11 Best Solar Companies in Santa Cruz, CA (Mar 2023 Review)

We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 11 in Santa Cruz based on:

  • Customer review scores
  • Solar installers near you
  • Company policies and services offered
  • Accreditations and certifications

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated March 14, 2023

Why you can trust EcoWatch

We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

Best solar companies in Santa Cruz

When choosing between the best solar installers, Santa Cruz homeowners have more options to choose from than ever before, which can be overwhelming, but we're here to make adopting solar energy that much easier. Solar panels aren't just good for the Earth — your wallet will be better off too. After switching to solar power, you can save an average of $33,000 over 20 years, and this doesn't even include incentives.

There are lots of installers to consider, but in this article, we'll help you narrow down your options by recommending some of the best solar companies in Santa Cruz. To get a sense of how much it could cost to install solar panels on your roof, you can click the button below to be connected to a certified installer near you.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.5

  • Great warranty coverage
  • Representatives are experts on local policies
  • Concierge service ensures steady communication
  • Slightly limited service offerings

Best Technology

Tesla Energy

★★★★★
4.5

  • 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 Cruz

Best Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon
APG Solar logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

APG Solar

  • Pros icon Can browse portfolio on website
  • Pros icon Offers a free quote process
  • Pros icon Educational sales approach
  • Pros icon Custom system designs
  • Pros icon Excellent reputation
  • Con icon Some reported issues with customer services
  • Con icon Some reported communication issues

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Batteries
  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services
  • Service icon Solar Panels

Website: http://www.apgsolar.com
Address: , Atwater, CA 95301-6019
Phone: (209) 358-1468
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon
Extreme Solar Solutions logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

Extreme Solar Solutions

  • Pros icon Educational sales approach
  • Pros icon Locally owned and operated
  • Pros icon More transparent pricing than competitors
  • Pros icon Licensing and credentials transparency
  • Pros icon Excellent reputation
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services
  • Service icon Solar Panels

Website: http://www.extremesolarsolutions.com/
Address: 387 Atwater Blvd, Atwater, CA 95301
Phone: (209) 489-0297
Experienced Installer
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Mid-State Solar logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

Mid-State Solar

  • Pros icon Educational sales approach
  • Pros icon Custom system designs
  • Con icon Some reported communication issues
  • Con icon Some reports of long wait times for installation
  • Con icon Some reported issues with customer services
  • Con icon Some reports of high-pressure sales tactics

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Batteries
  • Service icon Solar Panels
  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services

Website: http://www.midstatesolar.com
Address: 450 Glass Ln Suite A-1, Modesto, CA 95356
Phone: (209) 551-7880
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon
SunLectric logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

SunLectric

  • Pros icon More transparent pricing than competitors
  • Pros icon Family owned and operated
  • Pros icon Custom system designs
  • Pros icon Can browse portfolio on website
  • Pros icon Licensing and credentials transparency
  • Pros icon Excellent reputation
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Batteries
  • Service icon Solar Panels
  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services

Website: http://www.mysolarcontractor.com/
Address: 247 S Sierra Ave, Oakdale, CA 95361
Phone: (209) 565-4786
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon
Honey's Air & Solar logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

Honey's Air & Solar

  • Pros icon Educational sales approach
  • Pros icon More transparent pricing than competitors
  • Pros icon Excellent reputation
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Maintenance and Repairs
  • Service icon Solar Panels

Website: https://honeysair.com/
Address: 501 Bitritto Wy, Modesto, CA 95356
Phone: (209) 566-1978
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon
Apex Electric Inc logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

Apex Electric Inc

  • Pros icon Can browse portfolio on website
  • Pros icon Educational sales approach
  • Pros icon More transparent pricing than competitors
  • Pros icon Excellent reputation
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Maintenance and Repairs
  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services
  • Service icon Solar Panels

Website: http://www.apexelectric.biz/
Address: 806 Rosina St, Escalon, CA 95320
Phone: (209) 595-1161
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon
Young's Air Conditioning logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

Young's Air Conditioning

  • Pros icon Educational sales approach
  • Pros icon Assists with maximizing rebate
  • Pros icon Custom system designs
  • Pros icon More transparent pricing than competitors
  • Pros icon Excellent reputation
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Maintenance and Repairs
  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services
  • Service icon Solar Panels

Website: https://www.youngsair.com/
Address: 25 West G St, Los Banos, CA 93635
Phone: (209) 826-4807
Experienced Installer
ecowatch badge icon
Solaron Pool Heating, Inc. logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

Solaron Pool Heating, Inc.

  • Pros icon Can browse portfolio on website
  • Pros icon Educational sales approach
  • Pros icon Excellent reputation
  • Con icon Some reports of long wait times for installation
  • Con icon Some reports of high-pressure sales tactics
  • Con icon Some reported issues with customer services
  • Con icon Some reported communication issues

Services Offered

  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services
  • Service icon Solar Panels

Website: http://www.solaron.net
Address: 3900 Middletown Ct, Campbell, CA 95008
Phone: (408) 292-4328
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon
Element Solar Panel Cleaning logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

Element Solar Panel Cleaning

  • Pros icon Can browse portfolio on website
  • Pros icon Educational sales approach
  • Pros icon Speedy and efficient installations
  • Pros icon More transparent pricing than competitors
  • Pros icon Excellent reputation
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services
  • Service icon Solar Roof Shingles
  • Service icon Solar Panels

Website: https://www.elementsolarcleaning.com/
Address: 14850 CA-4 Ste A-140, Discovery Bay, CA 94505
Phone: (408) 422-3809
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon
Simmitri Solar logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

Simmitri Solar

  • Pros icon Educational sales approach
  • Pros icon More transparent pricing than competitors
  • Pros icon Comprehensive service offerings
  • Pros icon Excellent reputation
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Maintenance and Repairs
  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services
  • Service icon Solar Batteries
  • Service icon Solar Panels
  • Service icon Solar Roof Shingles

Website: http://www.simmitri.com/
Address: 6203 San Ignacio Ave Suite 110, San Jose, CA 95119
Phone: (408) 779-3333
Experienced Installer
ecowatch badge icon
Vista Solar, Inc. logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

Vista Solar, Inc.

  • Pros icon Educational sales approach
  • Pros icon Licensing and credentials transparency
  • Pros icon Excellent reputation
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Batteries
  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services
  • Service icon Solar Panels

Website: http://www.vista-solar.com
Address: 2985 Kifer Rd, Santa Clara, CA 95051-0802
Phone: (408) 844-7149

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 Cruz

We understand that for many homeowners, the choice to invest in solar comes down to installation costs. A few key factors that determine how much it will cost to install a solar panel system on your home and how much money you could save over time are:

  • Your current energy bills: Solar panels can noticeably reduce, or entirely get rid of, your utility bills. In Santa Cruz, you can save an average of $88 a month.
  • Incentives: Along with the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which lets you receive a tax credit curretnly worth 30% of your overall installation cost, your state or local government may offer additional tax exemptions, credits or rebates that will help you save even more. Not including incentives, you can save an average of $33,000 over 20 years with your system, too.
  • How much sunlight your roof gets: This, and your roof configuration, affects affect how much energy your solar panels can generate.
  • The model of solar panels you're planning on getting: More high-tech panels are more highly priced, so that will influence your budget for your solar project.

So is installing solar panels worth it? Whether you hope to reduce your electric bills, carbon dioxide emissions or both, solar panels are a worthwhile investment for many Santa Cruz homeowners.

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Adopting green energy can considerably impact both the environment and your utility bills. To see how much, use the calculator below. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Santa Cruz, CA.

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Solar Incentives in Santa Cruz

There are many good reasons why you should switch to solar. One of them includes some government incentives that can help save you some money. When you install a solar panel system on your home, you become eligible to claim the federal tax credit, or ITC. This credit currently reduces your tax bill by 30% of the cost of your solar panels. Additionally, there may often be some local incentives that you can use to further save. Our article on solar incentives goes over more detailed information on the incentives you can take advantage of in Santa Cruz.

Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Santa Cruz

Going solar can have a beneficial effect on the environment. You may be asking yourself — how much do solar panels help the planet anyway? As reported by the EPA, electricity production is the second biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions and about 62% of our electricity comes from burning fossil fuels. Installing solar panels and switching to renewable energy can help put a dent in that statistic in a city like Santa Cruz that accounts for a fair amount of carbon dioxide emissions each year. Because solar panels don't release carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere when creating electricity, they're a good swap for nonrenewable energy sources. In fact, you could be looking at reducing your carbon dioxide emissions by about 50 pounds each year. Since solar energy is abundant and makes electricity without CO2 emissions, adding solar panels to your home is one easy step you can take to help preserve the planet.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.5

  • Great warranty coverage
  • Representatives are experts on local policies
  • Concierge service ensures steady communication
  • Slightly limited service offerings

Best Technology

Tesla Energy

★★★★★
4.5

  • 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 Cruz, CA Solar Company Rankings FAQs

Which solar company is the best in Santa Cruz?

In Santa Cruz, APG Solar is the best local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 5.00 stars, so it's a great choice if you're planning to add solar panels to your house.

What are the pros and cons of solar power?

The greatest advantages of solar power are that it can lower or, in some cases, completely erase your electricity bills, improve your home's value and lower your carbon footprint. The greatest disadvantages are that solar panels can be expensive to install, you may not see as many savings if you don't use a lot of electricity and it doesn't work for all roof types and locations.

Is it worth putting solar panels on my home?

Solar panels can be a good investment for lots of homeowners, but honestly, they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get a lot of direct sunlight or your energy bills are already pretty low, solar panels might not be for you.

What is the efficiency of solar panels?

Usually, solar panels are about 15 to 25% efficient, which means they can convert that percentage of the energy from the sun into usable electricity.

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.

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