Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Rooftop solar is one of the most easily accessible forms of renewable energy for Martinez homeowners. Solar power can cut your energy costs and lower your carbon footprint. However, it's important to select a reputable solar installer. That’s why, after conducting thorough research on installers, we compiled a guide to the most reliable solar companies in Martinez. These installers offer excellent service.
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Services Offered
Prompt service delivery
Free quotes
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Free quotes
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Free quotes
Prompt service delivery
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Services Offered
Prompt service delivery
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Prompt service delivery
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Informative resources
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Free quotes
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Services Offered
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
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:
Going solar can be a great way to lower electricity costs and help the planet by reducing your carbon footprint using renewable energy. Here are some key factors to consider when determining whether a solar installer is reliable.
It's important to hire a licensed solar installer. This helps ensure that the work is done properly using the most up-to-date installation methods. There are five different classifications 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 experience as an apprentice or journeyman, and pass written exams.
Check consumer review platforms like the Better Business Bureau (BBB), TrustPilot, and Google Reviews to see customer feedback about local solar companies. Detailed reviews can help you assess a company's dependability and level of service. Use caution with installers that have no reviews or mostly negative ones.
To find a solar installer that fits your budget, ask for free, detailed quotes from at least three providers. The quotes should list all costs as well as all solar equipment included. Looking at several quotes helps you identify the best value.
High-quality solar installations should include robust workmanship and performance warranties. The workmanship warranty covers any installation issues like cracks in the panels, poor alignment, or poor wiring. The output warranty ensures an energy generation baseline. Strong warranties reflect a solar provider's faith in its installations.
Going solar can help decrease your energy expenses over time. Be sure to weigh these aspects when determining the cost and value of solar panels.
In Martinez, solar panels cost an average of $3,470 per kilowatt, with an average system size of 3.0 kilowatts. The typical Martinez homeowner spends $7,395 on their solar array after federal tax refunds. An estimate from a local provider will consider additional information reflecting your desired system's capacity, required preliminary work, 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 Type: PACE Financing
Incentive Amount:
Locally determined
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 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
Generally speaking, a solar photovoltaic (PV) array can be used to power any household system or appliance that uses electricity. In the simplest case, you can use a solar water heating system.
There are many advantages of home solar energy. You can reduce emissions, raise your property values, and qualify for tax benefits. With the right storage equipment, solar panels can also give you further energy independence and offer some protection from power outages.
Yes. The grid in Martinez already uses a large share of renewable energy sources, and you may be able to sell your excess generated energy to your utility for additional cost savings.
Your installer can give you an estimate of what your energy bills will look like after you install solar panels. Generally, your energy bills will decrease significantly because you'll be using energy from the sun for free, instead of buying energy from the utility company. The average annual savings in Martinez amount to $1,053.
While solar energy might not be the best performing choice for some in dark or wet areas, the latest generation of equipment and energy storage systems could boost your property's solar viability enough where you could 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.
Yes, solar panels will still be able to generate 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 energy can be more efficient than other forms of renewable energy. Their maintenance costs are low and today's systems can stand up to the worst conditions.
