The 5 Best Solar Companies in California to Save You Money

California leads the nation in solar energy adoption thanks to ample sunshine and a growing awareness of solar power‘s environmental and economic benefits. Over 1.5 million California households have already installed solar panels on their roofs, accounting for 37% of the state‘s electric needs. As electricity rates continue rising, solar panels present a way for homeowners to lock in low energy costs for decades while also reducing their carbon footprint.

This guide will review five of the top solar companies in California and highlight what sets each apart. We will analyze their service offerings, warranties, pricing and more to help you determine the best solar provider for your home and budget. By the end, you’ll understand the advantages of going solar in California and have the information to choose the right installation company.

The Growth of Solar in California
California is a national leader in solar energy for good reason. The state enjoys 300 days of sunshine per year across most regions. This abundant solar resource makes generating clean electricity from the sun highly effective.

California also has the nation‘s highest electricity rates, averaging over 22 cents per kilowatt-hour. High utility bills make the switch to solar all the more cost-effective since solar panels can lock in a low energy rate for decades. Adding battery storage provides energy security during blackouts as an added benefit.

On top of the natural incentives to go solar, California offers strong policy support. Homeowners who install solar panels are exempt from higher property taxes. This removes what would have been a significant barrier to adoption. The state also runs aggressive incentive programs like the California Solar Initiative to make panels more affordable.

Thanks to these underlying drivers, over 1.5 million Golden State households have already installed photovoltaic (PV) solar panel systems. California accounted for 39% of the nation’s solar additions last year and has more solar jobs than any other state. As solar installation costs continue to fall, now is an opportune time for homeowners to consider harnessing the sun’s free energy.

Financial Benefits of Residential Solar Panels
The financial upside of adding solar panels in California makes them a smart investment. Electricity rates from the utilities are subject to regular price increases of 5-10% per year to keep pace with inflation and infrastructure costs. Meanwhile, solar panels provide electricity at a fixed rate locked in for 20-30 years.

For example, if your monthly electric bill today is $200 and rates increased at 8% per year, your bill would rise to over $700 per month in 25 years without solar. Installation of a solar energy system blocks this cost escalation by supplying your home with clean energy at a predictable rate. Any excess power produced feeds into the grid for credit from your utility.

On top of protection from rising rates, California homeowners can take advantage of generous federal and state tax credits when purchasing solar panels:

26% Federal Solar Tax Credit
Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP) state rebate up to $3,500

These incentives reduce your upfront installation costs, enabling solar payback in as little as 5-7 years. With most solar panel warranties lasting 25 years, you stand to save tens of thousands in lifetime electricity costs. Your solar system will also raise the resale value of your home.

Let’s take a closer look at five of the leading solar companies in California that can put this financial power into homeowners’ hands…

SunPower – Premium Solar Solutions
With over 30 years of solar experience and patented panel technology, SunPower is trusted to provide maximum energy production and savings. Their panels hold the world record for efficiency, enabling them to squeeze more watts from any roof space.

SunPower offers complete turnkey installation of residential systems. Each package is tailored to the specific home’s energy needs after an initial site evaluation. Their all-black panels are the best-looking on the market, seamlessly integrating into any roof type.

The company handles permitting, utility paperwork and grid connection so the process is turnkey. SunPower‘s solar panel warranty is industry-leading at 25 years, underscoring excellent durability. An option 25-year monitoring package provides system performance data and alert resolution to squeeze every bit of production.

While SunPower commands a premium price, superior panel efficiency often pays for itself through increased solar savings. Their expertise and variety of financing options make the switch to solar smooth and rewarding.

Palmetto Solar – Variety of Financing Options
South Carolina-based Palmetto Solar has expanded across the U.S. thanks to affordable pricing and outstanding service. The company’s core advantage lies in the variety of solar financing options provided to improve affordability.

Palmetto aims to make the move to solar hassle-free from initial consultation through design, permitting and installation. Each system is custom-designed based on the home’s specific energy profile. Their crew handles all paperwork and connections with utilities.

Homeowners choose whether to purchase systems outright or take advantage of Palmetto’s flexible financing. Options include solar loans starting at 0% down or entering into a solar lease or power purchase agreement. These creative financing solutions open solar to more California homeowners.

Palmetto Solar stands out for transparent, upfront pricing information without requiring an on-site visit first. This gives you the data needed to evaluate your potential cost savings. Though pricing is important, home consultations are still critical before installation.

Overall, Palmetto offers a balanced solar solution blending value, choice of financing terms and great service. Permits, insurance and guarantees provide assurance that the transition to solar will be smooth.

Elevation Solar – The Solar Concierge Service
Elevation takes a high-touch approach, acting as the ultimate solar concierge service holding your hand from start to finish. The company’s core advantage is making everything effortless – you simply decide you’re interested in solar and Elevation handles the rest.

After a free home solar assessment and 3D roof modeling, the Elevation team submits proposals from leading local solar installers for you to compare. There’s no need to vet companies or pit bids against each other. The platform tracks real-time prices to source competitive quotes tailored to your electricity usage.

Once you select an installer and financing option, Elevation oversees your project until plug-in. The team also submits and tracks any solar rebates/incentives to optimize savings. Ongoing monitoring provides performance reports with troubleshooting as necessary.

For those seeking solar without the hassle of research, proposals and provider comparisons, Elevation delivers. The platform simplifies solar project management while still allowing you choice over equipment and financing.

Sunrun – Solar Leasing Made Easy
As the largest dedicated home solar company in the U.S., Sunrun aims to make the transition to clean energy straightforward. The company pioneered solar leasing to open solar to more households by eliminating major upfront costs. Sunrun offers their services in 22 states plus Puerto Rico and have enormous solar operational expertise.

Under a Sunrun solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA), you simply pay a fixed monthly rate for the system‘s production, avoiding panel purchase costs altogether. Rates start at only $40 per month and typically escalate by just 2% annually – far below utility rate hikes. You also avoid system maintenance, monitoring and repair costs over the lease term. At the end of your solar agreement period, you can renew, buy the panels or have them removed at no cost. There are many benefits to solar leasing, especially if you aren‘t sure whether you‘ll stay in your current home longer than 10-15 years.

For homeowners looking to own their systems over the long run, Sunrun also offers flexible solar loans and cash purchases. Available add-ons like EV chargers, whole home backup power and smart home products provide optionality. No matter what program you choose, Sunrun aims to simplify your transition to solar.

Solar Optimum – Specialists for California Climate
For those seeking solar expertise tailored specifically to California‘s climate, Solar Optimum delivers. Operating for 15 years across California, Arizona and Nevada, they understand how to maximize savings in the Southwest. The company handles residential installs across southern California as well as large commercial solar arrays.

Solar Optimum performs a full home energy audit, providing custom solar system recommendations for your needs and budget. Packages can be purchased outright or financed over 12-30 years to ease affordability. Their grid-tied systems help shrink electric bills while battery storage options add resilience against outages.

The major advantage of Solar Optimum over national players is market-specific expertise. Their systems are engineered for California‘s peaks and valleys – avoiding overpaying for excess capacity you won‘t use. The company‘s storage battery guidance also proves extremely valuable given the state‘s increasing power shutoffs. Overall you gain from both cost savings and energy security perspectives.

Key Considerations Choosing a Solar Company
With overview of the solar landscape in California and introduction to some top providers, let’s talk about key questions to consider in your solar research process. Every home and budget is unique, so take time to weigh what matters most to your situation.

Service and Reviews
While panels themselves don’t vary tremendously between providers, service quality and attention do. Seek out customer testimonials and feedback across review sites like Google, Yelp and the Better Business Bureau. Spot check contractors with the Contractors State License Board to confirm licensing and insurance. These checks provide insight on solar companies’ installation quality and post-sales support.

Warranties & Performance Guarantees
Reputable solar providers stand behind their system’s production capabilities over decades. Panels typically carry 25-year power output guarantees, ensuring a minumum level electricity generation. Top inverter brands like Enphase also provide long-term warranties against failure. Confirm coverage specifics as some companies void guarantees if you sell your home before a set timeframe.

Battery Storage Options
Adding a home battery storage system alongside solar panels provides resilience if the grid goes down. Stored solar energy can power your most important loads during multi-day outages. This energy security becomes more important as climate change drives severe weather. Review available battery offerings like the Tesla Powerwall before installing solar panels.

Creative Financing Alternatives
For homeowners unable to purchase systems outright, companies like Sunrun and Palmetto offer great leasing and loan programs. These open solar access to more households by eliminating major upfront costs in favor of ongoing payments. Just confirm you still qualify for the 26% federal tax credit if financing since ownership matters. Creative solar financing options make the transition more achievable.

Go Solar with Confidence
Solar energy is going mainstream across California as homeowners recognize the lower bills and environmental benefits panels provide. This guide reviewed five of the state‘s leading solar installation companies that can take your home solar. Each offers terrific service, warranties and pricing to deliver value from your investment for decades.

We covered national leaders like Sunrun along with regional specialists like Solar Optimum tailored to California‘s climate. With all five companies, the switch to solar is made easy through complete installation, permitting and grid connection services. Creative financing options like solar loans and PPAs open solar access to more homeowners as well.

Whether you prioritize premium efficiency, affordability, financing or customization, one of these five solar providers is sure to meet your needs. All that‘s left is to schedule a home solar assessment and make the switch to clean, renewable energy!