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 choices than ever before, which can be overwhelming, but we’re here to make adopting solar energy that much easier. After 20 years of offsetting your energy costs with a solar panel system, you can save about $33,000 on your utility bills.
Here, we’ll narrow down some of the best solar companies in Berkeley to make your choice a little easier.Interested in seeing the cost of installing solar panels on your roof? Click "get quote" below to get a free, no-obligation quote from a highly rated Berkeley solar installer.
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
Best Technology
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
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Berkeley
SunPower
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
SunPower by The Solar Quote
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Battery Storage
Solar Works
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Community Solar Projects
- Panel Installation
CivicSolar, Inc
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
SolarUnion
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Panel Upgrades
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Skilled Repairs
- Battery Storage
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Source Energy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
Got Watts?
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
- Solar Panel Upgrades
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Permit Assistance
- Skilled Repairs
GRID Alternatives
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
Save a Lot Solar
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Permit Assistance
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Panel Installation
Bay Valley Solar Roofing
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
- Financing Assistance
- Battery Storage
NorthStar Solar Inc
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
solarXperts
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- 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
Pac Solar Corporation
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
Green Air and Solar
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Skilled Repairs
- Cleaning and Maintenance
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 most homeowners, the choice to invest in solar depends on installation costs.A few main factors that affect how much it will cost to install a solar panel system on your home and how much it could save you over time are:
- Incentives: Along with the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which lets you deduct 0 of your overall installation cost, your state or local government may offer additional tax exemptions, credits or rebates that will help you save even more. Excluding incentives, you can save an average of $33,000 over 20 years with your solar panels, too.
- Your income and budget: This shapes what model of solar panels you can get.
- Typical energy usage: The more power your household uses on average and the higher your current power bills are, the more likely you'll benefit from making the switch to solar.
- 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 affects how much your electricity bills will be.
There are several great benefits of solar even with the upfront cost of installation. It can help the Earth and your wallet. In addition, it can raise the value of your home, leading to even more benefits if you want to sell your home later.
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Solar Incentives in Berkeley
Because solar power is more sustainable than fossil fuels, there are various government incentives in place to encourage its adoption.Local solar incentives depend on the location and, sometimes, utility company. A lot of states offer rebates for home solar power systems, in addition to the federal solar tax credit. Take a look at our article on solar incentives to learn what incentives you can take advantage of.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Berkeley
One of the reasons so many consider adopting solar energy is to help bring down their environmental impact.You may be curious – how much does going solar do for the environment anyway? A key thing to be mindful of is your overall carbon footprint. For example, if you spend a lot of time driving to work, your footprint may be bigger, so switching to solar energy for your house can help offset that.While making solar panels releases carbon dioxide emissions, the panels make up for it by greatly reducing the amount of CO2 you would have released if you still used nonrenewable energy. In Berkeley, you can reduce your carbon footprint by 50 pounds a year with solar panels. If you want to do what you can for the environment, you’ll most likely recognize that there are many advantages to adopting solar power other than just saving money on bills. You can also help preserve the environment, which some would argue is invaluable.
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
Best Technology
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
EcoWatch's Berkeley, CA Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the best solar company in Berkeley?
The top local solar company in Berkeley is SunPower, with a rating of 4.50 stars.
Are solar panels actually bad for the environment?
Making solar panels needs to use chemicals and produces toxic waste that can be dangerous for the environment, which is the main downside of solar panels.
How long does it take for solar to pay for itself?
The average payback period for solar panel installation is about 6.9 years, but the exact period is influenced by local electricity costs, incentives and net metering programs.
When should I install solar panels?
You can put up solar panels whenever it's convenient for you, but consider doing it in the winter when there's less demand. With fewer homeowners switching to solar, you could potentially see quicker installation times and more savings.
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.