15 Best Solar Companies in Foster City, CA (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in Foster City based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Foster City, CA
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Foster City homeowner saves $2,746/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Foster City
On the hunt for the top solar companies in Foster City? Installing solar panels is an exciting home addition that many homeowners find rewarding for their wallets, communities and the planet. Since Foster City is a solar paradise, it's no wonder you're considering installing solar panels.
There are lots of installers to choose from, but in this article, we’ll help you narrow down your options by recommending some of the best solar companies in Foster City.If you’d like to get free, no-obligation quotes from the best Foster City solar companies, you can click the button below to learn more.
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 Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Foster City
SunPower
Free Quotes- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Battery Storage- Consultation
- Panel Installation
SunPower by The Solar Quote
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Consultation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Semper Solaris
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
- Skilled Repairs
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
Owens Electric & Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Family-Operated Business
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Panel Upgrades
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
CivicSolar, Inc
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
NEXT SOLAR
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
SolarUnion
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Solar Panel Upgrades
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Consultation
- Skilled Repairs
Greentech Renewables SF Bay Area
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
Solar Bill Review
- Reliable Customer Support
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Family-Operated Business
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
Cobalt Power Systems Inc.
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Tesla Powerwall
TN Electrical and Solar Services
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Battery Storage
- Solar Panel Upgrades
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
All Bay Solar Construction
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tesla Powerwall
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
Solar Technologies
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
Highlight Solar
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Permit Assistance
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
Soleeva
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Foster City
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Foster City 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 Foster City
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 Foster City
Solar panels are powered by a free energy source — the sun — but to take advantage of this you must first pay to set up your panels.A few main factors that influence the cost of installing a solar panel system on your home and how much money you could save over time are:
- Your home's power bills: Because of fairly high monthly electricity bills in Foster City, you could save about $1,500 a year with solar.
- The type and model of solar panels you’re thinking of getting: More efficient panels are more costly, so that will determine your budget for your solar project.
- Incentives: Tax-paying citizens who purchase and install a solar system this year can save 0 of their solar installation costs by taking advantage of the federal solar investment tax credit. You can also save about $33,000 on your utility bills over 20 years without incentives.
- The amount of sunlight your roof gets: Due to Foster City’s very high amount of average daily sunlight, you should be able to save a lot on your energy bills.
So are solar panels worth it? Whether you want to decrease your electric bills, carbon emissions or both, solar panels are a good investment for many Foster City homeowners.
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Solar Incentives in Foster City
Switching to solar power has many wonderful benefits. Not only can it help preserve the Earth, but you can also save a decent amount of money on your installation with various government incentives.When you install solar panels, you become eligible to claim the federal tax credit, or ITC. This credit currently lets you lower your tax bill by 0 of the cost of your solar panels. Additionally, there are often some local incentives that you can take advantage of to further save. Take a look at our article on solar incentives to find out what incentives are available to you.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Foster City
There are a few primary reasons why homeowners are considering solar energy: for the financial and environmental benefits.Many homeowners might be wondering how much exactly they can impact the environment by switching to solar in Foster City, though. In a place like Foster City where commute times can be very long, using solar power can help help reduce the carbon footprint of driving a lot.In Foster City, the average homeowner can reduce their carbon footprint by 50 pounds a year after going solar. If you want to do what you can for the environment, you’ll no doubt get that there are many advantages to adopting solar energy other than just saving money on bills. You can also help preserve the environment, which some would argue is worth more.
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 Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
EcoWatch's Foster City, CA Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the most reputable solar panel installer in Foster City?
The best local solar company in Foster City is SunPower, with a rating of 4.50 stars.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of solar power?
The biggest advantages of solar power are that it can lower or, in some cases, completely cut your electricity bills, raise the value of your home and reduce 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 it doesn’t work for all roof types and locations.
How long does it take for solar to pay for itself?
Solar panels usually pay for themselves in about 7.1 years, but your solar payback period will depend on your utility costs. The more your typical energy bill, the quicker your solar panel system will recoup your installation costs.
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 more costly. 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, such as on curved surfaces or cars, but they are also less efficient. The best one for you depends on your budget, roof configuration and how much efficiency you're looking for.
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.