To pick the best solar companies in Anaheim, we compared popular California solar companies on ratings and reviews, equipment options, warranty terms and other factors. Our picks may be Authorized Partners that compensate us — this does not affect our evaluations but may impact the order in which companies appear. Read the full methodology for all the details on how ConsumerAffairs makes solar company recommendations.
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The ConsumerAffairs Research Team took a data-driven approach, informed by expert editors and considering the Mediterranean-type climate, to choose the best solar companies in Anaheim, California, based on the following key features and respective weightings:
ConsumerAffairs has heard from thousands of Californians who have already gone through the solar panel installation process. Here’s what Anaheim residents should look out for when choosing a solar panel installation company. We’ll also touch on overall costs and ways to save with government incentives.
Key insights
A typical residential solar panel installation costs $19,153 in Anaheim.
A typical solar panel installation costs anywhere from $8,645 to $24,700 in California. Prices in Anaheim are comparable, ranging from $8,155 to $23,300.
This doesn’t include an energy storage battery, which sometimes costs as much as the panels: $7,000 to $18,000. A battery lets you store excess energy generated during the day and use it when your panels aren’t producing. It’s worth considering if California’s net metering rates continue to decline or if your area gets frequent blackouts.
System size is the other major solar cost factor. The average Anaheim household needs a system with a capacity of 8.22 kW (kilowatt) to fully offset their electricity costs. Depending on how much energy you and your family use, you might need a smaller or larger one.
Average total solar installation costs by system size in Anaheim
5 kW
6 kW
7 kW
8 kW
9 kW
10 kW
Before federal tax credit
$11,650
$13,980
$16,310
$18,640
$20,970
$23,300
After federal tax credit
$8,155
$9,786
$11,417
$13,048
$14,679
$16,310
How can I pay for solar panels?
Getting solar panels is like buying a car. Most people pay cash, finance or lease. Similar to leasing, a power purchase agreement (PPA) lets you get the benefits of solar without actually owning the equipment.
Solar loans work like any other type of loan. They have relatively low fixed interest rates. Once you pay it off, you own your system outright.
Solar leases are a good option if you have limited savings and don’t want to take on debt. A potential downside to leasing is that you won’t be eligible for the federal solar tax credit.
Free solar panels: The Disadvantaged Communities Single-family Solar Homes (DAC-SASH) program, run by GRID Alternatives, offers no-cost rooftop solar installations for income-qualified homeowners in disadvantaged communities. Find out if you live in an eligible community using this map from the California Environmental Protection Agency.
Solar panels are generally worth it in California if you like the idea of lowering your monthly utility bills. On average, Anaheim homeowners with solar panels can avoid $52,883 in total utility costs over 25 years.
The main drawback is the high upfront cost of purchasing and installing the panels and equipment. Assuming an upfront purchase, it takes about 5 years to break even (when your savings with solar panels make up for the cost).
Potential roof problems
As a rule of thumb, if your roof is more than 10 years old, consider fixing it before going solar. Installing solar panels on an old roof might mean you have to remove the panels, replace your roof and then reinstall the panels again. This is an expensive and frustrating process.
In our experience, the best solar companies in California have a few things in common: lots of experience, reliable equipment and transparent contracts. Here are some hiring tips.
Read reviews: Avoid companies with recurring complaints about misleading sales tactics, equipment failures, billing issues and lack of communication.
Ask questions: Do you need a solar storage battery, electric vehicle (EV) charger or critter guards? How does this affect overall pricing? What if your system needs maintenance? If you don’t understand something about the payment terms, warranty or ongoing services, ask for clarification.
The federal solar investment tax credit (ITC) reduces your federal tax liability by 30% of how much it costs to install solar panels. This is a significant incentive for many homeowners.
For example, if you spend $10,000 installing a solar panel system, the ITC is worth $3,000. If you owe $5,000 in taxes, the $3,000 credit reduces what you owe to $2,000.
Don’t get confused: The ITC is a credit, meaning it directly decreases the amount of taxes you owe. This is different from a deduction, which lowers your taxable income. Any unused portion rolls over to the next tax year. However, getting a refund check is possible if the ITC credit reduces your taxes to the point where you overpaid during the year.
California Energy Commission: The California Energy Commission (CEC) offers various incentives and rebates, including incentives for solar water heating systems and energy efficiency upgrades, which can be combined with solar installations to maximize overall savings.
Net metering: In California, net metering lets homeowners with solar panels send excess energy into the grid in exchange for credits on their utility bills. These credits help offset future energy costs, reducing overall electricity expenses and making solar energy more affordable.
No. Under California law, solar installations are exempt from property tax reassessments, meaning the value added to your home by solar panels won’t increase your property taxes.
Is my HOA allowed to restrict solar panels?
California’s Solar Rights Act prevents homeowners associations (HOAs) from restricting residential solar panel installations. HOAs can, however, impose minor restrictions as long as they don’t reduce the system’s efficiency.
What are the different types of solar panels?
Monocrystalline and polycrystalline are the most common types of solar panels used in residential installations. In general, monocrystalline panels are considered the best bang for your buck. Cheaper solar panels are typically polycrystalline. The key difference is in materials and efficiency: Monocrystalline panels use pure, single silicon crystals, while polycrystalline panels are made from melted silicon fragments, resulting in different efficiency levels.
Solar panel efficiency is a measure of how well a panel makes electricity. Standard efficiency rates range from 19% to 23%, which means 19% to 23% of the sunlight that hits the panels gets converted into electricity. The more efficient the solar panels you buy are, the fewer panels you need. While more efficient panels cost a little more, you save by buying fewer panels.
Is my house a good candidate for solar?
A relatively slanted roof with plenty of unshaded space is best. The worst place to install would be on north-facing roofs, especially if those roofs have a high pitch (very steep). Here are a couple of other questions to ask yourself:
How much sunlight do I get? Anaheim gets a good amount of sunlight. The state averages 5 to 7.5 peak sun hours every day. However, if you have a lot of shading around your house, whether from trees or tall buildings, the panels might not get enough sun to power your home.
How old are my appliances? Getting your electrical loads as small as possible before going solar means you’ll need a smaller system, which will be cheaper overall. If you have older electrical appliances, upgrade those before investing in solar panels.
As long as your house is a good candidate for solar, it’s at least worth considering. We suggest using NREL’s PVWatts Calculator to estimate how much electricity a solar panel can produce over a year on your house. Project Sunroof is a reliable online solar savings estimator.
Methodology: How we chose the best solar companies in Anaheim
The ConsumerAffairs Research Team used a research-backed, data-driven approach, which was informed by our expert editors, to choose the best solar companies. We prefer to recommend those with a longer time in business and a solid track record of reliability in Anaheim, California. For this guide, we objectively weighted several key features to get our final rankings:
Reviews, ratings and testimonials: 40%
We analyzed solar company reviews by verified solar customers to gauge real-world satisfaction. Companies with generally positive feedback on our site scored highest in this aspect. Those with the most 4- and 5-star reviews by verified Anaheim customers were given preference.
Warranties: 20%
A long warranty is important — it shows that a company stands behind its products and services. We compared companies on both equipment and craftsmanship warranty terms. All of our top picks for professional installation have warranties or production guarantees of at least 10 to 25 years.
Equipment selection: 20%
We evaluated each company’s selection of solar panels, storage batteries and inverters. Those with proprietary technology or a wide equipment selection from trusted brands ranked highest.
Financing and payment options: 20%
We gave preference to companies that offer multiple payment and financing options for transparent terms and conditions.
ConsumerAffairs Research Team regularly evaluates customer reviews, company information and industry trends to update our top picks:
Ameco Solar
OC Solar
Sunlux
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Guide sources
ConsumerAffairs writers primarily rely on government data, industry experts and original research from reputable publications to inform their work. Specific sources for this article include:
Specializes in solar panels and roofing solutions. Online estimate. Installs solar panels, batteries and EV charging stations. Shingle, flat and tile roofing services. 3D home visualizer. 40-year workmanship warranty.
Sells panels, inverters and batteries. Includes monitoring, full-service installation and 25-year warranty on parts, labor and repairs. Offers purchase, finance, lease and energy prepay options. Available in California and Texas.
Southern California solar installations for homes and businesses. HVAC, roofing, insulation, window and ground-mounted installations also available. Pay upfront or financing through a loan or PACE funding.
Offers free estimates for residential and commercial customers. Installations performed in Orange County and throughout the Coachella Valley region. Offers several solar brands with warranties and financing available.
Solar installer serving southern California with systems for home, business and industrial use. Also installs EV chargers. Offers products from a variety of manufacturers including Canadian Solar and Enphase Energy.
Residential solar energy system installation, pool design and construction services for parts of the Orange County area in California. 25-year warranties on systems with parts from SolarEdge and Solaria. Free quotes available.
Specializes in residential solar installations. Offers products from Panasonic, REC Group, Sharp, SMA and Xantrex. Offers 10-year workmanship warranties and 10-25 year manufacturer's warranties.
San Diego-based solar installer servicing homes and businesses in the Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego County, and Temecula areas in California. Products from ChargePoint, Enphase Energy, FranklinWH and Tesla.
Residential and commercial solar energy systems throughout much of Southern California. Buy systems outright or finance through loans, leases or PPAs. Offers 25-year labor and workmanship warranties on all installations.
Residential and commercial solar energy system installation and batteries for Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Diego counties in Southern California. Offers a 25-year manufacturer’s warranty. Free quotes available.
Residential and small commercial solar installer offering roofing and electrical services in parts of California, including Los Angeles County, Orange County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County and San Diego County.
Solar installation, energy efficient remodeling, HVAC and EV charging for homes in southern California. Brands like Canadian Solar and Enphase. Offers a 25-year manufacturer’s guarantee. Loans and leases available or pay upfront.
Residential solar installer with services across parts of southern California. Offers grid-tied solar systems for the home. System components from Enphase Energy, LG, Panasonic and Qcells.
Provides solar services, battery backup and roofing. Offers home improvement services. Reports to have a streamlined installation process with experts who take care of permits and setup. Only available in Florida and California.
Residential and commercial solar installer throughout Arizona, California and Nevada. Also provides HVAC, lighting and automation services. Financing options available through loans, leases and power purchase agreements.
Residential and commercial solar energy system installations and monitoring in Los Angeles and Orange County, California. Offers 25-year complete system and 10-year workmanship warranties on products from SunPower.
Solar energy system installer serving homes across Southern California. Solar maintenance services also available. 25-year system warranty. Financing available in the form of loans.
Residential solar power system installations and energy storage in parts of California. Offers a 25-year complete system warranty that includes performance, labor and parts on SunPower systems. Free consultations available.
Residential and commercial solar panel installer servicing parts of California. Flexible financing options, such as loans, leases and PACE funds. Systems include 25-year workmanship warranties.
Residential and commercial solar panel design and installation plus energy monitoring and storage services. Products from Solaria. Serves all of California. Warranties and financing available.
Residential and commercial solar installers offering services throughout parts of Southern California. Manufacturers’ warranties include 10 years on installation and workmanship plus five years on equipment monitoring.
Develops solar and energy management solutions for residential, commercial and nonprofit customers. Free solar analysis and custom proposal. Specializes in grid-tied residential and small commercial systems.
Residential and commercial installation of solar energy systems and energy storage in parts of Southern California. Offers a 30-year monitoring and warranty protection plan. Finance through a loan. Free quotes available.
Residential and commercial installation of solar energy systems across 14 California counties and the Reno area. Pay upfront or finance through a loan. Free estimates available upon request.
Residential and commercial solar panel installer covering Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego counties in California. All components covered by a 25-year warranty.
Residential and commercial solar energy systems as well as solar pool and water heating. Financing available, including PACE funding. Serves Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego counties.
Residential solar installation, roofing and energy storage across California, Nevada and Utah. Offers 1-year money back production guarantee on solar production. Buying options include cash and zero down financing.
Residential solar installation and maintenance, storage batteries, generators and EV charging in the Orange County region of California. 25-year warranty on solar modules with parts from Enphase Energy.
Small business that specializes in residential solar installations throughout southern California. Offers equipment from Enphase Energy, Mission Solar Energy and SolarWorld. Free consultations available.
Escondido, California-based Enphase solar installer offering residential, commercial and industrial solar and roofing services in Southern California. Warranties and financing options available.
Residential, commercial and nonprofit solar energy systems installations plus energy storage in parts of Southern California. Offers products from brands like Phono Solar, Enphase Energy and Tesla Powerwall.
Installs solar energy systems and pool heaters in much of southern California. Offers financing on systems with components from Enphase Energy, FAFCO, LG Electronics, Qcells, SMA and SolarEdge.
Residential and commercial solar energy system design, installation and maintenance services across parts of New Jersey and New York. Offers zero-down financing. Free quotes available.
Residential and commercial solar installation, solar pool heating, EV chargers and more in southern California. 25-year warranty on panels and production. Pay upfront with cash or finance through loans, PPAs or PACE funding.
Solar installations and energy-efficient products for homes along the West Coast. Offers 10-year product, 25-year service and one-year labor warranties on in-house manufactured solar panels.
Commercial solar energy system installations throughout southern California. Equipment from Mitsubishi and Sharp. Offers a 25-year production warranty. Pay upfront or finance through a lease, loan, PACE funding or PPAs.
Residential and commercial solar installers servicing Orange County, California. Also offers solar pool heating and hot water system installations. Equipment from Enphase, Solaria and others. Financing options available.
Semper Solaris specializes in residential solar panel installation, solar storage, roofing, heating and air conditioning. Service areas include parts of California, Texas, Florida and Arizona.