15 Best Solar Companies in Berkeley, CA (2024 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
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Berkeley
When deciding on the best solar installers, Berkeley homeowners have more options to choose from than ever before, which can be too much to take in, but we’re here to make making the switch to solar energy less confusing. Over 20 years of offsetting your energy costs with a solar panel system, you can save about $33,000 on your electricity bills.
To help you navigate through the large variety of Berkeley solar installers, we’ve come up with a list of the top ones.We suggest shopping around for multiple quotes and comparing them to find the best installer for your home. To get started with free, no-obligation quotes from vetted solar panel companies in Berkeley, click the link 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 Berkeley
SunPower
Free Quotes- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Panel Installation- Battery Storage
- Consultation
SunPower by The Solar Quote
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Cleaning and Maintenance
CivicSolar, Inc
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
SolarUnion
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
- Solar Panel Upgrades
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
Source Energy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
Got Watts?
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Solar Panel Upgrades
- Permit Assistance
- Financing Assistance
- Skilled Repairs
- Cleaning and Maintenance
GRID Alternatives
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
Save a Lot Solar
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Permit Assistance
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Panel Installation
Bay Valley Solar Roofing
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Skilled Repairs
solarXperts
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
High Definition Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
Green Air and Solar
- Free Quotes
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
- Skilled Repairs
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
Certified Solar, Heating & Air Conditioning
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Skilled Repairs
- Financing Assistance
Pac Solar Corporation
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
Solar Panel RoofNSave Alameda
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- 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 choice to invest in solar depends on installation costs.The installation cost is just one important factor you should bear in mind when looking into installing solar panels. How much it'll cost and how much you can save depend on things such as:
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit currently lets you lower your taxes by 0 of the project cost. Your state and city may also have various incentives that you can take advantage of. Additionally, you can save about $33,000 over 20 years on your utility bills, before factoring in incentives.
- Choice of solar panels: The type 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 you don’t need to maximize efficiency, you can go with a higher number of more affordable panels.
- How much power your household consumes: Households that use plenty of energy each month may call for more solar panels and, as a result, be more costly, but will also save more on their energy bills over time.
- The amount of sunlight your roof gets: Due to Berkeley’s very high amount of average daily sunlight, you should be able to save a lot on your energy bills.
So is installing solar panels worth it? Whether you’re trying to decrease your energy bills, greenhouse gas emissions or both, solar panels are a worthwhile investment for many Berkeley homeowners.
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Solar Incentives in Berkeley
In an effort to increase the adoption of solar power, incentives are offered by the government – and even some utility companies – to help make switching to solar power more affordable and accessible.Local solar incentives vary by location and, sometimes, utility company. A lot of states offer rebates for solar power, in addition to the federal solar tax credit. Our article on solar incentives goes over more in-depth information on the incentives you can benefit from in Berkeley.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Berkeley
Switching to solar energy can have a beneficial impact on the environment.You may be curious – how much does making the switch do for the planet anyway? Something that can drastically shape your carbon footprint is your commute time and how much you drive generally. If you install solar panels and drive an electric car, you can greatly decrease your carbon dioxide emissions by charging your car at home.In fact, if you install solar panels, you could reduce your carbon dioxide emissions by about 50 pounds each year. As you can see, going solar has so many other rewards apart from saving money. One of the major ones is that you can help save the environment too.
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 Berkeley, CA Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the most reputable solar panel installer in Berkeley?
In Berkeley, SunPower is the top local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 4.50 stars, so it's a solid choice if you're looking to install solar panels on your house.
What is the negative environmental impact of solar panels?
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.
How long does it take for solar to pay for itself?
Solar panels generally pay for themselves in about 6.9 years, but your solar payback period will vary based on your utility costs. The more your typical power bill, the quicker your solar panel system will pay for itself.
When should I install solar panels?
Despite summer being the most popular time people install solar panels, the optimal time is actually winter. You can save money since there's decreased demand during the winter months, and it lets you be up and running with solar for the more expensive power bills you may get during the summer.
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.