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10 Best Solar Companies in Santa Monica, CA

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Written By David Cusick

Last Updated February 2024

A new solar energy system could give you a renewable power source that will eventually pay for itself. Making the switch to solar power allows you to cut your utility bills and shrink your environmental impact. But you'll want to find a qualified installation company first. Luckily, we've reviewed the options and compiled a guide to the best and most reputable solar installation companies in Santa Monica.

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 Santa Monica

SunPower by Sun Solar-OC

SunPower by Sun Solar-OC Logo

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4085 E La Palma Ave Suite B, Anaheim Hills, CA 92807 (949) 734-9695 sunpowerbysunsolaroc.com

Clear pricing policy

Informative resources

Reliable customer support

Services Offered

Maintenance
Commercial panels
Residential panels
Consultation

SunPower by True Power Solar

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201 Clark Ave, Pomona, CA 91767 (714) 676-8888 truepowersolar.com

Clear pricing policy

Informative resources

Reliable customer support

Free quotes

Services Offered

Commercial panels
Maintenance
Residential panels

Powerfull Solar, Inc

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5316 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90019 (310) 804-7617 powerfullsolarinc.com

Informative resources

Reliable customer support

Free quotes

Prompt service delivery

Services Offered

Solar carports
Commercial panels
Full-service
Financing assistance
Maintenance
Consultation
Permit assistance
Solar panel upgrades
Residential panels

ProSolar California

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5701 Buckingham Pkwy, Culver City, CA 90230 (323) 897-1538 prosolarcalifornia.com

Reliable customer support

Clear pricing policy

Informative resources

Free quotes

Services Offered

Financing assistance
Commercial panels
Maintenance
Residential panels
Battery storage
Tesla powerwall

California Home Solar

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15335 Morrison St suite 345, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 (877) 903-1012 cahomesolar.com

Informative resources

Clear pricing policy

Reliable customer support

Free quotes

Services Offered

Consultation
Financing assistance
Residential panels
Skilled repairs
Commercial panels
Emergency services

Solar Power Energy

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15442 Ventura Blvd STE 101, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 (818) 426-5144 urspe.com

Informative resources

Clear pricing policy

Free quotes

Reliable customer support

Services Offered

Permit assistance
Tesla powerwall
Financing assistance
Consultation
Residential panels
Battery storage

Sunko Solar

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1535 6th St #304, Santa Monica, CA 90401 (888) 997-8656 sunkosolar.com

Reliable customer support

Informative resources

Clear pricing policy

Services Offered

Residential panels
Commercial panels
Skilled repairs
Solar carports
Financing assistance
Maintenance

AmeriGreen Solar

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11331 Ventura Blvd #302, Studio City, CA 91604 (844) 704-7336 amerigreensolar.com

Prompt service delivery

Free quotes

Reliable customer support

Clear pricing policy

Services Offered

Energy efficiency audit
Financing assistance
Solar panel upgrades
Residential panels
Consultation
Commercial panels

Best Solar Power

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17609 Ventura Blvd, Encino, CA 91316 (844) 757-7971 bestsolarpwr.com

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Reliable customer support

Free quotes

Clear pricing policy

Services Offered

Consultation
Commercial panels
Residential panels
Permit assistance

Helios Energy Global

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2226 6th St A, Santa Monica, CA 90405 (424) 433-4943 heliosenergyglobal.com

Clear pricing policy

Reliable customer support

Informative resources

Services Offered

Residential panels
Battery storage
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 key factors to consider when determining whether a solar installer is trustworthy.

Check Licensing

Confirm that your solar installer is properly licensed. This ensures that the work is done correctly using current best installation practices. There are five distinct classifications of solar contracting licenses in California: boilers, PV electrical, HVAC, thermal, and pool heating. To earn a license, a contractor must take a highly comprehensive educational series, gain four years of experience as an apprentice or journeyman, and pass written exams.

Read Customer Reviews

Check review sites like Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and TrustPilot to see customer feedback about 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

To find a solar installer that works with your budget, get free, detailed quotes from at least three providers. The quotes should outline all costs and list the solar equipment included. Looking at several quotes helps you identify the best value.

Ask About the Warranty

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

Evaluate Financing and Incentives

Solar power can help lower your electricity costs in the long run. When weighing solar panel's cost and value, be sure to weigh these considerations.

  • Research federal and state tax credits: A 26% federal tax credit on the full cost of solar systems is available through 2032. Many states also offer incentives. These credits can lead to substantial savings for solar buyers.
  • Look into utility rebates: Local electric providers may offer additional rebates to encourage homeowners to install solar panels. Check the qualification criteria and rebate values with your local power company to determine what you could save.
  • Compare system purchase options: Solar panels may be paid for outright or financed through loans or leases. Review important financing details such as annual percentage rate (APR), payment schedule, fees, and ownership implications when financing your solar system.

Cost of Solar Installation in Santa Monica

The cost of solar panels varies based on system capacity and the solar technology used. The typical Santa Monica solar array has a capacity of 2.8 kilowatts. Homeowners in the area should expect to pay around $3,470 per kilowatt; the average Santa Monica homeowners spends roughly $6,920 on a new solar system after accounting for federal tax breaks. (Some homeowners prefer to lease solar panels to reduce upfront costs.) A personalized quote from a local solar company will account for factors such as the size, capacity, and panel type of the planned system, and should include fees for labor, preliminary work, and permit fees.

Santa Monica 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: 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: 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 Santa Monica, 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 heating system for your water.

There are many benefits to home solar energy. You can qualify for tax benefits, raise your property values, and save money. With the right storage equipment, solar panels can also give you additional energy security and offer some protection from power outages.

It depends on your location and what type of panels you're installing. With the winter months in California being very mild, you have a lengthy window to install your panels, though they won't reach peak performance until summer arrives.

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 Santa Monica, the average amount someone can save is $975 per year. With net metering programs offered by many utilities, you could ultimately make a profit from your system once the payback period passes.

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. Santa Monica has extremely high daily sunlight levels, so you could recoup your investment in as little as 7.1 years per 5 kW of rated capacity.

The specific types of maintenance you need will depend on the type of panels you're using. Regardless of type, you should clean your panels regularly and inspect them for damage. A majority of solar contractors in the Santa Monica area offer comprehensive maintenance plans to help you make the most of your panels and keep them healthy for as long as possible.

Net metering is a power purchasing policy that allows solar energy system owners to receive bill credits or payments for the amount of energy they put back into the grid. It's available in most states and is a great way to reduce energy costs.

Solar panels are gaining in popularity 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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