12 Best Solar Companies in Santa Barbara, CA (Jan 2023 Review)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 12 in Santa Barbara based on:
-
Customer review scores
-
Solar installers near you
-
Company policies and services offered
-
Accreditations and certifications
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Updated January 20, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best solar companies in Santa Barbara
Finding the right solar panel installation company for your roof is an important decision, but it's one that can reap a lot of rewards in Santa Barbara. Plus, the solar industry is booming in Santa Barbara, giving homeowners access to some of the top solar panel companies in the country.
There are so many installers to consider, but in this article, we'll help you get a handle on all your options by recommending some of the best solar companies in Santa Barbara. To get an idea of how much it would cost to install solar panels on your roof, you can click the button below to get a quote from a certified installer near you.
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 Santa Barbara

Renewable USA
-
Educational sales approach
-
More transparent pricing than competitors
-
Excellent reputation
-
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
-
Solar Panels
-
Solar Roof Shingles
-
Commercial Solar Services

Solar Company Finder
-
More transparent pricing than competitors
-
Offers a free quote process
-
Educational sales approach
-
Can browse portfolio on website
-
Assists with maximizing rebate
-
Excellent reputation
-
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
-
Solar Panels
-
Solar Roof Shingles
-
Commercial Solar Services

Titanium Power
-
Offers a free quote process
-
Educational sales approach
-
More transparent pricing than competitors
-
Excellent reputation
-
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
-
Commercial Solar Services
-
Solar Panels

Semper Solaris
-
Offers a free quote process
-
Educational sales approach
-
More transparent pricing than competitors
-
Excellent reputation
-
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
-
Solar Panels
-
Solar Roof Shingles

Xero Solar
-
Can browse portfolio on website
-
Educational sales approach
-
More transparent pricing than competitors
-
Custom system designs
-
Excellent reputation
-
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
-
Commercial Solar Services
-
Solar Panels

For me Solar
-
Offers a free quote process
-
Educational sales approach
-
More transparent pricing than competitors
-
Comprehensive service offerings
-
Excellent reputation
-
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
-
Maintenance and Repairs
-
Commercial Solar Services
-
Solar Batteries
-
Solar Panels
-
Solar Roof Shingles

Buel Solar
-
Can browse portfolio on website
-
Educational sales approach
-
Excellent reputation
-
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
-
Maintenance and Repairs
-
Commercial Solar Services
-
Solar Panels

Resonance Solar Installation
-
More transparent pricing than competitors
-
Educational sales approach
-
Custom system designs
-
Can browse portfolio on website
-
NABCEP-certified technicians
-
Assists with maximizing rebate
-
Comprehensive service offerings
-
Excellent reputation
-
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
-
Maintenance and Repairs
-
Roofing Services
-
Commercial Solar Services
-
Solar Batteries
-
Solar Roof Shingles
-
Solar Panels

📱 Free Quote | Ivyleague Solar Installation - Maywood
-
Educational sales approach
-
Assists with maximizing rebate
-
Custom system designs
-
More transparent pricing than competitors
-
Comprehensive service offerings
-
Excellent reputation
-
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
-
Maintenance and Repairs
-
Roofing Services
-
Commercial Solar Services
-
Solar Batteries
-
Solar Roof Shingles
-
Solar Panels

♻ Long Beach Solar ♻
-
Educational sales approach
-
Locally owned and operated
-
More transparent pricing than competitors
-
Excellent reputation
-
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
-
Maintenance and Repairs
-
Commercial Solar Services
-
Solar Batteries
-
Solar Roof Shingles
-
Solar Panels

Solar Source, Inc.
-
Offers a free quote process
-
Educational sales approach
-
Has an online quote form
-
Family owned and operated
-
Excellent reputation
-
Some reported issues with customer services
-
Some reported communication issues
-
Some reports of high-pressure sales tactics
-
Some reports of long wait times for installation
Services Offered
-
Solar Batteries
-
Solar Panels
-
Commercial Solar Services

Solar Warehouse
-
More transparent pricing than competitors
-
Educational sales approach
-
Custom system designs
-
Can browse portfolio on website
-
Assists with maximizing rebate
-
Excellent reputation
-
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
-
Commercial Solar Services
-
Solar Roof Shingles
-
Solar Panels
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 Santa Barbara
The cost of putting up solar panels has gone down greatly in the past few years, but it's still a substantial investment for most homeowners. 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 such as:
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit, which everyone in the U.S. is eligible for, lets you deduct 30% of the cost of your solar system installation from your federal taxes. Plus, not including incentives, you can save about $28,000 over 20 years on your energy bills.
- Your home's orientation toward the sun: This, along with the configuration of your roof, affects affect how much power your solar panels can produce.
- How much you spend on energy: If your local energy rates are high, there's a better chance you'll have a higher return on your investment in solar panels. In Santa Barbara, you can save an average of $68 a month on your electricity bills.
- System size and type: Some models are more expensive than others, so the one you decide on can raise or lower your initial investment. Plus, the more solar panels you need to get, the more it'll cost.
So is a solar panel system worth it? Whether you're trying to lower your energy bills, greenhouse gas emissions or both, solar panels are a good investment for many Santa Barbara homeowners.
Solar Savings Calculator for {{ solarcalc.name }}
Adopting solar energy can considerably impact both the environment and your monthly expenses. To see how much, use the calculator below. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Santa Barbara, 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 Santa Barbara
There are many reasons why going solar is a great investment. One of them includes some government incentives you can take advantage of. There are several federal, state and local rebates and tax credits that earn some money back after paying for a solar panel system. Our article on solar incentives has more in-depth information on the incentives you can find in Santa Barbara.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Santa Barbara
There are tons of reasons to trade traditional energy for solar power, like saving on electricity bills and helping to reduce your carbon footprint. But how much can using solar energy instead of traditional energy actually affect the environment? The amount of energy you use is a key factor to keep in mind. The more energy you use, the larger your impact when you switch to solar energy. Since solar panels don't release carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere when creating electricity, they're a good alternative to nonrenewable energy sources. In fact, you could lower your carbon dioxide emissions by about 50 pounds each year. The advantages of solar power are plentiful — just like solar power is! That's why so many homeowners have been happy with committing 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 Santa Barbara, CA Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the best solar panel company in Santa Barbara?
The highest-rated local solar company in Santa Barbara is Renewable USA, with a rating of 5.00 stars.
What are a few of the main advantages and disadvantages of going solar?
A few of the biggest pros are that it reduces your power bills, it's a sustainable source of energy, and it provides a significant return on your investment (ROI). The most notable cons are that solar panels don't produce electricity at night, there is a high upfront cost and solar panels can be an eyesore.
Are solar panels worth it?
Solar panels call for a considerable upfront investment that will cost you several thousands of dollars, but whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a range of factors like local electricity rates and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.
What is the best kind of solar panel?
The different types of solar panels are monocrystalline, polycrystalline and thin-film. Monocrystalline panels are more efficient but also more costly. Polycrystalline panels are cheaper 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, roof configuration and how much energy generation you want.
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.