11 Best Solar Companies in Aptos, CA (2023 Reviews)

We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 11 in Aptos based on:

  • Customer review scores
  • Service area for Aptos, CA
  • Company policies and services offered
  • Accreditations and certifications

Average Aptos homeowner saves $2,742/year with solar panels

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated May 04, 2023

Why you can trust EcoWatch

We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

Best Solar Companies in Aptos

If you're a home or business owner looking to make use of the solar incentives in Aptos, it can be a lot of work to narrow down which installer to decide on. But, the process is worth it since switching to solar energy is typically a good choice. Solar panels aren't just good for the environment — your finances will be better off too. With solar power, you can save an average of $33,000 over 20 years, and this doesn't even include incentives.

In this article, we'll help you narrow in on the top companies in your area. To get a sense of what it could cost to put solar panels on your roof, you can click the button below to be connected to a certified installer near you.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • Most efficient panels on the market
  • National coverage
  • Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
  • Great warranty coverage
  • Expensive
  • Customer service varies by local dealer

Best Regional Coverage

Momentum Solar

★★★★★
4.5

  • Great warranty coverage
  • Representatives are experts on local policies
  • Concierge service ensures steady communication
  • Slightly limited service offerings

Best Warranty Coverage

Sunpro Solar

★★★★★
4.0

  • Industry-leading warranty coverage
  • Expansive service area
  • Some reported communication issues
  • No leases or PPAs

EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Aptos

Best National Provider
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

5.0/5

Average Cost

Read full review

SunPower

  • Pros icon Most efficient panels on the market
  • Pros icon National coverage
  • Pros icon Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
  • Pros icon Great warranty coverage
  • Con icon Expensive
  • Con icon Customer service varies by local dealer

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Panels
  • Service icon Solar Batteries
  • Service icon EV Chargers
  • Service icon System Monitoring

Website: https://us.sunpower.com/
Best Regional Coverage
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EcoWatch Rating

4.5/5

Average Cost

Momentum Solar

  • Pros icon Great warranty coverage
  • Pros icon Representatives are experts on local policies
  • Pros icon Concierge service ensures steady communication
  • Con icon Slightly limited service offerings

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Panels
  • Service icon Solar Batteries

Website: https://www.momentumsolar.com/
Best Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

4.1/5

Clean Solar

  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Prompt Service Delivery
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Outstanding Customer Support
  • Pros icon Recognized Excellence
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Skilled repairs
  • Service icon Business installations
  • Service icon Energy storage solutions
  • Service icon Integrated roofing
  • Service icon Tailored solutions
  • Service icon Home installations
  • Service icon Expert panel installation

Website: http://www.cleansolar.com/
Address: 1445 Koll Cir, San Jose, CA 95112
Phone: 1445KollCir
Outstanding Local Installer
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EcoWatch Rating

4.1/5

Clean Solar

  • Pros icon Outstanding Customer Support
  • Pros icon Prompt Service Delivery
  • Pros icon Recognized Excellence
  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Business installations
  • Service icon Skilled repairs
  • Service icon Integrated roofing
  • Service icon Expert panel installation
  • Service icon Tailored solutions
  • Service icon Home installations
  • Service icon Energy storage solutions

Website: http://www.cleansolar.com/
Address: 1445 Koll Cir, San Jose, CA 95112
Phone: 8885517652
Best Warranty Coverage
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EcoWatch Rating

4.0/5

Average Cost

Read full review

Sunpro Solar

  • Pros icon Industry-leading warranty coverage
  • Pros icon Expansive service area
  • Con icon Some reported communication issues
  • Con icon No leases or PPAs

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Panels
  • Service icon Solar Batteries
  • Service icon EV Chargers
  • Service icon Energy-Efficiency Upgrades

Website: https://www.gosunpro.com/
Best for Leasing
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EcoWatch Rating

4.0/5

Average Cost

Sunrun

  • Pros icon Expansive service area
  • Pros icon Many financing options
  • Con icon Some reported issues with customer service
  • Con icon Some reported issues with door-to-door sales

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Panels
  • Service icon Solar Batteries
  • Service icon EV Chargers
  • Service icon Energy-Efficiency Upgrades

Website: https://www.sunrun.com/
Best Social Impact
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EcoWatch Rating

4.0/5

Average Cost

Palmetto Solar

  • Pros icon Expansive service area
  • Pros icon Makes charitable contributions
  • Pros icon Certified B Corp
  • Con icon No leases or PPAs
  • Con icon Quality of installation may vary by location

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Panels
  • Service icon Solar Batteries
  • Service icon Energy-Efficiency Upgrades
  • Service icon Maintenance & Repairs

Website: https://palmetto.com/
Best Technology
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EcoWatch Rating

3.2/5

Average Cost

Read full review

Tesla Energy

  • Pros icon Price-match guarantee
  • Pros icon Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
  • Pros icon Best solar battery on the market
  • Con icon Some reported issues with customer service
  • Con icon Customer service varies by local dealer

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Panels
  • Service icon Solar Batteries
  • Service icon EV Chargers
  • Service icon Solar Roof Shingles
  • Service icon System Monitoring

Website: https://www.tesla.com/energy
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Santa Cruz Solar Companies

  • Pros icon Outstanding Customer Support
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Expert panel installation
  • Service icon Home installations
  • Service icon Tailored solutions
  • Service icon Integrated roofing

Website: http://santacruzsolarcompanies.com/
Address: 9032 Soquel Dr, Aptos, CA 95003
Phone: 8883534796
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Greentech Renewables Santa Cruz

  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Outstanding Customer Support
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Business installations
  • Service icon Tailored solutions
  • Service icon Energy storage solutions
  • Service icon Expert panel installation
  • Service icon Home installations

Website: https://www.cedgreentech.com/location/santa-cruz-ca
Address: 420 Kennedy Dr, Capitola, CA 95010
Phone: 8314717410
Outstanding Local Installer
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EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

SunWave Energy

  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Tailored solutions
  • Service icon Home installations
  • Service icon Expert panel installation
  • Service icon Business installations
  • Service icon Integrated roofing

Website: http://www.sunwaveenergy.net/
Address: 200 Oz Ln, Watsonville, CA 95076
Phone: 8312722227

Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Aptos

EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Aptos based on criteria such as its reputation in the industry, customer reviews, services, warranty coverage and financing. Using this solar methodology, we used the data we collected to rate and rank each company and narrow down our picks for the best solar companies in Aptos


Below are some the criteria we examined specifically for California solar companies

  • Brand reputation and certifications (20%): We take each company's Better Business Bureau (BBB) score into consideration, as well as how long the installer has been in business (at least 5 years is required, 10 preferred) and what type of solar certifications it holds.
  • Customer reviews (20%): Trust is a top priority at EcoWatch, so we take customer experience under close consideration. We scour different review sites and customer testimonials when ranking our top solar companies, checking sites such as Trustpilot and Google Reviews. We also consider any potential complaints or lawsuits filed against these companies and award or remove points accordingly.
  • Warranty (20%): A company earns a perfect score in this category if it offers 25-year warranties that cover performance, product and workmanship. The industry standard that we measure companies against is 25-year product and performance warranties, along with a 10-year workmanship warranty. We also look closely into the track record of the post-installation support each company provides in terms of honoring its contracts
  • Solar services (10%): All of the companies we review install solar panels, but we award companies higher points if they offer additional services for customers, like battery installation, energy-efficiency audits, and EV chargers.
  • Pricing and financing (10%): It's hard to get exact quotes for solar projects, but we use marketplace research to determine how each company prices its equipment and installation services. Additionally, companies that offer more help for panel financing — like in-house loans, leases, or PPAs — score higher than those that don't.
  • Availability (10%): The bigger the service area, the higher the company will score.
  • Transparency and accessibility (5%): Solar installers that offer free consultations and easy contact methods score higher in this category.
  • Environmental, social and corporate governance factors (5%): A company earns a perfect score in this category if it offers public data disclosure, addresses end-of-life (EOL) products or processes, and demonstrates a commitment to uplifting the communities that it serves.

The Cost and Benefits of Solar in Aptos

For the majority of homeowners, whether or not to invest in solar panels comes down to the cost. Some key factors that determine how much it will cost to install a solar panel system on your home and how much money you could save over time are:

  • Incentives: One thing that can save you money on your solar project is the solar investment tax credit (ITC), which is a tax credit that's equal to a percentage of the project cost. You can also save a decent amount of money on your power bills, which can give you an average of $33,000 of savings over 20 years.
  • Energy consumption: Installing a solar system may be a high-cost investment for families that don't consume a lot of energy each month.
  • How much sunlight your roof gets: This, plus how your roof is set up, affects affect how much energy your solar panels can make.
  • Your income and budget: This affects what model of solar panels you can purchase.

So is a solar panel system worth it? Whether you hope to lower your electricity costs, carbon dioxide emissions or both, solar panels are a good investment for many Aptos homeowners.

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Solar Incentives in Aptos

If you're planning on switching to solar power, a variety of government incentives and tax credits can dramatically reduce the cost of the project and expedite the return on your investment. When you install solar panels on your house, you can claim the federal tax credit, or ITC. This credit currently reduces your tax bill by 30% of the cost of your solar panels. In addition, there are often some state and city incentives that you can benefit from to further save. Our article on solar incentives goes over more information on the incentives you can benefit from in Aptos.

Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Aptos

If you're considering adding solar panels to your home, one of the major reasons why may be to reduce your greenhouse gas emissions. But you may be wondering — how much exactly can you help the environment by going solar? The average person has a considerable carbon footprint. Between their car, which produces over 10,000 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions each year, and powering their home, it can be overwhelming to figure out what to do. Switching to solar is a simple thing you can do to help. While making solar panels releases carbon dioxide emissions, the panels make up for it by significantly lowering the amount of CO2 you would have released if you still used nonrenewable energy. In Aptos, you can reduce your carbon footprint by 50 pounds a year with solar panels. For people who care about the environment, the upfront cost of solar is a small price to pay for the offset carbon emissions.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • Most efficient panels on the market
  • National coverage
  • Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
  • Great warranty coverage
  • Expensive
  • Customer service varies by local dealer

Best Regional Coverage

Momentum Solar

★★★★★
4.5

  • Great warranty coverage
  • Representatives are experts on local policies
  • Concierge service ensures steady communication
  • Slightly limited service offerings

Best Warranty Coverage

Sunpro Solar

★★★★★
4.0

  • Industry-leading warranty coverage
  • Expansive service area
  • Some reported communication issues
  • No leases or PPAs

EcoWatch's Aptos, CA Solar Company Rankings FAQs

What is the top solar installation company in Aptos?

The highest-rated local solar company in Aptos is APG Solar, with a rating of 5.00 stars.

What is the negative environmental impact of making solar panels?

Solar panels can be harmful for the environment when manufacturers use toxic chemicals in the manufacturing process. Chemicals can make solar panels difficult to recycle safely once they've reached the end of their lifespan. Solar panel manufacturing needs a lot of energy as well. The energy payback period is about 1 to 4 years.

How long does it take to see a return on your investment after buying solar panels?

Solar panels typically pay for themselves in about 5.6 years, but your solar payback period will vary depending on your utility costs. The more your typical electricity bill, the quicker your solar panel system will recoup your installation costs.

What is the best type of solar panel?

The different types of solar panels are monocrystalline, polycrystalline and thin-film. Monocrystalline panels are more efficient but also cost more. Polycrystalline panels cost less but also less efficient than monocrystalline. Thin-film solar panels are flexible, so they can be used where the other types can't, such as on curved surfaces or cars, but they are also less efficient. The best one for you depends on your budget, roof configuration and how much energy generation you want.

Our goal is to reach as many people as we can with sensible solutions like solar energy. Our team of full-time local researchers collects solar price and installation data for every city in America then compiles it to create these digestible city guides. If you want to read our solar expert’s opinion on the top solar companies featured here, follow this link.

Company research was conducted by Melissa Smith and Karsten Neumeister. Local data analysis was conducted by James Savino. See something we missed or could do better? Email the editor.