15 Best Solar Companies in Montecito, CA (2023 Reviews)

We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in Montecito based on:

  • Customer review scores
  • Service area for Montecito, CA
  • Company policies and services offered
  • Accreditations and certifications

Average Montecito homeowner saves $2,134/year with solar panels

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated September 15, 2023

Why you can trust EcoWatch

We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

Best Solar Companies in Montecito

Choosing the right solar panel installation company for your roof is a huge decision, but it's one that can save you a lot of money in Montecito. You may have to spend a decent amount of money upfront for solar panels, but adopting solar will save you money on your utility bills over time. In fact, you can potentially save about $25,000 over 20 years.

In this article, we'll review the top Montecito solar installers so you can find the best one for your home's clean energy needs. To get free quotes from the top-rated solar companies in Montecito, click the "get quote" button below.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.5

  • Great warranty coverage
  • Representatives are experts on local policies
  • Concierge service ensures steady communication
  • Slightly limited service offerings

Best Warranty Coverage

ADT Solar

★★★★★
4.0

  • Industry-leading warranty coverage
  • Expansive service area
  • Some reported communication issues
  • No leases or PPAs

EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Montecito

Best Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

4.9/5

Good Energy Solar

  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Energy storage solutions
  • Service icon Tailored solutions
  • Service icon Integrated roofing
  • Service icon Home installations
  • Service icon Business installations
  • Service icon Expert panel installation

Website: http://www.goodenergysolar.com/
Address: 137 W Mission St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Phone: 8059795101
Outstanding Local Installer
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EcoWatch Rating

4.9/5

Sun Pacific Solar Electric, Inc.

  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Business installations
  • Service icon Integrated roofing
  • Service icon Home installations
  • Service icon Energy storage solutions
  • Service icon Tailored solutions
  • Service icon Expert panel installation
  • Service icon Skilled repairs

Website: http://sunpacificsolar.net/
Address: 809 Bond Ave B, Santa Barbara, CA 93103
Phone: 8059659292
Outstanding Local Installer
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EcoWatch Rating

4.8/5

Brighten Solar Co.

  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Tailored solutions
  • Service icon Home installations
  • Service icon Expert panel installation
  • Service icon Integrated roofing
  • Service icon Energy storage solutions
  • Service icon Business installations

Website: http://brightensolarco.com/
Address: 5380 Overpass Rd B, Santa Barbara, CA 93111
Phone: 8057083654
Outstanding Local Installer
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EcoWatch Rating

4.4/5

Sunrise805

  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Business installations
  • Service icon Tailored solutions
  • Service icon Integrated roofing
  • Service icon Energy storage solutions
  • Service icon Expert panel installation
  • Service icon Home installations

Website: http://www.sunrise805.com/
Address: 232 Anacapa St Suite 2A, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Phone: 8058956096
Outstanding Local Installer
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EcoWatch Rating

4.3/5

Sun Energy MSS

  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Expert panel installation
  • Service icon Home installations
  • Service icon Business installations
  • Service icon Integrated roofing

Website: http://sunenergymss.com/
Address: 9A N Calle Cesar Chavez, Santa Barbara, CA 93103
Phone: 2096608707
Outstanding Local Installer
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EcoWatch Rating

4.0/5

Mac's Solar

  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Expert panel installation
  • Service icon Tailored solutions
  • Service icon Energy storage solutions
  • Service icon Home installations

Website: https://www.macsolar.com/
Address: 162 Vista Del Mar Dr, Santa Barbara, CA 93109
Phone: 8056823386
Outstanding Local Installer
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EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Planet Solar Inc. - Santa Barbara

  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Tailored solutions
  • Service icon Integrated roofing
  • Service icon Expert panel installation
  • Service icon Energy storage solutions
  • Service icon Business installations
  • Service icon Home installations

Website: http://planetsolar.com/
Address: 300 E Canon Perdido St Suite C-2, Santa Barbara, CA 93103
Phone: 8008597652
Outstanding Local Installer
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EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Joe's Window Cleaning

  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Tailored solutions
  • Service icon Home installations

Website: http://joeswindowcleaning805.com/
Address: 133 E De La Guerra St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Phone: 8054511502
Outstanding Local Installer
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EcoWatch Rating

4.9/5

Codella Solar & Associates

  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Pros icon Family-Operated Business
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Expert panel installation
  • Service icon Tailored solutions
  • Service icon Business installations
  • Service icon Energy storage solutions
  • Service icon Home installations

Website: http://www.codellasolar.com/
Address: 2300 Alessandro Dr #106, Ventura, CA 93001
Phone: 8056487867
Outstanding Local Installer
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EcoWatch Rating

5.0/5

Sespe Power Solutions

  • Pros icon Prompt Service Delivery
  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Skilled repairs
  • Service icon Business installations
  • Service icon Tailored solutions
  • Service icon Integrated roofing
  • Service icon End-to-end services
  • Service icon Expert panel installation
  • Service icon Energy storage solutions
  • Service icon Home installations

Website: https://sespepowersolutions.com/
Address: 4882 McGrath St ste 130, Ventura, CA 93003
Phone: 8056510783
Outstanding Local Installer
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EcoWatch Rating

5.0/5

Pacific Electric Solar

  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Home installations
  • Service icon Expert panel installation
  • Service icon Energy storage solutions
  • Service icon Tailored solutions

Website: http://pacificelectricsolar.com/
Address: 1833 Portola Rd STE D, Ventura, CA 93003
Phone: 8773185494
Outstanding Local Installer
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EcoWatch Rating

4.6/5

Coastal Solar

  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Expert panel installation
  • Service icon Skilled repairs
  • Service icon End-to-end services
  • Service icon Home installations
  • Service icon Business installations
  • Service icon Integrated roofing
  • Service icon Tailored solutions

Website: https://coastalsolarventura.com/
Address: 4526 Telephone Rd UNIT 205, Ventura, CA 93003
Phone: 8052461330
Outstanding Local Installer
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EcoWatch Rating

4.9/5

Solar by Infinity

  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Integrated roofing
  • Service icon Expert panel installation
  • Service icon Business installations
  • Service icon Tailored solutions
  • Service icon Home installations
  • Service icon Energy storage solutions

Website: http://solarbyinfinity.com/
Address: 6566 Beene Rd, Ventura, CA 93003
Phone: 8056509054
Outstanding Local Installer
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EcoWatch Rating

4.8/5

Santa Barbara Solar Group

  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Prompt Service Delivery
  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Integrated roofing
  • Service icon Tailored solutions
  • Service icon Home installations
  • Service icon Expert panel installation
  • Service icon Business installations

Website: http://www.sbsolargroup.com/
Address: 2790 Sherwin Ave STE 4, Ventura, CA 93003
Phone: 8056365206
Outstanding Local Installer
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EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Windy Nation Inc.

  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Tailored solutions
  • Service icon Energy storage solutions
  • Service icon Home installations

Website: http://www.windynation.com/
Address: 1404 Fleet Ave, Ventura, CA 93003
Phone: 8053236445

Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Montecito

EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Montecito 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 Montecito


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 Montecito

Solar panels run off a free energy source — the sun — but before you can take advantage of this you will need to pay to set up your system. The cost and possible savings vary depending on some key factors such as:

  • How much sunlight your roof gets: If your rooftop doesn't get a lot of direct sunlight, your solar panel system won't be able to produce as much energy, which will give you lower savings on electric bills than a roof that gets a lot of sunlight.
  • Your energy bills: This will influence how much money you might save. In Montecito, the average resident can save about $750 a year on their electricity bills.
  • Incentives: One thing that can make your solar project cost less 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 power bills, which can result in an average of $25,000 of savings over 20 years.
  • The model of solar panel system you can buy: This is dependent on what your budget is.

Thanks to the cost of solar panels being lower than before as well as various solar incentives, they are a worthwhile investment for the majority of homeowners.

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Solar Incentives in Montecito

Although solar power is typically a big investment, it can save you a significant amount of money over the lifespan of your solar panels due to smaller energy bills and government incentives. You can qualify for the federal solar investment tax credit (ITC) for the tax year you turn on your a solar panel system. You can also possibly stack the ITC with other local rebates and benefits. You can find out about the incentives you can use in our article on solar incentives

Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Montecito

Swapping traditional energy for solar is a powerful way to do your part for a more eco-friendly future. But how much can using solar energy instead of traditional energy actually help the environment? In a city like Montecito where commute times can be long sometimes, using solar power can help help reduce the carbon footprint of being on the road a lot. Because solar panels don't release carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere when creating electricity, they're a good alternative to nonrenewable energy sources. In fact, you could look forward to lowering your carbon dioxide emissions by about 50 pounds each year. Since solar power is plentiful and generates electricity without a carbon footprint, making the switch to solar power is one easy step you can take to help protect the environment.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.5

  • Great warranty coverage
  • Representatives are experts on local policies
  • Concierge service ensures steady communication
  • Slightly limited service offerings

Best Warranty Coverage

ADT Solar

★★★★★
4.0

  • Industry-leading warranty coverage
  • Expansive service area
  • Some reported communication issues
  • No leases or PPAs

EcoWatch's Montecito, CA Solar Company Rankings FAQs

Which solar panel installer is the best near me?

In Montecito, Mega Solar Inc. is the top local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 4.01 stars, so it's a great choice if you're planning on installing solar panels on your roof.

What is the negative environmental impact of making solar panels?

Solar panels can be bad 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 requires a lot of energy as well. The energy payback period is about 1 to 4 years.

Are solar panels worth it?

Solar panels can be a fruitful investment for most homeowners, but honestly, they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get a lot of direct sunlight or your electricity bills are already reasonably low, solar panels might not be for you.

What is the efficiency of solar panels?

In most cases, 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.