainable Business of the Year, 2024
- Tesla Premier Certified Installer
Yes Solar Solutions has earned the Cary Chamber of Commerce Sustainable Small Business of the Year and holds NABCEP company accreditation, which is a genuine industry distinction. They have built a good reputation over 15 years in the market.
Winning EnergySage’s Local Installer of the Year two years in a row is notable. EnergySage pulls reviews and performance data from across the platform, and their rankings are not based on self-reported information. It is a consumer-side validation of 8MSolar’s work.
Service After the Sale
The solar installer you choose is also the company you will be calling if something ever goes wrong with your system. That relationship can last 25 to 30 years. It matters who picks up the phone.
8MSolar operates an in-house service team with industry-leading warranty replacement response times, remote monitoring, and on-site diagnostics. They don’t outsource service to third parties. The same team that knows your system is the one that fixes it.
Yes Solar Solutions offers service through their Yes Solar Portal, including one-click service ticket submission and access to their NABCEP-accredited team. They also offer an Annual Maintenance Plan that includes cleanings, inspections, and repair support. For homeowners who want a structured maintenance program with an app interface, it is a well-organized offering.
The difference comes down to staffing model. 8MSolar’s service team is internal and dedicated. That is not a criticism of Yes Solar’s approach, but for homeowners who prioritize rapid response and institutional knowledge of their specific system, an in-house team is a meaningful advantage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 8MSolar or Yes Solar Solutions better for a basic residential installation?
Both are capable companies for residential solar in the Triangle. The deciding factor is how much you value engineering depth, equipment flexibility, and long-term warranty coverage. If you want a licensed PE reviewing your plans, multiple panel and battery brands to choose from, a lifetime workmanship warranty, and a free one-year performance check-in, 8MSolar is the stronger fit. If NABCEP accreditation and a structured app-based monitoring platform are your top priorities, Yes Solar Solutions is worth considering.
Does it matter that 8MSolar is a Chapter 87 Engineering Firm?
Yes, it matters more than most homeowners realize. A Chapter 87 license means a licensed professional engineer on 8MSolar’s internal staff reviews and stamps your system drawings. That level of engineering oversight reduces design errors, smooths permitting, and creates legal accountability for your system’s design. No other local installer in NC holds this license.
What solar panels does 8MSolar install?
8MSolar is hardware agnostic and selects equipment based on each homeowner’s situation. They regularly work with Qcells, REC Group, Silfab, and Panasonic Evervolt panels, and can recommend premium or high-value options depending on your budget and roof conditions.
Can I get a battery with my solar system from either company?
Yes. Both companies install battery storage. 8MSolar offers multiple battery brands and will help you compare options based on your energy needs and budget. Yes Solar Solutions focuses primarily on Tesla Powerwall and SPAN panels. If you want a straightforward Powerwall installation, both are certified. If you want to compare options, 8MSolar gives you more to work with.
What warranties should I expect from a quality solar installer?
At a minimum, look for a workmanship warranty of at least 10 years, manufacturer panel warranties of 25 years or more, and clarity on who handles warranty claims after installation. 8MSolar provides a Lifetime Workmanship and Roof Penetrations Warranty, a 5-year annual production guarantee, and a free one-year performance report from their internal service team. These are among the strongest post-installation commitments available from any NC installer.
Does either company serve Virginia or South Carolina?
8MSolar is fully licensed in NC, VA, and SC. Yes Solar Solutions serves within 100 miles of Cary, NC, which is primarily a North Carolina footprint. If you are in Virginia or South Carolina, 8MSolar is the clear choice.
Who does 8MSolar work with on commercial and government projects?
8MSolar has completed commercial and government projects for RDU Airport, the City of Raleigh, the City of Durham, the Town of Apex, Morrisville, Caterpillar, Honda of NC, and bioMerieux, among others across North Carolina. Their commercial and government project management experience directly strengthens their residential operations.
Making the Right Call for Your Home
Both 8MSolar and Yes Solar Solutions are legitimate, locally owned solar companies doing good work in North Carolina. Yes Solar Solutions has a long track record, strong NABCEP credentials, and a well-designed customer portal. If you are shopping for solar in the Triangle, they are worth talking to.
That said, 8MSolar brings a combination of credentials, engineering depth, equipment flexibility, and warranty coverage that is difficult to match. Being the only Chapter 87 Engineering Firm among local NC installers is not a marketing claim. It is a license that requires qualified engineers on staff and creates direct accountability for every system design. The lifetime workmanship warranty, the free one-year performance report, and the hardware-agnostic approach to equipment all reflect a company that is thinking about your system’s performance over its full 25 to 30 year life, not just the day of installation.
If you are ready to get a straight answer about what solar can do for your home, contact 8MSolar. You will get expert knowledge at every step, honest recommendations, and an installation backed by the strongest warranty package available from any local North Carolina installer.