15 Best Solar Companies in Richmond, CA (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in Richmond based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Richmond, CA
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Richmond homeowner saves $2,768/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Richmond
When choosing between the best solar panel installers, Richmond homeowners have more providers to choose from than ever before, which can be too much to get a handle on, but we’re here to make making the switch to solar power simpler. On average, you can save $33,000 over 20 years when you use solar power. And because solar panels have a lifespan of about 25 to 30 years, the amount of money you'll save in the long run will be much higher than that overall.
If you’re planning on going solar, the first step you should take is to find the best solar companies in Richmond and compare quotes. The great news is we took the time and compiled a list of the best solar companies so you don’t have to.If you want to receive free, no-obligation quotes from the top Richmond solar companies, you can click the button below to learn more.
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
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
SunPower
Free Quotes- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Consultation- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
SunPower by The Solar Quote
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Solar Works
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Community Solar Projects
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
SolarUnion
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Skilled Repairs
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Solar Panel Upgrades
CivicSolar, Inc
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
Pac Solar Corporation
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
GRID Alternatives
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
Save a Lot Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Panel Installation
- Permit Assistance
- Battery Storage
SolarCraft
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Source Energy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
Got Watts?
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
- Solar Panel Upgrades
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Financing Assistance
- Permit Assistance
- Battery Storage
Bay Valley Solar Roofing
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
Ally Electric And Solar Inc
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Solar Panel Upgrades
- Tesla Powerwall
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Battery Storage
solarXperts
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
Earthwise Energy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Consultation
- Skilled Repairs
- Permit Assistance
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Richmond
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Richmond 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 Richmond
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 Richmond
Even though solar panels can help save you a decent chunk of change on power bills over time, it’s important to take into consideration the startup costs.Some significant things that influence the upfront cost and potential savings over time include:
- Your income and budget: This affects what model of solar panels you can afford.
- 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 electricity bills.
- 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 utility bills, which can generate an average of $33,000 of savings over 20 years.
- How much energy you use: If your household needs to use a lot of energy, you'll benefit more from installing solar panels.
Due to the cost of solar panels being lower than before as well as various solar incentives, they are a worthwhile investment for most homeowners.
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Solar Incentives in Richmond
Since solar power is a cleaner source of energy than traditional energy sources, there are various government incentives available to encourage people to make the switch.You are eligible for the federal solar investment tax credit (ITC) for the tax year you turn on your solar panels. You can also potentially use the ITC with other state and city rebates and benefits. You can find out about the incentives you can take advantage of in our article on solar incentives
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Richmond
An important reason so many are thinking of installing solar panels is to help lower their environmental impact.Something many might be thinking about is how much can they really help save the environment by going solar anyway? Something that can severely influence your carbon footprint is your commute time and how much you drive generally. If you go solar and have an electric car, you can vastly decrease your carbon dioxide emissions by charging your car at home.Since solar panels don’t release carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere when producing electricity, they’re a good swap for nonrenewable energy sources. In fact, you could expect to reduce your carbon dioxide emissions by about 50 pounds each year. If you want to do your part for the environment, you’ll most likely understand that there are many benefits of adopting solar power other than just saving money on bills. You can also help preserve the environment, which some would argue is more valuable.
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
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
Which solar power company is the best in Richmond?
The best local solar company in Richmond is SunPower, with a rating of 4.50 stars.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of solar power?
The advantages of solar power are that it can lower or, in some cases, entirely eradicate your electricity bills, improve the value of your home and reduce your carbon footprint. The biggest disadvantages are that solar panels can be costly 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.
Are solar panels worth it?
Solar panels require a large upfront investment that will cost you several thousands of dollars, but whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a variety of factors like how much you pay for electricity and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.
How efficient is a solar panel system?
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 fewer 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.