11 Best Solar Companies in Atwater, CA (2023 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 11 in Atwater based on:
-
Customer review scores - Service area for Atwater, CA
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Atwater homeowner saves $2,740/year with solar panels
Updated May 04, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Atwater
As a homeowner in Atwater, you may be planning on switching to solar power and wondering about the best solar companies in your local area. Solar could be a good choice since it comes with a lot of benefits. Solar panels can be expensive, but switching to solar will save you money on your energy bills over time. In fact, you can expect to save about $33,000 over 20 years.
Here, we'll make a list of some of the best solar companies in Atwater to make your decision much easier. We advise shopping around to get quite a few quotes and comparing them to see which is the best installer for your home. To receive free, no-obligation quotes from the top solar companies in Atwater, 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 Warranty Coverage
Sunpro Solar
- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Atwater
Average Cost
SunPower
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Most efficient panels on the market - National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
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Expensive - Customer service varies by local dealer
Services Offered
-
Solar Panels - Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- System Monitoring
Average Cost
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
Average Cost
Sunpro Solar
- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- Energy-Efficiency Upgrades
Average Cost
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- Energy-Efficiency Upgrades
Average Cost
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- Energy-Efficiency Upgrades
- Maintenance & Repairs
Average Cost
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- Solar Roof Shingles
- System Monitoring
Extreme Solar Solutions
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Integrated roofing
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
APG Solar
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
Hydro Klean
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Integrated roofing
- Business installations
- Home installations
Phoenix Renewable Services
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Skilled repairs
- Business installations
- Home installations
Cenergy Power
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Energy storage solutions
- Business installations
- Home installations
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Atwater
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Atwater 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 Atwater
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 Atwater
The cost of putting up solar panels has dropped significantly over the past several years, but it's still a substantial investment for most homeowners. Some important factors that dictate how much it will cost to install a solar panel system on your home and how much money you could save over time are:
- Average daily sunlight: Since Atwater gets lots of sunlight, your solar panel system will most likely be able to generate enough energy to power your whole home, which influences how much you can save on your energy bills.
- The type of solar panels you want: More efficient panels have higher prices, so that will determine your budget for your solar project.
- How much you spend on energy: The typical family in Atwater shells out around $1,000 a year on home energy use alone, so you could gain that much in savings.
- Incentives: Tax-paying citizens who install a solar energy system this year can save 30% of their installation costs by taking advantage of the federal solar investment tax credit. You can also save about $33,000 on your electricity bills over 20 years without incentives.
So is installing solar panels worth it? Whether you're trying to reduce your energy bills, carbon emissions or both, solar panels are a worthwhile investment for many Atwater homeowners.
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Solar Incentives in Atwater
To increase solar panel installation and usage, federal, state and local governments — and even some utility companies — offer incentives to help make solar more financially viable and accessible. Regardless of where you live, you can take advantage of the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which lets you claim 30% of how much you paid for your solar installation on your tax return, lowering the amount of taxes you owe that year. Plus, there may be some local incentives that stack with the ITC too. For more information about incentives for homeowners in Atwater, check out our article on solar incentives.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Atwater
There are tons of reasons to make the switch to solar energy, like saving on utility bills and helping to reduce your carbon footprint. Something many homeowners might be wondering about is how much can they really help the environment by going solar anyway? Something that can drastically shape your carbon footprint is your commute time and how much you drive in general. If you go solar and drive an electric car, you can vastly decrease your carbon dioxide emissions by charging your car at home. Since solar panels don't release CO2 emissions into the atmosphere when creating electricity, they're a good substitute for nonrenewable energy sources. In fact, you could expect to reduce your carbon dioxide emissions by about 50 pounds each year. The great things about solar power are abundant — just like solar power is! That's why so many people have been happy with making the switch to solar.
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Best Warranty Coverage
Sunpro Solar
- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
EcoWatch's Atwater, CA Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the best solar panel installation company in Atwater?
The top local solar company in Atwater is APG Solar, with a rating of 5.00 stars.
What is the negative environmental impact of solar panel manufacturing?
Manufacturing solar panels needs to use chemicals and produces toxic waste that can be dangerous for the environment, which is the main drawback of solar panels.
Are solar panels worth it?
Solar panels require a considerable upfront investment that usually costs at least ten thousand dollars, but whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a range of factors like local electricity rates and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.
What is solar panel capacity and how much do I need for my house?
Solar panel capacity is rated depending on how much power they generate under standard testing conditions. Since each panel can generally produce about 250 to 400 watts per hour, the average home will need 20 to 35 panels.
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.