18 Best Solar Companies in San Jose, CA (2023 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 18 in San Jose based on:
-
Customer review scores - Service area for San Jose, CA
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Average San Jose homeowner saves $2,717/year with solar panels
Updated May 04, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in San Jose
If you're on the hunt for the best solar companies in San Jose, sifting through hundreds of options can be demanding, but it can pay off since adopting solar energy can offer so many great perks. Solar panels aren't just good for the environment — your wallet will benefit too. After switching to solar power, you can save an average of $32,000 over 20 years, and this doesn't even include incentives.
If you want to make use of the great amount of benefits of solar, we're here to help you narrow down your options to find the San Jose solar installer that's perfect for you. To get an idea of how much it would cost to put solar panels on your roof, you can click the button below to be connected to a certified installer near you.
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 Jose
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
Clean Solar
- Recognized Excellence
- Informative Resources
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Energy storage solutions
- Business installations
- Skilled repairs
- Integrated roofing
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
Clean Solar
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
- Recognized Excellence
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Integrated roofing
- Energy storage solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Skilled repairs
- Business installations
- Home installations
- 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
Skyfox Solar
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
NRG Clean Power ®
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Energy storage solutions
- Integrated roofing
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
Zhongli New Energy USA CO., LLC
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
SolarMax
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Home installations
- End-to-end services
- Expert panel installation
- Integrated roofing
- Energy storage solutions
New ERA Enviro Ventures
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
Green Leaf Solar & Electric
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Family-Operated Business
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Skilled repairs
- Business installations
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Integrated roofing
Green Leaf Solar & Electric
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Family-Operated Business
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Integrated roofing
- Expert panel installation
- Skilled repairs
- Business installations
- Energy storage solutions
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
VP Energy
- Informative Resources
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Business installations
- Tailored solutions
Indaspec Smart Roofing and Energy Solutions
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- End-to-end services
- Integrated roofing
- Energy storage solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Business installations
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
Sunpower
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
- Business installations
- Integrated roofing
- Energy storage solutions
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in San Jose
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in San Jose 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 Jose
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 Jose
The cost of putting up solar panels has decreased greatly over the past few years, but it's still a significant investment for most homeowners. The cost of solar and the savings it generates vary depending on some key factors such as:
- Your energy bills: This will affect how much you can save. In San Jose, the average homeowner can save about $1,000 a year on their electricity bills.
- Choice of solar panels: The type of solar panels you buy will affect your total cost. High-efficiency monocrystalline panels will cost more 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.
- Your location: This affects the average daily sunlight your roof gets, which helps determine how many panels you need.
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit currently lets you reduce your taxes by 30% of the project cost. Your state may also have incentives and rebates that you can benefit from. Additionally, you can save about $32,000 over 20 years on your utility bills, not including incentives.
There are several great benefits of solar even with the initial cost of installation. It can help the environment and your finances. Additionally, it can increase the value of your home, giving you even more benefits if you want to sell your home later.
Solar Savings Calculator for {{ solarcalc.name }}
For an estimate of both how much you could save and impact the Earth by installing solar panels, you can test out the calculator below. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for San Jose, CA.
| {{ solarcalc.time_period|number:0 }} -year savings | {{ solarcalc.total_savings()|currency }} |
| Estimated cost | {{ solarcalc.array_cost() | currency }} |
| Estimated incentives | {{ solarcalc.incentive_savings() | currency }} |
| Payback period | {{ solarcalc.payback_period()|number:1 }} years |
| CO2 emissions prevented | {{ solarcalc.CO2_total()|number:0 }} lbs |
| Miles driven equivalent | {{ solarcalc.CO2_total()/0.78|number:0 }} mi |
Switching to solar in {{ solarcalc.name }} can save you {{ solarcalc.total_savings() | currency }} over the course of {{ solarcalc.time_period|number:0 }} years. This means that with an average cost of {{ solarcalc.array_cost() | currency }}, it would take {{ solarcalc.payback_period()|number:1 }} years to recover the cost of of your solar array.
Solar Incentives in San Jose
Although a solar power system is typically a large investment, it can save you a substantial amount of money over time because of reduced utility bills and government incentives. These incentives usually take the form of cash rebates, tax breaks and/or solar renewable energy credits. They can cut the cost of going solar by 30%, upwards of 50% depending on your location. For more information about local incentives, check out our article on solar incentives.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in San Jose
Going solar can have a meaningful effect on the environment. But you may be curious — how much exactly can you help by going solar? The average person has a substantial carbon footprint. Between their car, which produces over 10,000 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions each year, and energy for their home, it can be overwhelming to figure out what to do. Going solar is a practical thing you can do to help. In San Jose, the average household can lower their carbon footprint by 50 pounds a year after going solar. As you can see, going solar has so many other perks outside of saving money. One of the primary ones is that you can help save the Earth too.
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 Jose, CA Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar installation company is the best near me?
In San Jose, APG Solar is the most reputable local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 5.00 stars, so it's a great choice if you're planning on installing solar panels on your roof.
What is the negative environmental impact of solar panels?
Solar panels can be bad 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 needs 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 typically pay for themselves in about 5.6 years, but your solar payback period will vary based on your utility costs. The more your typical energy bill, the quicker your solar panel system will recoup your installation costs.
When should I put up solar panels?
You can install solar panels whenever it's convenient for you, but consider doing so in the winter when the demand is less. With fewer homeowners switching to solar, you could potentially see faster installation times and more savings.
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.