The Best Solar Companies in California

Energy efficiency is one of the key elements of solar technology, and it is one of SunPower’s best-known features. The company makes high-efficiency solar systems capable of capturing and generating more energy with fewer panels installed. It’s an ideal solution for someone who has a smaller roof or unobstructed area to install the equipment, but it’s also helpful for those looking to have smaller systems with a large energy output. 

This advantage is partly why SunPower’s solar systems come at a premium compared to other alternatives. You’re paying for both the technology as well as its expert know-how as the maker. The company offers a strong 25-year warranty that covers the entire system, the labor, and the energy performance. So if at any point your panels start underproducing or underperforming, the company will replace or repair them at no cost to you. To be clear, SunPower does not perform any installs or repairs on its own. Instead, it relies on a vast network of certified dealers to do this work across California, which means customer service experiences vary per provider.

Tesla consistently offers the best price for solar systems in California and has a price-matching guarantee to ensure that will remain the case for the foreseeable future. Its solar systems are made up of high-efficiency black solar panels, an inverter, and a battery system known as Powerwall. The design is sleek and minimalist, consistent with the brand’s careful attention to aesthetics, but it’s also meant to be functional. According to the company, its proprietary mounting hardware allows it to install up to 30 percent fewer anchor points compared to its rivals, which translates to fewer holes drilled through your roof.   

Getting a quote online is an easy process, and you can do it directly on its website. The site will recommend a few system configuration options—including customization—depending on your energy requirements. You will see an estimated price before and after any incentives, and you can also toggle between an all-cash price and a monthly loan payment. A disadvantage of Tesla’s solar systems, however, is that you can’t add more panels to your system post-purchase. If you need to generate more electricity later, you will need to get a second system.

In addition to its solar panels, Tesla also offers a premium “solar roof” option. It acts as a traditional roof, but it is made up of glass solar tiles, with each tile being capable of capturing and transforming sunlight into electricity. Since the product only became available recently, there’s not enough data yet to judge its efficiency compared to solar panels. Still, the option is there if you’d like it. If you were hoping to get one of its EV chargers, know that the company does not install them itself but refers you to a list of qualified electricians for installation.

In California, there are winter, spring, summer, fall, and wildfire season. Wildfires burn copious amounts of ash into the surrounding streets and roofs, including those equipped with solar systems. Enter Renova Energy and its service RenovaPLUS, which offers cleaning and maintenance services to all solar systems—even those it didn’t install itself. It offers several different packages, depending on what level of care you need. You can choose “Bright” for a power wash and an inspection; “Brighter,” which includes before and after photography for peace of mind; “Brightest,” for deep cleaning of the system and an on-site status check; or “Brightest PLUS” which includes a full equipment analysis and a detailed report. 

Renova Energy’s main business, though, is installing solar systems throughout the Coachella Valley in Southern California. The company is an elite dealer for SunPower, which is both a blessing and a curse. It can sell you SunPower’s excellent solar systems but cannot give you any other options to compare them to.

On the bright side, buyers report excellent customer service and a thorough commitment from the sales pitch to the final installation and beyond. The company’s financing options include leases and loans, with the benefit that the latter doesn’t require a credit score.

Solar Optimum is a solar installer with a portfolio of reputable solar brands, including Panasonic, Tesla, and QCells. One of its strengths lies in installing its solar systems on a variety of surfaces. Asphalt shingles, Spanish tiles, clay tiles, and metal roofs, are only some examples of what it has successfully worked with; some companies will back down from installing your solar system due to light tiles, for example, or try to upcharge you for a new roof. This company’s experienced team can help you choose the best solar configuration to meet your budget, energy needs, and roofing stipulations. 

Prices are competitive, and its customer service is generally very responsive. Still, to get a quote, you have to call the company and speak to a representative. If you choose to proceed and sign a contract with Solar Optimum, you will be required to pay a deposit before the company will perform a home visit. Although this order of events is fairly standard in the industry, it still doesn’t protect you against any additional charges tacked on to your quote after the home visit. Should you wish to cancel the project due to a pricier quote than previously agreed to, you would lose a portion of your deposit. 

However, if you’re a first-time buyer, you may appreciate the broad resource library the company has at your disposal through Solar Optimum University. You can educate yourself on topics including solar batteries, roofing, federal tax credits, and living with solar energy. The site also provides a downloadable checklist to help you determine if your home qualifies for a solar system.

If you’re looking to install solar panels and double up on your green efforts with an electric vehicle, you will find that Sunlux can provide you with top-of-the-line technology in both a solar system and an EV charging station for your home. The company works with several reputable brands, including Siemens and SolarEdge, for the EV charging space. The latter created the first EV charger with an integrated inverter, which helps it charge your vehicle up to six times faster than standard chargers typically available for home use. The best part is that you don’t have to worry about the installation because the company takes care of that too.

When it comes to solar systems, Sunlux works with QCells and Panasonic, which are both strong brands in the space. A 24/7 online monitoring of your system is included with the installation to make sure everything is always on track, and you yourself can also track the system’s performance through a mobile app. For those who can’t purchase the system outright, the company offers a variety of financing options including leasing and $0 down loans.

If you live in Southern California, Baker Electric Home Energy can help you install a good solar system that can meet both your current and future electric needs. But that’s not all—it can also upgrade your service panel to accommodate current loads, build you a new roof, get you a top-of-the-line heating and AC system, and install EV chargers for your electric vehicles. It’s the type of company that can help you tackle a lot of big and little projects all at once, which is ideal for people with busy lifestyles. 

The company’s solar offerings include SunPower solar panels and Tesla’s Powerwall battery systems, two powerhouses in the solar energy space. It can install its solar systems either on roof or as a ground mount, depending on the needs of your project. To determine what system your home will require, you’ll need to speak with a sales agent for a consultation and quote. While there is a possibility you might be able to do some forecasting through the company’s online solar calculator, it doesn’t really offer online estimates. Keep in mind that prices at Baker Electric Home Energy tend to run higher than the average bid, but financing options are available if you need them. 

Solar systems need to be resilient pieces of technology since they’re always exposed to the elements, and they are not indestructible. A good warranty is important to protect your solar system, and NRG Clean Power offers one of the best. Its workmanship warranty, which covers the labor, design, installation, and assembly, lasts 40 years—nearly twice as long as its rivals. Now for the solar system itself, it enforces the manufacturer’s warranty, which varies depending on the provider. Still, NRG works with trustworthy solar brands including Panasonic and REC, both of which offer the industry standard 25-year warranty with their products.

You can get an instant estimate online without speaking to a representative, a useful feature during the early stages of researching options. The downside is that these estimates don’t specify the brand or any other specs outside the panel wattage, making it more of a pricing signal than a bona fide quote. If you’re considering financing, the company partners with several lending companies and has different financing opportunities to match different budgets and needs. Still, the company uses subcontractors to perform its installs and so your customer satisfaction may vary depending on the provider assigned to your project.

If you’re looking to make your home self-sufficient and get off the grid, the team at Green Home Systems can probably help set you up. The company has a broad portfolio of solar solutions, which includes a variety of solar panels and battery systems from reputable brands like Panasonic and Enphase. What makes it different from the rest is that this company also supplies customers with backup generators and a smart electrical panel that lets you fine-tune how your energy is distributed across your home. Having access to this data and the ability to manipulate energy use are very important for off-grid and smart-home living. In addition to all of this, the company also installs solar roofs made up of solar tiles or solar shingles (depending on your preference) for those who would rather have an entire solar roof rather than an array of panels. 

Pricing information is not available on its website, so you will have to speak to a representative to get a quote. However, based on customers’ feedback, quotes are generally characterized as competitive within the market. While the company does offer financing and $0 down loans for its solar systems, its website doesn’t actually share any financing information online.