15 Best Solar Companies in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 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
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Rancho Santa Margarita
If you’re trying to find the best solar companies in Rancho Santa Margarita, combing through hundreds of options can be demanding, but it can pay off since adopting solar power can offer so many good perks. Installation costs can be high, but adopting solar will save you money on your power bills over time. In fact, you can potentially save about $27,000 over 20 years.
There are lots of installers to consider, but in this article, we’ll help you narrow down your options by recommending some of the best solar companies in Rancho Santa Margarita.To get an idea of what it might cost to put solar panels on your roof, you can click the button below to be connected to a certified installer near you.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Rancho Santa Margarita
SunPower by Sun Solar-OC
Informative Resources- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Consultation- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Battery Storage
Precis Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
- Battery Storage
SunPower by Sea Bright Solar
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
SunPower by True Power Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
SYNRG Solar - Home Energy Solutions
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
OC Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Tesla Powerwall
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Battery Storage
Suntrek Solar
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Family-Operated Business
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Financing Assistance
- Skilled Repairs
Sun Synergy Consulting, Inc. SunPower Authorized Company.
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
Altair Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
Pacific Allied Group
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
SunSolar U.S.
- Informative Resources
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Permit Assistance
- Solar Carports
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
Sullivan Solar Power
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
Semper Solaris
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
REPOWER OC
- Reliable Customer Support
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
Solar Optimum
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tesla Powerwall
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
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
For many homeowners, whether or not you should invest in solar panels boils down to the cost.A few main factors that influence the cost of installing solar panels on your home and how much it could save you over time are:
- System size and type: Some models are more pricy than others, so the one you want can raise or lower your initial investment. Plus, the more solar panels you need to get, the more it'll cost.
- Average daily sunlight: Since Rancho Santa Margarita gets lots of sunlight, your solar panel system will most likely be able to generate enough energy to power your whole home, which affects how much you can save on your energy bills.
- Incentives: Tax-paying citizens who buy and install a solar system this year can save 0 of their solar installation costs by using the federal solar investment tax credit. You can also save about $27,000 on your utility bills over 20 years excluding incentives.
- Energy consumption: Solar may be too steep of an investment for families that don’t consume 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 wallet. In addition, it can raise the value of your home, resulting in even more benefits if you want to sell your home later.
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Solar Incentives in Rancho Santa Margarita
If you’re planning on switching to solar energy, various government incentives and state programs can drastically lower your project costs and expedite the return on your investment.When you install solar panels on your house, you become eligible to claim the federal tax credit, or ITC. This credit currently lets you lower your tax bill by 0 of the cost of your solar panels. In addition, there are often some local incentives that you can benefit from to further save. Our article on solar incentives has more detailed information on the incentives you can benefit from in Rancho Santa Margarita.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Rancho Santa Margarita
There are a few important reasons why many people are considering solar energy: for the financial and environmental benefits.Something many might have in mind is how much can they really help save the environment by going solar anyway? In a city like Rancho Santa Margarita where energy use is somewhat high, making the switch to solar power is a great idea for homeowners who are worried about the state of the planet.If you go solar, your carbon dioxide emissions can be cut by about 50 pounds every year. For those who want to help the environment, the upfront cost of solar is a small price to pay for the offset carbon emissions.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
EcoWatch's Rancho Santa Margarita, CA Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the most reputable solar panel installation company in Rancho Santa Margarita?
The top local solar company in Rancho Santa Margarita is SunPower by Sun Solar-OC, with a rating of 3.00 stars.
Are solar panels really eco-friendly?
Solar panels can be bad for the environment when manufacturers use toxic chemicals in the manufacturing process. Chemicals can make solar panels difficult to recycle safely once they’ve reached the end of their lifespan. Solar panel manufacturing uses a lot of energy as well. The energy payback period is about 1 to 4 years.
How long does it take for solar to pay for itself?
Solar panels generally pay for themselves in about 8.5 years, but your solar payback period will vary based on your utility costs. The more your typical power bill, the quicker your solar panel system will recoup your installation costs.
How much solar panel capacity do I need for my house?
Solar panel capacity is how much energy the panels can generate under ideal conditions (a sunny day around noon). The average household requires 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.