15 Best Solar Companies in Sonoma, CA (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in Sonoma based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Sonoma, CA
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Sonoma homeowner saves $2,730/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Sonoma
Searching for the top solar companies in Sonoma? Installing solar panels is an exciting project that many homeowners find valuable for their wallets, communities and the planet. With an average energy bill of $1,538 per month in Sonoma, switching to solar energy can reduce your monthly bills by about that much.
As you begin your search for the best solar companies in Sonoma, you might see that there are a great number of providers to choose from. So, we’ve accumulated a carefully curated list of the top solar companies in the area.For an idea of how much you would pay to put up solar panels on your roof, you can get a free, no-obligation quote from one of the top solar companies in Sonoma by clicking the "get quote" 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 Sonoma
SunPower
Informative Resources- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Consultation- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
Solar Works
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Community Solar Projects
- Panel Installation
Sunrun Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Permit Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Tesla Powerwall
- Financing Assistance
- Battery Storage
Simply Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Permit Assistance
Bella Hem Solar, Inc.
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Consultation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Permit Assistance
- Battery Storage
Amy's Roofing and Solar
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Panel Upgrades
- Skilled Repairs
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
- Tesla Powerwall
- Battery Storage
- Solar Carports
Sun Solar Electric Inc.
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Battery Storage
- Solar Panel Upgrades
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Permit Assistance
- Financing Assistance
SolarCraft
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Skilled Repairs
- Battery Storage
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
Napa Electric
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Nor Cal Solar Construction
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Grid-Tied Solar System
Pac Solar Corporation
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
VITAL ENERGY SOLUTIONS
- Informative Resources
- Family-Operated Business
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
- Permit Assistance
Enphase Energy
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
Northern Pacific Power Systems
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Permit Assistance
- Solar Panel Upgrades
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Grid-Tied Solar System
Suntegrity Solar
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Sonoma
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Sonoma 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 Sonoma
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 Sonoma
The cost of putting up a solar panel system has dropped significantly in the past several years, but it’s still a large investment for most homeowners.A few main factors that influence how much it will cost to install a solar panel system on your home and how much money you could save over time are:
- The make and model of solar panels you’re thinking of getting: More efficient models have higher prices, so that will affect your budget for your solar project.
- The amount of sunlight your roof gets: If your rooftop gets limited direct sunlight, your solar system won’t be able to generate as much energy, which will give you lower savings on energy bills than a roof that gets lots of sunlight.
- Incentives: Along with the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which lets you receive a tax credit curretnly worth 0 of your total installation cost, your state or local government may offer additional tax exemptions, credits or rebates that will help you save even more. Excluding incentives, you can save an average of $32,000 over the first 20 years with your solar system, too.
- Your current electricity bills: Solar panels can greatly reduce, or completely eliminate, your utility bills. In Sonoma, you can save an average of $1,538 a month.
As a result of solar panels now being cheaper than ever as well as various solar incentives, they are a solid investment for most homeowners.
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Solar Incentives in Sonoma
Although installing solar panels is typically a large investment, it can save you a lot of money over several years due to reduced utility bills and government incentives.You can qualify for the federal solar investment tax credit (ITC) for the tax year you turn on your a solar system. You can also possibly stack the ITC with other local incentives. You can learn about the incentives you can use in our article on solar incentives
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Sonoma
One of the reasons so many consider going solar is to help reduce their environmental impact.But how much can switching to solar actually affect the environment? In Sonoma, where the energy generation could be cleaner, going solar can have a significant impact on the planet since solar power is an abundant source of clean energy.In fact, if you adopt solar power, you could look forward to lowering your carbon dioxide emissions by about 50 pounds each year. The good things about solar power are infinite — just like solar power is! That's why so many Sonoma residents have been happy with committing to solar.
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 Sonoma, CA Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar installation company is the best near me?
The top local solar company in Sonoma is SunPower, with a rating of 4.50 stars.
What is the negative environmental impact of making solar panels?
Making solar panels needs to use chemicals and produces toxic waste that can be harmful for the environment, which is the main drawback of solar panels.
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 varies by the cost of electricity where you are, incentives and net metering programs.
How efficient is a solar panel system?
Solar panel efficiency is the amount of energy from the sun that is converted into electricity. Most panels today have an efficiency rating of about 15 to 25%. If your panels are more efficient, you'll need less of them for your home's energy needs.
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.