15 Best Solar Companies in Sonoma, CA (2023 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in Sonoma based on:
-
Customer review scores - Service area for Sonoma, CA
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Sonoma homeowner saves $2,730/year with solar panels
Updated September 15, 2023
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Best Solar Companies in Sonoma
Searching for the best solar companies in Sonoma? Installing solar panels is an exciting home addition that many homeowners find valuable for their wallets, communities and the planet. Because solar panels generate their own electrical power, they can vastly bring down your electricity bill each month, if not totally eliminate it. In fact, you could be looking at about $32,000 of savings over 20 years.
There are tons of installers to consider, but in this article, we'll help you pin down your options by recommending some of the best solar companies in Sonoma. To get free quotes from the top solar companies in Sonoma, click the "get quote" button 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 Sonoma
EES Solar
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Free Quotes - Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Business installations - Energy storage solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
Solar Works
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- End-to-end services
- Business installations
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
SunPower Elite Dealer - Impact
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
- Energy storage solutions
- Expert panel installation
SunPower Corporation
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Integrated roofing
- Energy storage solutions
- Business installations
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
High Definition Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
- Tailored solutions
Sunrun Solar
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Energy storage solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Integrated roofing
Simply Solar
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Business installations
- End-to-end services
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Energy storage solutions
- Tailored solutions
- Integrated roofing
Sun Solar Electric
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Business installations
- Integrated roofing
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
- End-to-end services
Nor Cal Solar Construction
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Integrated roofing
- Home installations
- Energy storage solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
Bella Hem Solar, Inc.
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Integrated roofing
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
- Skilled repairs
- Energy storage solutions
SolarCity
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
- Tailored solutions
- Energy storage solutions
- Business installations
Pristine Clean Solar Panel Cleaning
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
Amy's Roofing and Solar
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Energy storage solutions
- Integrated roofing
- Expert panel installation
- Skilled repairs
- Tailored solutions
Napa Electric
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
- Business installations
Suntegrity Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Energy storage solutions
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- End-to-end services
- Integrated roofing
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Sonoma
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Sonoma 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 Sonoma
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 Sonoma
Even though solar panels can help save you a decent chunk of change on utility bills over time, it's important to know the upfront costs. There are quite a few factors you should consider when trying to determine how much it will cost and how much you can save, including:
- Choice of solar panels: The kind of solar panels you choose will affect your total cost. High-efficiency monocrystalline panels will cost more upfront but can also save you more money 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.
- How much you spend on energy: The average household in Sonoma pays around $1,100 a year on power alone, so you could end up with that much in savings.
- The amount of sunlight your home gets: Because of Sonoma's very high amount of average daily sunlight, you should be able to save a lot on your energy bills.
- 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 $32,000 on your energy bills over 20 years without incentives.
As a result of the cost of solar panels being lower than before as well as several solar incentives, they are a worthwhile investment for many homeowners.
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Solar Incentives in Sonoma
Although installing solar panels is typically a $15,000 to $25,000 investment, it can save you a lot of money over several years due to smaller utility bills and government incentives. There are several federal, state and local rebates and tax credits that may earn you a decent amount of money in return after paying for solar panels. Our article on solar incentives goes over more information on the incentives you can find in Sonoma.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Sonoma
There are tons of reasons to trade traditional energy for solar power, like saving on utility bills and helping to lower your carbon footprint. But — how much exactly can you help by using solar power? In a city like Sonoma where commute times can be pretty long, using solar power can help offset some of your carbon dioxide emissions from being on the road a lot. In fact, if you install solar panels, you could be looking at reducing your carbon dioxide emissions by about 50 pounds each year. Since solar energy is plentiful and makes electricity without a carbon footprint, making the switch to solar power is one easy step you can take to help preserve the planet.
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 Sonoma, CA Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar power company is the best in Sonoma?
The highest-rated local solar company in Sonoma is SolarCraft, with a rating of 3.00 stars.
What are some of the pros and cons of adopting solar power?
A few of the biggest pros are that it decreases your electricity bills, it's a sustainable source of energy, and it provides a decent 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.
Are solar panels worth it?
Solar panels require a large upfront investment that usually costs at least ten thousand 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 cost more. Polycrystalline panels are cheaper but also less efficient than monocrystalline. Thin-film solar panels are flexible, so they can be used where the other kinds can't, like on curved surfaces or cars, but they are also less efficient. The best one for you depends on your budget, the layout of your roof and desired energy output.
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.