With so many solar companies to choose from, we know how daunting it can be to find an installer you can trust with your home’s solar system. To help you make the right decision, we’ve put together this comprehensive guide to the best solar companies in San Diego, CA, as rated by our SolarReviews experts and San Diego residents who’ve already gone solar.
We look for solar companies with owners who understand that when they sell you a solar system, you expect them to be there for the next 25 years to fix any issues that may arise. Here are the top companies we recommend for solar in San Diego:
Company Description
With Sunrun, you get a new, modern energy experience – the freedom to power life how and when you want with reliable, affordable energy made from the sun.
Learn moreSolarReviews Expert Rating Score:
Average
Rating breakdown
Positives:
6 / 10
Time in business
Negatives:
4 / 10
Litigation and background
4 / 10
Verification of licenses and insurance
5 / 10
Profitability of installer
1 / 5
Consumer reviews performance
1 / 5
Reliability of consumer reviews
2 / 5
Transparency of pricing and sales process
1 / 5
Company size and location
2 / 10
Quality of brands sold
1 / 5
Vertical integration
2 / 5
Transparency about reputation
2 / 10
Competitiveness of loan options
1 / 5
Sustainable pricing of systems
2 / 5
Employee satisfaction and safety record
Services offered
- Solar - Installation
Latest Good Review
TimD | Rocky Hill, CT | 11-19-2024
The team was both knowledgeable and professional. The installation was quick and clean.
See full reviewLatest Bad Review
RM | Des Plaines, IL | 11-19-2024
Appalling Customer Service
I inherited this solar lease while purchasing a home. If I had not gotten a great concession out of it, I would have had the panels ripped out because you would have to be insane to sign such a one-sided and restrictive 20 year contract. It has been 3 months since my roof was severely damaged in a hailstorm, and Sunrun has completely failed to remove their panels in a timely manner. At this point, their last email says that they have no idea when they'll be able to send an engineer to get the permits for removal, so I have to wait until next Spring at the earliest. They've been mostly unresponsive almost the entire time and the process has been like pulling teeth. Given another chance, I would have had the panels ripped out and ignored the price concessions to get away from Sunrun. It's not worth dealing with this company.
See full reviewCompany Description
*****CleanTech Energy Solutions, Inc. (CTES) has been a presence in the San Diego renewable energy market since 2007! We provide turn-key high-quality solar & energy storage installations for the residential and commercial sector and handle every step of the w...
Learn moreSolarReviews Expert Rating Score:
Elite
Rating breakdown
Positives:
7 / 10
Time in business
10 / 10
Litigation and background
7 / 10
Verification of licenses and insurance
8 / 10
Profitability of installer
3 / 5
Transparency of pricing and sales process
5 / 5
Company size and location
10 / 10
Quality of brands sold
5 / 5
Vertical integration
3 / 5
Transparency about reputation
7 / 10
Competitiveness of loan options
3 / 5
Sustainable pricing of systems
5 / 5
Reliability of consumer reviews
Negatives:
2 / 5
Consumer reviews performance
2 / 5
Employee satisfaction and safety record
Services offered
- Solar - Installation
Latest Good Review
Susan | Based in Oceanside, CA | 04-07-2024
Truly Outstanding
We are very happy with our solar system and the customer service is truly outstanding. All of our questions were answered, and we received a detailed notebook including all warranty and necessary information. Our friends even received a referral bonus!
See full reviewSolarReviews Expert Rating Score:
Unrated
Services offered
- Solar - Installation
Latest Good Review
Gene C | Escondido, CA | 09-13-2022
AN OUTSTANDING COMPANY
WE RECENTLY HAD A NEW SOLAR SYSTEM INSTALLED BY PALOMAR SOLAR AND ROOFING. WE HAD 5 BIDS AND PALOMAR SOLAR WAS THE ONLY COMPANY THAT TOOK THE TROUBLE TO MEASURE OUR ROOF AND DO A PROFESSIONAL PROPOSAL AND THEY WERE THE LOW BIDDER. I ALSO DID A LOT OF RESEARCH TO FIND A COMPANY THAT HAS A REPUTATION FOR OUTSTANDING WORK AND SUPPORT, WHICH IS WHAT WE GOT. WE HAD 40 PANELS INSTALLED AND IT TOOK 2 DAYS FOR THE INSTALLATION ON DAYS THAT WERE OVER 100 DEGREES. THE CREW SHOWED UP ON TIME AND THEY WERE POLITE, NEAT, PROFESSIONAL, AND FRIENDLY. I WANTED TO DO AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE WITH THIS WHOLE SOLAR INSTALLATION AND I DID VIRTUALLY NOTHING. THIS WAS THE TYPE OF INSTALLATION YOU DREAM ABOUT BUT RARELY RECEIVE. THEY KEPT US INFORMED EACH DAY AND WHEN THEY LEFT I COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING TO SHOW THEY HAD BEEN WORKING ON OUR ROOF AND PROPERTY. PALOMAR SOLAR ALSO MADE THE PROCESS OF TURNING ON THE SYSTEM WITH THE UTILITY VERY EASY, BECAUSE THEY DID EVERYTHING. YOU CAN TELL THEY KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING AND HAVE MADE THE PROCESS OF TURNING ON AND MONITORING THE SYSTEM SO SIMPLE THAT EVEN AN 83 YEAR OLD MAN COULD FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS. PALOMAR SOLAR ALSO ARRANGES FOR ENPHASE TO MONITOR THE SYSTEM WHICH HAS WORKED FLAWLESSLY FROM THE START AND I WOULD RECOMMEND ENPHASE TOO.
See full reviewLatest Bad Review
4194 30th street San Diego CA | Escondido, CA | 04-08-2024
My first call at was with operator she did not even say the name of the company I tried to find out if it's the same company I'm calling. She argues with me right play. She thinks she is the boss all what I said. Thank you. There's another company. I will do better job than this.
See full reviewBest solar installers in San Diego, CA
Company | SolarReviews expert rating | Consumer rating | City | Quote |
---|---|---|---|---|
CleanTech Energy Solutions Inc. | Elite | Based in Oceanside | Get Quote | |
Cosmic Solar, Inc. | Unrated | Valley Center | Get Quote | |
Stellar Solar | Very Good | Oceanside | Get Quote | |
Affordable Home Solar | Unrated | Union City | Get Quote | |
Solar Symphony | Unrated | - | Get Quote | |
Jamar Power Systems | Unrated | Santee | Get Quote | |
Aviara Solar Contractors | Unrated | El Cajon | Get Quote |
Best solar companies for home battery installations in San Diego
Batteries have become increasingly popular because they take an intermittent energy source like solar and turn it into a reliable and consistent supply of electricity. We recommend getting a solar battery quote if you want a backup power source or if your utility company doesn’t have a net metering program that buys excess solar energy at the full price of power, as you could save a little extra on your electric bill.
Here are some San Diego companies that install panels and solar battery storage systems:
Company | SolarReviews expert rating | Consumer rating | City | Quote |
---|---|---|---|---|
SunLux | Very Good | Corona | Get Quote | |
Renewable USA | Unrated | Signal Hill | Get Quote | |
CitizenOne Energy | Unrated | San Diego | Get Quote | |
Current Home | Unrated | Temecula | Get Quote | |
Solar Renewable Energy | Unrated | Vista | Get Quote |
How to find the best solar panel company near you
Picking a solar company is the most important decision you make when going solar. You need to trust them to drill holes in your roof, help you navigate financing and incentives and provide you with 25+ years of customer service.
Check out this video where our founder, who also founded a successful solar installation company, explains what to look for when choosing the best solar company near you.
Top things to consider when choosing a solar company in San Diego:
Years in business
One of the first things to look at when finding a company is how long they have been in business. We suggest looking for companies that have been around for at least five years, as the longer it has been in business, the more likely it is you’ll have a positive installation experience.
Companies with five or more years of experience will probably have established after-sales service and warranty support. It signals that they aren’t a company in it to make a quick buck; they’re in it for the long haul.
Of course, there are exceptions to this rule, which is why you should also keep a few other factors in mind.
Licenses, insurance, and certifications
Solar companies that are licensed, insured and hold certifications take their business seriously. Look for companies that have NABCEP Certified professionals or certified electricians on staff and are properly insured, so their workers, and you, are protected.
Financing options
Not everyone has thousands of dollars to spend on a solar panel installation. So, you’ll want to find a company with solar financing options that work for you. Ask for quotes for various types of financing plans to see which one will work best for your budget. Solar loans are often your next best choice if you can’t pay in cash. But, if you don’t pay federal income taxes or can’t qualify for a loan, finding a company that offers solar leases or power purchase agreements might be the right move.
Services and products offered
Don’t choose a company that can’t complete the job that you want to be done. If you need an energy storage system, get quotes from companies that install batteries! Maybe you want a particular brand of panels or an electric vehicle charger installation. Ask the company if they provide those services or carry those brands so you don’t have to settle for less.
Customer review scores
Customer ratings give valuable insight into how a solar company actually operates and treats its customers. Read SolarReviews, Google and Yelp reviews to understand the company’s installation process, sales practices and overall customer service. But remember that some companies incentivize customers to leave positive reviews, so make sure you read reviews with some scrutiny.
Warranty
Any reputable solar installation company will offer a workmanship or labor warranty that covers any damages that may occur during the installation process. We recommend using an installer with at least a ten-year labor warranty.
Some installation companies, like SunPower, include a system performance guarantee. This promises you’ll get a certain amount of electricity from your solar panels and is an excellent added protection.
San Diego incentives and rebates
Solar incentives and rebates can cut the cost of installing solar in San Diego by thousands of dollars. The most significant incentive is the 30% federal solar tax credit, available to any taxpayer in the country when they purchase solar panels or battery storage.
Some cities, counties, states and utility companies offer additional solar incentives, saving homeowners even more money. Here are the solar incentives available in San Diego:
Incentive | Eligibility | Type |
---|---|---|
Residential Clean Energy Tax Credit | Federal | Personal Tax Credit |
Self-Generation Incentive Program | State | Battery Rebate |
Property Tax Exclusion for Solar Energy Systems | State | Property Tax Incentive |
Net Billing (NEM 3.0) | State | Net Metering |
How much can you save with solar incentives?
What to look for in solar quotes in San Diego
Once you’ve found a few companies you like, you can start getting solar quotes. You can get a better deal when you get quotes from multiple solar installers; we suggest getting at least three quotes. Here are a few of my favorite tips and tricks for comparing quotes and what questions you should ask installers.
System size and energy production
All solar quotes should include the size of the system and how much energy it is projected to produce. Most of the quotes you get will probably be in the same ballpark. But, if one is drastically larger or smaller than the others — ask about it! Maybe one installer included shading from a tree, while another based its estimates on having that tree removed.
If you choose reliable installers, you can trust that these estimates will be as accurate as possible. But you can always double-check using the SolarReviews solar calculator and enter the information received in your quotes.
Pricing
You should know as much as possible about how much the solar panels cost. Make sure you know both the total cost of the system and the price per watt of solar installed. The cost per watt makes it easier to compare prices between quotes and gives you a better idea of how fairly the system is priced. The average price of solar is about $2.14 to $3.22 per watt in San Diego, so anything in that range is a fair price.
Financing
Financing is one of the most important things to look for in your solar quote. There are a few different things to keep an eye out for, depending on what type of solar financing you’re using.
If you’re looking to use a solar loan, you should ask the company for both a cash quote and the financed quote. Solar loans include something called dealer fees, which can sometimes add 20% or more to the total cost of your system in exchange for a lower interest rate. It’s worth comparing what dealer fees and interest rates you’re quoted from different companies to get the best deal possible.
If you want a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA), you’ll want to look for an escalator clause in the contract. The escalator clause outlines how much your payments will go up every year. Ideally, this should be lower than the rate at which electric prices increase in your area, typically about 3% annually. If the escalator rate is higher than this, you could end up paying more than if you hadn’t gone solar at all!
Payback period
Some quotes may include when you’ll break even, meaning when your panels have saved as much as you spent on them.
If it’s not explicitly listed on the quote, you can compare any savings estimates they provide to the system’s total price and get a rough estimate of when your panels will pay themselves off. The shorter the payback period, the better.
Equipment
Good quality solar installers will carry good quality equipment. So if you pick an installer you trust, you can expect reliable products. But, it can’t hurt to research and ask the installer questions about what would be going on your roof.
Most solar panels installed today are about 400 watts in size and have efficiency ratings above 19%. Higher wattage and efficiency panels can produce slightly more electricity but may add a price premium. You’ll want to make sure the solar panels have the industry standard 25-year product and performance warranties.
Frequently asked questions about solar in San Diego
How much do solar panels cost in San Diego?
How much can solar panels save in San Diego?
Do I need a solar battery in San Diego?
How can you pay for solar panels in San Diego?
What are the best solar companies for a solar lease in San Diego?
What are the best solar companies for zero-down solar loans in San Diego?
How SolarReviews rates installers
SolarReviews developed our Expert Rating criteria to make it easier for homeowners to find solar companies they can trust. It’s not just about the consumer reviews or the products they sell - it’s about how they treat their employees, how they support their customers, and if they run an honest business.
We used our team’s extensive knowledge of the solar industry to create a data-based scoring system for rating solar companies that encompasses all of the most important things to consider when picking the best solar company, including:
- Background checks
- Brand quality
- License and insurance
- Vertical integration
- Profitability
- Transparency
- Consumer reviews
- Loan options
- Local service
- Responsible pricing
Learn more about the SolarReviews Expert Rating system.
Andy is arguably the most qualified rooftop solar expert in America. He is in a unique position, having founded a large solar company but now being independent of any particular company. He has appeared on CNBC, has been referenced in public hearings concerning the rooftop solar industry ( such as the recent CPUC NEM 3 decision) and has been referenced by many major publications such as the Wall Street Journal, Business Week and many others.