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10 Best Solar Companies in Albany, CA

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Written By David Cusick

Last Updated June 2024

Rooftop solar is one of the most easily accessible forms of renewable energy for Albany residents. Solar power can cut your energy costs and shrink your carbon footprint. However, it's important to select a reputable solar installer. That’s why, after conducting thorough research on installers, we put together a guide to the most dependable solar companies in Albany. These installers have a reputation for high-quality service.

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Top Pick
4.2/5
  • Long warranty options
  • Insurance available on panels
  • Free Tesla Power Wall maintenance
Best Customer Service
3.9/5
  • Great customer service
  • Good warranty options
  • Excellent industry reputation

Top 10 Best Solar Companies in Albany

Advertisement This site receives compensation from some of the companies featured in this listing, which may impact where and how products appear. When you click "Get Quote," you will be connected with partners who may contact you with information related to your inquiry. This listing doesn't feature all companies, products, or offers that may be available.

SunPower

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880 Harbour Way S Suite 600, Richmond, CA 94804 (510) 540-0550 us.sunpower.com

Informative resources

Clear pricing policy

Reliable customer support

Services Offered

Consultation
Battery storage
Panel installation

SunPower by The Solar Quote

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2819 W March Ln #154, Stockton, CA 95219 (888) 944-6765 sunpowerbythesolarquote.com

Informative resources

Clear pricing policy

Prompt service delivery

Free quotes

Reliable customer support

Services Offered

Cleaning and maintenance
Grid-tied solar system
Battery storage
Consultation
Panel installation

SolarUnion

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1700 Montgomery St Suite 108, San Francisco, CA 94111 (888) 815-6633 solarunion.com

Informative resources

Clear pricing policy

Reliable customer support

Services Offered

Solar panel upgrades
Cleaning and maintenance
Skilled repairs
Consultation
Panel installation
Battery storage

Save a Lot Solar

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1201 Tenth St, Berkeley, CA 94706 (833) 876-5272 savealotsolar.com

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Reliable customer support

Free quotes

Clear pricing policy

Prompt service delivery

Services Offered

Off-grid solar systems
Battery storage
Panel installation
Permit assistance

Ally Electric And Solar Inc

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855 Marina Bay Pkwy #280, Richmond, CA 94804 (510) 559-7700 allyelectricandsolar.com

Free quotes

Clear pricing policy

Reliable customer support

Informative resources

Services Offered

Panel installation
Tesla powerwall
Solar panel upgrades
Cleaning and maintenance
Battery storage

CivicSolar, Inc

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304 12th St #3b, Oakland, CA 94607 (800) 409-2257 civicsolar.com

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Battery storage
Panel installation

GRID Alternatives

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1171 Ocean Ave UNIT 200, Oakland, CA 94608 (510) 731-1310 gridalternatives.org

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Services Offered

Panel installation
Battery storage

Symmetric Energy

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3020 Bridgeway, Sausalito, CA 94965 (415) 257-3060 symmetricenergy.com

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Free quotes

Clear pricing policy

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Consultation
Panel installation

HCI SOLAR

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2121 N California Blvd STE 290, Walnut Creek, CA 94596 (415) 910-6808 hcisolarusa.com

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Prompt service delivery

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Solar carports
Panel installation
Off-grid solar systems
Skilled repairs
Battery storage

Source Energy

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161 N Civic Dr #400, Walnut Creek, CA 94596 (925) 319-6634 sourcenergy.solar

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Clear pricing policy

Reliable customer support

Services Offered

Financing assistance
Consultation
Panel installation
Today's Homeowner Ranking Methodology

Today's Homeowner looks at dozens of datapoints on solar companies to come up with our data-driven rankings. It's not possible for a company to pay for preferential treatment in our rankings. We look at the following key factors in determining who should top our list:

  • Company Experience
  • Real User Reviews
  • Company Reputation
  • Accreditations and Licenses
  • Service Area
  • Customer Service
Have questions about our methodology or company ratings? Reach out to FindAPro@TodaysHomeowner.com.

How To Choose a Solar Company

Putting solar panels on your roof could reduce your electricity payments while helping the environment by reducing your carbon footprint through renewable energy use. Key considerations when looking at local solar installers are as follows.

Check Licensing

Hiring a licensed solar installer is critical. This help guarantee that the work is done properly using current installation best practices. There are five specific levels of solar contracting licenses in California: boilers, PV electrical, HVAC, thermal, and pool heating. To earn licensure, a contractor must take a highly comprehensive educational series, gain four years of field experience, and pass written exams.

Read Customer Reviews

Check Google Reviews, TrustPilot, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and other review sites to see what past customers are saying about local solar providers. Detailed reviews on these platforms can help you evaluate a provider's reliability and customer service. Stay away from providers with few or mainly poor reviews.

Compare Multiple Quotes

To find a solar installer that works with your budget, ask for free, detailed quotes from 3–5 providers. The quotes should outline all costs and list the solar equipment included. Looking at several quotes helps you identify the option that best fits your budget.

Ask About the Warranty

Quality solar installations should come with comprehensive workmanship and performance warranties. The workmanship guarantee covers any installation problems such as cracks in the panels, poor alignment, or poor wiring. The performance warranty promises a specific energy output level. Strong warranties indicate that a solar installer trusts its installations.

Evaluate Financing and Incentives

Going solar can help reduce your energy expenses. Be sure to consider these aspects when judging the cost and value of solar panels.

  • Research federal and state tax credits: A 26% federal solar tax credit on the full system cost is available through 2032. Many states also have incentives. These credits provide substantial savings for solar customers.
  • Compare system purchase options: Solar panels can be purchased upfront or financed through leases or loans. Review important financing details such as payment schedule, fees, annual percentage rate (APR), and ownership implications when financing your solar system.
  • Look into utility rebates: Local power companies may have extra financial benefits to incentivize homeowners to install solar panels. Review the requirements to qualify and the rebate amounts with your local provider to calculate your potential savings.

Cost of Solar Installation in Albany

The cost of home solar panels in Albany will depend on several factors, including the size of the system and the type of panels you'll use. Generally speaking, a typical solar energy system could range from $3,470 per kilowatt, not including permit fees, preliminary work, or labor. Most solar systems in Albany are 3.0 kilowatts, and the typical Albany homeowners spends $7,314 after accounting for federal tax refunds. Some homeowners may prefer to lease solar panels and reduce upfront costs.

Albany Solar Incentives Guide

Incentive Type: Property Tax Incentive

Website: boe.ca.gov

Incentive Amount:

100% of system value; 75% of system value exemption for dual-use equipment

Incentive Type: PACE Financing

Website: wrcog.us

Incentive Amount:

Eligible products can be financed for up to 25 years, depending on the useful life of the eligible product.
Minimum financing: $5,000
The financing may not exceed fifteen percent (15%) of the market value of the property, up to the first seven hundred thousand dollars ($700,000) of the property’s market value, and ten percent (10%) of the remaining value of the Property above seven hundred thousand dollars ($700,000) minus any PACE assessment on the propertyThe total amount of any annual property taxes and assessments shall not exceed five percent (5%) of the property's fair market value, determined at the time program financing is approved.

Incentive Type: PACE Financing

Incentive Amount:

Locally determined

Incentive Type: Rebate Program

Website: selfgenca.com

Incentive Amount:

For projects 30 kW or larger, 50% of incentive will be received up-front; 50% will be received based on actual kWh production over the first 5 years. For projects under 30kW, 100% of the incentive will be paid up front.
Incentives will step down over time. See below for incentive amounts.

Incentive Type: Feed-in Tariff

Website: cpuc.ca.gov

Incentive Type: Feed-in Tariff

Website: ladwp.com

Incentive Amount:

$0.17/kWh adjusted by a time of delivery multiplier
Base price will step down over time as certain MW goals are met

Incentive Type: Rebate Program

Website: gosolarcalifornia.ca.gov

Incentive Amount:

Step 1 Incentive Rates (contact utility to determine current incentive levels):
Single Family Residential Incentives:
Systems that displace natural gas: $29.85 per estimated therm displaced
Systems that displace electricity or propane: Funding has been exhausted
Commercial/Multifamily Incentives:
Systems that displace natural gas: $20.19 per estimated therm displaced
Systems that displace electricity or propane: $0.42 per estimated kWh displaced *** Note, funding has been exhausted in this category for SCE and PG&E
Solar Pool heating: $5.00 per estimated therm displaced

Incentive Type: Personal Tax Credit

Website: ecowatch.com

Incentive Amount:

30% federal tax credit for systems placed in service after 12/31/2021 and before 01/01/2033. Good for: solar water heat, solar photovoltaics, biomass, geothermal heat pumps, wind (small), fuel cells using renewable fuels.

Frequently Asked Questions About Solar in Albany, CA

A solar photovoltaic (PV) array can generate power to run any electric system or appliance in your home. If you don't want to use solar power for your entire home, you can install a solar water heating system.

With home solar PV, you can recoup the cost of the system over time, lower your home's carbon footprint, and gain additional energy independence.

It depends on your location and what type of panels you're installing. With the winter months in California being very mild, you have a lengthy window to install your panels, though they won't achieve peak performance until summer arrives.

Yes, you can use home solar energy alongside conventional power sources. In most parts of the country, solar panels are designed to supplement your existing energy sources, so you can reap the environmental benefits and savings of solar energy without having to completely switch over.

Generally speaking, your energy bills will significantly decrease after you install solar panels. This is because you're using the energy you generate for free rather than buying it from your power company. In Albany, the average amount someone can save is $1,053 per year. With net metering programs offered by many utilities, you could ultimately make a profit from your system once the payback period passes.

The maintenance you'll need to do will vary based on the type of solar panels you have. With any system, you should clean and inspect each panel every three months. Your solar installation company might offer comprehensive plans where they'll do the maintenance for you.

While solar energy might not be ideal for some in wet or dark areas, the latest generation of equipment and energy storage systems could boost your property's solar viability enough to achieve a return on investment. A contractor could also recommend a different primary source of renewable energy like wind or geothermal to boost your generation.

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