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
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Average Montecito homeowner saves $2,134/year with solar panels
Updated September 15, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
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 Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Montecito
Good Energy Solar
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Informative Resources - Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Energy storage solutions - Tailored solutions
- Integrated roofing
- Home installations
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
Sun Pacific Solar Electric, Inc.
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Business installations
- Integrated roofing
- Home installations
- Energy storage solutions
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Skilled repairs
Brighten Solar Co.
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
- Integrated roofing
- Energy storage solutions
- Business installations
Sunrise805
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Business installations
- Tailored solutions
- Integrated roofing
- Energy storage solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
Sun Energy MSS
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Business installations
- Integrated roofing
Mac's Solar
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
Planet Solar Inc. - Santa Barbara
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Integrated roofing
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Business installations
- Home installations
Joe's Window Cleaning
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
Codella Solar & Associates
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Family-Operated Business
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
Sespe Power Solutions
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled repairs
- Business installations
- Tailored solutions
- Integrated roofing
- End-to-end services
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
Pacific Electric Solar
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Tailored solutions
Coastal Solar
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Skilled repairs
- End-to-end services
- Home installations
- Business installations
- Integrated roofing
- Tailored solutions
Solar by Infinity
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Integrated roofing
- Expert panel installation
- Business installations
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
- Energy storage solutions
Santa Barbara Solar Group
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Integrated roofing
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
- Business installations
Windy Nation Inc.
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
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 Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
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.