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
Hoping to go solar but trying to figure out which solar panel installer would be the best one for you? Although it can be hard to choose a solar company, the effort will pay off because going solar has many fantastic benefits. On average, you can save $33,000 over 20 years after installing a solar panel system. And because solar panels last about 25 to 30 years, you can save will be even higher overall.
In this article, we’ll let you in on the top Rio del Mar solar installers so you can make the best decision for your home’s green energy needs.Read on to see our picks for the best solar companies in the city, or get connected with a highly rated solar company near you right away 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 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 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
Sunternal
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Permit Assistance
- Consultation
- Tesla Powerwall
Infinium Solar, Inc.
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Carports
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
- System Decommissioning
- Battery Storage
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
Premo Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
- Tesla Powerwall
TN Electrical and Solar Services
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Panel Upgrades
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Battery Storage
Highlight Solar
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Permit Assistance
- Battery Storage
Quality Home Services
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
- Tesla Powerwall
- Cleaning and Maintenance
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
The cost of putting up solar panels has decreased greatly over the past several years, but it’s still a large investment for most homeowners.There are several factors you should take into consideration when trying to determine the overall cost and how much you can save, including:
- Your home's power bills: Due to fairly high monthly electricity bills in Rio del Mar, you could save about $1,500 a year with solar.
- Average daily sunlight: Since Rio del Mar gets lots of sunlight, your solar panel system will most likely be able to produce enough energy to power your whole home, which impacts how much your electricity bills will be.
- Your income and budget: This shapes what model of solar panels you can get.
- How much power your household needs: If your household needs to use a lot of energy, you'll benefit more from switching to solar.
So is installing solar panels worth it? Whether you hope to lower your energy bills, greenhouse gas 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
In order to increase the number of homes and businesses that use solar power, incentives are offered by the government – and even some utility companies – to help make switching to solar power more financially viable and accessible.You are eligible for the federal solar investment tax credit (ITC) for the tax year you turn on your a solar panel system. You can also potentially pair the ITC with other local incentives. Check out our article on solar incentives to find out what incentives you can take advantage of.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Rio del Mar
An important reason so many homeowners are thinking of switching to solar power is to help lower their environmental impact.But how much can using solar energy instead of traditional energy actually affect the environment? A significant thing to consider is your overall carbon footprint. For example, if you have a long commute, your footprint may be larger, so switching to solar power for your house can help offset that.In Rio del Mar, the average resident can lower their carbon footprint by 50 pounds a year once they go solar. As you can see, investing in solar has so many other perks beyond saving money. One of the primary ones is that you can help save the Earth too.
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 Rio del Mar, CA Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar power company is the best in Rio del Mar?
In Rio del Mar, Allterra Solar is the most reputable local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 4.90 stars, so it's a solid choice if you're looking to install solar panels on your home.
Are solar panels really good for the environment?
Manufacturing solar panels needs to use chemicals and produces toxic waste that can be harmful for the environment, which is the main negative thing about solar panels.
Are solar panels worth it?
Solar panels can be a beneficial investment for most homeowners, but frankly, they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get a lot of direct sunlight or your electricity bills are already pretty low, solar panels might not be for you.
How much solar panel capacity do I need for my house?
Solar panel capacity is the amount of energy the panels can create under ideal conditions (a sunny day around noon). The average household requires between 20 and 35 panels to account for their 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.