11 Best Solar Companies in Novato, CA (Sep 2022 Review)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 11 in Novato based on:
-
Customer review scores - Solar installers near you
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Updated 9/16/2022
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best solar companies in Novato
When you're trying to find the best solar companies in Novato, sifting through all the options can be daunting, but it can pay off since adopting solar power can offer so many great perks. On average, you can save $32,000 over 20 years with solar panels. And since solar panels have a lifespan of about 25 to 30 years, you can save will be much higher than that overall.
If you're thinking about going solar, the first step to make is to find the best solar companies in Novato and compare quotes. The great news is we went ahead and made a list of the best solar companies so you don't have to. Interested in knowing how much you would pay to install a solar system on your roof? Click "get quote" below to get a free, no-obligation quote from a highly rated Novato 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 Technology
The Green Panel
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Novato
Local Service
Mid-State Solar
-
Educational sales approach - Custom system designs
-
Some reported communication issues - Some reports of long wait times for installation
- Some reported issues with customer services
- Some reports of high-pressure sales tactics
Services Offered
-
Solar Batteries - Solar Panels
- Commercial Solar Services
Local Service
SunLectric
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Family owned and operated
- Custom system designs
- Can browse portfolio on website
- Licensing and credentials transparency
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Batteries
- Solar Panels
- Commercial Solar Services
Local Service
Honey's Air & Solar
- Educational sales approach
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Maintenance and Repairs
- Solar Panels
Local Service
Apex Electric Inc
- Can browse portfolio on website
- Educational sales approach
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Maintenance and Repairs
- Commercial Solar Services
- Solar Panels
Local Service
Solaron Pool Heating, Inc.
- Can browse portfolio on website
- Educational sales approach
- Excellent reputation
- Some reports of long wait times for installation
- Some reports of high-pressure sales tactics
- Some reported issues with customer services
- Some reported communication issues
Services Offered
- Commercial Solar Services
- Solar Panels
Local Service
Element Solar Panel Cleaning
- Can browse portfolio on website
- Educational sales approach
- Speedy and efficient installations
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Commercial Solar Services
- Solar Roof Shingles
- Solar Panels
Local Service
Simmitri Solar
- Educational sales approach
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Comprehensive service offerings
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Maintenance and Repairs
- Commercial Solar Services
- Solar Batteries
- Solar Panels
- Solar Roof Shingles
Local Service
Vista Solar, Inc.
- Educational sales approach
- Licensing and credentials transparency
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Batteries
- Commercial Solar Services
- Solar Panels
Local Service
Solar System , Inc.
- Can browse portfolio on website
- Educational sales approach
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Commercial Solar Services
- Solar Roof Shingles
- Solar Panels
Local Service
Cinnamon Energy Systems
- Licensing and credentials transparency
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Offers a free quote process
- Educational sales approach
- Can browse portfolio on website
- Assists with maximizing rebate
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Batteries
- Maintenance and Repairs
- Commercial Solar Services
- Solar Panels
Local Service
Bright Planet Consulting
- Educational sales approach
- Assists with maximizing rebate
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Maintenance and Repairs
- Commercial Solar Services
- Solar Panels
Solar Company Ranking Methodology
Click here to see a more detailed overview of our solar company ranking methodology.
The Cost and Benefits of Solar in Novato
Solar panels are powered by a free energy source — the sun — but before you can take advantage of this you will need to pay to install your system. There are several factors you should take into consideration when trying to determine the overall cost and how much you can save, such as:
- How much sunlight your roof gets: This, plus how your roof is set up, affects affect how much energy your solar panels can produce.
- average energy usage: The more power your home consumes on average and the larger your current power bills are, the more benefits you'll see from switching to solar.
- Incentives: Something that can reduce the cost of your solar project is the solar investment tax credit (ITC), which is a tax credit that's equal to a percentage of the project cost. You can also save money on your energy bills, which can lead to an average of $32,000 of savings over 20 years.
- The type of solar panels you want: Higher-efficiency panels are more costly, so that will affect your budget for your solar project.
There are several wonderful benefits of solar in spite of the upfront cost of installation. It can help the environment and your finances. In addition, it can raise the value of your home, leading to even more benefits if you choose to sell your home later.
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Solar Incentives in Novato
Switching to solar power has many great benefits. Not only can it help protect the environment, but you can also save some money on your installation with various government incentives. When you install a solar panel system, you can claim the federal tax credit, or ITC. This credit currently reduces your tax bill by 30% of the cost of your solar panels. In addition, there are often some state and city incentives that you can take advantage of to further save. You can find out about the incentives available to you in the table below.
| Name | Property Tax Exclusion for Solar Energy Systems and Solar Plus Storage System |
| Website | Visit here |
| More Info | Click here |
| Name | Local Option - Municipal Energy Districts |
| Website | Visit here |
| More Info | Click here |
| Name | Self-Generation Incentive Program |
| Website | Visit here |
| More Info | Click here |
| Name | Renewable Market Adjusting Tariff (ReMAT) |
| Incentive Amount | |
| Website | Visit here |
| More Info | Click here |
| Name | LADWP - Feed-in Tariff (FiT) Program |
| Website | Visit here |
| More Info | Click here |
| Name | California Solar Initiative - Solar Thermal Program |
| Website | Visit here |
| More Info | Click here |
| Name | Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit |
| Website | Visit here |
| More Info | Click here |
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Novato
One of the most compelling reasons to adopt solar power is to reduce your reliance on traditional energy sources like burning fossil fuels, which are damaging for the environment. But how much can installing solar panels actually affect the environment? In a place like Novato where commute times can be very long, going solar can help offset some of your carbon dioxide emissions from driving a lot. Even though making solar panels releases carbon dioxide emissions, the panels make up for it by considerably lowering the amount of CO2 you would have been responsible for if you still used traditional energy. In Novato, you can reduce your carbon footprint by 50 pounds a year with solar panels. For those who are concerned 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 Technology
The Green Panel
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
EcoWatch's Novato, CA Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar installation company is the best in Novato?
In Novato, Real Goods is the top local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 5.00 stars, so it's a good choice if you're planning to add solar panels to your house.
What are a few of the biggest advantages and disadvantages of adopting solar power?
The main advantages of solar power are that it can lower or, for some, totally erase your electricity bills, improve your home's value and reduce your carbon footprint. The main disadvantages are that solar panels can be costly 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.
Are solar panels worth it?
Solar panels need a considerable upfront investment that usually costs at least ten thousand dollars, but whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a variety of factors like local electricity rates and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.
How much solar panel capacity do I need for my house?
Solar panel capacity is how much energy the panels can produce under ideal conditions (a sunny day around noon). The average household needs between 20 and 35 panels to account for their typical energy usage.
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.