15 Best Solar Companies in Rio del Mar, CA (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 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
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Rio del Mar
Looking for the top solar companies in Rio del Mar? Installing a solar panel system is an exciting home addition that many homeowners find rewarding for their wallets, communities and the planet. While solar panels are a sizable investment, you’ll be able to make that expense back and then some, all while living more sustainably. In fact, you could be looking at saving about $33,000 over 20 years.
In this article, we’ll list out the top Rio del Mar solar installers so you can find the best one for your home’s sustainable energy needs.If you’re ready to start receiving free, no-obligation quotes from the top Rio del Mar solar installers, 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 Rio del Mar
Allterra Solar
Clear Pricing Policy- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Consultation- Battery Storage
- Tesla Powerwall
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
Sandbar Solar & Electric
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Consultation
Nomadic Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Panel Upgrades
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
Solar Electric Supply, Inc.
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
- Solar Carports
- Battery Storage
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Permit Assistance
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
Solar Technologies Santa Cruz
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
Greentech Renewables Santa Cruz
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
Cinnamon Energy Systems
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Panel Upgrades
- Permit Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Financing Assistance
- Skilled Repairs
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Tesla Powerwall
Infinium Solar, Inc.
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Solar Carports
- System Decommissioning
- Battery Storage
Sunternal
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Tesla Powerwall
Monarch Home Services (Salinas)
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Skilled Repairs
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Semper Solaris
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
Quality Home Services
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Tesla Powerwall
Premo Solar
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Tesla Powerwall
- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
- Battery Storage
TN Electrical and Solar Services
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Solar Panel Upgrades
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Highlight Solar
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Permit Assistance
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
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
While solar panels can save you money on energy over time, it’s necessary to take into consideration the upfront costs.There are a few factors you should consider when trying to determine how much it will cost and how much you can save, such as:
- How much you spend on energy: If your local power rates are quite high, there's a good chance you'll see a higher return on your investment in a solar panel system. In Rio del Mar, you can save an average of $1,538 a month on your electricity bills.
- Your city: This influences how much sunlight your roof receives, which helps determine how many panels you need.
- Your income and budget: This affects what type of solar panels you can get.
- Electricity consumption: The average household in Rio del Mar doesn’t use much energy, and consequently may not see as many savings on their power bills.
So are solar panels worth it? Whether you want to lower your energy bills, carbon dioxide emissions or both, solar panels are a worthwhile investment for many Rio del Mar homeowners.
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Solar Incentives in Rio del Mar
Although installing solar panels is typically a big investment, it can save you a considerable amount of money in the long term due to lower utility bills and government incentives.When you install a solar panel system on your home, you become eligible to claim the federal tax credit, or ITC. This credit currently lets you reduce your tax bill by 0 of the cost of your solar panels. Additionally, there may often be some state and city incentives that you can use to further cut back on the cost of solar of solar panels. You can learn about the incentives you can use in our article on solar incentives
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Rio del Mar
There are many reasons to trade traditional energy for solar power, like saving money on utility bills and helping to lower your carbon footprint.Many homeowners might be wondering how much exactly they can impact the environment by switching to solar in Rio del Mar, though. The average person has a considerable carbon footprint. Between their car, which is responsible for over 10,000 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions a year, and electricity for their home, it can be overwhelming to think about what to do. Going solar is a simple thing you can do to help.Since solar panels don’t release greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere when creating electricity, they’re a good alternative to traditional energy sources. In fact, you could lower your carbon dioxide emissions by about 50 pounds each year. If you want to do what you can for the environment, you’ll most likely understand that there are many advantages to adopting solar energy other than just saving money on electricity. You can also help preserve the environment, which some would argue is priceless.
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 Rio del Mar, CA Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar installation company is the best in Rio del Mar?
In Rio del Mar, Allterra Solar is the top local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 4.90 stars, so it's a great choice if you're looking to add solar panels to your home.
What is the negative environmental impact of solar panels?
Solar panels can be bad for the environment when manufacturers use toxic chemicals in the construction. Chemicals can make solar panels difficult to dispose of safely once they’ve reached the end of their lifespan. Solar panel manufacturing needs a lot of energy as well. The energy payback period is about 1 to 4 years.
Is it worth putting solar panels on my house?
Solar panels can be a beneficial investment for a majority of homeowners, but admittedly, they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get enough sunlight or your power bills are already reasonably low, solar panels might not be for you.
What is solar panel capacity and how much do I need for my house?
Solar panel capacity is rated based on how much power they produce under standard testing conditions. Since each panel can usually produce about 250 to 400 watts per hour, the average household will need 20 to 35 panels.
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.