15 Best Solar Companies in Santa Cruz, CA (2023 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in Santa Cruz based on:
-
Customer review scores - Service area for Santa Cruz, CA
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Santa Cruz homeowner saves $2,742/year with solar panels
Updated September 15, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Santa Cruz
As a homeowner or business owner in Santa Cruz, you may be planning on switching to solar power and curious about the best solar companies in your city. Solar could be a fantastic idea since it has a lot of benefits. Because solar panels generate their own power, they can greatly lower your electricity bill each month, if not totally eliminate it. In fact, you could end up with about $33,000 of savings over 20 years.
In this article, we'll let you in on the top Santa Cruz solar installers so you can find the best one for your home's sustainable energy needs. We suggest shopping around to get quite a few quotes and comparing them to find the best installer for your home. To receive free, no-pressure quotes from the top solar companies in Santa Cruz, 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
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Santa Cruz
SunPower Corporation
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Informative Resources - Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Business installations - Integrated roofing
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
Mynt Systems
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Business installations
- Integrated roofing
Nomadic Solar
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Energy storage solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
Allterra Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Energy storage solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Business installations
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
Sandbar Solar & Electric
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Business installations
Day One Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Energy storage solutions
- Skilled repairs
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
- Business installations
- Integrated roofing
- Expert panel installation
Solar Electric Supply, Inc.
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Business installations
- Energy storage solutions
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
- Expert panel installation
Solar Technologies Santa Cruz
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Integrated roofing
- Energy storage solutions
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
- Business installations
- End-to-end services
Greentech Renewables Santa Cruz
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Home installations
- Energy storage solutions
Cinnamon Energy Systems
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled repairs
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Energy storage solutions
California Glass and Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Business installations
- Tailored solutions
Shadowfax Roofing and Solar Company
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Integrated roofing
- Expert panel installation
- Business installations
- Skilled repairs
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
SEC Services - Solar Energy Consultants
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Integrated roofing
- Home installations
- Business installations
- Energy storage solutions
- Skilled repairs
- Expert panel installation
Infinium Solar, Inc.
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Energy storage solutions
- End-to-end services
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
- Expert panel installation
- Business installations
- Tailored solutions
Premo Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Business installations
- Tailored solutions
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Santa Cruz
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz
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 Santa Cruz
The cost of putting up a solar panel system has decreased significantly over the past few years, but it's still a large investment for most homeowners. The cost of solar and the savings it generates vary depending on a few important factors such as:
- Your current electricity bills: Solar panels can dramatically decrease, or entirely eliminate, your utility bills. In Santa Cruz, you can save an average of $88 a month.
- Choice of solar panels: The kind of solar panels you are interested in getting 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.
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit currently lets you lower your taxes by 30% of the project cost. Your state may also have various incentives that you can use. In addition, you can save about $33,000 over 20 years on your utility bills, before factoring in incentives.
- Your location: This influences how much sunlight your roof receives, which helps determine how many panels you need.
Even though a solar panel system costs a sizable chunk of money upfront, it can save you much more in the long term. The question of how much, though, depends on several factors, like the kind of solar panels you get and your current power bills.
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Solar Incentives in Santa Cruz
One of the great things about installing a solar panel system is earning incentives from the government. You qualify for the federal solar investment tax credit (ITC) for the tax year you turn on your solar panels. You can also potentially stack the ITC with other local incentives. You can learn about the incentives you can take advantage of in our article on solar incentives
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Santa Cruz
An important reason so many are thinking of adopting solar energy is to help bring down their environmental impact. Something many people might be asking themselves is how much can they really help save the environment by switching to solar power anyway? Switching to solar power is an impactful choice for the environment, due to the fact that the greatest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the nation is from burning fossil fuels for electricity, heat, and transportation — all of which can be powered by solar instead. Because solar panels don't release greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere when creating electricity, they're a good swap for nonrenewable energy sources. In fact, you could lower your carbon dioxide emissions by about 50 pounds each year. If you want to do what you can for the environment, you'll most likely recognize that there are many good things about adopting solar power other than just saving money on bills. You can also help preserve the environment, which some would argue is invaluable.
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
EcoWatch's Santa Cruz, CA Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar installation company is the best near me?
The best local solar company in Santa Cruz is Clean Solar, with a rating of 4.09 stars.
What are the pros and cons of solar power?
A few of the biggest pros are that it lowers your electricity bills, it's good for the environment, and it gives you a significant return on your investment (ROI). The most notable cons are that solar panels don't produce electricity at night, the installation cost is pricey and solar panels can be an eyesore.
How long does it take to see a return on your investment after installing solar panels?
The average payback period for solar panel installation is about 5.6 years, but the exact period is influenced by the cost of electricity where you are, incentives and net metering programs.
How often do solar panels need to be replaced?
Though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they stop working completely. What this means is their energy production will have decreased by about 0.8% each year since installing them. You can decide to replace them after having them for that long or you can keep using them at a lower efficiency after that time.
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.