15 Best Solar Companies in Castro Valley, CA (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in Castro Valley based on:
- Customer review scores
- Service area for Castro Valley, CA
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Castro Valley homeowner saves $2,798/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Castro Valley
When deciding on the best solar installers, Castro Valley homeowners have more options than ever before, which can be too much to take in, but we’re here to make adopting solar power less confusing. Because solar panels generate their own electrical power, they can greatly bring down your electricity bill each month, if not totally eliminate it. In fact, you could look forward to about $33,000 of savings over 20 years.
If you want to start making use of the great amount of perks of solar, we’ll help you narrow down your options to find the Castro Valley solar installer that’s the right price for you.To receive free quotes from the best solar companies in Castro Valley, you can click "get quote" below.
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 Castro Valley
SunPower
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
SunPower by The Solar Quote
- Informative Resources
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
Solar Bill Review
- Family-Operated Business
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
Solar Technologies
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
Semper Solaris
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
- Skilled Repairs
- Financing Assistance
Complete Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Skilled Repairs
- Panel Installation
- Permit Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
CivicSolar, Inc
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
NorthStar Solar Inc
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
Source Energy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
Your Energy Solutions
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Financing Assistance
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
Sunlight Electri-Cal Solutions
- Reliable Customer Support
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Solar Panel Upgrades
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Greentech Renewables SF Bay Area
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
Sky Power Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Tesla Powerwall
Infinity Energy
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
Triad Power Solutions
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Castro Valley
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Castro Valley 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 Castro Valley
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 Castro Valley
For many homeowners, whether or not to invest in solar panels comes down to the cost.Some main factors that influence how much it will cost to install a solar panel system on your home and how much money you could save over time are:
- Choice of solar panels: The kind of solar panels you are interested in getting 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.
- Your home's power bills: With fairly high monthly energy bills in Castro Valley, you could save about $1,500 a year with solar.
- Your home's orientation toward the sun: This, plus your roof configuration, affects affect how much power your solar panels can generate.
- Incentives: Something that can save you money on your solar project is the solar investment tax credit (ITC), which is a tax credit that’s equal to a percentage of the project cost. You can also save a decent amount of money on your utility bills, which can lead to an average of $33,000 of savings over 20 years.
So is installing solar panels worth it? Whether you’re trying to reduce your electric bills, greenhouse gas emissions or both, solar panels are a solid investment for many Castro Valley homeowners.
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Solar Incentives in Castro Valley
Since solar power is better for the environment than traditional energy sources, there are some government incentives in place to encourage people to make the switch.State and city solar incentives vary by location and, sometimes, utility company. A lot of states offer rebates for solar power systems, in addition to the federal solar tax credit. For comprehensive information about incentives that apply to you, check out our article on solar incentives.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Castro Valley
Going solar can have a meaningful effect on the environment.Many homeowners might be wondering how much exactly they can impact the environment by switching to solar in Castro Valley, though. One thing to keep in mind is your overall carbon footprint. For example, if you spend lots of time commuting to work and have an electric vehicle, you can use solar energy for your home to power your EV and therefore help offset your carbon emissions.Since solar panels don’t release greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere when generating electricity, they’re a good substitute for nonrenewable energy sources. In fact, you could look forward to lowering your carbon dioxide emissions by about 50 pounds each year. The great things about solar power are plentiful — just like solar power is! That's why so many homeowners have been happy with committing to solar.
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 Castro Valley, CA Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the best solar panel installer in Castro Valley?
In Castro Valley, SunPower is the top local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 4.50 stars, so it's a solid choice if you're looking to install solar panels on your house.
What are the best and worst things about solar power?
The main advantages of solar power are that it can lower or, for some, completely erase your electricity bills, raise your home’s value and bring down your carbon footprint. The disadvantages are that solar panels can be costly to install, you may not save a lot if you don’t use a lot of electricity and whether you can install solar panels depends on your roof configuration.
How long does it take for solar to pay for itself?
Solar panels typically pay for themselves in about 6.9 years, but your solar payback period will vary depending on your utility costs. The more your typical power bill, the quicker your solar panel system will pay for itself.
How efficient are solar panels?
Usually, 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.