18 Best Solar Companies in Richmond, CA (Jan 2023 Review)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 18 in Richmond based on:
-
Customer review scores - Solar installers near you
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Updated January 20, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best solar companies in Richmond
Getting the right solar panel installation company for your house is a big decision, but it's one that can pay off big in Richmond. Solar power isn't just good for the Earth — your wallet will thank you too. After switching to solar power, you can save an average of $33,000 over 20 years, and this doesn't even include incentives.
Here, we'll give you a list of some of the top solar companies in Richmond to make your decision a little bit easier. To help you find out if solar panels are a good idea for your home, you can get a free, no-obligation quote from one of the best solar companies in Richmond by clicking the button below.
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 Technology
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
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Richmond
Local Service
Mid-State Solar
-
Educational sales approach - Custom system designs
-
Some reported communication issues - Some reports of long wait times for installation
- Some reported issues with customer services
- Some reports of high-pressure sales tactics
Services Offered
-
Solar Batteries - Solar Panels
- Commercial Solar Services
Local Service
SunLectric
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Family owned and operated
- Custom system designs
- Can browse portfolio on website
- Licensing and credentials transparency
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Batteries
- Solar Panels
- Commercial Solar Services
Local Service
Honey's Air & Solar
- Educational sales approach
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Maintenance and Repairs
- Solar Panels
Local Service
Apex Electric Inc
- Can browse portfolio on website
- Educational sales approach
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Maintenance and Repairs
- Commercial Solar Services
- Solar Panels
Local Service
Mid Matthews Construction
- Educational sales approach
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Commercial Solar Services
Local Service
Solaron Pool Heating, Inc.
- Can browse portfolio on website
- Educational sales approach
- Excellent reputation
- Some reports of long wait times for installation
- Some reports of high-pressure sales tactics
- Some reported issues with customer services
- Some reported communication issues
Services Offered
- Commercial Solar Services
- Solar Panels
Local Service
Element Solar Panel Cleaning
- Can browse portfolio on website
- Educational sales approach
- Speedy and efficient installations
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Commercial Solar Services
- Solar Roof Shingles
- Solar Panels
Local Service
Simmitri Solar
- Educational sales approach
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Comprehensive service offerings
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Maintenance and Repairs
- Commercial Solar Services
- Solar Batteries
- Solar Panels
- Solar Roof Shingles
Local Service
Vista Solar, Inc.
- Educational sales approach
- Licensing and credentials transparency
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Batteries
- Commercial Solar Services
- Solar Panels
Local Service
Solar System , Inc.
- Can browse portfolio on website
- Educational sales approach
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Commercial Solar Services
- Solar Roof Shingles
- Solar Panels
Local Service
Cinnamon Energy Systems
- Licensing and credentials transparency
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Offers a free quote process
- Educational sales approach
- Can browse portfolio on website
- Assists with maximizing rebate
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Batteries
- Maintenance and Repairs
- Commercial Solar Services
- Solar Panels
Local Service
Bright Planet Consulting
- Educational sales approach
- Assists with maximizing rebate
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Maintenance and Repairs
- Commercial Solar Services
- Solar Panels
Local Service
SolarCraft
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Offers a free quote process
- Educational sales approach
- Employee owned and operated
- Has an online quote form
- Can browse portfolio on website
- Assists with maximizing rebate
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Maintenance and Repairs
- Commercial Solar Services
- Solar Batteries
- Solar Panels
Local Service
Albion Power Company
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Offers a free quote process
- Educational sales approach
- Custom system designs
- Can browse portfolio on website
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Roof Shingles
- Commercial Solar Services
Local Service
Solar Sun Surfer
- Educational sales approach
- Assists with maximizing rebate
- Custom system designs
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Maintenance and Repairs
- Commercial Solar Services
Local Service
Luminalt
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Educational sales approach
- Locally owned and operated
- Can browse portfolio on website
- Licensing and credentials transparency
- Excellent reputation
- Some reports of long wait times for installation
- Some reports of high-pressure sales tactics
- Some reported communication issues
- Some reported issues with customer services
Services Offered
- Solar Batteries
- Commercial Solar Services
- Solar Panels
Local Service
Sunstall Inc.
- Can browse portfolio on website
- Educational sales approach
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Commercial Solar Services
Local Service
Skytech Solar
- Educational sales approach
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Excellent reputation
- Some reported issues with customer services
- Some reports of long wait times for installation
- Some reported communication issues
Services Offered
- Solar Batteries
- Solar Panels
- Commercial Solar Services
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 Richmond
For many readers, the decision of which solar company to hire depends on pricing. There are several factors you should consider when trying to determine how much it will cost and how much you can save, including:
- The model of solar panels you have the money for: This hinges on your income and budget.
- The amount of sunlight your rooftop gets: Because of Richmond's very high amount of average daily sunlight, you should be able to save a lot on your electric bills.
- How much power your household consumes: Households that use lots of electricity each month may need more solar panels and, consequently, more upfront cost, but will also benefit more over time.
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit, which everyone qualifies for, allows you to deduct 30% of the cost of installing your solar panel system from your federal taxes. In addition, not including incentives, you can save about $33,000 over 20 years on your energy bills.
So is buying solar panels worth it? Whether you're trying to reduce your electric bills, carbon emissions or both, solar panels are a great investment for many Richmond homeowners.
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Solar Incentives in Richmond
Although solar power is typically a big investment, it can save you a substantial amount of money over time because of smaller utility bills and government incentives. On top of the federal solar investment tax credit, there are also some local benefits, which in the majority of cases, can be claimed in addition to the federal incentive, so you get to save even more. In our article on solar incentives, you can see the incentives you qualify for in Richmond.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Richmond
There are a few key reasons why homeowners are interested in solar energy: to put more money in their bank account and to help the planet. But how much can switching to solar actually help the environment? In a city like Richmond where commute times can be very long, going solar can help offset some of your carbon dioxide emissions from driving a lot. In Richmond, the average household can lower their carbon footprint by 50 pounds a year once they go solar. For homeowners who are concerned about 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 Technology
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
EcoWatch's Richmond, CA Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the best solar panel installer in Richmond?
The top local solar company in Richmond is Mid-State Solar, with a rating of 5.00 stars.
What are a few of the biggest pros and cons of adopting solar power?
The biggest advantages of solar power are that it can decrease or, in some cases, totally cut your electricity bills, raise your home's value and bring down your carbon footprint. The biggest disadvantages are that solar panels can be costly to install, you may not save as much if you don't use a lot of electricity and it doesn't work for all roof types and locations.
Are solar panels worth it?
Solar panels need a significant upfront investment that will cost you several thousands of dollars, but whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a range of factors like how much you pay for electricity and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.
What is the efficiency of solar panels?
Solar panel efficiency is the amount of solar energy that is converted into electricity. Most panels today have an efficiency rating of about 15 to 25%. If your panels are more efficient, you'll need less of them to meet your home's energy needs.
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.