11 Best Solar Companies in Santa Rosa, CA (2023 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 11 in Santa Rosa based on:
-
Customer review scores - Service area for Santa Rosa, CA
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Santa Rosa homeowner saves $2,730/year with solar panels
Updated May 04, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Santa Rosa
If you're looking for the best solar companies in Santa Rosa, going through hundreds of options can be daunting, but it can pay off since adopting solar energy can offer so many great benefits. After 20 years of offsetting your energy costs with a solar panel system, you can save about $32,000 on your utility bills.
In this article, we'll let you in on the top Santa Rosa solar installers so you can make the best decision for your home's sustainable energy needs. Want to see how much it'd cost to install a solar system on your roof? Click "get quote" below to get a free, no-obligation quote from a highly rated Santa Rosa solar installer.
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 Santa Rosa
Average Cost
SunPower
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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
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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
Ideal Solar
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Integrated roofing
- Home installations
- Energy storage solutions
Sunergy Pacific
- Informative Resources
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Energy storage solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
Alta Energy
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
- Integrated roofing
- Home installations
Tesla Solar
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Recognized Excellence
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Integrated roofing
- Business installations
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
Summit Technology Group
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
- Business installations
- Tailored solutions
- End-to-end services
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Santa Rosa
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Santa Rosa 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 Rosa
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 Rosa
Solar panels are powered by a free energy source — the sun — but before you can take advantage of this you first need to pay to install your system. The cost and possible savings vary depending on a few important factors such as:
- Your income and budget: This guides what model of solar panels you can buy.
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit currently lets you lower your taxes by 30% of the project cost. Your state and even local utility companies may also have incentives and rebates that you can benefit from. In addition, you can save about $32,000 over 20 years on your utility bills, before factoring in incentives.
- The amount of sunlight your roof gets: If your rooftop doesn't get a lot of direct sunlight, your solar panels won't be able to produce as much energy, which will leave you with lower savings on power bills than someone with a roof that gets a lot of sunlight.
- Your household's power bills: Due to fairly high monthly electric bills in Santa Rosa, you could save about $1,100 a year with solar.
Because of solar panels now being cheaper than ever as well as various solar incentives, they are a cost-effective investment for most homeowners.
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Solar Incentives in Santa Rosa
Adopting solar power has a lot of wonderful benefits. Not only can it help preserve the environment, but you can also save some money on your installation with various government incentives. Regardless of what state you live in, you can take advantage of the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which lets you claim 30% of your project costs on your tax return, lowering the amount of taxes you owe that year. Additionally, there may be some local incentives that stack with the ITC too. Check out our article on solar incentives to find out what incentives you can take advantage of.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Santa Rosa
A lot of people want to do their part for the environment, which often is the prime reason they're interested in installing solar panels. But — how much exactly can you help the environment by making the switch to solar? Something that can dramatically affect your carbon footprint is how long your commute is and how much you drive overall. If you go solar and have an electric car, you can significantly lower your carbon dioxide emissions by charging your car at home. Though solar panel production emits carbon dioxide, the panels make up for it by significantly lowering the amount of CO2 you would have produced if you still used nonrenewable energy. In Santa Rosa, you can reduce your carbon footprint by 50 pounds a year with solar panels. For homeowners who are worried about the environment, the upfront cost of solar is a small price to pay for reducing your carbon footprint.
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 Santa Rosa, CA Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar power company is the best near me?
The highest-rated local solar company in Santa Rosa is Solaron Pool Heating, Inc., with a rating of 5.00 stars.
What is the negative environmental impact of solar panels?
Solar panels can be detrimental for the environment when manufacturers use toxic chemicals when they're made. Chemicals can make solar panels difficult to recycle safely once they've reached the end of their lifespan. Solar panel manufacturing requires a lot of energy as well. The energy payback period is about 1 to 4 years.
Is it worth installing solar panels on my roof?
Solar panels can be a beneficial investment for many homeowners, but frankly, they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get enough sunlight or your power bills are already pretty low, solar panels might not be for you.
When should I put up solar panels?
You can put up solar panels whenever it's convenient for you, but consider doing it in the winter when there's less demand. With fewer homeowners switching to solar, you could potentially see quicker installation times and more savings.
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.