15 Best Solar Companies in Encinitas, CA (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in Encinitas based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Encinitas, CA
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Encinitas homeowner saves $2,619/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Encinitas
As a homeowner in Encinitas, you may be considering switching to solar energy and wondering about the best solar companies in your local area. Solar could be a fantastic choice since it has many perks. Because solar panels produce their own electrical power, they can vastly reduce your electricity bill each month, if not fully eliminate it. In fact, you could end up with about $31,000 of savings over 20 years.
If you’re considering going solar, the first step you should take is to find the best solar companies in Encinitas and compare quotes. The good news is we went ahead and compiled a list of the best solar companies for you.To get a sense of how much it would cost to install solar panels on your roof, you can click the button below to be connected to a certified installer near you.
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 Encinitas
SunPower by Milholland Electric
Reliable Customer Support- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Panel Installation- Consultation
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
- Tesla Powerwall
San Diego County Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
- Permit Assistance
- Skilled Repairs
- System Decommissioning
Green Earth Electric
- Informative Resources
- Family-Operated Business
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
- Consultation
- Solar Panel Upgrades
Cosmic Solar and Roofing
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Permit Assistance
- Financing Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Skilled Repairs
Eminent Energy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
Baker Home Energy
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
Soltech Electric
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Solar Carports
- Battery Storage
Action Solar
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Skilled Repairs
- Financing Assistance
SolHome
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
G C Electric Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Permit Assistance
Stellar Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
- Tesla Powerwall
- Panel Installation
Sunline Energy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Family-Operated Business
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Permit Assistance
- Tesla Powerwall
Palomar Solar and Roofing
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
- Battery Storage
Carlsbad Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Family-Operated Business
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
SolarHub - Best Price & 30 YR Roof Warranty
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Encinitas
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Encinitas 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 Encinitas
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 Encinitas
The cost of putting up a solar panel system has gone down greatly over the past several years, but it’s still a significant investment for most homeowners.The cost of solar and the savings it generates vary depending on some key factors such as:
- System size and type: Some models are more costly than others, so the one you choose can raise or lower your upfront cost. Plus, the more solar panels you need, the more it'll cost.
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit, which everyone qualifies for, allows you to deduct 0 of the cost of installing your solar panel system from your federal taxes. Additionally, not including incentives, you can save about $31,000 over 20 years on your energy bills.
- The cost of electricity in your area: If your local utility rates are high, there's a good chance you'll end up with a higher return on your investment in a solar system. In Encinitas, you can save an average of $1,659 a month on your electricity bills.
- The amount of sunlight your roof gets: This, along with how your roof is set up, affects affect how much energy your solar panels can generate.
Even though a solar panel system costs a decent chunk of money upfront, it can save you much more in the long term. The question of how much, though, depends on several factors, including the amount of daily direct sunlight available and your local electricity rates.
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Solar Incentives in Encinitas
Although installing solar panels is typically a large investment, it can save you a significant amount of money in the long term due to smaller utility bills and government incentives.When you install solar panels on your house, you can claim the federal tax credit, or ITC. This credit currently lets you reduce your tax bill by 0 of the cost of your solar panels. In addition, there are often some regional incentives that you can benefit from to further save. For more information about local incentives, see our article on solar incentives.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Encinitas
If you’re planning on adding solar panels to your home, one of the major reasons why may be to lower your reliance on nonrenewable energy.You may be trying to figure out – how much do solar panels do for the planet anyway? One thing that can drastically affect your carbon footprint is your commute time and how much you drive generally. If you go solar and have an electric car, you can vastly lower your carbon dioxide emissions by charging your car at home.In Encinitas, the average household can reduce their carbon footprint by 50 pounds a year once they go solar. For homeowners who are concerned about 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 Encinitas, CA Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the best solar panel company in Encinitas?
The top local solar company in Encinitas is SunPower by Milholland Electric, with a rating of 4.80 stars.
What is the negative environmental impact of solar panel manufacturing?
Manufacturing solar panels uses chemicals and produces toxic waste that can be bad for the environment, which is the main drawback of solar panels.
Are solar panels worth it?
Solar panels need a large upfront investment that costs over ten thousand dollars, but whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a variety of factors like the cost of electricity near you and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.
When is the best time of year to install solar panels?
You can put up solar panels whenever it's convenient for you, but consider doing so in the winter when there's less demand. With fewer homeowners contracting installers, 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.