15 Best Solar Companies in Malibu, CA (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in Malibu based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Malibu, CA
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Malibu homeowner saves $2,265/year with solar panels
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Best Solar Companies in Malibu
On the hunt for the best solar companies in Malibu? Installing solar panels is an exciting home addition that many homeowners find beneficial for their wallets, communities and the planet. Solar power isn't just good for the Earth — your wallet will be better off too. Once you switch to solar power, you can save an average of $27,000 over 20 years, and this doesn't even include incentives.
There are lots of installers to consider, but in this article, we’ll help you narrow down your options by recommending some of the best solar companies in Malibu.To get free quotes from the top solar companies in Malibu, click the "get quote" button below.
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 Malibu
SunPower by Sun Solar-OC
Reliable Customer Support
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Cleaning and Maintenance- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
SunPower by True Power Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Paradise Renewables
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
Planet Connection Inc
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Carports
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
Imperial Solar
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
Imperium Energy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Permit Assistance
- Consultation
Go Green Solar Solutions
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Carports
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
Helios Energy Global
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
KOTA Energy Group
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
Maxum Energy Inc.
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Permit Assistance
- Battery Storage
Solar Discovery
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Battery Storage
- Skilled Repairs
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
Greenpire Inc
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Solar Panel Upgrades
United Electric, Solar & Plumbing
- Family-Operated Business
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Panel Installation
California Home Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
PacificSky Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Malibu
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Malibu 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 Malibu
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 Malibu
When choosing a solar company, most homeowners or business owners wonder about the costs the most.Some 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:
- System size and type: Some models are more expensive than others, so the one you decide on can raise or lower your upfront cost. Plus, the more solar panels you need to get, the more it'll cost.
- Incentives: Something that can reduce the cost of your solar project is the solar investment tax credit (ITC), which is a tax credit that lets you deduct from your taxes a percentage of the project cost. You can also save a decent amount of money on your energy bills, which can result in an average of $27,000 of savings over 20 years.
- The amount of sunlight your roof gets: If your roof gets limited direct sunlight, your solar panels won’t be able to make as much energy, which will leave you with lower savings on power bills than a house with a roof that gets lots of sunlight.
- Your energy bills: This will dictate how much money you might save. In Malibu, the average homeowner can save about $1,200 a year on their electricity bills.
So is installing solar panels worth it? Whether you hope to reduce your electric bills, carbon dioxide emissions or both, solar panels are a great investment for many Malibu homeowners.
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Solar Incentives in Malibu
In order to increase the number of homes and businesses that use solar power, federal, state and local governments – and even some utility companies – offer incentives to help make going solar more economical and accessible.Everyone can take advantage of the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which allows you to claim 0 of how much you paid for your solar installation on your tax return, lowering the amount of taxes you owe that year. Additionally, there may be some state and city incentives that stack with the ITC too. For more information about incentives for homeowners in Malibu, see our article on solar incentives.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Malibu
An important reason so many are considering installing solar panels is to help reduce their environmental impact.But how much can installing solar panels actually affect the environment? Using clean energy for electricity in place of using nonrenewable energy is a good way to lower carbon dioxide emissions if you're conscious of Malibu's fair level of greenhouse gas emissions.Though solar panel manufacturing emits carbon dioxide, the panels make up for it by considerably decreasing the amount of CO2 you would have produced if you still used nonrenewable energy. In Malibu, you can reduce your carbon footprint by 50 pounds a year with solar panels. For people who want to help the environment, the upfront cost of solar is a small price to pay for offsetting your carbon emissions.
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 Malibu, CA Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the best solar panel installation company in Malibu?
The top local solar company in Malibu is SunPower by Sun Solar-OC, with a rating of 3.00 stars.
What are the pros and cons of switching to solar?
A few of the biggest pros are that it decreases your power bills, it’s environmentally friendly, and it can give you a good return on your investment (ROI). The most notable cons are that solar panels don’t produce electricity at night, there is a high upfront cost and solar panels can be an eyesore.
How long does it take to see a return on your investment after buying solar panels?
Solar panels usually pay for themselves in about 8.6 years, but your solar payback period will vary depending on your utility costs. The higher your typical power bill, the faster your solar panel system will pay for itself.
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 it in the winter when the demand is less. With fewer homeowners switching to solar, 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.