4 Best Solar Companies in Arcata, CA (2025 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 4 in Arcata based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Arcata, CA
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Arcata homeowner saves $2,598/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Arcata
Hoping to go solar but not sure which solar company would be the best one for your needs? Although it can be hard to find a solar company, the effort will pay off because going solar has many fantastic benefits. What's especially making many homeowners consider solar power is their high energy bills that keep increasing each year.
The cost of installing solar panels can change greatly according to your home’s framework and your overall energy requirements.We suggest shopping around for quite a few quotes and comparing them to see which is the best installer for your home. To receive free, no-pressure quotes from the top solar panel companies in Arcata, click the link below.
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Arcata
Six Rivers Solar
Free Quotes- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Financing Assistance- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Permit Assistance
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Consultation
- Skilled Repairs
Sunbolt Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Permit Assistance
- Consultation
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
Westhaven Power
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Skilled Repairs
HAVEN-ELECTRIC INC
- Informative Resources
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tesla Powerwall
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
- Solar Panel Upgrades
- Battery Storage
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Arcata
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Arcata 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 Arcata
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 Arcata
For lots of homeowners, whether or not to invest in solar energy boils down to the cost.The installation cost is just one important factor you should keep in mind when looking into installing solar panels. How much it'll cost and how much you can save depend on things such as:
- Your income and budget: This guides what type of solar panels you can afford.
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit currently lets you decrease your taxes by 0 of the project cost. Your state and even local utility companies may also have incentives and rebates that you can benefit from. Additionally, you can save about $31,000 over 20 years on your utility bills, before factoring in incentives.
- How much energy costs for you: The average household in Arcata pays around $1,500 a year on energy use alone, so you could end up with that much in savings.
- Average daily sunlight: Since Arcata gets lots of sunlight, your solar panel system will most likely be able to generate enough energy to power your whole home, which impacts how much your electricity bills will be.
There are lots of good benefits of solar in spite of the initial cost of installation. It can help the planet and your bank account. In addition, it can boost the value of your home, giving you even more benefits if you want to sell your home later.
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To see how much you can help the environment and your wallet by making the switch to solar, try out the calculator below. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Arcata, CA.
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Solar Incentives in Arcata
In an effort to increase the number of homes and businesses that use solar power, federal, state and local governments – and even some utility companies – offer incentives to help make switching to solar power more economically viable and accessible.When you install a solar panel system on your home, you become eligible to claim the federal tax credit, or ITC. This credit currently lowers your tax bill by 0 of the cost of your solar panels. Plus, there may often be some regional incentives that you can use to further save. For more information about incentives for homeowners in Arcata, check out our article on solar incentives.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Arcata
There are tons of reasons to make the switch to solar power, like saving money on electricity bills and helping to reduce your carbon footprint.Many homeowners might be wondering how much exactly they can impact the environment by switching to solar in Arcata, though. Switching to solar power is a great choice for the environment, because the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the nation is from burning fossil fuels for electricity, heat, and transportation – all of which can be powered by solar instead.In fact, if you adopt solar power, you could look forward to lowering your carbon dioxide emissions by about 40 pounds each year. For people who are worried about the environment, the upfront cost of solar is a small price to pay for the offset carbon emissions.
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
EcoWatch's Arcata, CA Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the best solar panel company in Arcata?
In Arcata, Six Rivers Solar is the top local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 4.40 stars, so it's a great choice if you're planning to add solar panels to your roof.
Are solar panels really eco-friendly?
Solar panels can be harmful for the environment when manufacturers use toxic chemicals in the manufacturing process. Chemicals can make solar panels difficult to dispose of safely once they’ve reached the end of their lifespan. Solar panel manufacturing uses a lot of energy as well. The energy payback period is about 1 to 4 years.
Is it worth putting solar panels on my roof?
Solar panels can be a fruitful investment for many homeowners, but honestly, they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get a lot of direct sunlight or your electricity bills are already pretty low, solar panels might not be for you.
How often do solar panels have to be replaced?
On average, the lifespan of solar panels is about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but efficiency goes down by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a larger amount of energy production.
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.