15 Best Solar Companies in Lake San Marcos, CA (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in Lake San Marcos based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Lake San Marcos, CA
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Lake San Marcos homeowner saves $2,619/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Lake San Marcos
Choosing the right solar panel installation company for your roof is an important decision, but it's one that can pay off big in Lake San Marcos. After 20 years of offsetting your energy costs with a solar system, you can save about $31,000 on your power bills.
If you’re planning on going solar, the first step you should take is to find the best solar companies in Lake San Marcos and compare quotes. The great news is we did the hard work and made a list of the best solar companies to make it easier on you.If you’d like to get free, no-obligation quotes from the top Lake San Marcos solar companies, you can click the button below to learn more.
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 Lake San Marcos
SunPower by Milholland Electric
Reliable Customer Support- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Panel Installation- Battery Storage
- Tesla Powerwall
- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
Eminent Energy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Permit Assistance
San Diego County Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- System Decommissioning
- Skilled Repairs
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Permit Assistance
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
- Grid-Tied Solar System
Green Earth Electric
- Family-Operated Business
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Skilled Repairs
- Solar Panel Upgrades
Cosmic Solar and Roofing
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
- Skilled Repairs
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Permit Assistance
SolHome
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
Baker Home Energy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
- Skilled Repairs
Stellar Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Tesla Powerwall
G C Electric Solar
- Informative Resources
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Permit Assistance
- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
Palomar Solar and Roofing
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
Carlsbad Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
- Family-Operated Business
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
SolarHub - Best Price & 30 YR Roof Warranty
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Permit Assistance
Magic Solar San Diego
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Skilled Repairs
Sol Nova Electric LLC
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Permit Assistance
- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
180 Solar Power
- Informative Resources
- Family-Operated Business
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Battery Storage
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Lake San Marcos
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Lake San Marcos 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 Lake San Marcos
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 Lake San Marcos
The cost of installing solar panels has gone down greatly over the past several years, but it’s still a large investment for most homeowners.There are several factors you should consider when trying to figure out costs and your potential savings, such as:
- Your income and budget: This affects what model of solar panels you can buy.
- Your location: This influences the average daily sunlight your roof gets, which helps determine how many panels you need.
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit currently allows you to lower your taxes by 0 of the project cost. Your state and city may also have various incentives that you can benefit from. Plus, you can save about $31,000 over 20 years on your utility bills, before factoring in incentives.
- How much energy your household consumes: Homes that consume lots of energy each month may call for more solar panels and, therefore, more upfront cost, but will also enjoy more savings over time.
Because of the cost of solar panels being lower than before as well as various solar incentives, they are a sound investment for most homeowners.
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Solar Incentives in Lake San Marcos
Since solar power is a cleaner source of energy than fossil fuels, there are various government incentives in place to encourage people to make the switch.When you install solar panels, you become eligible to claim the federal tax credit, or ITC. This credit currently lowers your tax bill by 0 of the cost of your solar panels. Plus, there are often some regional incentives that you can take advantage of to further save. Our article on solar incentives has more information on the incentives you can find in Lake San Marcos.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Lake San Marcos
Going solar can have a meaningful effect on the environment.You may be curious – how much does making the switch help the planet anyway? Something that can drastically affect your carbon footprint is your commute time and how much you drive overall. If you switch to solar power and have an electric car, you can greatly decrease your carbon dioxide emissions by charging your car at home.In Lake San Marcos, 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 offsetting your carbon emissions.
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 Lake San Marcos, CA Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the most reputable solar installer in Lake San Marcos?
The best local solar company in Lake San Marcos is SunPower by Milholland Electric, with a rating of 4.80 stars.
What are the pros and cons of solar power?
A few of the biggest pros are that it lowers your electricity bills, it’s good for the environment, and it can give you a significant return on your investment (ROI). The most notable cons are that solar panels don’t work as well when there’s limited direct sunlight, the installation cost is pricey and solar panels can be an eyesore.
Is it worth putting solar panels on my roof?
Solar panels require a large upfront investment that usually costs at least ten thousand dollars, but whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a collection of factors like local electricity rates and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.
How often do solar panels need to be replaced?
Though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they stop working completely. What this means is the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can choose to replace them once you've had them for that long or you can continue to use them at a lower efficiency after that time.
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.