12 Best Solar Companies in San Marcos, CA (2023 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 12 in San Marcos based on:
-
Customer review scores - Service area for San Marcos, CA
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Average San Marcos homeowner saves $2,619/year with solar panels
Updated May 04, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in San Marcos
If you're a home or business owner looking to make the most of the solar incentives in San Marcos, it can be challenging to narrow down which installer to decide on. But, the hard work is worth it since switching to solar power is often a great idea. Additionally, forward-thinking leadership has stimulated a growing solar market, and plenty of the best solar companies are looking to capitalize on it. That's why San Marcos has many options for solar installers.
In this article, we'll review the top San Marcos solar installers so you can find the best one for your home's green energy needs. We advise shopping around for multiple quotes and comparing them to figure out which is the best installer for your home. To get free quotes from the top solar companies in San Marcos, click the link 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 Marcos
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
- Family-Operated Business
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled repairs
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
- End-to-end services
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
Sol Nova Electric LLC
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
Eminent Energy
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
SolarSun PowerPros San Marcos
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled repairs
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
GoSolar Homegrid San Marcos
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Integrated roofing
- Expert panel installation
- Skilled repairs
- Home installations
M C Energy
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in San Marcos
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in San Marcos 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 Marcos
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 Marcos
For most homeowners, whether or not you should invest in solar panels depends the most on the cost. Some important things that impact the upfront cost and potential savings over time include:
- The amount of sunlight your area gets: Due to San Marcos' very high amount of average daily sunlight, you should be able to save a lot on your power bills.
- How much energy your home consumes: Households that need plenty of energy each month may need more solar panels and, therefore, be more expensive, but will also enjoy more savings over time.
- The kind of solar panel system you have the money for: This hinges on how much you're willing to spend upfront.
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit, which everyone qualifies for, lets you deduct 30% of the cost of your solar system installation from your taxes. Additionally, not including incentives, you can save about $31,000 over 20 years on your energy bills.
Thanks to solar panels now being cheaper than ever as well as various solar incentives, they are a sound investment for the majority of homeowners.
Solar Savings Calculator for {{ solarcalc.name }}
For an estimate of both how much you could save and help the environment by installing a solar panel system, you can test out the calculator below. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for San Marcos, 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 Marcos
Although a solar power system is typically a big investment, it can save you a lot of money over the lifespan of your solar panels due to reduced power bills and government incentives. There are quite a few federal, state and local rebates and tax credits that earn anywhere from 30% to 50% of your money back after installing solar panels. For detailed information about local incentives, visit our article on solar incentives.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in San Marcos
One of the reasons so many people are considering adopting solar energy is to help bring down their environmental impact. You may be asking yourself — how much does making the switch help the environment anyway? An important thing to consider is your overall carbon footprint. For example, if you have a long commute, your footprint may be larger, so adopting solar energy for your house can help offset that. In San Marcos, the average person can lower their carbon footprint by 50 pounds a year once they go solar. If you want to do what you can for the environment, you'll likely recognize that there are many benefits of adopting solar energy other than just saving money on electricity. You can also help preserve the environment, which some would argue is more valuable.
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 Marcos, CA Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar panel installer is the best in San Marcos?
In San Marcos, Renewable USA 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 on installing solar panels on your roof.
What is the negative environmental impact of solar panel manufacturing?
Solar panels can be detrimental for the environment when manufacturers use toxic chemicals in the manufacturing process. Chemicals can make solar panels difficult to recycle safely once they've reached the end of their lifespan. Solar panel manufacturing uses a lot of energy as well. The energy payback period is about 1 to 4 years.
How long does it take to see a return on your investment after buying solar panels?
Solar panels usually pay for themselves in about 5.8 years, but your solar payback period will vary based on your utility costs. The higher your typical electricity bill, the faster your solar panel system will pay for itself.
What are the different types of solar panels?
The different types of solar panels are monocrystalline, polycrystalline and thin-film. Monocrystalline panels are more efficient but also more expensive. Polycrystalline panels are less expensive but also less efficient than monocrystalline. Thin-film solar panels are flexible, so they can be used where the other types can't, such as on curved surfaces or cars, but they are also less efficient. The best one for you depends on your budget, the layout of your roof and how much efficiency you're looking for.
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.