California is the best place to go solar in the country because of its liberal sustainability laws, almost 300 sunny days per year, and a whopping 1,103 local solar companies. Given the state’s expensive lifestyle, which translates into hefty electricity bills, you can save thousands of dollars just by going solar.
But, we understand why choosing the best company can be a daunting task given the truckload of solar information, companies, and jargon, all being thrown at you. To make your decision-making easier, we have compiled a list of the best solar companies in California (CA).
What Should I Consider when Looking for a Solar Company?
California is an interesting case of its own. The state has numerous solar companies to choose from, relatively high energy costs and power outages due to rampant weather, and several solar tax incentives.
To sum it up, it is crucial to consider the following factors before spending your money:
- Solar pricing and financing options
- Reputation in California
- Impeccable warranty coverage
- Versatile services and brands portfolio
Solar Pricing and Financing Options
It’s always good to have the availability of financing options when you’re about to spend thousands of dollars on an investment. The best companies make their products accessible by easing the financial journey for their customers. Since California offers amazing solar incentives, the best companies take complete advantage of this.
Reputation is Key
A membership in leading sustainable bodies, such as the Solar Energy Industry Associations (SEIA), showcases a company’s professionalism and goodwill in the market. On the customer front, a solid Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating indicates positive customer experiences.
Amazing Warranty is Necessary in California
California’s occasional storms can be detrimental to your solar system, so seeking the best warranty is key. The top companies offer at least a 25-year warranty on equipment, performance, and workmanship.
Variety of Brands and Services
Since California is a progressive state when it comes to sustainability, Californians require more than just solar panels. Due to many power outages and EVs, homeowners look for solar batteries, EV chargers, solar roofings, etc, from a single source; a one-stop solution.
List of 10 Solar Companies in Best Solar Companies in California(CA)
After carefully considering the previously mentioned factors, and several others, we have evaluated the following list. These Californian solar companies have stellar reviews and are trustworthy, to say the least.
Sunpower (The Best Overall)
Sunpower’s Maxeon solar panels have the highest efficiency rating in the industry. Moreover, its almost 40-year experience, at least 25-year all-inclusive warranty (which can vary), and liberal financing services make choosing the company a no-brainer.
Pros:
- Highest efficiency rating solar panels
- Payments options include cash, solar loans, solar leasing, and PPAs
- 25-year all-inclusive warranty
- Considerable experience
Cons:
- Offerings might vary with location
- Expensive than the industry average
ADT Solar (The Best Warranty Coverage)
ADT Solar is known for its 25-year all-inclusive warranty, cordial customer service, and amazing feedback that has earned it an A+ BBB rating. The company also features a variety of brands, including Tesla Powerwall and Enphase products.
Pros:
- Unparalleled warranty offering
- great customer reviews and service
- Considerable experience
Cons:
- No leasing or PPAs
- A few reviews reported communication issues
Elevation (For Whole-Home Integration)
Elevation provides the best customer-focused experience along with excellent customer service. The company runs an energy audit, consults with you to understand your requirements, and then creates a whole-home sustainable revamp.
With a 25-year warranty for equipment and performance and 30 years for workmanship, along with several product and service offerings including solar batteries and EV chargers, you are in for a treat with Elevation.
Pros:
- Elevated Home Service
- Excellent customer reviews and A+ BBB rating
- Variety of services
- Great warranty
Cons:
- No solar leasing or PPAs offered
Green Home Systems (Excellent Regional Installer)
Green Home Systems is ideal for Californians because it offers a wide array of services, including solar panels, solar roofing, backup batteries, EV chargers, backup generators, energy efficiency audits, and much more. Its customer service is beyond par and the price is exceptionally cost-effective.
Pros:
- Variety of services
- Amazing customer service and reviews
- Extremely budget-friendly
Cons:
- No workmanship warranty
- No leases or PPAs offered
- Relatively young company
Momentum Solar (Effortless Transition and Integration)
Momentum Solar does everything in-house, which means planning, financing, installation, and after-sales are all catered by it. This ensures quality and trust. The provider has numerous services on offer and has outstanding customer reviews regarding its customer service due to a one-point strategy.
Pros:
- In-house planning, auditing, financing, and installation
- Great customer service
- Vast product lineup
- Cash, solar loans, solar leasing, and PPAs
Cons:
- No pricing information online
- Mixed online reviews
Tesla Energy (The Best In-House Products)
Tesla makes the best solar panels and batteries (Tesla Powerwall). Its price-match guarantee allows access to the best prices. The famous brand makes its products accessible to everyone through cash, solar loans, solar leasing, and PPAs.
Pros:
- Price-match makes Tesla one of the most affordable brands
- Offers all four financing options
- Best solar panels and solar batteries on the market
Cons:
- Does not offer installation
- Only 10 years warranty for workmanship
Stellar Solar (Excellent Local Installer)
Local to California, Stellar Solar has garnered immense praise for its customer-focused approach, which incorporates incredible knowledge on local tax incentives and solar laws. The company has a 4.96 BBB rating and 4.8 rating on Google Reviews — a rare feat for a solar company.
Pros:
- 25-year all-inclusive warranty
- Cash, solar loan, and solar leasing
- Excellent customer service
- Great local knowledge
Cons:
- Relatively costly
- Limited service offerings
SunLux Solar (Excellent Local Installer)
SunLux Solar has several brands onboard, including solar panels from Tesla, LG, Q Cells, and Enphase. The company also sells EV charging stations, solar batteries, and full-home automation.
Pros:
- Cash, solar loans, solar leasing, and solar prepaid
- Several brands onboard
- Localized experience
Cons:
- Only limited to Southern California
NRG Clean Power (Local Veteran)
NRG has over 30 years of experience, boasts solar panels from LG, Tesla, and Panasonic, and offers whole-home energy solutions. Over the years, the company has collected an impressive A- BBB rating which is a testament to its quality.
Pros:
- Great brands to choose from
- Whole-home energy solutions
- 30 years of local experience with stellar reviews
Cons:
- No leasing or PPAs
- Limited regional availability
- Lack of information on website
Palmetto Solar (The Best Protection)
Palmetto’s Peace of Mind Protection Plan offers constant monitoring and maintenance, depending on the tier you choose, for both customers and non-customers. It also installs a variety of products, including the Tesla Powerwall.
Palmetto Solar has an impressive A+ rating on BBB and offers its customers with all four financing options: cash, solar loan, solar leasing, and PPAs.
Pros:
- Peace of Mind Protection Plan for customers and non-customers
- Great customer reviews
- All four financing options offered
Cons:
- The protection plan is a tiered paid service
Why Should You Consider BLUETTI Energy Storage Products?
BLUETTI’s EP900+B500 battery pack offers you enough performance to power your entire home and sell energy back to the grid with its 9kW rating that produces up to 120V or 240V. If your energy requirements are rising, you can easily attach another battery pack in parallel to up the power output from 9kW to 18kW thanks to BLUETTI’s modularity feature — this much ease is rarely offered by any battery manufacturer.
The EP900+B500 comes with a ton of other features. BLUETTI does not compromise on safety, which is evident through the LiFePO4 BMS technology that regulates current flow and an IP65 water-resistant rating. Also, you can monitor and control everything through the Smart BLUETTI App. And, the convenient and effortless battery design allows it to be easily incorporated into an existing or new solar system, all you need is a screwdriver.
Let’s talk money. BLUETTI offers a 30-Day Price Match Guarantee on its website, which showcases the EP900+B500 affordability. You can easily finance the battery storage pack on BLUETTI’S website through several third-party modes, with 0% interest payments! Lastly, this attractive battery pack comes with a 10-year warranty, which is a rare sight for an individual battery pack.
