15 Best Solar Companies in Orinda, CA (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in Orinda based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Orinda, CA
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Orinda homeowner saves $2,768/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Orinda
Looking for energy freedom in Orinda? Installing solar panels can be a rewarding investment since there are a lot of benefits when you go solar. Because Orinda has a very high capacity for solar energy generation, installing solar panels is financially rewarding for many homeowners.
Here, we’ll give you a list of some of the best solar companies in Orinda to make your choice much easier.Interested in seeing the cost of installing solar panels on your roof? Click "get quote" below to get a free, no-obligation quote from a top-rated Orinda solar installer.
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 Orinda
SunPower
Free Quotes- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Panel Installation- Battery Storage
- Consultation
SunPower by The Solar Quote
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Grid-Tied Solar System
Solar Works
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
- Community Solar Projects
Source Energy
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
Got Watts?
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
- Permit Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Battery Storage
- Solar Panel Upgrades
- Skilled Repairs
CivicSolar, Inc
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
solarXperts
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
Bay Valley Solar Roofing
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
- Battery Storage
- Skilled Repairs
High Definition Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
Green Air and Solar
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Skilled Repairs
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
Certified Solar, Heating & Air Conditioning
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
Semper Solaris
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
SolarUnion
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Solar Panel Upgrades
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
Solar Technologies
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
GRID Alternatives
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Orinda
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Orinda 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 Orinda
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 Orinda
For many homeowners, whether or not you should invest in a solar energy system comes down to the cost.The installation cost is just one important factor you should consider when looking into getting solar panels. How much it'll cost and how much you can save depend on things such as:
- Incentives: One thing that can make your solar project cost less is the solar investment tax credit (ITC), which is a tax credit that lets you deduct from your taxes a percentage of the project cost. You can also save money on your utility bills, which can give you an average of $33,000 of savings over 20 years.
- Whether or not your roof gets a lot of direct sunlight: This, along with the configuration of your roof, affects affect how much energy your solar panels can produce.
- The kind of solar panels you want to get: Higher-efficiency panels are more costly, so that will affect your budget for your solar project.
- Your home's power bills: Due to fairly high monthly energy bills in Orinda, you could save about $1,500 a year with solar.
Even though a solar panel system costs a good chunk of money upfront, it can save you thousands of dollars over the lifespan of your panels. The question of how much, though, depends on several factors, like the amount of daily direct sunlight available and your energy consumption.
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Solar Incentives in Orinda
In order to increase solar panel installation and usage, federal and local governments – and even some utility companies – offer incentives to help make solar more financially viable and accessible.Local solar incentives depend on the location and, sometimes, utility company. Many states offer rebates for solar power, in addition to the federal solar tax credit. Check out our article on solar incentives to learn what incentives you can benefit from.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Orinda
A lot of people want to do their part to help save the planet, which in many cases is the prime reason they’re interested in installing a solar system.A question many homeowners might be thinking about is how much can they really help the environment by switching to solar power anyway? As stated by the EPA, electricity generation is the second largest source of greenhouse gas emissions and about 62% of our electricity comes from burning fossil fuels. Using solar power can help put a dent in that number in a city like Orinda that generates a fair amount of carbon dioxide emissions each year.Even though solar panel production emits carbon dioxide, the panels make up for it by considerably decreasing the amount of CO2 you would have produced if you still used nonrenewable energy. In Orinda, you can reduce your carbon footprint by 50 pounds a year with solar panels. If you care about the environment, you’ll likely understand that there are many advantages to adopting solar power other than just saving money on electricity. You can also help preserve the environment, which some would argue is worth more.
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 Orinda, CA Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the most reputable solar panel installer in Orinda?
In Orinda, SunPower is the most reputable local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 4.50 stars, so it's a solid choice if you're planning on installing solar panels on your roof.
What is the negative environmental impact of solar panels?
Solar panels can be detrimental for the environment when manufacturers use toxic chemicals in the construction. Chemicals can make solar panels difficult to recycle safely once they’ve reached the end of their lifespan. Making solar panels needs a lot of energy as well. The energy payback period is about 1 to 4 years.
How long does it take to see a return on your investment after installing solar panels?
Solar panels usually pay for themselves in about 7.0 years, but your solar payback period will vary based on your utility costs. The higher your typical electricity bill, the faster your solar panel system will recoup your installation costs.
When should I put up solar panels?
Despite summer being the most common time people install solar panels, the optimal time is actually winter. You can save money since there's decreased demand during the winter months, and it lets you be up and running with solar for the more expensive power bills you may get during the summer.
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.