15 Best Solar Companies in Berkeley, CA (2023 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in Berkeley based on:
-
Customer review scores - Service area for Berkeley, CA
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Berkeley homeowner saves $2,798/year with solar panels
Updated September 15, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Berkeley
If you're a home or business owner looking to capitalize on the solar incentives in Berkeley, it can be hard to narrow down which company to choose. But, it's worth it since switching to solar energy is often a fantastic idea. Over 20 years of offsetting your energy costs with a solar panel system, you can save about $33,000 on your utility bills.
In this article, we'll help you narrow down the best companies in your area. To see how much you might have to pay to put up solar panels on your roof, you can get a free quote from one of the top solar companies in Berkeley by clicking the "get quote" button below.
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Berkeley
SunPower Corporation
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Reliable Customer Support - Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Expert panel installation - Energy storage solutions
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Integrated roofing
- Home installations
High Definition Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
- Integrated roofing
Solar Works
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- End-to-end services
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Business installations
EES Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Business installations
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
- Energy storage solutions
SunPower by The Solar Quote
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Integrated roofing
- Energy storage solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
SunPower Elite Dealer - Impact
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
Solar Panel RoofNSave Alameda
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
- Integrated roofing
- Skilled repairs
Save a Lot Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
Pegasus Solar
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Professional reinstallation
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
- Integrated roofing
A1 Sun, Inc.
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Business installations
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
SolarUnion
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Business installations
- Integrated roofing
- End-to-end services
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
- Skilled repairs
CivicSolar, Inc
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
- Business installations
GRID Alternatives
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Business installations
- Energy storage solutions
- Integrated roofing
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
Sun Light & Power
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
- Expert panel installation
- Business installations
- Skilled repairs
- Energy storage solutions
- Tailored solutions
Heliodyne, Inc.
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Business installations
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Berkeley
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Berkeley 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 Berkeley
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 Berkeley
We know that for lots of homeowners, the decision to invest in solar comes down to installation costs. Some important factors that influence how much it will cost to install solar panels on your home and how much it could save you over time include:
- Incentives: One thing that can reduce the cost of 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 money on your power bills, which can generate an average of $33,000 of savings over 20 years.
- Energy consumption: Installing solar panels may be a high-cost investment for households that don't need too much energy each month.
- Choice of solar panels: The kind of solar panels you choose will affect your total cost. High-efficiency monocrystalline panels will cost more upfront but can also lead to more savings over the lifetime of your system. If space isn't a constraint for your project, you can opt for a higher number of more affordable panels.
- Average daily sunlight: Since Berkeley gets lots of sunlight, your solar panel system will most likely be able to produce enough energy to power your whole home, which impacts how much your solar panels can save you on your electricity bills.
There are lots of good benefits of solar even with the upfront cost of installation. It can help the Earth and your bank account. In addition, it can boost the value of your home, resulting in even more benefits if you decide to sell your home later.
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If you're curious how much you could impact the environment if you switch to solar, you can use the calculator below. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Berkeley, CA.
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Solar Incentives in Berkeley
Since solar power is a cleaner source of energy than fossil fuels, there are quite a few government incentives available to encourage people to make the switch. On top of the federal tax credit incentive, there are also some state- and city-level benefits, which in most cases, stack with the federal incentive, so you can save even more. For more information about local incentives, check out our article on solar incentives.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Berkeley
Replacing nonrenewable energy with solar power is a great way to do what you can for a cleaner and more sustainable future. You may be trying to figure out — how much does making the switch help the environment anyway? One thing you should keep in mind is your overall carbon footprint. For example, if you spend a lot of time on the road and have an electric vehicle, you can install solar panels on your home to power your EV and therefore help offset your carbon emissions. Once you go solar, your carbon footprint can be lowered by about 50 pounds a year. The perks of solar power are abundant — just like solar power is! That's why so many Berkeley residents have been happy with committing 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
EcoWatch's Berkeley, CA Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the best solar installer in Berkeley?
In Berkeley, SolarUnion is the most reputable local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 4.06 stars, so it's a great choice if you're looking to add solar panels to your house.
Are solar panels actually environmentally friendly?
Solar panels can be harmful 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 can be a beneficial investment for many homeowners, but admittedly, they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get enough sunlight or your power bills are already fairly low, solar panels might not be for you.
How often do solar panels need to be replaced?
On average, solar panels can last about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but efficiency decreases by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a higher 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.
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.