15 Best Solar Companies in Hayward, CA (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in Hayward based on:
- Customer review scores
- Service area for Hayward, CA
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Hayward homeowner saves $2,798/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Hayward
If you’re trying to find the best solar companies in Hayward, sorting through so many options can be taxing, but it can pay off since switching to solar power can offer so many great perks. Because solar panels generate their own electrical power, they can greatly lower your electricity bill each month, if not fully eliminate it. In fact, you could be looking at about $33,000 of savings over 20 years.
To help you sort through the large variety of Hayward solar installers, we’ve come up with a list of the top ones.To get a sense of how much it could cost to put solar panels on your roof, you can click the button below to be connected to a certified installer near you.
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 Hayward
SunPower by The Solar Quote
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
- Grid-Tied Solar System
Solar Bill Review
- Free Quotes
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Skilled Repairs
- Battery Storage
Solar Technologies
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
Semper Solaris
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Skilled Repairs
NorthStar Solar Inc
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
Complete Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Permit Assistance
- Financing Assistance
Sunlight Electri-Cal Solutions
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Panel Installation
- Solar Panel Upgrades
- Battery Storage
Your Energy Solutions
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
Sky Power Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Tesla Powerwall
- Battery Storage
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Hayward
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Hayward 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 Hayward
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 Hayward
The cost of installing solar panels has dropped significantly in the past few years, but it’s still a substantial investment for most homeowners.Some important things that affect how much it will cost and how much you could save include:
- Incentives: Along with the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which gives you a tax credit currently worth 0 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 $33,000 over the first 20 years with your solar panels, too.
- Average daily sunlight: Since Hayward gets lots of sunlight, your solar panel system will most likely be able to generate enough energy to power your whole home, which influences how much you can save on your energy bills.
- Your energy bills: This will affect how much you can save. In Hayward, the average homeowner can save about $1,500 a year on their electricity bills.
- System size and type: Some models are more costly than others, so the one you want to get can raise or lower your upfront cost. Plus, the more solar panels you need to buy, the more it'll cost.
There are several great benefits of solar despite the upfront cost of installation. It can help the planet and your finances. Additionally, it can boost the value of your home, resulting in even more benefits if you choose to sell your home later.
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Solar Incentives in Hayward
If you’re thinking about making the switch to solar energy, various government incentives and subsidies can dramatically bring down the installation costs and speed up the return on your investment.There are a lot of federal, state and local rebates and tax credits that earn a decent amount of money in return after installing solar panels. 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 Hayward
Lots of people want to do what they can to help protect the planet, which often is the prime motivation to install solar panels.You may be curious – how much does making the switch help the environment anyway? A key thing to consider is your overall carbon footprint. For example, if your commute is very long, your footprint may be bigger, so switching to solar power for your home can help offset that.After you go solar, your carbon dioxide emissions can be lowered by about 50 pounds each year. For those who want to help the environment, the upfront cost of solar is a small price to pay for reducing your carbon footprint.
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 Hayward, CA Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the most reputable solar company in Hayward?
In Hayward, SunPower is the top local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 4.50 stars, so it's a good choice if you're looking to add solar panels to your home.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of adopting solar power?
The greatest advantages of solar power are that it can reduce or, for some, 100% erase your electricity bills, improve the value of your home and bring down your carbon footprint. The disadvantages are that solar panels can be costly 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 to see a return on your investment after buying solar panels?
The average payback period for solar panel installation is about 6.9 years, but the exact period is influenced by the cost of electricity where you are, incentives and net metering programs.
How efficient is a solar panel system?
For the most part, solar panels are about 15 to 25% efficient, meaning they can convert that percentage of the energy from the sun into usable electricity.
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.