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10 Best Solar Companies in El Cajon, CA

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Written By David Cusick

Last Updated February 2024

Year after year, more El Cajon residents adopt rooftop solar panels to lower their carbon footprint and add value to their property. Adopting solar energy can help you save money and lower your carbon footprint, but you want to make sure you find a trustworthy installer. Luckily, we’ve analyzed local solar installers and compiled a guide to the best solar companies in El Cajon. These proven and dependable providers are smart choices homeowners can depend on.

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 El Cajon

SunPower by Milholland Electric

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1475 Cuyamaca St, El Cajon, CA 92020 (619) 732-1198 milhollandelectric.com

Clear pricing policy

Informative resources

Reliable customer support

Free quotes

Services Offered

Full-service
Residential panels
Tesla powerwall
Consultation
Financing assistance

HES Solar

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9085 Aero Dr # A, San Diego, CA 92123 (619) 692-2015 hessolar.com

Clear pricing policy

Informative resources

Free quotes

Reliable customer support

Services Offered

Solar panel upgrades
Permit assistance
Tesla powerwall
Maintenance
Financing assistance
Commercial panels
Residential panels
Consultation
Battery storage
Off-grid solar systems

EZ Solar & Roofing

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1076 Broadway, El Cajon, CA 92021 (619) 613-9016 ezsolarelectric.com

Informative resources

Reliable customer support

Free quotes

Prompt service delivery

Clear pricing policy

Services Offered

Consultation
Battery storage
Commercial panels
Emergency services
Residential panels
Permit assistance

West Coast Heating, Air Conditioning, and Solar

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1256 Fayette St, El Cajon, CA 92020 (619) 349-4232 westcoastheatcool.com

Clear pricing policy

Reliable customer support

Informative resources

Free quotes

Services Offered

Maintenance
Solar panel upgrades
Financing assistance
Skilled repairs
Residential panels
Consultation
Commercial panels

Jamar Power Systems

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9830 Prospect Ave Ste D, Santee, CA 92071 (619) 448-7770 jamarpower.com

Free quotes

Reliable customer support

Informative resources

Clear pricing policy

Services Offered

Ev charger
Permit assistance
Financing assistance
Commercial panels
Residential panels
Battery storage
Skilled repairs

Sustineo Solar

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6136 Mission Gorge Rd Suite 201, San Diego, CA 92120 (866) 787-8463 sustineo.solar

Prompt service delivery

Clear pricing policy

Informative resources

Reliable customer support

Free quotes

Services Offered

Permit assistance
Maintenance
Energy efficiency audit
Emergency services
Commercial panels
Solar carports
Residential panels

Higher Power Solar

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8239 La Mesa Blvd suite 347c, La Mesa, CA 91942 (619) 639-4066 higherpowersolar.com

Reliable customer support

Free quotes

Informative resources

Clear pricing policy

Services Offered

Cleaning
Residential panels
Consultation
Solar panel upgrades
Battery storage
Off-grid solar systems
Maintenance

CM Solar Electric

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9125 Chesapeake Dr, San Diego, CA 92123 (619) 488-1117 cmsolarelectric.com

Reliable customer support

Free quotes

Prompt service delivery

Clear pricing policy

Family-operated business

Informative resources

Services Offered

Battery storage
Skilled repairs
Full-service
Residential panels
Permit assistance
Commercial panels

Christian Solar

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1226 Greenfield Dr STE A, El Cajon, CA 92021 (619) 612-5363 christiansolar.com

Informative resources

Clear pricing policy

Reliable customer support

Free quotes

Services Offered

Battery storage
Financing assistance
Residential panels
Skilled repairs
Maintenance
Commercial panels
Consultation

Semper Solaris

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1805 John Towers Ave, El Cajon, CA 92020 (619) 493-4361 sempersolaris.com

Clear pricing policy

Reliable customer support

Informative resources

Services Offered

Battery storage
Financing assistance
Commercial panels
Residential panels
Consultation
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

Going solar can be a great way to save money on electricity costs and help the planet by reducing your carbon footprint using renewable energy. Here are some crucial factors to consider when determining whether a solar installer is trustworthy.

Check Licensing

Confirm that your solar installer is properly licensed. This help guarantee that the work is done properly using the most up-to-date installation methods. 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 take a highly comprehensive educational series, gain four years of field experience, and pass written exams.

Read Customer Reviews

Check review sites like TrustPilot, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and Google Reviews to see feedback from past customers on local solar companies. Detailed reviews can help you assess a company's reliability and customer service. Use caution with companies that have barely any reviews or mostly negative ones.

Compare Multiple Quotes

Contact three to five solar companies to receive free, detailed quotes. Quotes should clearly outline all costs and specify the exact solar components included. Comparing multiple quotes helps identify the most cost-effective option for you.

Ask About the Warranty

Top-notch solar installations should come with strong workmanship and performance guarantees. A workmanship warranty covers installation issues, such as cracks in the panels, poor alignment, or poor wiring. A performance guarantee ensures a minimum energy output. Comprehensive guarantees indicate that a solar company believes in its work.

Evaluate Financing and Incentives

Solar panels can help decrease your electricity costs long-term. When evaluating solar panel's cost and value, be sure to consider these considerations.

  • Research federal and state tax credits: A 26% federal tax credit on total solar system costs is available through 2032. Many states offer incentives, too. The credits can lead to substantial savings for solar buyers.
  • Look into utility rebates: Some energy providers may provide additional rebates to motivate homeowners to install solar panels. Check the requirements and the rebate amounts offered by your local electric provider to estimate your potential savings.
  • Compare system purchase options: Solar panels may be paid for upfront or financed over time with leases or loans. Verify key financing details like fees, payment schedule, annual percentage rate (APR), and ownership implications when financing solar panels.

Cost of Solar Installation in El Cajon

The cost of home solar panels in El Cajon will depend 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 labor, permit fees, or preliminary work. Most solar systems in El Cajon are 2.8 kilowatts, and the typical El Cajon homeowners spends $6,837 after accounting for federal tax refunds. Some homeowners may prefer leasing their solar panels to reduce upfront costs.

El Cajon 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 El Cajon, CA

A solar photovoltaic (PV) system can generate power to run any electric system or appliance in your home. A more specific example is installing a solar heating system for your water.

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.

Yes, you can use home solar energy alongside conventional power sources. In many areas, solar panels are designed to supplement your existing energy sources, which means you can reap the savings and environmental benefits that come from using solar energy without having to completely switch over.

You might be pleasantly surprised at how quickly you can get a return on investment from your solar panels. In perennially-sunny El Cajon, you could make enough from your solar panels to recoup your investment in 7.4 years per 5 kW of rated capacity at maximum.

While solar energy might not be the best performing choice 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.

The best type of residential solar panel depends on your specific needs and goals. Generally speaking, monocrystalline solar panels are the most efficient for houses in El Cajon. However, if lowering cost is your top priority, then you may want to consider thin-film or polycrystalline solar panels. When selecting a solar company, make sure to ask about the types of solar panels an installer offers and the benefits and drawbacks of each.

Solar panels are gaining wider adoption for their high efficiency and low maintenance costs. 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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