Is Solar Optimum a legit company?

Solar Optimum is not only a legit company, but a nationally recognized installer with multiple awards. It has been installing legally compliant solar power systems for almost 15 years, serving thousands of customers.

Is Solar Optimum solar a good deal for homeowners?

If you are located in California and looking for a highly reliable installer with plenty of experience, Solar Optimum is a safe bet. It uses reputable components, such as Panasonic panels, some of the best batteries from Tesla energy and advanced Enphase microinverters. Its occasional high costs may pose an obstacle, but for those not too concerned about it, Solar Optimum is definitely a great deal.

Will using Solar Optimum lower my electricity bill?

Most functional solar power systems lower your electricity bill and your dependence on grid power. Solar Optimum installs high-quality solar equipment with a performance guarantee — meaning your bills from the utility company are guaranteed to go down.

Is Solar Optimum expensive?

Solar Optimum’s prices are slightly higher than typical costs for solar panels in California, but many homeowners have found its quality and service worth the price. The high-quality equipment the company uses means faster payback and higher savings. That being said, some homeowners have received competitive rates from Solar Optimum, and it is worth getting a quote from the company.

Where is Solar Optimum available?

Solar Optimum Inc. operates in California and has a large number of installations in San Diego, San Jose and Los Angeles. Its head office is located at 614 West Colorado Street, Glendale, CA 91204

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Solar Optimum Review: Costs, Quality, Services & More (2025)

Here’s what we’ll cover in this article on Solar Optimum:

Is Solar Optimum a legit company?
What does the installation process look like with Solar Optimum?
Is Solar Optimum expensive?
What do customers have to say about Solar Optimum?

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Reviewed by Irma Omerhodzic

Updated as of February 03, 2023

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Note: In July 2024, SunPower notified dealers it would be halting all new shipments and project installations. The company also noted it would “no longer be supporting new Leases and PPA sales nor new project installations of these financing options.”

Operating in the country’s biggest state for solar power — California — Solar Optimum has made a name for itself with high-quality installations that come with industry-leading warranties and customer service. This detailed Solar Optimum review will discuss several important aspects of the installer, from pricing to offerings to financing options.

Is Solar Optimum a Good Solar Company?

Yes, Solar Optimum is a highly rated solar company with a track record of quality solar panel installations in the state of California. Although the company can be a bit on the pricey side, Solar Optimum is a multiple-award-winning installer with thousands of projects completed over almost 15 years in business. It offers an industry-leading 25-year warranty that covers nearly all aspects of your equipment and installation.

What You Should Know About Solar Optimum

Solar Optimum was started in 2008 as a family business and quickly rose to become one of the best solar companies in California. Today, thousands of homes in the state have solar panels and battery storage installed by Solar Optimum.

With high-quality systems and customer service, Solar Optimum has won the National Installer of the Year award by Panasonic Solar two years in a row. It also has several other awards under its belt, along with elite, premium and platinum certifications from some of the best manufacturers of solar equipment.

	Solar Optimum Fast Facts
Year Started	2008
Service Areas	California
Services Offered	Solar panels; solar battery installations; roofing services
Types of Solar Equipment Offered	Panasonic Solar, REC, Q Cells, Enphase, Unirac, Tesla
Certifications	REC Certified Solar Professional; Tesla Powerwall certified installer; Unirac certified installer; Enphase Platinum Installer; Panasonic Solar Elite Installer; member of American Solar Energy Society (ASES) and Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA)
Better Business Bureau Rating	A+

Solar Optimum

Great Customer Service

EcoWatch rating

Average cost

Pros

Outstanding customer service
Comprehensive service offerings
Great warranty coverage

Cons

Limited brands of solar equipment available
No leases or PPAs
Can be expensive

Solar Optimum Services and Installation

Solar Optimum offers solar energy and battery back-up systems and roof installations for homeowners as well as commercial customers in California. The company offers components from some of the best manufacturers in the world, including giants like Tesla, Enphase, and Panasonic. These service and product options translate to excellent solar power systems that are long-lasting and perform well. In addition, the company has noteworthy customer service that is readily accessible.

Solar Installation Experience

Going solar with Solar Optimum involves four basic steps:

Step 1: Initial Consultation, Site inspection and Design

Once you provide your phone number and address on the Solar Optimum website, you will be scheduled for a consultation. When you meet with a representative, they’ll go over recommendations for how many solar panels you need and the approximate cost of your system. If you decide to move forward, an engineer will visit your home for a detailed site inspection. They will evaluate your roof layout to create your custom solar system design. They will also scan for any shading problems due to trees and check your electrical box and its capacity.

Step 2: Permits, Paperwork and Preparation

This step involves applying for permits and paperwork needed to operate a solar power system, including permission to connect to the grid for net metering. The installer will handle most of the work in this step. Solar Optimum will also apply for incentives and rebates you’re eligible for.

Step 3: Installation

Once the permits are received, Solar Optimum will schedule an installation date convenient for you. The installation team will install the racking, solar panels, inverter, wiring and other necessary components. This usually takes one whole day, but can take more based on the project’s size and complexity.

Step 4: Inspection and Activation

Your solar energy system can only be switched on if the local governing body approves. It will send an inspector to check the project for safe operation. Once you receive the approval, you can start using your clean energy right away.

Solar Optimum Customer Service

Solar Optimum has earned thousands of positive reviews, while negative reviews are difficult to find. The company states that it focuses on “real relationships and honest talk,” and customer feedback shows the company walks the talk in this area.

Best for Leasing

4/5

Broad lineup of solar panelsNear-national coverageRelatively low pricing & flexible payment methods

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Best Solar Financing

4.5/5

Great warranty coverageExperts on local policiesConcierge Service

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Solar Veteran

4/5

Outstanding customer serviceOffers products from leading manufacturersGreat warranty coverage

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Solar Optimum Costs and Financing

Even though the cost of solar equipment has declined dramatically, cost is still the biggest consideration for most customers thinking of going solar. It’s important to keep in mind, though, that the cheapest choice is not always the best.

The cost of solar panels varies based on project size and complexity. There have been instances of Solar Optimum’s pricing being higher than that of other companies in the area, but quite a few customers state Solar Optimum’s prices were competitive. The company also offers a $500 referral bonus.

Financing Options Through Solar Optimum

Despite the rapid decrease in solar panel pricing, your solar investment will still run into the thousands of dollars, and not everyone prefers to pay up-front. With that in mind, Solar Optimum offers two purchasing models, as shown below:

	Cash Purchase	Solar Loan
System Ownership	✓	✓
Upfront Cost	✓	✓
Added Property Value	✓	✓
Eligible for Tax Credit	✓	✓
Payment Due to	Solar Installer	Loan Provider

While cash purchase guarantees maximum savings, loans offer convenience. Solar Optimum does not offer any solar loan or power purchase agreement (PPA) options. Check out our solar financing guide for a detailed description of the variety of solar buying methods out there.

Solar Optimum Solar Panel Warranty

Solar Optimum’s warranty programs outshine almost all other installers. Here’s a brief overview:

Equipment warranty: Solar Optimum uses top-tier equipment in its projects and passes on the warranties offered by the manufacturer. For instance, REC/Panasonic solar panels and inverters come with 25-year warranties and performance guarantees. The Tesla Powerwall home battery comes with a 10-year warranty. Solar Optimum also offers a valuable 25-year warranty on both the racking and roofing, an unusual bonus.
Workmanship warranty: The workmanship warranty protects the system from flawed installations that may damage the system or prevent it from performing ideally. Solar Optimum offers a whopping 25-year warranty on all of its residential installations, scoring high marks for reliability.

The warranty program also includes an unusual perk: If your system falls short of production estimates, the company pledges to resolve the issue immediately and compensates you for the shortfall.