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10 Best Solar Companies in Orinda, CA

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Written By David Cusick

Last Updated February 2024

Rooftop solar energy is becoming increasingly popular for homeowners in Orinda. A solar panel array can help you decrease your carbon footprint, provide a dependable source of power, and add value to your property. Adopting solar energy can lower your monthly energy expenses and shrink your carbon output. Before you begin the process, you want to make sure you find a trustworthy installer. Luckily, we've done the research and compiled a guide to the best and most dependable solar installation providers in Orinda.

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 Orinda

SunPower Corporation

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

Free quotes

Clear pricing policy

Reliable customer support

Informative resources

Services Offered

Residential panels
Financing assistance
Battery storage
Consultation

SunPower by The Solar Quote

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

Free quotes

Informative resources

Clear pricing policy

Prompt service delivery

Reliable customer support

Services Offered

Residential panels
Maintenance
Commercial panels
Consultation
Battery storage

Got Watts?

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2045 Commerce Ave, Concord, CA 94520 (925) 421-0411 gotwatts.com

Prompt service delivery

Informative resources

Clear pricing policy

Reliable customer support

Services Offered

Maintenance
Solar panel upgrades
Skilled repairs
Battery storage
Financing assistance
Commercial panels
Residential panels

Source Energy

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

Free quotes

Reliable customer support

Clear pricing policy

Informative resources

Services Offered

Residential panels
Consultation
Financing assistance
Solar panel upgrades
Commercial panels

Wired Into The Future Inc.

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3330 Vincent Rd ste c, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523 (925) 872-3408 wiredintothefuture.com

Informative resources

Clear pricing policy

Reliable customer support

Services Offered

Solar panel upgrades
Residential panels
Maintenance
Commercial panels
Emergency services
Consultation
Battery storage
Skilled repairs

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

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

HCI SOLAR

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

Reliable customer support

Clear pricing policy

Free quotes

Informative resources

Prompt service delivery

Services Offered

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

Save a Lot Solar

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

Free quotes

Clear pricing policy

Informative resources

Reliable customer support

Prompt service delivery

Services Offered

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

Skytech Solar

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2355 Whitman Rd, Concord, CA 94518 (415) 826-2503 skytechsolar.com

Clear pricing policy

Informative resources

Reliable customer support

Services Offered

Financing assistance
Commercial panels
Residential panels
Consultation
Battery storage

Sol R Us

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1050B Shary Ct, Concord, CA 94518 (916) 281-7200 solrusengineering.net

Reliable customer support

Clear pricing policy

Informative resources

Free quotes

Services Offered

Residential panels
Financing assistance
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 reduce 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 reliable.

Check Licensing

Hiring a licensed solar installer is critical. This helps ensure that the work is done correctly using the most up-to-date installation methods. There are five specific types of solar contracting licenses in California: boilers, PV electrical, HVAC, thermal, and pool heating. To earn licensure, a contractor must complete a highly comprehensive educational series, gain four years of field experience, and pass written exams.

Read Customer Reviews

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

Compare Multiple Quotes

Contact three to five solar companies to get free, detailed quotes. Quotes should clearly outline all costs and list the exact solar components included. By comparing multiple quotes, you can identify the option that best fits your budget.

Ask About the Warranty

Quality solar installations should come with strong workmanship and performance guarantees. A workmanship guarantee addresses any installation defects (such as cracks in the panels, poor wiring, or poor alignment), while a performance warranty ensures a certain level of energy production. Strong guarantees demonstrate a company's confidence in its work.

Evaluate Financing and Incentives

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

  • Compare system purchase options: Solar panels may be paid for outright or financed over time through loans or leases. Review all terms when financing, such as annual percentage rate (APR), fees, payment schedule, and ownership implications.
  • Research federal and state tax credits: There’s a 26% federal tax credit available for total solar system costs until 2032. Many states also offer incentives. The credits can result in significant savings for solar buyers.
  • Look into utility rebates: More rebates might be available from utility companies looking to motivate homeowners to install solar panels. Contact your local utility provider to find out rebate values and eligibility rules, so you can determine your possible savings.

Cost of Solar Installation in Orinda

Solar panel costs vary based on system capacity and the technology being used. The average solar system in Orinda has a capacity of 3.0 kilowatts. Homeowners in the area should expect to pay approximately $3,470 per kilowatt; the average Orinda homeowners spends about $7,395 on a new solar array after accounting for federal tax breaks. (Some homeowners prefer to lease solar panels to reduce upfront costs.) A personalized quote from a local solar provider will account for factors such as the capacity, panel type, and size of the planned system, and should include fees for permit fees, labor, and preliminary work.

Orinda 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 Orinda, CA

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 water heating system.

With home solar panels, you can save money on your energy bill, lower your property's emissions, and gain additional energy independence.

It depends on your location and the kind of panels you plan to use. With the winter months in California being very mild, you have a lengthy window to install your panels, though they won't hit 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, which means you can reap the environmental benefits and savings of solar energy without having to completely switch over.

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 Orinda amount to $1,053.

Your recommended maintenance will vary based on the type of solar panels you have. At a minimum, you should clean and inspect each panel four times a year. Your solar contractor 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 increase 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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