13 Best Solar Companies in Rio Del Mar, CA (2023 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 13 in Rio Del Mar based on:
-
Customer review scores - Service area for Rio Del Mar, CA
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Rio Del Mar homeowner saves $2,742/year with solar panels
Updated May 04, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Rio Del Mar
When deciding on the best solar panel installers, Rio Del Mar homeowners have more options to choose from than ever before, which can be too much to get a handle on, but we're here to make switching to solar energy easier. After 20 years of offsetting your energy costs with a solar panel system, you can save about $33,000 on your utility bills.
If you want to make use of the great number of perks of solar, we're here to help you narrow down your options to find the Rio Del Mar solar installer that's perfect for you. If you'd like to get free, no-obligation quotes from the top Rio Del Mar 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 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 Rio Del Mar
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
- Recognized Excellence
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Energy storage solutions
- Integrated roofing
- Business installations
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
- Skilled repairs
Clean Solar
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Recognized Excellence
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Integrated roofing
- Home installations
- Energy storage solutions
- Business installations
- Skilled repairs
- Expert panel installation
- 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
Santa Cruz Solar Companies
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
- Tailored solutions
Greentech Renewables Santa Cruz
- Informative Resources
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Business installations
- Home installations
- Energy storage solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
SunWave Energy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Integrated roofing
- Home installations
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
Solcon Solar Construction
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Business installations
- Skilled repairs
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
Solar Mike
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Business installations
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Rio Del Mar
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Rio Del Mar 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 Rio Del Mar
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 Rio Del Mar
Solar panels are powered by a free energy source — the sun — but before you can take advantage of this you must first pay to install your system. The installation cost is just one important factor you should keep in mind when looking into installing solar panels. How much it'll cost and how much you can save depend on things such as:
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit, which can save you some money, allows you to deduct 30% of the cost of your solar system installation from your taxes. In addition, not including incentives, you can save about $33,000 over 20 years on your energy bills.
- The type of solar panels you want: Higher-efficiency panels are more costly, so that will shape your budget for your solar project.
- Your power bills: This will impact how much you can save. In Rio Del Mar, the average resident can save about $1,100 a year on their electricity bills.
- How much sunlight your roof gets: If your roof doesn't see much direct sunlight, your solar panels won't be able to make as much energy, which will give you lower savings on power bills than someone with a roof that gets plenty of sunlight.
So is buying solar panels worth it? Whether you hope to reduce your electric bills, carbon dioxide emissions or both, solar panels are a solid investment for many Rio Del Mar homeowners.
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Solar Incentives in Rio Del Mar
If you're considering making the switch to solar energy, various government incentives and state programs can immensely bring down the cost of the project and expedite the return on your investment. There are a lot of federal, state and local rebates and tax credits that earn anywhere from 30% to 50% of your money in return after paying for solar panels. 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 Rio Del Mar
An important reason so many are thinking of going solar is to help lower their environmental impact. Something many people might be thinking about is how much can they really help preserve the environment by switching to solar power anyway? One thing you should consider is your overall carbon footprint. For example, if you spend a lot of time on the road and have an electric vehicle, you can install solar panels on your home to power your EV and therefore help offset your carbon emissions. In fact, if you make the switch to solar power, you could expect to reduce your carbon dioxide emissions by about 50 pounds each year. Since solar power is abundant and makes electricity without a carbon footprint, installing solar panels is one easy step you can take to help preserve 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 Rio Del Mar, CA Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar panel installer is the best in Rio Del Mar?
The top local solar company in Rio Del Mar is APG Solar, with a rating of 5.00 stars.
What is the negative environmental impact of solar panel manufacturing?
Manufacturing solar panels requires chemicals and produces toxic waste that can be dangerous for the environment, which is the main drawback of solar panels.
Is it worth putting solar panels on my home?
Solar panels require a significant upfront investment that will cost you several thousands of dollars, but whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a collection of factors like local electricity rates and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.
How much solar panel capacity do I need for my house?
Solar panel capacity is the amount of energy the panels can generate under ideal conditions (a sunny day around noon). The average household needs between 20 and 35 panels to cover 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.