15 Best Solar Companies in Palo Alto, CA (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in Palo Alto based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Palo Alto, CA
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Palo Alto homeowner saves $2,597/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Palo Alto
Thinking of going solar but not sure which solar company would be best for you? Although it can be difficult to pick a solar company, the effort will pay off because going solar has many good benefits. Fortunately, there are lots of solar companies in Palo Alto due to encouraging government support and a growing green energy market.
As you set out on your search for the best solar companies in Palo Alto, you’ll find that there are a great number of providers to choose between. So, we’ve accumulated a curated list of the top solar companies in the area.To get free quotes from the top-rated solar companies in Palo Alto, click the "get quote" button 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 Palo Alto
SunPower
Reliable Customer Support- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Battery Storage- Consultation
- Panel Installation
SunPower by The Solar Quote
- Free Quotes
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
Semper Solaris
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
- Battery Storage
TN Electrical and Solar Services
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Solar Panel Upgrades
- Panel Installation
Highlight Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
- Battery Storage
Soleeva
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Financing Assistance
- Battery Storage
Infinium Solar, Inc.
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Carports
- Financing Assistance
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- System Decommissioning
Cobalt Power Systems Inc.
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Tesla Powerwall
Clean Solar
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Tesla Powerwall
- Skilled Repairs
Cinnamon Energy Systems
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tesla Powerwall
- Skilled Repairs
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Permit Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Financing Assistance
- Solar Panel Upgrades
- Battery Storage
Simply Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Permit Assistance
- Battery Storage
Rise & Shine Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
- Tesla Powerwall
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
Shade Power
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Carports
- Panel Installation
Highlands Energy Service Newark
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Panel Installation
Owens Electric & Solar
- Family-Operated Business
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Panel Upgrades
- Skilled Repairs
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Palo Alto
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Palo Alto 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 Palo Alto
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 Palo Alto
We get that for lots of homeowners, the decision to invest in solar highly depends on installation costs.The installation cost is just one important factor you should bear in mind when looking into installing solar panels. How much it'll cost and how much you can save depend on things including:
- Choice of solar panels: The type of solar panels you buy will affect your total cost. High-efficiency monocrystalline panels are more expensive upfront but can also lead to more savings 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.
- Incentives: Tax-paying citizens who buy and install a solar energy system this year can save 0 of their solar installation costs by using the federal solar investment tax credit. You can also save about $31,000 on your utility bills over 20 years without incentives.
- Average daily sunlight: Since Palo Alto gets lots of sunlight, your solar panel system will most likely be able to generate enough energy to power your whole home, which influences how much you can save on your energy bills.
- Your current electric bills: Solar panels can dramatically decrease, or completely eradicate, your utility bills. In Palo Alto, you can save an average of $1,479 a month.
There are lots of wonderful benefits of solar despite the initial cost of installation. It can help the Earth and your finances. In addition, it can boost the value of your home, resulting in even more benefits if you want to sell your home later.
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Solar Incentives in Palo Alto
One of the benefits of installing a solar panel system is receiving federal and potentially state incentives.You are eligible for the federal solar investment tax credit (ITC) for the tax year you turn on your solar panels. You can also potentially pair the ITC with other state and city incentives. Our article on solar incentives has more detailed information on the incentives you can benefit from in Palo Alto.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Palo Alto
There are many reasons to trade traditional energy for solar energy, like saving money on electricity bills and helping to lower your carbon footprint.You may be curious – how much do solar panels do for the environment anyway? Adopting solar power is a great choice for the environment, because the largest 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 emits carbon dioxide, the panels make up for it by greatly decreasing the amount of CO2 you would have been responsible for if you still used traditional energy. In Palo Alto, 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 offsetting your carbon emissions.
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 Palo Alto, CA Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the top solar panel company in Palo Alto?
The highest-rated local solar company in Palo Alto is SunPower, with a rating of 4.50 stars.
What is the negative environmental impact of solar panels?
Solar panels can be detrimental 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. Making solar panels uses a lot of energy as well. The energy payback period is about 1 to 4 years.
Is it worth putting solar panels on my roof?
Solar panels need a significant upfront investment that costs over ten thousand dollars, but whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a collection of factors like how much you pay for electricity and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.
How long do solar panels last?
On average, the lifespan of solar panels is about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but efficiency goes down by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a larger 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.