18 Best Solar Companies in Portola Valley, CA (2023 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 18 in Portola Valley based on:
-
Customer review scores - Service area for Portola Valley, CA
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Portola Valley homeowner saves $2,557/year with solar panels
Updated May 04, 2023
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Best Solar Companies in Portola Valley
As a homeowner or business owner in Portola Valley, you may be planning on switching to solar and wondering about the best solar companies in your local area. Solar could be a good idea since it comes with many benefits. Over 20 years of offsetting your energy costs with a solar panel system, you can save about $30,000 on your utility bills.
As you begin your search for the best solar companies in Portola Valley, you might notice that there are a great number of providers to choose between. So, we've organized a carefully curated list of the top solar companies in the area. To get a sense of what it could cost to put solar panels on your roof, you can click the button below to get a quote from 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 Portola Valley
Average Cost
SunPower
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Most efficient panels on the market - National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
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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
Clean Solar
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Recognized Excellence
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled repairs
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
Clean Solar
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Recognized Excellence
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled repairs
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
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
SCARLET Solar
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
SolarWorld PanelWorks Palo Alto
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
Lauritzen Inc.
- Informative Resources
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Energy storage solutions
Jurchen Technology US Corporation
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Integrated roofing
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
Solar Components LLC
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
Cobalt Power Systems Inc.
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
Next Solar, Inc
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Energy storage solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
Next Solar, Inc
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Energy storage solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
Enecsys LLC
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
Shade Power
- Informative Resources
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Energy storage solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Portola Valley
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Portola Valley 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 Portola Valley
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 Portola Valley
For many people considering switching to solar, the decision of which solar company to choose depends on how much it'll cost. A few main factors that affect the cost of installing solar panels on your home and how much it could save you over time are:
- How much energy costs for you: The typical family in Portola Valley pays around $980 a year on energy alone, so you could be looking at that much in savings.
- The amount of sunlight your rooftop gets: Due to Portola Valley's very high amount of average daily sunlight, you should be able to save a lot on your electric bills.
- System size and type: Some models are more costly than others, so the one you choose can raise or lower your upfront cost. Plus, the more solar panels you need, the more it'll cost.
- Incentives: Something that can save you money on your solar project 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 money on your energy bills, which can lead to an average of $30,000 of savings over 20 years.
Solar is a worthwhile investment for most homeowners. You can generate your own electricity instead of paying for it from a utility company and benefit from solar incentives, all while helping the environment.
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Use the calculator below to get a sense of how much adopting solar power could impact the planet and your savings account. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Portola Valley, CA.
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Solar Incentives in Portola Valley
One of the great things about installing a solar panel system is earning incentives from the government. You qualify for the federal solar investment tax credit (ITC) for the tax year you turn on your a solar system. You can also potentially pair the ITC with other local incentives. You can learn about the incentives available to you in our article on solar incentives
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Portola Valley
If you're considering adding solar panels to your home, one of the principal reasons why may be to lower your reliance on nonrenewable energy. But how much can using solar energy instead of traditional energy actually affect the environment? An important thing to be mindful of is your overall carbon footprint. For example, if you spend a lot of time driving to work, your footprint may be larger, so switching to solar energy for your home can help offset that. After you go solar, your carbon emissions can be cut by about 50 pounds a year. Since solar power is plentiful and produces electricity without free from carbon dioxide emissions, installing solar panels is one easy step you can take to help 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 Portola Valley, CA Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar installation company is the best in Portola Valley?
The highest-rated local solar company in Portola Valley is APG Solar, with a rating of 5.00 stars.
What are a few of the major advantages and disadvantages of adopting solar power?
The greatest advantages of solar power are that it can decrease or, for some, 100% eradicate your electricity bills, raise your home's value and bring down your carbon footprint. The greatest disadvantages are that solar panels can be pricey to install, you may not save as much if you don't use a lot of electricity and whether you can install solar panels depends on your roof configuration.
Is it worth installing solar panels on my roof?
Solar panels need a large upfront investment that costs over 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 long do solar panels last?
On average, the lifespan of solar panels is about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but efficiency goes down by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a larger level of energy production.
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.