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Last Updated: February 25, 2025
Year after year, more Sonoma residents install rooftop solar panels to provide a dependable source of power and lower their carbon footprint. Making the switch to solar power can help cut your utility bills and lower your environmental impact. But you'll want to find a trustworthy installation company first. Luckily, we’ve conducted comprehensive research local solar installers and compiled a guide to the best solar companies in Sonoma. These reliable providers are reliable options known for their quality services.
Our Rating
User Rating
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Services Offered
Our Rating
User Rating
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Prompt service delivery
Services Offered
Our Rating
User Rating
Clear pricing policy
Prompt service delivery
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Free quotes
Services Offered
Our Rating
User Rating
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Free quotes
Services Offered
Our Rating
User Rating
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Services Offered
Our Rating
User Rating
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Our Rating
User Rating
Clear pricing policy
Prompt service delivery
Informative resources
Free quotes
Services Offered
Our Rating
User Rating
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Services Offered
Our Rating
User Rating
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Our Rating
User Rating
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
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:
Adopting solar power lets homeowners lower utility bills while helping the environment by reducing your carbon footprint using clean energy. If you’re deciding whether to go solar, consider these key factors for choosing an installer.
Verify that your solar installer is properly licensed. This helps ensure that the work is done properly using current installation best practices. There are five distinct types 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 experience as an apprentice or journeyman, and pass written exams.
Check consumer review platforms like TrustPilot, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and Google Reviews to see customer feedback about local solar companies. Detailed reviews can help you evaluate a company's dependability and level of service. Use caution with installers that have no reviews or mostly negative ones.
Contact three to five solar companies to get 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.
Top-notch solar installations should include strong workmanship and performance warranties. A workmanship guarantee covers installation issues, such as poor alignment, cracks in the panels, or poor wiring. A performance warranty guarantees a minimum energy output. Comprehensive warranties indicate that a solar company believes in its work.
Solar energy can help you lower electricity bills over time. Be sure to consider these aspects when considering the final cost and value of solar panels.
In Sonoma, solar panels cost an average of $3,470 per kilowatt, with an average system size of 3.1 kilowatts. The typical Sonoma homeowner spends $7,496 on their solar array after federal tax refunds. An estimate from a local provider will factor in additional information reflecting your desired system's capacity, required preliminary work, size, and panel type. In some cases, homeowners may prefer leasing 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 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 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: PACE Financing
Incentive Amount:
Locally determined
Incentive Amount:
Minimum financing amount is $2,500. Financing is repaid through a special assessment on property tax bills. Financing between $2,500 and $5,000 will be set for repayment in 10 years. Projects over $5,000 may be repaid over 10 or 20 years, at the property owner's discretion. Projects of $60,000 up to $500,000 will require approval by the Program Administrator. Projects valued at $500,000 and above will require specific approval by the Board of Supervisors.
Generally speaking, a solar photovoltaic (PV) array can be used to power any household appliance or system that uses electricity. In the smallest case, you can use a solar water heater.
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 further energy independence and offer some protection from power outages.
It depends on where you live 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 achieve 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 Sonoma, 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 when your payback period is done.
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 Sonoma area offer multipoint maintenance plans to help you make the most of your panels and keep them healthy for as long as possible.
Net metering is a type of "power purchase agreement." If your state or utility offers net metering, you can send the solar energy you don't use to the grid. In return, they'll give you a credit on your power bill.
While solar energy might not be ideal for some in dark or wet 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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