14 Best Solar Companies in Durham, CA (Aug 2022 Review)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 14 in Durham based on:
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Customer review scores
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Solar installers near you
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Company policies and services offered
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Accreditations and certifications
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!

Updated 7/19/2022
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Best solar companies in Durham
Finding the best solar panel installation company for your home is an important decision, but it's one that can reap a lot of rewards in Durham. Fortunately, Durham residents have tons of the best solar companies in the nation, all of which provide great value for generating clean energy.
If you're thinking about going solar, the first step you should take is to find the best solar companies in Durham and compare quotes. The good news is we went ahead and made a list of the best solar companies to make your life easier. To help you figure out if solar panels are worth it for your home, you can get a free, no-obligation quote from one of the best solar companies in Durham by clicking the 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
Best Technology
The Green Panel
- 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 Durham


Local Service
Plan It Solar
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NABCEP-certified technicians
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Licensing and credentials transparency
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Custom system designs
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Locally owned and operated
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Offers a free quote process
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Educational sales approach
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Some reported communication issues
Services Offered
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels
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Solar Batteries


Local Service
Real Goods
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Offers a free quote process
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Educational sales approach
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Custom system designs
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Excellent reputation
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Some reported issues with customer services
Services Offered
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Solar Batteries
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Solar Panels


Nationwide Service
Average Cost
SunPower
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Most efficient panels on the market
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National coverage
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Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
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Great warranty coverage
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Expensive
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Customer service varies by local dealer
Services Offered
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Solar Panels
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Solar Batteries
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EV Chargers
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System Monitoring


Local Service
Smart Energy Brokers
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Can browse portfolio on website
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Offers a free quote process
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Makes charitable contributions
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Excellent reputation
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Some reported communication issues
Services Offered
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Solar Panels
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Solar Batteries


Local Service
SOLAR ELECTRIC PROS
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Educational sales approach
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Excellent reputation
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Some reports of long wait times for installation
Services Offered
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Batteries
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Maintenance and Repairs
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Solar Panels


Regional Service
Average Cost
Momentum Solar
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Great warranty coverage
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Representatives are experts on local policies
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Concierge service ensures steady communication
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Slightly limited service offerings
Services Offered
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Solar Panels
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Solar Batteries


Nationwide Service
Average Cost
The Green Panel
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Price-match guarantee
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Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
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Best solar battery on the market
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Some reported issues with customer service
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Customer service varies by local dealer
Services Offered
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Solar Panels
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Solar Batteries
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EV Chargers
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Solar Roof Shingles
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System Monitoring


Local Service
Origin Solar USA, Inc.
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Can browse portfolio on website
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Licensing and credentials transparency
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Custom system designs
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Educational sales approach
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
-
Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Batteries
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Solar Panels


Local Service
SunElectric
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Can browse portfolio on website
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Custom system designs
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Educational sales approach
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels
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Solar Batteries


Local Service
Solar Roof Dynamics LLC
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Licensing and credentials transparency
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Can browse portfolio on website
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Educational sales approach
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Roof Shingles
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Maintenance and Repairs
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Solar Panels


Local Service
K12 Solar, Inc.
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Can browse portfolio on website
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Custom system designs
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Educational sales approach
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels


Local Service
JWL Electric and Solar, Inc,
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Can browse portfolio on website
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Family owned and operated
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Licensing and credentials transparency
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Custom system designs
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Locally owned and operated
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
-
Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels


Local Service
Pi Electric & Solar
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Educational sales approach
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
-
Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels


Local Service
Gaia Energy Systems
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Can browse portfolio on website
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Educational sales approach
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
-
Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels
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Maintenance and Repairs
Solar Company Ranking Methodology
Click here to see a more detailed overview of our solar company ranking methodology.
The Cost and Benefits of Solar in Durham
For most homeowners, the decision to invest in a solar energy system depends the most on the cost. Some key things that influence the upfront cost and potential savings over time include:
- The model of solar panel system you can buy: This is dependent on your income and budget.
- How much energy your household consumes: Households that need plenty of energy each month may require more solar panels and, therefore, be more expensive, but will also save more on their energy bills over time.
- Your household's power bills: Based on the fairly high monthly energy bills in Durham, you could save about $1,100 a year with solar.
- Incentives: Along with the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which lets you receive a tax credit curretnly worth 26% of your overall installation cost, your local government may offer additional tax exemptions, credits or rebates that will help you save even more. Not including incentives, you can save an average of $32,000 over the first 20 years with your solar system, too.
There are lots of wonderful benefits of solar even with the upfront cost of installation. It can help the environment and your bank account. Plus, 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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To see how much you can impact the environment and your wallet by making the switch to solar, try out the calculator below. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Durham, CA.
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Solar Incentives in Durham
One of the great things about installing a solar panel system is earning incentives from the government. Everyone can take advantage of the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which will let you claim 26% of how much you paid for your solar installation on your tax return, lowering the amount of taxes you owe that year. Additionally, there may be some state and city incentives you can benefit from too. Check out the table below to find out what incentives you can take advantage of.
Name | Renewable Market Adjusting Tariff (ReMAT) |
Website | Visit here |
More Info | Click here |
Name | ITC |
Type | Tax Incentive |
Incentive Amount | 26% of installation cost |
Website | Visit here |
Name | Property Tax Exclusion for Solar Energy Systems and Solar Plus Storage System |
Incentive Amount | 100% of system value; 75% of system value exemption for dual-use equipment |
Incentive Max | Not specified. |
Website | Visit here |
More Info | Click here |
Name | Local Option - Municipal Energy Districts |
Website | Visit here |
More Info | Click here |
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Durham
If you're considering adding solar panels to your home, one of the primary reasons why may be to lower your carbon footprint. But how much can switching to solar actually help the environment? If your home consumes a lot of energy, you can help the environment even more by switching to solar power. Although solar panel manufacturing emits carbon dioxide, the panels make up for it by considerably reducing the amount of CO2 you would have been responsible for if you still used nonrenewable energy. In Durham, you can reduce your carbon footprint by 50 pounds a year with solar panels. Since energy from the sun is renewable and generates electricity without CO2 emissions, adding solar panels to your home is one easy step you can take to help the environment.
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Best Technology
The Green Panel
- 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 Durham, CA Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar panel installer is the best near me?
In Durham, Plan It Solar is the most reputable local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 5.00 stars, so it's a great choice if you're looking to install solar panels on your home.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of solar power?
The greatest advantages of solar power are that it can lower or, in some cases, completely erase your electricity bills, improve your home's value and cut back on your carbon footprint. The greatest disadvantages are that solar panels can be pricey to install, you may not save as much if you don't use a lot of electricity and it doesn't work for all roof types and locations.
Are solar panels worth it?
Solar panels need a considerable upfront investment that costs over ten thousand dollars, but whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a variety of factors like local electricity rates and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.
What is the best type of solar panel?
The different types of solar panels are monocrystalline, polycrystalline and thin-film. Monocrystalline panels are more efficient but also cost more. Polycrystalline panels are less expensive but also less efficient than monocrystalline. Thin-film solar panels are flexible, so they can be used where the other kinds can't, such as on curved surfaces or cars, but they are also less efficient. The best one for you depends on your budget, roof layout and how much energy generation you want.
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.