11 Best Solar Companies in San Luis Obispo, CA (2023 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 11 in San Luis Obispo based on:
-
Customer review scores - Service area for San Luis Obispo, CA
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average San Luis Obispo homeowner saves $2,930/year with solar panels
Updated May 04, 2023
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Best Solar Companies in San Luis Obispo
If you're on the hunt for the best solar companies in San Luis Obispo, combing through hundreds of options can be intimidating, but it can pay off since adopting solar power can offer so many good benefits. Solar panels aren't just good for the environment — your wallet will benefit too. Once you switch to solar power, you can save an average of $35,000 over 20 years, and this doesn't even include incentives.
Here, we'll narrow down some of the best solar companies in San Luis Obispo to make your choice a little easier. To receive free quotes from the best solar companies in San Luis Obispo, you can click "get quote" 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 Luis Obispo
Average Cost
SunPower
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Most efficient panels on the market - National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
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Expensive - Customer service varies by local dealer
Services Offered
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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
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
Bison Energy Solutions
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
- Energy storage solutions
- Business installations
Fracsun Inc.
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
Bright Future Solar Energy
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Business installations
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
Photon Brothers
- Informative Resources
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Energy storage solutions
- Skilled repairs
- Business installations
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
Ilum Solar
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Recognized Excellence
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Business installations
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in San Luis Obispo
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in San Luis Obispo 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 Luis Obispo
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 Luis Obispo
For many people, the decision of which solar installer to go with comes down to how much it'll cost. There are quite a few factors you should consider when trying to figure out how much it will cost and how much you can save, including:
- Incentives: Tax-paying citizens who buy and install a solar energy system this year can save 30% of their solar installation costs by taking advantage of the federal solar investment tax credit. You can also save about $35,000 on your electricity bills over 20 years excluding incentives.
- How much energy costs for you: The typical family in San Luis Obispo spends around $1,100 a year on energy alone, so you could end up with that much in savings.
- Your income and budget: This guides what kind of solar panels you can purchase.
- The amount of sunlight your area gets: Because of San Luis Obispo's very high amount of average daily sunlight, you should be able to save a lot on your power bills.
There are lots of great benefits of solar even with the initial cost of installation. It can help the planet and your bank account. In addition, it can boost the value of your home, resulting in even more benefits if you decide to sell your home later.
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If you'd like to know how much you could impact the environment if you switch to solar, you can use the calculator below. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for San Luis Obispo, CA.
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Solar Incentives in San Luis Obispo
One of the benefits of installing a solar panel system is receiving incentives from the government. Regardless of what state you live in, you can take advantage of the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which will allow you to claim 30% of your project costs when you file taxes, reducing the amount of taxes you owe that year. Plus, there may be some state and city incentives that can save you some extra money too. Check out our article on solar incentives to learn what incentives you can benefit from.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in San Luis Obispo
There are lots of reasons to switch to solar energy, like saving money on electricity bills and helping to reduce your carbon footprint. Many homeowners might be wondering how much exactly they can impact the environment by switching to solar in San Luis Obispo, though. If your household uses a lot of energy, you can help the environment even more by switching to solar energy. Because solar panels don't release CO2 emissions into the atmosphere when producing electricity, they're a good trade for nonrenewable energy sources. In fact, you could be looking at reducing your carbon dioxide emissions by about 50 pounds each year. As you can see, investing in solar has so many other rewards beyond saving money. One of the major ones is that you can help save the environment 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 Luis Obispo, CA Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar installation company is the best in San Luis Obispo?
In San Luis Obispo, Fuzion Energy 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 looking to install solar panels on your roof.
What are a few of the major pros and cons of going solar?
The biggest advantages of solar power are that it can decrease or, for some, entirely eradicate your electricity bills, improve the value of your home and bring down your carbon footprint. The biggest disadvantages are that solar panels can be pricey to install, you may not save as much if you don't use a lot of electricity and whether you can install solar panels depends on your roof configuration.
Are solar panels worth it?
Solar panels can be a great investment for most homeowners, but truthfully, they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get enough sunlight or your electricity bills are already reasonably low, solar panels might not be for you.
How much solar panel capacity do I need for my house?
Solar panel capacity is rated based on how many watts of power they generate under standard testing conditions. Since each panel can generally 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.