15 Best Solar Companies in St Helena, CA (2023 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in St Helena based on:
-
Customer review scores - Service area for St Helena, CA
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average St Helena homeowner saves $2,757/year with solar panels
Updated May 04, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in St Helena
Thinking of going solar but not sure which company would be the best one for you? Although it can be challenging to pick a solar company, the effort will pay off because going solar has many fantastic benefits. Since St Helena is a solar paradise, it's no wonder you're looking into installing solar panels.
There are plenty of installers to choose from, but in this article, we'll help you narrow down your options by recommending some of the best solar companies in St Helena. To get free quotes from the leading solar companies in St Helena, 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
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 St Helena
Average Cost
SunPower
-
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
ProSolarClean
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
ProSolarClean
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
Ideal Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
- Energy storage solutions
- Tailored solutions
SunPower Elite Dealer - Impact
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Energy storage solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
Prime Energy Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
Sunergy Pacific
- Informative Resources
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
Tesla Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Recognized Excellence
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
- Tailored solutions
- Energy storage solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
SolarCraft
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled repairs
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- End-to-end services
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
SolarCraft
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Energy storage solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Skilled repairs
- Tailored solutions
- End-to-end services
- Business installations
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in St Helena
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in St Helena 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 St Helena
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 St Helena
Solar panels are powered by a free energy source — the sun — but to take advantage of this you first need to pay to install your system. The cost of solar and the savings it generates vary depending on a few important factors such as:
- Choice of solar panels: The type of solar panels you want will affect your total cost. High-efficiency monocrystalline panels are more expensive upfront but can also save you more money over the lifetime of your system. If you don't need to maximize efficiency, you can go with a higher number of more affordable panels.
- How much you spend on energy: If your local electricity rates are quite high, there's a better chance you'll see a higher return on your investment in a solar system. In St Helena, you can save an average of $88 a month on your electricity bills.
- The amount of sunlight your area gets: Due to St Helena's very high amount of average daily sunlight, you should be able to save a lot on your electric bills.
- Incentives: Those who install a solar system this year can save 30% of their overall solar costs by taking advantage of the federal solar investment tax credit. You can also save about $33,000 on your energy bills over 20 years excluding incentives.
Though a solar panel system costs a good chunk of money upfront, it can save you thousands of dollars over the lifespan of your panels. The question of how much, though, depends on a number of factors, like the amount of daily direct sunlight available and your current power bills.
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Solar Incentives in St Helena
To increase the adoption of solar power, incentives are offered by the government — and even some utility companies — to help make going solar more economically viable and accessible. Local solar incentive programs vary by location and, sometimes, utility company. A lot of states offer rebates for solar power, in addition to the federal solar tax credit. Our article on solar incentives goes over more in-depth information on the incentives you can benefit from in St Helena.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in St Helena
One of the best reasons to use solar power is to minimize your dependence on traditional energy sources like burning fossil fuels, which are damaging for the environment. You may be asking yourself — how much do solar panels do for the planet anyway? One thing you should consider is your overall carbon footprint. For example, if you spend a lot of time on the road and have an electric vehicle, you can use solar energy for your home to power your EV and therefore help offset your carbon emissions. Once you go solar, your carbon emissions can be cut by about 50 pounds each year. If you want to do what you can for the environment, you'll most likely understand that there are many advantages to adopting solar energy other than just saving money on bills. You can also help preserve the environment, which some would argue is more valuable.
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 St Helena, CA Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar power company is the best near me?
In St Helena, Mid-State Solar is the most reputable local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 5.00 stars, so it's a solid choice if you're looking to install solar panels on your roof.
What are the pros and cons of solar power?
The greatest advantages of solar power are that it can decrease or, for some, completely eradicate your electricity bills, raise your home's value and lower your carbon footprint. The greatest disadvantages are that solar panels can be costly to install, you may not save as much if you don't use a lot of electricity and it doesn't work for all roof types and locations.
How long does it take for solar to pay for itself?
Solar panels typically pay for themselves in about 5.5 years, but your solar payback period will depend on your utility costs. The more your typical power bill, the faster your solar panel system will pay for itself.
How often do solar panels need to be replaced?
Even though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they stop working completely. What this means is the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can replace them once you've had 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.