15 Best Solar Companies in Oakland, CA (Aug 2022 Review)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in Oakland based on:
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Customer review scores
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Solar installers near you
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Company policies and services offered
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Accreditations and certifications
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!

Updated 7/19/2022
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best solar companies in Oakland
Searching for the top solar companies in Oakland? Installing a solar panel system is an exciting venture that many homeowners find beneficial for their wallets, communities and the planet. What's especially making many homeowners consider going solar is their high energy bills that continue to increase each year.
In this article, we'll help you narrow down the best options in your area. Interested in knowing how much you would pay to install solar panels on your roof? Click "get quote" below to get a free, no-obligation quote from a top Oakland 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 Oakland


Local Service
Solar Harmonics
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Licensing and credentials transparency
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Can browse portfolio on website
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Educational sales approach
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Excellent reputation
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Some reported issues with customer services
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Some reports of long wait times for installation
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Some reported communication issues
Services Offered
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels
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Solar Batteries


Nationwide Service
Average Cost
SunPower
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Most efficient panels on the market
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National coverage
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Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
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Great warranty coverage
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Expensive
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Customer service varies by local dealer
Services Offered
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Solar Panels
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Solar Batteries
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EV Chargers
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System Monitoring


Local Service
Luminalt
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Can browse portfolio on website
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Licensing and credentials transparency
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Locally owned and operated
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Educational sales approach
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Excellent reputation
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Some reports of long wait times for installation
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Some reports of high-pressure sales tactics
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Some reported communication issues
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Some reported issues with customer services
Services Offered
-
Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Batteries
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Solar Panels


Local Service
Smart Energy Brokers
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Can browse portfolio on website
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Offers a free quote process
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Makes charitable contributions
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Excellent reputation
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Some reported communication issues
Services Offered
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Solar Panels
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Solar Batteries


Local Service
West Coast Solar, Inc.
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Offers a free quote process
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Educational sales approach
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Excellent reputation
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Some reports of high-pressure sales tactics
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Some reported issues with customer services
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Some reported communication issues
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Some reports of long wait times for installation
Services Offered
-
Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels
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Solar Batteries


Local Service
Bright Future Solar Energy
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Can browse portfolio on website
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Makes charitable contributions
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Custom system designs
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Offers a free quote process
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Educational sales approach
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
-
Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels


Local Service
APG Solar
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Offers a free quote process
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Can browse portfolio on website
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Custom system designs
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Educational sales approach
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Excellent reputation
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Some reported issues with customer services
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Some reported communication issues
Services Offered
-
Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Batteries
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Solar Panels


Local Service
ROAM Solar, Inc.
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Licensing and credentials transparency
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Can browse portfolio on website
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NABCEP-certified technicians
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Educational sales approach
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Excellent reputation
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Some reported communication issues
Services Offered
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Commercial Solar Services
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Maintenance and Repairs
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Solar Panels


Local Service
Sunlectric, Inc.
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Can browse portfolio on website
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Makes charitable contributions
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Family owned and operated
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Licensing and credentials transparency
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Custom system designs
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
-
Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels
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Solar Batteries


Local Service
Apex Solar Power Inc
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Educational sales approach
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels
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Solar Batteries
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Maintenance and Repairs


Local Service
SOLAR ELECTRIC PROS
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Educational sales approach
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Excellent reputation
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Some reports of long wait times for installation
Services Offered
-
Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Batteries
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Maintenance and Repairs
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Solar Panels


Regional Service
Average Cost
Momentum Solar
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Great warranty coverage
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Representatives are experts on local policies
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Concierge service ensures steady communication
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Slightly limited service offerings
Services Offered
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Solar Panels
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Solar Batteries


Nationwide Service
Average Cost
The Green Panel
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Price-match guarantee
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Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
-
Best solar battery on the market
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Some reported issues with customer service
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Customer service varies by local dealer
Services Offered
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Solar Panels
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Solar Batteries
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EV Chargers
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Solar Roof Shingles
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System Monitoring


Local Service
Sky Power Systems, Inc.
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Offers a free quote process
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Educational sales approach
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Some reports of long wait times for installation
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Some reports of high-pressure sales tactics
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Some reported communication issues
Services Offered
-
Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels


Local Service
Origin Solar USA, Inc.
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Can browse portfolio on website
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Licensing and credentials transparency
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Custom system designs
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Educational sales approach
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
-
Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Batteries
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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 Oakland
The cost of installing solar panels has gone down greatly in the past few years, but it's still a large investment for most homeowners. There are a few factors you should take into consideration when trying to figure out the overall cost and how much you can save, including:
- The model of solar panels you have the money for: This depends on your income and budget.
- The amount of sunlight your city gets: Due to Oakland's very high amount of average daily sunlight, you should be able to save a lot on your power bills.
- Your current electric bills: Solar panels can dramatically decrease, or completely eliminate, your utility bills. In Oakland, you can save an average of $88 a month.
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit currently lets you lower your taxes by 26% of the project cost. Your state may also have incentives and rebates that you can take advantage of. In addition, you can save about $33,000 over 20 years on your utility bills, before factoring in incentives.
There are several good benefits of solar despite the initial cost of installation. It can help the Earth and your wallet. In addition, it can boost the value of your home, resulting in even more benefits if you want to sell your home later.
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Adopting a sustainable source of energy can considerably impact both the environment and your bills. To see how much, check out the calculator below. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Oakland, CA.
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Solar Incentives in Oakland
There are a lot of reasons why adopting solar power is beneficial. One of them involves some government incentives you can take advantage of. You qualify for the federal solar investment tax credit (ITC) for the tax year you turn on your solar panels. You can also potentially use the ITC with other local rebates and benefits. For more information about incentives for homeowners in Oakland, check out the table below.
Name | Renewable Market Adjusting Tariff (ReMAT) |
Website | Visit here |
More Info | Click here |
Name | ITC |
Type | Tax Incentive |
Incentive Amount | 26% of installation cost |
Website | Visit here |
Name | Property Tax Exclusion for Solar Energy Systems and Solar Plus Storage System |
Incentive Amount | 100% of system value; 75% of system value exemption for dual-use equipment |
Incentive Max | Not specified. |
Website | Visit here |
More Info | Click here |
Name | Local Option - Municipal Energy Districts |
Website | Visit here |
More Info | Click here |
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Oakland
Many want to do their part for the planet, which for many is the main motivation to install solar panels. But how much can using solar energy instead of traditional energy actually help the environment? Switching to solar power is a great choice for the environment, due to the fact that the biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the country is from burning fossil fuels for electricity, heat, and transportation — all of which can be powered by solar instead. In fact, if you make the switch to solar power, you could look forward to lowering your carbon dioxide emissions by about 50 pounds each year. If you care about the environment, you'll no doubt understand that there are many advantages to adopting solar power other than just saving money on electricity. You can also help protect the environment, which some would argue is more valuable.
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 Oakland, CA Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar power company is the best near me?
In Oakland, Solar Harmonics is the best local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 5.00 stars, so it's a great choice if you're looking to install solar panels on your roof.
Are solar panels actually eco-friendly?
Solar panels can be harmful for the environment when manufacturers use toxic chemicals in the construction. Chemicals can make solar panels difficult to recycle safely once they've reached the end of their lifespan. Making solar panels uses a lot of energy as well. The energy payback period is about 1 to 4 years.
How long does it take to see a return on your investment after installing solar panels?
Solar panels typically pay for themselves in about 5.8 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 recoup your installation costs.
How efficient is a solar panel system?
Usually, 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.