When you go solar, who’s really responsible? The company that sold you the contract, or the crew that shows up to build your system?
In much of the solar industry, those are two different entities. Many companies outsource both their sales and their installation work, handing you off from one company to another in a relay race where no one truly owns the result.
Atma Energy does it differently. From your first conversation to your final inspection, every step is handled by a trained, in-house team member. And that makes all the difference.
Why does it matter who does the work
Too often, homeowners don’t realize they’re not actually working with the company whose logo is on the contract. Behind the scenes, the industry is full of third-party sales dealers and installer companies that have no ties to the original contract or long-term responsibility for the customer experience. The result? Disconnected handoffs, confusing communication, and finger-pointing when something goes wrong.
The San Antonio Express-News investigation, In Broad Daylight, showed just how damaging this model can be. From door-to-door salespeople making misleading claims to installation teams unfamiliar with local codes or equipment, the risks to homeowners multiply when the original company takes a hands-off approach.
"Homeowners often think they’re hiring one company. But when a different company installs the system, you’re actually dealing with two companies—and neither feels fully responsible for the customer’s satisfaction." —Supratim Srinivasan, CEO
Real Atma team, real results
Some of the Atma team at the 2025 Best Places to Work Awards. Every person you see here helps bring your solar project to life.
We don’t outsource our core promise. Instead:
Our Residential Solar Advisors are W-2 employees trained to educate, not pressure.
Our installation crews work directly for Atma and follow our safety and quality protocols.
This integrated model ensures:
Seamless communication between sales, design, and install teams
Standardized processes across every home
Clear accountability for performance, service, and follow-up
"I love working at Atma because our in-house team is made up of true professionals who care deeply about the customer experience. It feels good knowing every project is handled by people I trust."
—Cameron Davis, Residential Solar Advisor
"Being a Residential Solar Advisor at Atma Energy means you’re not just selling a system—you’re part of a deeply connected team that sees the project through from the first conversation to the final energization of the system. Thanks to our talented and diligent engineering team, I'm able to navigate projects with the utmost confidence in precision, design and quality. Because we don’t outsource, I know the install crew, I trust their work, and I can confidently stand behind every statement I make to a homeowner."
—Chris Evans, Residential Solar Advisor
What’s the difference?
| Factor | Outsourced Model | Atma's In-House Model |
|---|---|---|
| Who’s responsible? | Multiple entities | Single company (Atma) |
| Quality consistency | Varies by company | Standardized process |
| Customer experience | Hand-offs & delays | Seamless |
| Post-Install support | Harder to resolve issues | Same company you hired |
A customer story: consistency you can feel
Zach M. shared:
"My wife and I are very happy to have worked with Atma Energy for the installation of our solar system (18kW pv) and whole home backup (30kWh of Enphase batteries)... From the initial sales process to the final installation, every step was executed with excellence and professionalism."
He described Atma’s team as responsive, technically skilled, and deeply respectful of his home. And because everyone involved was part of the same company, the process was smooth, transparent, and free from surprises.
Ahead of the curve on policy, too
With Texas SB 1036 and similar bills aiming to increase solar accountability, Atma’s fully in-house model is already setting the standard others are now being asked to follow. We didn’t wait for regulations to tell us to take responsibility—we built our company on that principle.
Why it matters
Outsourced work can sometimes appear to be faster or cheaper on paper. But in practice, it leads to confusion, conflict, and corners cut.
At Atma, we believe in ownership. That’s why we hire, train, and stand behind every person who represents our name. It’s how we protect our customers. And it’s how we keep our promise.
Next in the series
Building trust, not just systems: why Atma welcomes solar oversight — Next time, we’ll look at why accountability and transparency are good for the industry, and how Atma leads the way by embracing clear rules, open inspections, and consumer protections.