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10 Best Solar Companies in Berkeley, CA

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Written By David Cusick

Last Updated February 2024

Solar energy is becoming increasingly popular for Berkeley homeowners. A new solar energy system can help you provide a dependable source of power, add value to your property, and decrease your carbon footprint. Switching to solar energy can help you save money and shrink your carbon footprint, but you want to make sure you find a reputable installer. That’s why, after conducting thorough research on providers, we assembled a guide to the most trusted solar companies in Berkeley. These companies offer high-quality service.

Our Recommended Providers

Best Overall
4.7/5
  • High-quality Maxeon solar panels
  • Nearly 30 years in business
  • Great customer service
Best Solar Panel Leasing
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 Berkeley

SunPower Corporation

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1414 Harbour Way S, Richmond, CA 94804 (510) 260-8200 us.sunpower.com

Free quotes

Informative resources

Reliable customer support

Clear pricing policy

Services Offered

Battery storage
Consultation
Financing assistance
Residential panels

SunPower by The Solar Quote

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

Reliable customer support

Prompt service delivery

Free quotes

Clear pricing policy

Informative resources

Services Offered

Battery storage
Residential panels
Commercial panels
Maintenance
Consultation

SolarUnion

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

Reliable customer support

Free quotes

Informative resources

Clear pricing policy

Services Offered

Battery storage
Residential panels
Maintenance
Commercial panels
Consultation
Skilled repairs
Full-service
Solar panel upgrades

Ally Electric And Solar Inc

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

Free quotes

Informative resources

Clear pricing policy

Reliable customer support

Services Offered

Commercial panels
Tesla powerwall
Solar panel upgrades
Ev charger
Maintenance
Battery storage
Residential panels

Save a Lot Solar

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

Prompt service delivery

Free quotes

Informative resources

Reliable customer support

Clear pricing policy

Services Offered

Battery storage
Residential panels
Off-grid solar systems
Permit assistance
Commercial panels

CivicSolar, Inc

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

Informative resources

Reliable customer support

Clear pricing policy

Services Offered

Residential panels
Commercial panels

Solar Panel RoofNSave Alameda

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1101 Marina Village Pkwy, Alameda, CA 94501 (510) 751-2223 solarpanelroofnsavealameda.com

Reliable customer support

Clear pricing policy

Free quotes

Services Offered

Maintenance
Cleaning
Skilled repairs
Residential panels

GRID Alternatives

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

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Reliable customer support

Services Offered

Commercial panels
Battery storage
Residential panels

HCI SOLAR

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

Informative resources

Prompt service delivery

Reliable customer support

Free quotes

Clear pricing policy

Services Offered

Battery storage
Residential panels
Skilled repairs
Off-grid solar systems
Commercial panels

Source Energy

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

Clear pricing policy

Free quotes

Informative resources

Reliable customer support

Services Offered

Residential panels
Consultation
Solar panel upgrades
Commercial panels
Financing assistance
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

Installing solar panels can cut your electricity costs and help the environment by reducing your carbon footprint. When deciding if a solar provider is a good fit for you, consider these key factors.

Check Licensing

Verify that your solar installer is properly licensed. This help guarantee that the work is done correctly using the most up-to-date installation methods. There are five specific classifications 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.

Read Customer Reviews

Look at review platforms such as TrustPilot, Google Reviews, and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to find out what previous customers are saying about local solar providers. 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.

Compare Multiple Quotes

Call 3–5 solar companies for free, itemized quotes. These quotes should describe all costs and list the solar equipment included. Reviewing multiple quotes helps identify the option that aligns with your budget.

Ask About the Warranty

Quality solar installations should have comprehensive workmanship and performance warranties. The workmanship guarantee covers any installation problems such as poor alignment, cracks in the panels, or poor wiring. The performance guarantee ensures a specific energy output level. Strong guarantees indicate that a solar installer has faith in its installations.

Evaluate Financing and Incentives

Switching to solar power can help decrease your energy expenses over time. Be sure to evaluate these aspects when judging the cost and value of solar panels.

  • Compare system purchase options: Solar panels can be purchased outright or financed over time with a loan or lease. Verify key financing details like fees, annual percentage rate (APR), payment schedule, and ownership implications when choosing to finance solar panels.
  • Look into utility rebates: Local power companies may offer additional rebates to encourage homeowners to adopt solar panels. Check the qualification criteria and rebate values with your local power company to find out what you could save.
  • Research federal and state tax credits: There’s a 26% federal tax credit available for the full cost of solar systems until 2032. Many states also provide incentives. The credits can add up to significant savings for solar buyers.

Cost of Solar Installation in Berkeley

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

Berkeley Solar Incentives Guide

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 property The 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: 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: 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: 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: 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

Incentive Amount:

Locally determined

Incentive Type: Feed-in Tariff

Website: cpuc.ca.gov

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 Berkeley, CA

Generally speaking, a solar photovoltaic (PV) array can be used to power any household system or appliance that uses electricity. In the smallest case, you can use a solar water heating system.

With home solar panels, you can save money on your energy bill, lower your property's emissions, and be better prepared if there's an outage to the local grid.

Yes, it's possible to use home solar energy alongside conventional power sources. In many areas, solar panels are designed to supplement your existing energy sources, so you can reap the savings and environmental benefits of solar energy without having to completely switch over.

Generally speaking, your energy bills will decrease significantly 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 Berkeley, 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.

You might be pleasantly surprised at how quickly you can get a return on investment from your solar panels. In perennially-sunny Berkeley, you could make enough from your solar panels to recoup your investment in 6.9 years per 5 kW of rated capacity at maximum.

The type of solar panels you have will have specific maintenance steps to follow. Regardless of type, you should clean your panels regularly and inspect them for damage. Many solar contractors in the Berkeley area offer comprehensive maintenance plans to help you make the most of your panels and keep them healthy for as long as possible.

Ultimately, the answer will depend on your specific situation. You'll be eligible for a federal tax credit of up to 30% of the system's cost, as well as state or local incentives depending on where you are. As for insurance, you'll need to inform your insurance company about your new solar panels. Your premium may increase due to added property values, but you'll have peace of mind if a covered event happens to the system.

Some frequently-used types of home solar panels in Berkeley include polycrystalline, monocrystalline and thin-film. Monocrystalline panels are balanced and efficient, while polycrystalline and thin-film panels pair good performance with greater upfront value. Talk with your local provider about which solar panels they work with.

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