15 Best Solar Companies in Atherton, CA (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in Atherton based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Atherton, CA
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Atherton homeowner saves $2,746/year with solar panels
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Best Solar Companies in Atherton
Getting the right solar panel installation company for your house is an important decision, but it's one that can save you a lot of money in Atherton. Solar panels can be expensive, but adopting solar will save you money on your power bills in the long term. In fact, you can potentially save about $33,000 over 20 years.
As you begin your search for the best solar companies in Atherton, you might notice that there are a large number of providers to choose between. So, we’ve accumulated an expertly curated list of the top solar companies in the area.Continue reading to see our picks for the best solar companies in the city, or get connected to a certified solar company in your area right away by clicking the button below.
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 Atherton
SunPower
Free Quotes- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Panel Installation- Battery Storage
- Consultation
SunPower by The Solar Quote
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Consultation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Battery Storage
Semper Solaris
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
Owens Electric & Solar
- Family-Operated Business
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Panel Upgrades
- Battery Storage
- Skilled Repairs
- Panel Installation
Cobalt Power Systems Inc.
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Tesla Powerwall
- Battery Storage
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Financing Assistance
TN Electrical and Solar Services
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Solar Panel Upgrades
- Consultation
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Battery Storage
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Highlight Solar
- Free Quotes
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Permit Assistance
Soleeva
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
Rise & Shine Solar
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Permit Assistance
- Consultation
- Tesla Powerwall
Highlands Energy Service Newark
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
Infinium Solar, Inc.
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Solar Carports
- System Decommissioning
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
Shade Power
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Carports
- Panel Installation
Cinnamon Energy Systems
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Financing Assistance
- Solar Panel Upgrades
- Tesla Powerwall
- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
Clean Solar
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
- Tesla Powerwall
- Financing Assistance
Greentech Renewables SF Bay Area
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Atherton
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Atherton 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 Atherton
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 Atherton
We get that for most homeowners, the decision to invest in solar rests on installation costs.Some key things that determine the upfront cost and potential savings over time include:
- The type of solar panel system you have the money for: This hinges on how much you’re willing to spend upfront.
- How much sunlight your roof gets: If your roof doesn’t get a lot of direct sunlight, your solar panels won’t be able to produce as much energy, which will give you lower savings on electricity bills than a roof that gets plenty of sunlight.
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit, which everyone in the U.S. is eligible for, allows you to deduct 0 of the cost of your solar system installation from your taxes. In addition, not including incentives, you can save about $33,000 over 20 years on your energy bills.
- How much energy costs for you: The average household in Atherton shells out around $1,500 a year on power alone, so you could end up with that much in savings.
There are lots of great benefits of solar even with the initial cost of installation. It can help the Earth and your wallet. In addition, it can boost the value of your home, leading to even more benefits if you choose to sell your home later.
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Solar Incentives in Atherton
Although a solar power system is typically a big investment, it can save you a significant amount of money over time because of smaller power bills and government incentives.In addition to the federal solar investment tax credit, there are also some state- and city-level programs, which in the majority of cases, stack with the federal incentive, so you get to save even more. Our article on solar incentives has more information on the incentives you can benefit from in Atherton.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Atherton
One of the best reasons to switch to solar power is to cut your dependence on traditional energy sources like burning fossil fuels, which are destructive for the environment.Many homeowners might be wondering how much exactly they can impact the environment by switching to solar in Atherton, though. According to the EPA, electricity generation is the second biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions and about 62% of our electricity comes from burning fossil fuels. Switching to a clean energy source like solar power can help bring down that statistic in a city like Atherton that produces a fair amount of carbon dioxide emissions each year.Although solar panel manufacturing releases carbon dioxide emissions, the panels make up for it by significantly reducing the amount of CO2 you would have produced if you still used nonrenewable energy. In Atherton, you can reduce your carbon footprint by 50 pounds a year with solar panels. For homeowners 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
- 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 Atherton, CA Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the best solar panel installer in Atherton?
The best local solar company in Atherton is SunPower, with a rating of 4.50 stars.
What are some of the biggest advantages and disadvantages of installing solar panels?
The advantages of solar power are that it can reduce or, in some cases, completely eradicate your electricity bills, improve the value of your home and bring down your carbon footprint. The greatest disadvantages are that solar panels can be pricey to install, you may not see as many savings if you don’t use a lot of electricity and it doesn’t work for all roof types and locations.
How long does it take for solar to pay for itself?
The average payback period for solar panel installation is about 7.1 years, but the exact period depends on local electricity costs, incentives and net metering programs.
How long do solar panels last?
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 higher level 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.
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.