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Last Updated: February 25, 2025
Every year, more Altadena homeowners adopt rooftop solar panels to lower their carbon footprint and add value to their property. Solar power can cut your energy costs and shrink your carbon footprint. However, it's important to hire a qualified solar installer. Luckily, we’ve conducted comprehensive research local solar installers and created a guide to the best solar companies in Altadena. These proven and dependable providers are smart choices homeowners can depend on.
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Prompt service delivery
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Free quotes
Services Offered
Our Rating
User Rating
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Prompt service delivery
Services Offered
Our Rating
User Rating
Free quotes
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Our Rating
User Rating
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Our Rating
User Rating
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Prompt service delivery
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Our Rating
User Rating
Free quotes
Prompt service delivery
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Our Rating
User Rating
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Prompt service delivery
Informative resources
Services Offered
Our Rating
User Rating
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Prompt service delivery
Services Offered
Our Rating
User Rating
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Family-operated business
Free quotes
Informative resources
Services Offered
Our Rating
User Rating
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Services Offered
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:
Putting solar panels on your roof could reduce your electricity payments while benefiting the planet by reducing your carbon footprint through renewable energy use. Key considerations when researching local solar installers are as follows.
It's imperative that your solar installer has the proper licensing. This helps ensure that the work is done properly using current best installation practices. There are five specific levels of solar contracting licenses in California: boilers, PV electrical, HVAC, thermal, and pool heating. For a contractor to earn a license, an installer must complete a highly comprehensive educational series, gain four years of field experience, and pass written exams.
Look at review platforms such as Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and TrustPilot to find out what previous customers have to say about local solar installers. Reviews can give you an idea of a company’s dependability and customer service. Be cautious of companies with no reviews or with predominantly negative feedback.
Contact 3–5 solar companies for free, detailed quotes. Quotes should clearly explain all costs and list the exact solar components included. Comparing multiple quotes helps identify the best value based on your budget.
Top-notch solar installations should include strong workmanship and performance warranties. A workmanship warranty covers installation defects, such as poor wiring, poor alignment, or cracks in the panels. A performance warranty ensures a minimum energy output. Comprehensive guarantees indicate that a solar company believes in its work.
Going solar can help reduce your energy expenses. Be sure to evaluate these aspects when determining the cost and value of solar panels.
In Altadena, solar panels cost an average of $3,470 per kilowatt, with an average system size of 2.8 kilowatts. The typical Altadena homeowner spends $6,920 on their solar array after federal tax refunds. An estimate from a local provider will factor in additional information reflecting your desired system's required preliminary work, capacity, panel type, and size. In some cases, homeowners may prefer to lease solar panels to reduce upfront costs.
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 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 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: PACE Financing
Incentive Amount:
Locally determined
A solar photovoltaic (PV) system can generate power to run any electric appliance or system in your home. A more specific example is installing a solar heating system for your water.
With home solar panels, you can recoup the cost of the system over time, lower your property's emissions, and gain additional energy independence.
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 Altadena, the average amount someone can save is $856 per year. With net metering programs offered by many utilities, you could ultimately make a profit from your system after the payback period concludes.
Your payback period is the time to earn a net profit from your solar panels. It will vary based on their rated capacity, the average sunlight in your area, and the rate your utility charges per kilowatt of power. Altadena has extremely high daily sunlight levels, so you could recoup your investment in as little as 8.1 years per 5 kW of rated capacity.
Yes, solar panels will still be able to supply you with energy during a grid outage. To ensure that your solar system will keep working during a power outage, make sure to choose a quality solar provider and look for a solar system that includes a battery backup.
Solar panels are becoming more popular for their low upkeep costs and high efficiency under a variety of conditions. Depending on how much sunlight your property receives, you may find they're the best performing source of renewable energy compared to others.
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