16 Best Solar Companies in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA (2023 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 16 in Rancho Santa Margarita based on:
-
Customer review scores - Service area for Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Rancho Santa Margarita homeowner saves $2,285/year with solar panels
Updated May 04, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Rancho Santa Margarita
Thinking of going solar but not sure which solar company would be the best one for you? Although it can be challenging to find a solar company, the search will pay off because going solar has many good perks. Over 20 years of offsetting your energy costs with a solar system, you can save about $27,000 on your utility bills.
If you want to start making use of the many benefits of solar, we'll help you narrow down your options to find the Rancho Santa Margarita solar installer that's the right price for you. To get free quotes from the leading solar companies in Rancho Santa Margarita, 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
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 Rancho Santa Margarita
Average Cost
SunPower
-
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
SunSolar U.S.
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Recognized Excellence
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- End-to-end services
- Business installations
- Home installations
- Energy storage solutions
- Integrated roofing
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
REPOWER OC
- Informative Resources
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Integrated roofing
- Business installations
- Energy storage solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
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
123eSolar
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Business installations
- Tailored solutions
- Energy storage solutions
Solar House Mission Viejo
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Integrated roofing
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Skilled repairs
- Home installations
SYNRG Solar - Home Energy Solutions
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
- Expert panel installation
- End-to-end services
GoSolar
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
Revco Solar
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Integrated roofing
- Skilled repairs
- End-to-end services
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
Blue Coast Solar Panel Cleaning
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
- Skilled repairs
- Business installations
- Tailored solutions
Axis Solar Design
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
- Business installations
- Tailored solutions
Solar-Tec Systems, Inc.
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Business installations
- Integrated roofing
- Tailored solutions
- Energy storage solutions
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Rancho Santa Margarita
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Rancho Santa Margarita 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 Rancho Santa Margarita
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 Rancho Santa Margarita
When deciding on a solar company, most homeowners or business owners wonder about the costs the most. A few important factors that dictate how much it will cost to install a solar panel system on your home and how much money you could save over time include:
- Incentives: Something 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 money on your energy bills, which can lead to an average of $27,000 of savings over 20 years.
- The make and model of solar panels you want: Some are more expensive, so that will shape your budget for your solar project.
- The amount of sunlight your roof gets: If your roof doesn't see much direct sunlight, your solar panel system won't be able to make as much energy, which will leave you with lower savings on power bills than a house with a roof that gets a lot of sunlight.
- Energy consumption: Installing a solar system may be a high-cost option for homes that don't need a good amount of energy per month.
There are lots of good benefits of solar even with the initial cost of installation. It can help the environment and your bank account. Additionally, it can boost the value of your home, resulting in even more benefits if you decide to sell your home later.
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Solar Incentives in Rancho Santa Margarita
If you're considering switching to solar power, a number of government incentives and state programs can drastically lower your project costs and expedite the return on your investment. In addition to the federal solar investment tax credit, there are also some state- and city-level benefits, which in almost all cases, stack with the federal incentive, so you can save even more. In our article on solar incentives, you can see the incentives you qualify for in Rancho Santa Margarita.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Rancho Santa Margarita
There are many reasons to trade traditional energy for solar power, like saving on utility bills and helping to lower your carbon footprint. You may be wondering — how much do solar panels help the planet anyway? Something that can dramatically shape your carbon footprint is your commute time and how much you drive altogether. If you go solar and drive an electric car, you can vastly lower your carbon dioxide emissions by charging your car at home. While solar panel manufacturing releases carbon dioxide emissions, the panels make up for it by considerably decreasing the amount of CO2 you would have produced if you still used traditional energy. In Rancho Santa Margarita, you can reduce your carbon footprint by 50 pounds a year with solar panels. For homeowners who care about the environment, the upfront cost of solar is a small price to pay for the offset 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 Warranty Coverage
Sunpro Solar
- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
EcoWatch's Rancho Santa Margarita, CA Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the most reputable solar installer in Rancho Santa Margarita?
In Rancho Santa Margarita, Renewable USA is the best local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 5.00 stars, so it's a great choice if you're planning to add solar panels to your house.
What are a few of the main advantages and disadvantages of adopting solar power?
The advantages of solar power are that it can reduce or, for some, 100% cut your electricity bills, improve your home's value and lower your carbon footprint. The disadvantages are that solar panels can be pricey 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.
Is it worth installing solar panels on my home?
Solar panels can be a beneficial investment for lots of homeowners, but honestly, they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get a lot of direct sunlight or your energy bills are already pretty low, solar panels might not be for you.
What is the efficiency of solar panels?
Most of the time, solar panels are about 15 to 25% efficient, meaning they can convert that percentage of the sun's energy 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.