15 Best Solar Companies in San Diego, CA (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in San Diego based on:
- Customer review scores
- Service area for San Diego, CA
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average San Diego homeowner saves $2,619/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in San Diego
Finding the best solar panel installation company for your home is an important decision, but it's one that can save you a lot of money in San Diego. After 20 years of offsetting your energy costs with a solar panel system, you can save about $31,000 on your utility bills.
In this article, we’ll introduce you to the top San Diego solar installers so you can make the best decision for your home’s green energy needs.We recommend shopping around for several quotes and comparing them to find the best installer for your home. To get free quotes from vetted solar panel companies in San Diego, click the link 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 San Diego
SunPower by Milholland Electric
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Tesla Powerwall
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
HES Solar
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Tesla Powerwall
- Battery Storage
Semper Solaris
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tesla Powerwall
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
Heliogold Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
Soltech Electric
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Solar Carports
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
Action Solar
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Financing Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
Infinity Energy
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
West Coast Heating, Air Conditioning, and Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
- Consultation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
LGCY Power
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
Sunline Energy
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Family-Operated Business
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tesla Powerwall
- Consultation
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
Jamar Power Systems
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Permit Assistance
- Skilled Repairs
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
EZ Solar & Roofing
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Permit Assistance
- Consultation
Sunlight Solar, Inc.
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
SolarQuest
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
Solare Energy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in San Diego
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in San Diego 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 San Diego
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 San Diego
We know that for many homeowners, the choice to invest in solar rests on installation costs.The cost and possible savings vary depending on some key factors such as:
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit currently lets you lower your taxes by 0 of the project cost. Your state and city may also have various incentives that you can take advantage of. Plus, you can save about $31,000 over 20 years on your utility bills, before factoring in incentives.
- Choice of solar panels: The type of solar panels you get will affect your total cost. High-efficiency monocrystalline panels are more expensive upfront but can also save you more money over the lifetime of your system. If you don’t need to maximize efficiency, you can opt for a higher number of more affordable panels.
- Your location: This influences how much sunlight your roof receives, which helps determine how many panels you need.
- Your household's power bills: Because of high monthly energy bills in San Diego, you could save about $1,700 a year with solar.
Solar is a fruitful investment for most homeowners. You can produce your own energy instead of paying for it from the grid and benefit from solar incentives and rebates, all while helping the Earth.
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Solar Incentives in San Diego
Adopting solar power has a lot of great benefits. Not only can it help protect the environment, but you can also save some money on your installation with various government incentives.Local solar incentives depend on the location and, sometimes, utility company. A lot of states offer rebates for home solar power systems, in addition to the federal solar tax credit. Check out our article on solar incentives to see what incentives are available to you.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in San Diego
A lot of people want to do their part to help the planet, which often is the main reason for installing a solar system.Many homeowners might be wondering how much exactly they can impact the environment by switching to solar in San Diego, though. In a city like San Diego where commute times can be pretty long, installing solar panels can help help reduce the carbon footprint of driving.In San Diego, the average household can lower their carbon footprint by 50 pounds a year once they go solar. For people who are concerned about the environment, the upfront cost of solar is a small price to pay for reducing your carbon footprint.
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 San Diego, CA Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar company is the best in San Diego?
In San Diego, SunPower by Milholland Electric is the top local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 4.80 stars, so it's a good choice if you're planning on installing solar panels on your house.
Are solar panels really eco-friendly?
Manufacturing solar panels requires chemicals and produces toxic waste that can be harmful for the environment, which is the main negative thing about solar panels.
How long does it take for solar to pay for itself?
The average payback period for solar panel installation is about 7.4 years, but the exact period varies depending on local electricity costs, incentives and net metering programs.
How often do solar panels need to be replaced?
Though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they should be disposed of. What this means is how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can replace them after having them for that long or you can keep using them at a lower efficiency after that time.
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.