11 Best Solar Companies in San Diego, CA (2023 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 11 in San Diego based on:
-
Customer review scores - Service area for San Diego, CA
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average San Diego homeowner saves $2,619/year with solar panels
Updated May 04, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in San Diego
If you're a home or business owner looking to make use of the solar incentives in San Diego, it can be hard to narrow down which company to decide on. But, it's worth it since switching to solar energy is often a fantastic idea. With very high levels of average daily sunlight in San Diego, the solar industry is booming. An underrated reason for this growth has been national incentives that support residential and commercial solar projects.
To help you navigate through the large amount of San Diego solar installers, we've narrowed in on a list of the top ones. To get an idea of how much you might pay to put up a solar panel system on your roof, you can get a free quote from one of the top solar companies in San Diego by clicking the "get quote" button below.
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 San Diego
Average Cost
SunPower
-
Most efficient panels on the market - National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
-
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
CM Solar Electric
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Family-Operated Business
- Informative Resources
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- End-to-end services
- Home installations
- Skilled repairs
- Business installations
- Integrated roofing
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage 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
The Energy Company
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Integrated roofing
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
Sun-Tricity Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Integrated roofing
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
Semper Solaris
- Informative Resources
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Recognized Excellence
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Energy storage solutions
- Skilled repairs
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Business installations
- Integrated roofing
Solar Energy San Diego
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Business installations
- Integrated roofing
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in San Diego
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in San Diego 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 San Diego
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 San Diego
We get that for most homeowners, the choice to invest in solar rests on installation costs. Some important factors that influence how much it will cost to install a solar panel system on your home and how much money you could save over time include:
- Your location: This affects how much sunlight your roof receives, which helps determine how many panels you need.
- How much energy costs for you: The average household in San Diego shells out around $920 a year on energy use alone, so you could be looking at that much in savings.
- The kind of solar panels you're planning on getting: Higher-efficiency panels are more highly priced, so that will determine your budget for your solar project.
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit, which everyone qualifies for, lets you deduct 30% of the cost of installing your solar panel system from your federal taxes. Additionally, not including incentives, you can save about $31,000 over 20 years on your energy bills.
Because of solar panels now being cheaper than ever as well as local and federal solar incentives, they are a solid investment for many homeowners.
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Solar Incentives in San Diego
Adopting solar power has plenty of considerable benefits. Not only can it help protect the planet, but you can also save a decent amount of money on your installation with various government incentives. These incentives mostly include cash rebates, tax breaks and/or solar renewable energy credits. They can reduce the cost of installing solar panels by 30%, upwards of 50% in some cases. You can learn about the incentives you can take advantage of in our article on solar incentives
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in San Diego
There are many reasons to trade traditional energy for solar power, like saving some money on electricity bills and helping to reduce your carbon footprint. But how much can installing solar panels actually affect the environment? A significant thing to be mindful of is your overall carbon footprint. For example, if your commute is very long, your footprint may be bigger, so adopting solar energy for your house can help offset that. In fact, if you make the switch to solar power, you could look forward to lowering your carbon dioxide emissions by about 50 pounds each year. For people who want to help the environment, the upfront cost of solar is a small price to pay for reducing your carbon footprint.
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 San Diego, CA Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the most reputable solar installer in San Diego?
The best local solar company in San Diego is Renewable USA, with a rating of 5.00 stars.
What is the negative environmental impact of solar panel manufacturing?
Solar panels can be harmful for the environment when manufacturers use toxic chemicals when they're made. Chemicals can make solar panels difficult to recycle safely once they've reached the end of their lifespan. Solar panel manufacturing requires a lot of energy as well. The energy payback period is about 1 to 4 years.
How long does it take for solar to pay for itself?
Solar panels generally pay for themselves in about 5.8 years, but your solar payback period will vary depending on your utility costs. The more your typical power bill, the quicker your solar panel system will recoup your installation costs.
What is the best kind of solar panel?
There are three main types of solar panels: monocrystalline, polycrystalline and thin-film. In terms of efficiency and price, monocrystalline has the highest for both, then polycrystalline, and then thin-film. The best choice for you is highly influenced by your roof configuration, how much you're willing to spend and desired energy output.
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.