15 Best Solar Companies in Durham, CA (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in Durham based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Durham, CA
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Durham homeowner saves $2,684/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Durham
If you’re a homeowner looking to make the most of the solar incentives in Durham, it can be challenging to narrow down which company to choose. But, the process is worth it since adopting solar energy is typically a fantastic choice. After 20 years of offsetting your energy costs with a solar panel system, you can save about $32,000 on your electricity bills.
In this article, we’ll introduce you to the top Durham solar installers so you can make the best decision for your home’s green energy needs.To see how much you might have to pay to install solar panels on your roof, you can get a free quote from one of the top solar companies in Durham by clicking the "get quote" button 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 Durham
All Around Heating, Air and Solar
Reliable Customer Support- Prompt Service Delivery
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Skilled Repairs- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
Climate & Energy Solutions
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Skilled Repairs
- Panel Installation
- Tesla Powerwall
- Financing Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Royal Aire Solar, Heating, Air & Water
- Reliable Customer Support
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
- Skilled Repairs
Urban Design
- Family-Operated Business
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
- Permit Assistance
- Financing Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Battery Storage
- Solar Carports
Chico Electric
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
- Cleaning and Maintenance
California Builders - Solar Contractor
- Free Quotes
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Revamp Solar Energy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
Light It Up Solar and Electric
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
Infinity Energy
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
- Battery Storage
Alternative Energy Systems
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
- Skilled Repairs
- Panel Installation
Westhaven Power
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
Sustainable Energy Group
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Skilled Repairs
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
California Solar Electric Cooperative Corporation
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
DIY Solar Planning
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Permit Assistance
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
Hammond Electric
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Durham
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Durham 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 Durham
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 Durham
Solar panels run off a free energy source — the sun — but before you can take advantage of this you first need to pay to set up your system.There are several factors you should consider when trying to figure out the overall cost and how much you can save, including:
- Average daily sunlight: Since Durham 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 solar panels can save you on your electricity bills.
- Incentives: Tax-paying citizens who install a solar energy system this year can save 0 of their solar installation costs by using the federal solar investment tax credit. You can also save about $32,000 on your electricity bills over 20 years without incentives.
- The model of solar panels you’re planning on getting: Higher-efficiency panels are more costly, so that will shape your budget for your solar project.
- How much electricity your home consumes: Homes that need lots of energy each month may call for more solar panels and, as a result, be more costly, but will also enjoy more savings over time.
Even though a solar panel system costs a good chunk of money upfront, it can save you a considerable amount in the long term. The question of how much, though, depends on a number of factors, such as the size of your house and your local electricity rates.
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Solar Incentives in Durham
To increase the number of homes and businesses that use solar power, incentives are offered by the government – and even some utility companies – to help make solar more affordable and accessible.There are a lot of federal, state and local rebates and tax credits that can earn you anywhere from 0 to 50% of your money in return after buying solar panels. You can learn about the incentives you can use in our article on solar incentives
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Durham
There are lots of reasons to trade traditional energy for solar power, like saving on utility bills and helping to reduce your carbon footprint.You may be curious – how much do solar panels do for the planet anyway? Switching to clean energy for electricity instead of burning fossil fuels is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint if you're concerned about Durham's fair level of greenhouse gas emissions.Once you go solar, your carbon footprint can be cut by about 50 pounds every year. For homeowners who want to help the environment, the upfront cost of solar is a small price to pay for reducing your carbon footprint.
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 Durham, CA Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the most reputable solar company in Durham?
In Durham, All Around Heating, Air and Solar is the best local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 4.80 stars, so it's a great choice if you're planning to add solar panels to your house.
What are the pros and cons of solar power?
The main advantages of solar power are that it can decrease or, in some cases, totally erase your electricity bills, improve your home’s value and bring down your carbon footprint. The biggest disadvantages are that solar panels can be expensive to install, you may not see as many savings if you don’t use a lot of electricity and whether you can install solar panels depends on your roof configuration.
How long does it take for solar to pay for itself?
The average payback period for solar panel installation is about 7.2 years, but the exact period varies depending on the cost of electricity where you are, incentives and net metering programs.
What are the different types of solar panels?
The different types of solar panels are monocrystalline, polycrystalline and thin-film. Monocrystalline panels are more efficient but also more expensive. Polycrystalline panels are cheaper but also less efficient than monocrystalline. Thin-film solar panels are flexible, so they can be used where the other kinds can’t, like 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.