11 Best Solar Companies in Solvang, CA (2023 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 11 in Solvang based on:
-
Customer review scores - Service area for Solvang, CA
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Solvang homeowner saves $2,564/year with solar panels
Updated May 04, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Solvang
As a homeowner in Solvang, you may be considering switching to solar power and curious about the best solar companies in your city. Solar could be a fantastic choice since it has many perks. Solar power isn't just good for the planet — your bank account will benefit too. With solar power, you can save an average of $30,000 over 20 years, and this doesn't even include incentives.
To help you sort through the huge variety of Solvang solar installers, we've come up with a list of the top ones. To receive free quotes from the best solar companies in Solvang, you can click "get quote" 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 Solvang
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
-
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
SOLARPONICS
- Informative Resources
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Skilled repairs
- Integrated roofing
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Energy storage solutions
Surf Solar Company, Inc.
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Recognized Excellence
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
- Energy storage solutions
Endelos Energy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Energy storage solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Business installations
- Tailored solutions
Tesla Solar Inc
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Integrated roofing
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
Tesla Solar Inc
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
- Integrated roofing
- Home installations
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Solvang
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Solvang 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 Solvang
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 Solvang
For a lot of homeowners, the decision to invest in a solar energy system depends the most on the cost. There are quite a few factors you should consider when trying to determine how much it will cost and how much you can save, such as:
- How much energy you use: If your home regularly uses a lot of energy, you'll benefit more from going solar.
- Incentives: Tax-paying citizens who buy and install a solar system this year can save 30% of their solar installation costs by taking advantage of the federal solar investment tax credit. You can also save about $30,000 on your electricity bills over 20 years excluding incentives.
- Average daily sunlight: Since Solvang gets lots of sunlight, your solar panel system will most likely be able to produce enough energy to power your whole home, which affects how much your solar panels can save you on your electricity bills.
- Choice of solar panels: The type of solar panels you choose will affect your total cost. High-efficiency monocrystalline panels will cost more upfront but can also lead to more savings over the lifetime of your system. If you don't need to maximize efficiency, you can opt for a higher number of more affordable panels.
Solar is a fruitful investment for most homeowners. You can make your own electricity instead of paying for it from a utility company and take advantage of solar incentives, all while helping the environment.
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Solar Incentives in Solvang
Although a solar power system is typically a $15,000 to $25,000 investment, it can save you a significant amount of money in the long term because of smaller utility bills and government incentives. When you install a solar panel system on your home, you become eligible to claim the federal tax credit, or ITC. This credit currently lets you reduce your tax bill by 30% of the cost of your solar panels. Additionally, there may often be some state and city incentives that you can benefit from to further save. For detailed information about incentives that apply to you, visit our article on solar incentives.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Solvang
There are a few primary reasons why many people want to invest in solar energy: to help their wallet and the environment. But you may be wondering — how much exactly can you help by using solar power? One thing that can dramatically shape your carbon footprint is how long your commute is and how much you drive in general. If you switch to solar power and have an electric car, you can vastly lower your carbon dioxide emissions by charging your car at home. Since solar panels don't release carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere when generating electricity, they're a good trade for nonrenewable energy sources. In fact, you could reduce your carbon dioxide emissions by about 50 pounds each year. For homeowners who want to help 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 Solvang, CA Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar panel installer is the best near me?
In Solvang, Buel Solar is the most reputable local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 5.00 stars, so it's a good choice if you're looking to add solar panels to your house.
What is the negative environmental impact of solar panels?
Manufacturing solar panels uses chemicals and produces toxic waste that can be bad for the environment, which is the main drawback of solar panels.
How long does it take to see a return on your investment after getting solar panels?
The average payback period for solar panel installation is about 6.0 years, but the exact period varies by the cost of electricity where you are, incentives and net metering programs.
How often do solar panels have to be replaced?
Although the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they are completely unusable. 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 once you've had them for that long or you can continue to use 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.