15 Best Solar Companies in San Carlos, CA (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in San Carlos based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for San Carlos, CA
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average San Carlos homeowner saves $2,746/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in San Carlos
Thinking of going solar but want to know which company would be the best one for you? Although it can be challenging to choose a solar company, the effort will pay off because going solar has many fantastic benefits. Solar panels can be expensive, but the switch will save you money on your utility bills in the long term. In fact, you can expect to save about $33,000 over 20 years.
There are so many installers to consider, but in this article, we’ll help you pin down your options by recommending some of the best solar companies in San Carlos.To help you understand if solar panels are worth it for your home, you can get a free, no-obligation quote from one of the best solar companies in San Carlos by clicking the button below.
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 San Carlos
SunPower
Informative Resources- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Panel Installation- Consultation
- Battery Storage
SunPower by The Solar Quote
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Battery Storage
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
Semper Solaris
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
Owens Electric & Solar
- Family-Operated Business
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Solar Panel Upgrades
- Skilled Repairs
Cobalt Power Systems Inc.
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Tesla Powerwall
CivicSolar, Inc
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
Solar Bill Review
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Family-Operated Business
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Skilled Repairs
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
TN Electrical and Solar Services
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Consultation
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Solar Panel Upgrades
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
Greentech Renewables SF Bay Area
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
Highlight Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
NEXT SOLAR
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
Soleeva
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Cleaning and Maintenance
SolarUnion
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Panel Upgrades
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
- Battery Storage
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Highlands Energy Service Newark
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
Infinium Solar, Inc.
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- System Decommissioning
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
- Solar Carports
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in San Carlos
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in San Carlos 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 Carlos
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 Carlos
Although solar panels can help save you money on electricity bills over time, it’s necessary to consider the upfront costs.The cost of solar and the savings it generates vary depending on some key factors such as:
- Average daily sunlight: Since San Carlos gets lots of sunlight, your solar panel system will most likely be able to produce enough energy to power your whole home, which affects how much you can save on your energy bills.
- Incentives: One thing that can reduce the cost of 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 money on your power bills, which can lead to an average of $33,000 of savings over 20 years.
- Choice of solar panels: The kind of solar panels you buy 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 go with a higher number of more affordable panels.
- The cost of electricity in your area: If your local utility rates are quite high, there's a better chance you'll see a higher return on your investment in a solar panel system. In San Carlos, you can save an average of $1,538 a month on your electricity bills.
Even though a solar panel system costs a decent chunk of money upfront, it can save you much more in the long term. The question of how much, though, depends on a number of factors, such as the amount of daily direct sunlight available and your current power bills.
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Solar Incentives in San Carlos
In an effort to increase the number of homes and businesses that use solar power, federal and local governments – and even some utility companies – offer incentives to help make switching to solar power more economical and accessible.These incentives typically include cash rebates, tax breaks and/or performance-based incentives. They can cut the cost of installing solar panels by 0, upwards of 50% depending on your location. Check out our article on solar incentives to find out what incentives you can benefit from.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in San Carlos
One of the most compelling reasons to switch to solar power is to reduce your reliance on traditional energy sources like burning fossil fuels, which are harmful for the environment.But how much can switching to solar actually affect the environment? The more energy your family uses, the better off the planet will be from you switching to solar as you won’t have to burn as many fossil fuels.In fact, if you adopt solar power, you could be looking at reducing your carbon dioxide emissions by about 50 pounds each year. 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 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 San Carlos, CA Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the best solar panel installation company in San Carlos?
The best local solar company in San Carlos 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 recycle safely once they’ve reached the end of their lifespan. Solar panel manufacturing uses a lot of energy as well. The energy payback period is about 1 to 4 years.
How long does it take for solar to pay for itself?
The average payback period for solar panel installation is about 7.1 years, but the exact period depends on local electricity costs, incentives and net metering programs.
What are the different kinds of solar panels?
The different types of solar panels are monocrystalline, polycrystalline and thin-film. Monocrystalline panels are more efficient but also more expensive. Polycrystalline panels are cheaper but also less efficient than monocrystalline. Thin-film solar panels are flexible, so they can be used where the other kinds can’t, like on curved surfaces or cars, but they are also less efficient. The best one for you depends on your budget, the layout of your roof and how much efficiency you're looking for.
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.