15 Best Solar Companies in San Francisco, CA (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in San Francisco based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for San Francisco, CA
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average San Francisco homeowner saves $2,580/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in San Francisco
Looking to go solar but trying to figure out which company would be best for you? Although it can be difficult to decide on a solar company, the effort will pay off because going solar has many good perks. Because San Francisco has a very high capacity for solar energy generation, switching to solar is financially rewarding for many homeowners.
Here, we’ll make a list of some of the top solar companies in San Francisco to make your choice a bit easier.To get free quotes from the best solar companies in San Francisco, you can click "get quote" 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 Francisco
SunPower
Reliable Customer Support- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Consultation- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
SunPower by The Solar Quote
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Consultation
Solar Works
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
- Community Solar Projects
CivicSolar, Inc
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
SolarUnion
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Skilled Repairs
- Panel Installation
- Solar Panel Upgrades
- Consultation
GRID Alternatives
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
Save a Lot Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
All Bay Solar Construction
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tesla Powerwall
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
Pac Solar Corporation
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
Solar Panel RoofNSave Alameda
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Occidental Power
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
SolarLine SolarPanals
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
CITY SOLAR
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
NEXT SOLAR
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
Ally Electric And Solar Inc
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tesla Powerwall
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Battery Storage
- Solar Panel Upgrades
- Panel Installation
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in San Francisco
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in San Francisco 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 Francisco
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 Francisco
For most homeowners, whether or not to invest in solar panels boils 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 including:
- Where your home is: This influences the average daily sunlight your roof gets, which helps determine how many panels you need.
- Incentives: Tax-paying citizens who install a solar energy system this year can save 0 of their overall solar costs by using the federal solar investment tax credit. You can also save about $31,000 on your utility bills over 20 years not including incentives.
- System size and type: Some models are more pricy than others, so the one you decide on can raise or lower your upfront cost. Plus, the more solar panels you need, the more it'll cost.
- Your home's power bills: With fairly high monthly electric bills in San Francisco, you could save about $1,400 a year with solar.
Due to solar panels decreasing in cost as well as various solar incentives, they are a sound investment for many homeowners.
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Solar Incentives in San Francisco
Adopting solar power has lots of considerable benefits. Not only can it help protect the Earth, but you can also save a decent amount of money on your installation with various government incentives.Local solar incentives depend on the location and, sometimes, utility company. Many states offer rebates for solar panels, in addition to the federal solar tax credit. In our article on solar incentives, you can find out about the incentives you qualify for in San Francisco.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in San Francisco
There are lots of reasons to switch to solar power, like saving on utility bills and helping to reduce your carbon footprint.A question many might have in mind is how much can they really help protect the environment by switching to solar power anyway? Something that can severely shape your carbon footprint is how long your commute is and how much you drive altogether. If you go solar and drive an electric car, you can vastly reduce your carbon dioxide emissions by charging your car at home.In San Francisco, the average household can lower their carbon footprint by 50 pounds a year after going solar. The advantages of solar power are plentiful — just like solar power is! That's why so many homeowners have been happy with using solar energy.
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 Francisco, CA Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the best solar panel installation company in San Francisco?
In San Francisco, SunPower is the top local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 4.50 stars, so it's a great choice if you're looking to install solar panels on your roof.
Are solar panels actually bad for the environment?
Manufacturing solar panels uses chemicals and produces toxic waste that can be bad for the environment, which is the main drawback of solar panels.
Is it worth installing solar panels on my house?
Solar panels call for a significant upfront investment that usually costs at least ten thousand dollars, but whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a variety of factors like how much you pay for electricity and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.
How long do solar panels last?
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 their energy production will have decreased by about 0.8% each year since installing them. You can opt to replace them once you've had 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.