4 Best Solar Companies in Arcata, CA (2024 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
Looking for the top solar companies in Arcata? Installing a solar panel system is an exciting home addition that many homeowners find valuable for their wallets, communities and the planet. Since energy bills are getting higher and higher each year, many homeowners are considering investing in solar to save money on electricity for their homes.
The cost of installing solar panels can change considerably based on your home’s setup and your overall energy usage.To get an idea of how much it might 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
- 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
- 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
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Permit Assistance
- Consultation
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
Westhaven Power
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
HAVEN-ELECTRIC INC
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- 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
The cost of putting up a solar panel system has gone down immensely in the past several years, but it’s still a substantial investment for most homeowners.A few important factors that determine how much it will cost to install solar panels on your home and how much money you could save over time are:
- The model of solar panels you can afford: This is dependent on how much you’re willing to invest upfront.
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit currently allows you to lower 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. Plus, you can save about $31,000 over 20 years on your utility bills, without incentives.
- How much you spend on energy: The average family in Arcata shells out around $1,500 a year on electricity alone, so you could gain that much in savings.
- Your city: This affects how much sunlight your roof receives, which helps determine how many panels you need.
So is a solar system worth it? Whether you’re trying to decrease your electric bills, greenhouse gas emissions or both, solar panels are a worthwhile investment for many Arcata homeowners.
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Use the calculator below to get a sense of how much adopting solar power could affect the Earth and your bank account. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Arcata, CA.
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Solar Incentives in Arcata
There are many good reasons why adopting solar power is beneficial. One of them involves some government incentives that can help save you some money.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 local incentives that you can use to further save. In our article on solar incentives, you can see the incentives you qualify for near you.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Arcata
One reason so many people consider adopting solar energy is to help bring down their environmental impact.But you may be curious – how much exactly can you help the environment by going solar? As reported by the EPA, electricity generation is the second biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions and about 62% of our electricity is generated by burning fossil fuels. Installing solar panels and switching to renewable energy can help lower that statistic in a city like Arcata that is responsible for a fair amount of carbon dioxide emissions each year.Because solar panels don’t release CO2 emissions into the atmosphere when creating electricity, they’re a good trade for nonrenewable energy sources. In fact, you could expect to reduce your carbon dioxide emissions by about 40 pounds each year. If you care about the environment, you’ll likely find that there are many benefits of adopting solar energy other than just saving money on electricity. You can also help preserve the environment, which some would argue is invaluable.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- 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
- 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 most reputable solar panel installer in Arcata?
In Arcata, Six Rivers Solar is the best local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 4.30 stars, so it's a solid choice if you're planning to add solar panels to your roof.
What is the negative environmental impact of making solar panels?
Solar panels can be detrimental for the environment when manufacturers use toxic chemicals in the construction. Chemicals can make solar panels difficult to dispose of safely once they’ve reached the end of their lifespan. Making solar panels needs a lot of energy as well. The energy payback period is about 1 to 4 years.
Are solar panels worth it?
Solar panels need a significant upfront investment that will cost you several thousands of dollars, but whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a variety of factors like how much you pay for electricity and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.
How often do solar panels need to be replaced?
Though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they should be disposed of. What this means is how much energy they produce will have decreased by about 0.8% each year since installing them. You can choose to replace them after having them for that long or you can continue to use them at a lower efficiency after that time.
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.