14 Best Solar Companies in California, PA (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 14 in California based on:
- Customer review scores
- Service area for California, PA
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average California homeowner saves $976/year with solar panels
Updated February 01, 2024
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in California
Looking for the top solar companies in California? Installing solar panels is an exciting home addition that many homeowners find valuable for their wallets, communities and the planet. Because California has a good capacity for solar power generation, going solar is financially rewarding for many homeowners.
As you set out on your search for the best solar companies in California, you’ll notice that there are a large number of providers to choose from. So, we’ve organized an expertly curated list of the top solar companies in the area.If you’d like to get free, no-obligation quotes from the best California solar installers, you can click the button below to learn more.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- 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
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in California
Pennsylvania Solar Energy Company Inc.
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Commercial Panels
- Residential Panels
- Financing Assistance
Energy Independent Solutions
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tesla Powerwall
- Commercial Panels
- Solar Roof Assessment
- Financing Assistance
- Residential Panels
- Energy Efficiency Audit
Elysium Solar Energy
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Family-Operated Business
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Commercial Panels
- Battery Storage
- Residential Panels
- Full-Service
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Permit Assistance
Green Rack Contracting
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Consultation
- Residential Panels
Raycycle
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Residential Panels
- Consultation
- Commercial Panels
Connected Energy Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Residential Panels
- Financing Assistance
- Commercial Panels
JB Solar LLC
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Residential Panels
Bluebird Sky Solar
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Commercial Panels
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
- Permit Assistance
- Residential Panels
- Maintenance
Envinity Solar | Pittsburgh
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Carports
- Residential Panels
- Energy Efficiency Audit
- Maintenance
- Commercial Panels
- Financing Assistance
Green Solar Systems LLC
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Residential Panels
- Solar Panel Upgrades
- Permit Assistance
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Commercial Panels
- Consultation
Scalo Solar Solutions
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Commercial Panels
- Residential Panels
Solbridge Energy Advisors
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Commercial Panels
- Residential Panels
- Consultation
Greentech Renewables - Pittsburgh
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Commercial Panels
- Residential Panels
Boom Pow DIY Solar LLC
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Solar Panel Upgrades
- Residential Panels
- Battery Storage
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in California
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in California 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 California
Below are some the criteria we examined specifically for Pennsylvania 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 California
Solar panels run off a free energy source — the sun — but to take advantage of this you must first pay to set up your panels.A few important factors that affect the cost of installing a solar panel system on your home and how much money you could save over time are:
- System size and type: Some models are more pricy than others, so the one you want to get can raise or lower your upfront cost. Plus, the more solar panels you need to buy, the more it'll cost.
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit currently allows you to reduce your taxes by 0 of the project cost. Your state may also have incentives and rebates that you can benefit from. In addition, you can save about $12,000 over 20 years on your utility bills, not including incentives.
- Your current power bills: Solar panels can dramatically reduce, or completely eradicate, your utility bills. In California, you can save an average of $1,083 a month.
- Your city: This affects how much sunlight your roof receives, which helps determine how many panels you need.
So is installing solar panels worth it? Whether you’re trying to lower your energy bills, carbon dioxide emissions or both, solar panels are a solid investment for many California homeowners.
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Solar Incentives in California
Switching to solar power has plenty of wonderful benefits. Not only can it help preserve the planet, but you can also save a good amount of money on your installation with various government incentives.Regardless of where you live, you can take advantage of the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which will let you claim 0 of how much you paid for your solar installation on your tax return, reducing the amount of taxes you owe that year. Plus, there may be some state and city incentives you can benefit from too. You can learn about the incentives you can take advantage of in our article on solar incentives
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in California
One of the most compelling reasons to use solar energy is to cut your dependence on traditional energy sources like burning fossil fuels, which are harmful for the environment.But how much can using solar energy instead of traditional energy actually help the environment? For homeowners who want to do their part for the planet, using solar power is a no-brainer, especially since California produces a high amount of carbon dioxide emissions from its energy generation.If you go solar, your carbon emissions can be lowered by about 80 pounds a year. Since solar power is abundant and makes electricity without CO2 emissions, making the switch to solar power is one easy step you can take to help protect the environment.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- 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
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
EcoWatch's California, PA Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar installation company is the best in California?
In California, Pennsylvania Solar Energy Company Inc. is the top local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 4.90 stars, so it's a good choice if you're planning to add solar panels to your home.
What is the negative environmental impact of solar panels?
Making solar panels needs to use chemicals and produces toxic waste that can be bad for the environment, which is the main negative thing about solar panels.
Are solar panels worth it?
Solar panels can be a beneficial investment for a majority of homeowners, but admittedly, they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get enough sunlight or your power bills are already reasonably low, solar panels might not be for you.
How efficient is a solar panel system?
In most cases, solar panels are about 15 to 25% efficient, meaning they can convert that percentage of the sun’s energy 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.