18 Best Solar Companies in San Francisco, CA (Mar 2023 Review)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 18 in San Francisco based on:
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Customer review scores
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Solar installers near you
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Company policies and services offered
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Accreditations and certifications
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Updated March 14, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best solar companies in San Francisco
Finding the right solar panel installation company for your roof is a huge decision, but it's one that can pay off big in San Francisco. Because solar panels generate their own power, they can greatly offset your electricity bill each month, if not fully eliminate it. In fact, you could be looking at about $31,000 of savings over 20 years.
To help you navigate through the large variety of San Francisco solar installers, we've narrowed in on a list of the top ones. To help you find out if solar panels are a good idea for your home, you can get a free, no-obligation quote from one of the best solar companies in San Francisco 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 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 San Francisco

Mid-State Solar
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Educational sales approach
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Custom system designs
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Some reported communication issues
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Some reports of long wait times for installation
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Some reported issues with customer services
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Some reports of high-pressure sales tactics
Services Offered
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Solar Batteries
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Solar Panels
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Commercial Solar Services

SunLectric
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Family owned and operated
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Custom system designs
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Can browse portfolio on website
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Licensing and credentials transparency
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Solar Batteries
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Solar Panels
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Commercial Solar Services

Honey's Air & Solar
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Educational sales approach
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Maintenance and Repairs
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Solar Panels

Apex Electric Inc
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Can browse portfolio on website
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Educational sales approach
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Maintenance and Repairs
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels

Mid Matthews Construction
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Educational sales approach
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Solar Panels
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Commercial Solar Services

Young's Air Conditioning
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Educational sales approach
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Assists with maximizing rebate
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Custom system designs
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Maintenance and Repairs
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels

Solaron Pool Heating, Inc.
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Can browse portfolio on website
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Educational sales approach
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Excellent reputation
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Some reports of long wait times for installation
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Some reports of high-pressure sales tactics
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Some reported issues with customer services
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Some reported communication issues
Services Offered
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels

Element Solar Panel Cleaning
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Can browse portfolio on website
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Educational sales approach
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Speedy and efficient installations
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Roof Shingles
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Solar Panels

Simmitri Solar
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Educational sales approach
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Comprehensive service offerings
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Maintenance and Repairs
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Batteries
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Solar Panels
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Solar Roof Shingles

Vista Solar, Inc.
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Educational sales approach
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Licensing and credentials transparency
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Solar Batteries
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels

Solar System , Inc.
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Can browse portfolio on website
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Educational sales approach
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Roof Shingles
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Solar Panels

Cinnamon Energy Systems
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Licensing and credentials transparency
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Offers a free quote process
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Educational sales approach
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Can browse portfolio on website
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Assists with maximizing rebate
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Solar Batteries
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Maintenance and Repairs
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels

Bright Planet Consulting
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Educational sales approach
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Assists with maximizing rebate
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Maintenance and Repairs
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels

SolarCraft
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Offers a free quote process
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Educational sales approach
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Employee owned and operated
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Has an online quote form
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Can browse portfolio on website
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Assists with maximizing rebate
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Maintenance and Repairs
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Batteries
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Solar Panels

Albion Power Company
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Offers a free quote process
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Educational sales approach
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Custom system designs
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Can browse portfolio on website
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Solar Panels
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Solar Roof Shingles
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Commercial Solar Services

Solar Sun Surfer
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Educational sales approach
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Assists with maximizing rebate
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Custom system designs
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Solar Panels
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Maintenance and Repairs
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Commercial Solar Services

Luminalt
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Educational sales approach
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Locally owned and operated
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Can browse portfolio on website
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Licensing and credentials transparency
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Excellent reputation
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Some reports of long wait times for installation
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Some reports of high-pressure sales tactics
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Some reported communication issues
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Some reported issues with customer services
Services Offered
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Solar Batteries
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels

Sunstall Inc.
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Can browse portfolio on website
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Educational sales approach
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Solar Panels
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Commercial Solar Services
Solar Company Ranking Methodology
Click here to see a more detailed overview of our solar company ranking methodology.
The Cost and Benefits of Solar in San Francisco
Even though solar panels can help save you a decent chunk of change on utility bills over time, it's necessary to take into consideration the upfront costs. The installation cost is just one important factor you should consider when looking into installing solar panels. How much it'll cost and how much you can save depend on things including:
- Average daily sunlight: Since San Francisco gets lots of sunlight, your solar panel system will most likely be able to generate enough energy to power your whole home, which affects how much your solar panels can save you on your electricity bills.
- Your energy bills: This will dictate how much you can save. In San Francisco, the average homeowner can save about $1,000 a year on their electricity bills.
- Incentives: One thing that can make your solar project cost less 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 on your energy bills, which can lead to an average of $31,000 of savings over 20 years.
- Choice of solar panels: The kind of solar panels you choose will affect your total cost. High-efficiency monocrystalline panels are more expensive upfront but can also lead to more savings over the lifetime of your system. If space isn't a constraint for your project, you can go with a higher number of more affordable panels.
So is a solar system worth it? Whether you're trying to reduce your electricity costs, carbon dioxide emissions or both, solar panels are a good investment for many San Francisco homeowners.
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Solar Incentives in San Francisco
Because solar power is a cleaner source of energy than burning fossil fuels, there are several government incentives in place to encourage people to make the switch. Regardless of what state you live in, you can take advantage of the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which will let you claim 30% of how much you paid for your solar installation when you file taxes, lowering the amount of taxes you owe that year. Additionally, there may be some state and city incentives that can save you some extra money too. In our article on solar incentives, you can see the incentives you qualify for in San Francisco.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in San Francisco
There are a few big reasons why people are interested in solar energy: to put more money in their bank account and to help the planet. Something many might be thinking about is how much can they really help preserve the environment by switching to solar power anyway? The average person has a substantial carbon footprint. Between their car, which produces over 10,000 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions a year, and powering their home, it can be overwhelming to think about what to do. Using solar power is a practical thing you can do to help. While solar panel manufacturing releases carbon dioxide emissions, the panels make up for it by greatly reducing the amount of CO2 you would have produced if you still used nonrenewable energy. In San Francisco, you can reduce your carbon footprint by 50 pounds a year with solar panels. The advantages of solar power are abundant — just like solar power is! That's why so many San Francisco residents have been happy with making the switch to solar.
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 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 San Francisco, CA Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the most reputable solar company in San Francisco?
In San Francisco, Mid-State Solar is the top local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 5.00 stars, so it's a good choice if you're planning to add solar panels to your roof.
Are solar panels actually eco-friendly?
Manufacturing solar panels uses chemicals and produces toxic waste that can be harmful for the environment, which is the main drawback of solar panels.
How long does it take for solar to pay for itself?
Solar panels typically pay for themselves in about 5.9 years, but your solar payback period will depend on your utility costs. The more your typical electricity bill, the faster your solar panel system will pay for itself.
How much solar panel capacity do I need for my house?
Solar panel capacity is rated depending 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.