4 Best Solar Companies in McKinleyville, CA (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 4 in McKinleyville based on:
- Customer review scores
- Service area for McKinleyville, CA
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average McKinleyville homeowner saves $2,598/year with solar panels
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Best Solar Companies in McKinleyville
Searching for the best solar companies in McKinleyville? Installing a solar panel system is an exciting project that many homeowners find beneficial for their wallets, communities and the planet. On average, your family can save $31,000 over 20 years after installing a solar panel system. And because solar panels last about 25 to 30 years, you can save will be even more than that overall.
As you begin your search for the best solar companies in McKinleyville, you’ll notice that there are a large number of providers to choose from. So, we’ve put together an expertly curated list of the top solar companies in the area.Want to see how much it’d cost to install a solar system on your roof? Click "get quote" below to get a free, no-obligation quote from a highly rated McKinleyville solar installer.
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 McKinleyville
Six Rivers Solar
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Consultation
- Permit Assistance
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Grid-Tied Solar System
Sunbolt Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Permit Assistance
- Battery Storage
HAVEN-ELECTRIC INC
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Solar Panel Upgrades
- Panel Installation
- Tesla Powerwall
- Financing Assistance
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in McKinleyville
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in McKinleyville 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 McKinleyville
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 McKinleyville
For the majority of homeowners, whether or not to invest in solar panels depends the most on the cost.The cost of solar and the savings it generates vary depending on some key factors such as:
- How much energy costs for you: If your local energy rates are quite high, there's a good chance you'll have a higher return on your investment in solar panels. In McKinleyville, you can save an average of $1,538 a month on your electricity bills.
- Incentives: Those who purchase and install a solar energy system this year can save 0 of their installation costs by taking advantage of the federal solar investment tax credit. You can also save about $31,000 on your utility bills over 20 years excluding incentives.
- System size and type: Some models are more costly than others, so the one you want can raise or lower your upfront cost. Plus, the more solar panels you need to buy, the more it'll cost.
- Your city: This affects how much sunlight your roof receives, which helps determine how many panels you need.
Although a solar panel system costs a sizable chunk of money upfront, it can save you much more in the long term. The question of how much, though, depends on several factors, including the size of your house and your current power bills.
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Solar Incentives in McKinleyville
Because solar power is a cleaner source of energy than burning fossil fuels, there are some government incentives in place to encourage its adoption.There are a lot of federal, state and local rebates and tax credits that earn a decent amount of money back after installing a qualifying system. For more information about incentives that apply to you, visit our article on solar incentives.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in McKinleyville
If you’re planning on adding solar panels to your home, one of the major reasons why may be to reduce your carbon footprint.You may be wondering – how much do solar panels help the planet anyway? One thing to consider is your overall carbon footprint. For example, if you spend a lot of time in the car and have an electric vehicle, you can install solar panels on your home to power your EV and therefore help offset your carbon emissions.Since solar panels don’t release CO2 emissions into the atmosphere when producing electricity, they’re a good swap for nonrenewable energy sources. In fact, you could be looking at reducing your carbon dioxide emissions by about 40 pounds each year. For homeowners who care about 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 McKinleyville, CA Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the top solar panel company in McKinleyville?
The best local solar company in McKinleyville is Six Rivers Solar, with a rating of 4.40 stars.
What are some of the pros and cons of installing solar panels?
The biggest advantages of solar power are that it can reduce or, in some cases, entirely erase your electricity bills, improve the value of your home and cut back on your carbon footprint. The main disadvantages are that solar panels can be pricey to install, you may not save a lot 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 installing solar panels?
The average payback period for solar panel installation is about 7.5 years, but the exact period is influenced by the cost of electricity where you are, incentives and net metering programs.
What is solar panel capacity and how much do I need for my house?
Solar panel capacity is the amount of energy the panels can create under ideal conditions (a sunny day around noon). The average household has to get between 20 and 35 panels to cover how much energy they need.
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.