15 Best Solar Companies in Los Altos, CA (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in Los Altos based on:
- Customer review scores
- Service area for Los Altos, CA
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Los Altos homeowner saves $2,707/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Los Altos
Hoping to go solar but want to know which solar panel installer would be the best one for your needs? Although it can be difficult to find a solar company, the effort will pay off because going solar has many fantastic perks. Because solar panels produce their own energy, they can vastly lower your electricity bill each month, if not entirely eliminate it. In fact, you could be looking at about $32,000 of savings over 20 years.
The cost of installing solar panels can vary substantially depending on your home’s framework and your household energy usage.To help you know if solar panels are worth it for your home, you can get a free, no-obligation quote from one of the best solar companies in Los Altos by clicking the 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 Los Altos
SunPower
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
SunPower by The Solar Quote
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Grid-Tied Solar System
Highlight Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Permit Assistance
TN Electrical and Solar Services
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Solar Panel Upgrades
Soleeva
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Infinium Solar, Inc.
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
- System Decommissioning
- Solar Carports
- Panel Installation
Cinnamon Energy Systems
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Permit Assistance
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Skilled Repairs
- Battery Storage
- Tesla Powerwall
- Solar Panel Upgrades
Clean Solar
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tesla Powerwall
- Skilled Repairs
- Financing Assistance
- Permit Assistance
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
Semper Solaris
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
Cobalt Power Systems Inc.
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
- Tesla Powerwall
- Battery Storage
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
Bright World
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Simply Solar
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
Shade Power
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Solar Carports
Rise & Shine Solar
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tesla Powerwall
- Permit Assistance
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
Shadowfax Roofing and Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Panel Installation
- Permit Assistance
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Los Altos
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Los Altos 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 Los Altos
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 Los Altos
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 system.Some important things that affect the cost and possible savings include:
- Incentives: Those 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 $32,000 on your electricity bills over 20 years not including incentives.
- The kind of solar panel system you can purchase: This depends on how much you’re willing to invest upfront.
- Average daily sunlight: Since Los Altos gets lots of sunlight, your solar panel system will most likely be able to produce enough energy to power your whole home, which influences how much you can save on your energy bills.
- Your current power bills: Solar panels can noticeably decrease, or totally eradicate, your utility bills. In Los Altos, you can save an average of $1,538 a month.
So is installing solar panels worth it? Whether you want to lower your energy bills, carbon emissions or both, solar panels are a worthwhile investment for many Los Altos homeowners.
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Solar Incentives in Los Altos
Switching to solar power has a lot of wonderful benefits. Not only can it help preserve the environment, but you can also save a good amount of money on your installation with various government incentives.There are quite a few federal, state and local rebates and tax credits that may earn you some money back after installing a solar panel system. Check out our article on solar incentives to find out what incentives are available to you.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Los Altos
There are many reasons to make the switch to solar power, like saving money on electricity bills and helping to reduce your carbon footprint.But – how much exactly can you help the environment by going solar? In Los Altos, where the energy generation could be cleaner, going solar can have a big effect on the Earth since solar power has a lower carbon footprint.Because solar panels don’t release carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere when creating electricity, they’re a good swap for nonrenewable energy sources. In fact, you could look forward to lowering your carbon dioxide emissions by about 50 pounds each year. For people 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 Los Altos, CA Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the most reputable solar installer in Los Altos?
The best local solar company in Los Altos is SunPower, with a rating of 4.50 stars.
Are solar panels actually environmentally friendly?
Solar panels can be harmful for the environment when manufacturers use toxic chemicals in the construction. Chemicals can make solar panels difficult to dispose of safely once they’ve reached the end of their lifespan. Making solar panels uses a lot of energy as well. The energy payback period is about 1 to 4 years.
How long does it take to see a return on your investment after getting solar panels?
Solar panels usually pay for themselves in about 7.2 years, but your solar payback period will vary depending on your utility costs. The more your typical electricity bill, the quicker your solar panel system will pay for itself.
What is the efficiency of solar panels?
Solar panel efficiency is the amount of solar energy that is converted into electricity. Most panels today have an efficiency rating between 15 and 20%. If your panels are more efficient, you'll need fewer of them for your home's energy needs.
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.