14 Best Solar Companies in Orinda, CA (2023 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 14 in Orinda based on:
-
Customer review scores - Service area for Orinda, CA
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Orinda homeowner saves $2,768/year with solar panels
Updated May 04, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Orinda
Thinking of going solar but still deciding on which company would be best for your needs? Although it can be challenging to choose a solar company, the search will pay off because going solar has many good perks. With an average energy bill of $88 per month in Orinda, switching to solar power can reduce your monthly bills by about that much.
Here, we'll give you a list of some of the best solar companies in Orinda to make your choice much easier. To get an estimate of how much it might cost to install solar panels on your roof, you can click the button below to be connected to a certified installer near you.
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Best Warranty Coverage
Sunpro Solar
- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Orinda
Average Cost
SunPower
-
Most efficient panels on the market - National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
-
Expensive - Customer service varies by local dealer
Services Offered
-
Solar Panels - Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- System Monitoring
Average Cost
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
SolarUnion
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Recognized Excellence
- Free Quotes
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled repairs
- Integrated roofing
- End-to-end services
- Home installations
- Business installations
- Energy storage solutions
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
Average Cost
Sunpro Solar
- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- Energy-Efficiency Upgrades
Average Cost
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- Energy-Efficiency Upgrades
Average Cost
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- Energy-Efficiency Upgrades
- Maintenance & Repairs
Average Cost
Tesla Energy
- 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
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- Solar Roof Shingles
- System Monitoring
Extensible Energy
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Business installations
- Home installations
Solar Sun Surfer
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Business installations
- Skilled repairs
- Integrated roofing
- Home installations
Super Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
Avatar Energy Solutions
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Integrated roofing
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
SolarNova
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Integrated roofing
SolarNova
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Business installations
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
Ogreena
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Business installations
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Orinda
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Orinda 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 Orinda
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 Orinda
For many readers, the decision of which solar company to hire depends on how much it'll cost. Some important factors that determine how much it will cost to install solar panels on your home and how much it could save you over time include:
- Your household's power bills: Based on the fairly high monthly electric bills in Orinda, you could save about $1,100 a year with solar.
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit, which everyone in the U.S. is eligible for, lets you deduct 30% of the cost of installing your solar panel system from your taxes. In addition, not including incentives, you can save about $33,000 over 20 years on your energy bills.
- Your city: This affects how much sunlight your roof gets, which helps determine how many panels you need.
- Choice of solar panels: The type of solar panels you choose will affect your total cost. High-efficiency monocrystalline panels will cost more upfront but can also lead to more savings over the lifetime of your system. If space isn't a constraint for your project, you can go with a higher number of more affordable panels.
There are many wonderful benefits of solar despite the upfront cost of installation. It can help the environment and your wallet. In addition, it can raise the value of your home, leading to even more benefits if you want to sell your home later.
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Solar Incentives in Orinda
If you're considering switching to solar energy, a number of government incentives and tax credits can greatly reduce your project costs and speed up the return on your investment. There are quite a few federal, state and local rebates and tax credits that let you earn a decent amount of money back after installing a qualifying system. Our article on solar incentives has more detailed information on the incentives you can find in Orinda.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Orinda
One of the reasons so many homeowners are considering going solar is to help lower their environmental impact. Many homeowners might be wondering how much exactly they can impact the environment by switching to solar in Orinda, though. One thing you should keep in mind is your overall carbon footprint. For example, if you spend lots of time commuting to work and have an electric vehicle, you can install solar panels on your home to power your EV and therefore help offset your carbon emissions. In Orinda, the average person can reduce their carbon footprint by 50 pounds a year after going solar. Since solar power is renewable and makes electricity without releasing carbon emissions, installing solar panels is one easy step you can take to help preserve 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
Best Warranty Coverage
Sunpro Solar
- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
EcoWatch's Orinda, CA Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar panel installer is the best near me?
The top local solar company in Orinda is APG Solar, with a rating of 5.00 stars.
What is the negative environmental impact of solar panels?
Manufacturing solar panels needs to use chemicals and produces toxic waste that can be dangerous for the environment, which is the main drawback of solar panels.
Is it worth installing solar panels on my home?
Solar panels can be a fruitful investment for a majority of homeowners, but truthfully, 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 solar panel capacity and how much do I need for my house?
Solar panel capacity is rated based on the amount of power they produce under standard testing conditions. Since each panel can generally produce about 250 to 400 watts per hour, the average home will need 20 to 35 panels.
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.