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Last Updated: February 25, 2025
Rooftop solar energy is becoming increasingly popular for homeowners in California. A solar panel array can help you provide a dependable source of power, decrease your carbon footprint, and add value to your property. Solar power can reduce your energy costs and shrink your carbon footprint. However, it's important to choose a trustworthy solar installer. Luckily, we've reviewed the options and created a guide to the best and most trustworthy solar installation companies in California.
Our Rating
User Rating
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Services Offered
Our Rating
User Rating
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Our Rating
User Rating
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
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
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
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Services Offered
Our Rating
User Rating
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Free quotes
Services Offered
Our Rating
User Rating
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Services Offered
Our Rating
User Rating
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Free quotes
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 cut utility bills while helping the environment by reducing your carbon footprint using clean energy. If you’re determining 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 correctly using current best installation practices. The installation team for a solar photovoltaic (PV) system in Maryland must include a Home Improvement Commission-licensed contractor and a master electrician with at least seven years' experience. The contractor installs the panels, while the master electrician handles permit business and hooks the system up to the grid. If you're installing a solar water heater, your contracting team must include a master plumber for permits and utility connections.
Check TrustPilot, Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and other review sites to see what past customers have to say about local solar providers. Detailed reviews on these platforms can help you evaluate a provider's trustworthiness and customer service. Be wary of providers with few or mainly poor reviews.
Get free, detailed quotes from 3–5 solar companies. The quotes should list all costs and identify the solar parts included. Looking at several quotes can help you find the most cost-effective option.
High-quality solar installations should have robust workmanship and performance warranties. The workmanship warranty covers any installation issues like poor wiring, poor alignment, or cracks in the panels. The output guarantee ensures an energy generation baseline. Strong guarantees reflect a solar provider's faith in its installations.
Solar energy can help you lower electricity bills over time. Make sure you consider these aspects when considering the final cost and value of solar panels.
The cost of solar panels varies based on system capacity and the solar technology being used. The average solar system in California has a capacity of 5.3 kilowatts. Homeowners in the area can expect to pay approximately $3,540 per kilowatt; the average California homeowners spends roughly $13,029 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 things like the capacity, panel type, and size of the planned system, and should include prices for preliminary work, permit fees, and labor.
Incentive Type: Sales Tax Incentive
Incentive Amount:
100% exemption from sales and use tax
Incentive Type: Sales Tax Incentive
Incentive Amount:
100% exemption
Incentive Type: Property Tax Incentive
Incentive Amount:
Varies
Incentive Amount:
Air-Source Heat Pump
Central A/C
Clothes Dryers: $50
Clothes Washer: $75 (Tier 2) - $100 (Tier 3)
Geothermal Heat Pump
Hybrid Heat Pump Water Heater: $500
LED Lighting: Up to $7/bulb
Ductless Mini Split Air-Source Heat Pump
Pool Pump: $400
Recycled Refrigerator/Freezer: $50
Recycled Dehumidifier: $25
Recycled Room A/C: $25
Refrigerator: $100
Smart Thermostat: $100
Incentive Type: Property Tax Incentive
Incentive Amount:
100% real property tax exemption for solar and wind energy property
Incentive Type: Property Tax Incentive
Incentive Amount:
Varies by jurisdiction; credit may be available for up to 3 years.
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 a number of advantages of home solar energy. You can reduce emissions, qualify for tax benefits, 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 your home's location and the kind of panels you plan to use. Since there's a moderate amount of snowfall in California, your best time to get solar is in the spring and fall.
Generally speaking, your energy bills will significantly decrease 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 California, the average amount someone can save is $799 per year. With net metering programs offered by many utilities, you could ultimately make a profit from your system after the payback period concludes.
You might be pleasantly surprised at how quickly you can get a return on investment from your solar panels. The sun shines frequently in California, meaning your payback period could last 16.3 years per 5 kW of capacity on the high end.
Yes. Solar panels exist independently from the power grid in California and will continue to generate power even if the grid is having problems. Keep in mind, however, that a solar system without a storage system cannot keep you running through a nighttime outage. Your contractor can discuss some economical options to keep your home's power access reliable through the worst conditions, including battery backups or an emergency generator.
The answer ultimately depends on your specific situation. You can take advantage of a federal tax credit of up to 30% of the system's cost, as well as state or local incentives depending on where you are. As for insurance, you'll need to inform your insurance company about your new solar panels. Your premium may increase due to added property values, but you'll have peace of mind if a covered event happens to the system.
The answer will depend on your specific needs and goals. In most cases, monocrystalline solar panels are the most efficient for houses in California. However, if you have a limited budget, then you could thin-film or polycrystalline solar panels. When selecting a solar company, make sure to ask about the brand names and models of solar panels a company offers and the benefits and drawbacks of each.
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