15 Best Solar Companies in Oakland, CA (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in Oakland based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Oakland, CA
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Oakland homeowner saves $2,798/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Oakland
When choosing between the best solar panel companies, Oakland homeowners have more choices than ever before, which can be a lot to take in, but we’re here to make switching to solar energy that much easier. You may have to spend a decent amount of money upfront for solar panels, but adopting solar will save you money on your energy bills over time. In fact, you can expect to save about $33,000 over 20 years.
There are tons of installers to choose from, but in this article, we’ll help you get a handle on all your options by recommending some of the best solar companies in Oakland.To get an idea of what it would cost to install solar panels on your roof, you can click the button below to get a quote from a certified installer near you.
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
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Oakland
SunPower
Informative Resources- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Consultation- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
SunPower by The Solar Quote
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Consultation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Solar Works
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
- Community Solar Projects
CivicSolar, Inc
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
SolarUnion
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
- Solar Panel Upgrades
- Panel Installation
Source Energy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
GRID Alternatives
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
Save a Lot Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Battery Storage
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Panel Installation
Got Watts?
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Battery Storage
- Permit Assistance
- Solar Panel Upgrades
- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Solar Technologies
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
Solar Panel RoofNSave Alameda
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
Ally Electric And Solar Inc
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Tesla Powerwall
- Solar Panel Upgrades
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Battery Storage
Bay Valley Solar Roofing
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
- Skilled Repairs
- Panel Installation
CITY SOLAR
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Solar Bill Review
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Family-Operated Business
- Free Quotes
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Oakland
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Oakland 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 Oakland
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 Oakland
The cost of installing solar panels has decreased greatly in the past few years, but it’s still a significant investment for most homeowners.Some important things that impact the cost and possible savings include:
- Your income and budget: This determines what model of solar panels you can afford.
- Incentives: Those who install a solar energy system this year can save 0 of their installation costs by using the federal solar investment tax credit. You can also save about $33,000 on your electricity bills over 20 years not including incentives.
- Your city: This affects how much sunlight your roof gets, which helps determine how many panels you need.
- Your current energy bills: Solar panels can significantly decrease, or totally eradicate, your utility bills. In Oakland, you can save an average of $1,538 a month.
Solar is a valuable investment for most homeowners. You can make your own energy instead of paying for it from the grid and take advantage of solar tax credits and rebates, all while helping preserve the environment.
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Solar Incentives in Oakland
Although installing solar panels is typically a big investment, it can save you much money over several years due to lower energy bills and government incentives.On top of the federal tax credit incentive, there are also some state- and city-level programs, which in most cases, can be claimed in addition to the federal incentive, so you can save even more. In our article on solar incentives, you can find out about the incentives you qualify for in your area.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Oakland
An important reason so many consider adopting solar energy is to help reduce their environmental impact.You may be trying to figure out – how much does making the switch help the environment anyway? Switching to solar power is an impactful choice for the environment, because the biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. is from burning fossil fuels for electricity, heat, and transportation – all of which can be powered by solar instead.Even though making solar panels releases carbon dioxide emissions, the panels make up for it by considerably reducing the amount of CO2 you would have been responsible for if you still used traditional energy. In Oakland, you can reduce your carbon footprint by 50 pounds a year with solar panels. For homeowners who are concerned about the environment, the upfront cost of solar is a small price to pay for the offset carbon emissions.
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
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
EcoWatch's Oakland, CA Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the most reputable solar panel installation company in Oakland?
The best local solar company in Oakland is SunPower, with a rating of 4.50 stars.
What is the negative environmental impact of solar panels?
Solar panels can be harmful for the environment when manufacturers use toxic chemicals in the manufacturing process. Chemicals can make solar panels difficult to dispose of safely once they’ve reached the end of their lifespan. Solar panel manufacturing requires a lot of energy as well. The energy payback period is about 1 to 4 years.
Is it worth installing solar panels on my house?
Solar panels call for a large upfront investment that costs over ten thousand dollars, but whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a collection of factors like local electricity rates and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.
How often do solar panels need to be replaced?
On average, solar panels can last about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but efficiency decreases by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a higher amount of energy production.
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.