Best Solar Companies in California

Overall, Californians have had positive experiences with Ameco Solar reps, praising their knowledge, professionalism and prompt responses. Many recommend the company for its fair pricing, efficient installation process and exceptional customer service.

• “Ameco Solar exceeded my expectations with its exceptional customer service, top-notch products, and commitment to sustainability. From inquiry to installation, their team was knowledgeable, responsive, and dedicated to finding the best solution for my needs. Choosing Ameco Solar was a decision I'm grateful for, as it has not only reduced my carbon footprint but also significantly decreased my energy bills. I highly recommend them to anyone considering making the switch to solar energy.” — Kai in San Pablo, CA
• “I would consider myself someone with high expectations when it comes to service and I was impressed they were able to communicate clearly with me and answer any questions I had! I recommend this company for solar panel service, especially since they offer an affordable price.” — Shayla in Corona, CA
• “I wholeheartedly recommend Ameco Solar to anyone considering a switch to solar energy. Their professionalism in customer satisfaction makes them an outstanding choice. With Ameco Solar, you can expect an easy installation process, exceptional quality, and substantial energy savings.” — Ethan in San Jose, CA
• “Amazing experience with product, install, and customer service. Ameco Solar is one of the lowest bids in terms of pricing and has the ability to get the job done on a quick timeline. Their people were dependable, did what they said they were going to do, showed up when they said they were going to show up, and got the job done in a timely way.” — SeJin in South Pasadena, CA

You might need to replace your roof before installing solar panels, especially if you live in an older home. Solar panels last 25 to 30 years, so you need your roof to last at least as long. Otherwise, you’ll have to pay to remove the panels, replace the roof and reinstall the panels — an expensive and frustrating process.

Since Ameco is also a top-rated roofing company, it’s worth considering working with them on both projects. “If you're a California resident looking to go solar or upgrade your roofing, Ameco Solar is the company to trust,” according to one customer, Davis in Santa Ana, California.

Headquartered in Valley Village, Ameco is available to residential and commercial customers throughout California. Ameco generally charges between $25,000 and $30,000 for residential solar installations (before any financial incentives are applied).

Ameco services

• Residential and commercial solar installations
• Electric vehicle (EV) charging stations
• Roof replacements
• Composite shingle roofing

Installations come with a 40-year warranty on equipment. If needed, reps can help you find financing through solar loans.

Many Orange County Solar customers highlight the company’s reasonable pricing and fair estimates.

• “My experience with OC Solar has been great. They did what they said they would do for the cost they quoted me. Jesse and George went above and beyond in the customer service area. Everyone showed up on time and was ready to get the job done.” — Laurie in Brea, CA
• “OC Solar is an amazing company, especially Customer Service. … They have followed up with the project from the time we have signed the documents. They were available to reach on the phone and updated every step of the progress. The person, who did the roof preparation and Solar Panel Installation are the BEST, very well mannered and communicated issues and helped us to resolve those. We are very very happy and pleased.” — Joseph in Laguna Hills, CA
• “I have contemplated for years getting solar panels for my home. … I can't say enough about the high level of professionalism, the exceptional level of communication and quality of work. OC Solar far exceeded my expectation. If anyone is hesitating due all of the bad experiences that you have he about other installers then I authorize OC Solar to have potential customers call me. You can rest easy choosing OC Solar.” — Chalmers in Fountain Valley, CA

Some OC Solar reviewers have told us about issues with communication and delays in the installation process. For instance, Mark in Irvine, California, got behind because of weather conditions, and another customer in Anaheim said it took a while to get approval from the City. However, these types of delays can happen with any solar company.

OC Solar was founded in 2016 and serves the greater Los Angeles area. In addition to solar panels, it offers backup battery systems and solar products for your pool. It’s a licensed Panasonic installer and partners with LG, Tesla, REC and Qcells.

OC Solar services

• Solar installation
• Home battery backup
• Equipment maintenance
• Roofing

OC Solar provides 25-year installation and product warranties. Multiple financing options are available with low- or no-down-payment options. Terms range from 60 to 240 months.

Happy customers praised LA Solar Group for its professionalism, knowledge of codes and fair pricing. They were generally satisfied with the installation process and saw a decrease in their monthly bills.

• “LA Solar is a solid local company. And they would get you started. Our system is the greatest thing since sliced bread. Whatever it costs, you're guaranteed the return on your money. It's like having a factory on top of your house making energy for you. You have to be brain-damaged not to do it if you can. When the system went down, LA Solar took them longer to fix it. That was a year later, though. Overall, it was a good experience.” — S. in Los Angeles, CA
• “LA Solar is a very good company. Since having solar, it's always been a lower monthly bill.” — Sharon in Los Angeles, CA
• “I already had solar. I couldn't find anybody to update my existing system pretty much except LA Solar agreed to do it. … I thought it was a very fair price considering everything that they did. I have no beef with the cost. I did the first unit years ago and I spent 33,000 for 7.41 kWp. This time, I spent 13,000 for 4.5 kWp. So, the cost has come down a lot. LA Solar went above and beyond. Their guys told me when they were coming out, they came out, they did what they had to do and they were very professional.” — Steven in Camarillo, CA

LA Solar Group specializes in residential, commercial and government solar panel installations. It’s an authorized Tesla installer, so it has high-performance solar panels with a sleek, black-on-black design. The company is based in San Fernando, California, and currently services California, Nevada, Texas and Hawaii.

LA Solar Group services

• Consulting and design 
• Professional installations
• Roofing services
• EV charging solutions 
• System monitoring

We’ve heard some relatively minor complaints related to installation delays or communication issues and billing problems. For instance, Gary in Chula Vista, California, told us, “I had a rough start with the installation, but once they got started, things went really well from there. Solar panel installations are complicated projects, and there’s always the chance of mix-ups or misunderstandings.

LA Solar installations come with coverage for equipment, labor, performance and roof leaks for 25 years. The company partners with several lenders and institutions to offer a range of financing and leasing options.

• Solar loan: LA Solar’s partner network includes Mosaic, Sunlight Financial, Sungage Financial, Matadors Community Credit Union, Admirals Bank, EnerBank, GreenSky, Energy Loan Network, HERO, RENEW Financial and Ygrene.
• Lease or PPA: Instead of owning your solar system, you agree to purchase the power it generates for a set rate over a period of time.

People appreciate the company’s good communication and responsiveness. Sales representatives are knowledgeable, and the installation process is generally smooth.

• “My experience with the SunLux reps was fantastic. They were knowledgeable and professional. We were going with another solar company but they were horrible. The process with SunLux was quick, easy and painless. We had a flat roof with a foam top which was a problem for the other company. But Sunlux was able to do it. It has rained but there had been no leaks.” — Robert in Whittier, CA
• “We're very pleased with Sunlux. Their reps were great, very responsive and took care of all of our needs. The sales engineer, Gary, was very professional and knew what our needs would be and set us up with a system that would cover all of our needs and cover an EV in the future. ... It was quite a lengthy process and it was mostly due to SDG&E dragging their feet. But we're very pleased with Sunlux so far. Everything's been a dream. It was turned on 11-22 and no problems. We're thrilled. Their app is also easy to use.” — Bridget in San Diego, CA
• “I spoke to other companies. They were somewhat pushy. But with Sunlux, it was nothing like that. I asked for a quote. They gave me a quote and left me alone. The gentleman that gave me the quote showed me how extensive their installation process is to prevent roof leaks. That was another selling point. I didn't see that with the other guys. The guy that gave me the quote, the gentleman that took over and became the project manager, the crew that he sent to evaluate it and the second crew that came to install it were all phenomenal. ...” — Daniel in Wildomar, CA

There have been some negative experiences as well. Some customers have faced delays in the process, including obtaining approvals and scheduling inspections.

Sunlux is a solar company in California and Texas. It offers Panasonic and Qcells for solar panels; Tesla Powerwall, Enphase AC Battery and LG Chem RESU for batteries; and SolarEdge inverters and Enphase microinverters. Additional services include EV charging and smart home solutions.

Sunlux services

• Solar panel installations
• Storage batteries
• EV charging
• Roofing 
• Smart home solutions

The standard warranty covers installation, parts and maintenance for 25 years. With Platinum Protection, Sunlux also covers labor for repairs and guarantees the amount of energy your system generates. Sunlux accepts cash and third-party loans. It also has leases and prepaid leasing plans.

California customers appreciate the professionalism and knowledge of the staff, as well as the prompt service and installation. Many have seen significant savings on their electricity bills and are satisfied overall with the performance of the solar panels.

• “Professional, reliable, and eco-friendly, Sunrun is the way to go for solar solutions. Superior service and competitive pricing. Sunrun exceeded my expectations in every way. Their expertise and customer service are unmatched.” — Carolyn in San Francisco, CA
• “It's been pleasant with Sunrun. They've saved me money especially living in Southern California, where it's probably one of the most expensive states in the country. It's been very helpful financially. I'm not having to pay as much on my electric bill.” — Maisha in Inglewood, CA
• “I have a PPA agreement with Sunrun. They put the panels up on my roof and takes care of the panels. I agreed to a fixed rate over the next 20 years. At the end of the year, if I have overproduced then I get the credit. I pay a set amount to Sunrun which is $105 a month. I still get a bill every month from Edison for the surcharges and the connection fees which usually is around $10. But I haven't actually paid that in over four and a half years. After the credits, my electric bill goes about $75 a month. Sunrun saves me money on my electric bill and I'm very satisfied.” — John in Moreno Valley, CA

Sunrun customers are generally satisfied, but some California residents have issues getting promised rebates and incentives. Some negative reviews also mention issues with permits, delays in installation or problems with customer service. Despite these issues, the majority of reviewers still recommend Sunrun to others.

Sunrun offers personalized residential solar panel system design throughout California. Reps start by analyzing your past electricity bills to estimate your energy needs. Then, they use a specialized computer tool to create the optimal solar system design for your roof.

Sunrun services

• Accessible financing
• Battery storage solutions
• Monitoring and maintenance
• EV charging solutions

Sunrun has warranty coverage, system maintenance and a performance guarantee. The warranty covers workmanship and equipment for 10 years. The 95% system performance guarantee lasts 25 years. Leased systems typically come with free maintenance and repairs.

You can also pay for your system upfront, enter a power purchase agreement or take out a loan, but Sunrun’s leasing plans are what really set it apart from other solar options in California:

• Monthly plan: You can lease Sunrun panels for $0 or a small down payment. Then, you pay a fixed monthly payment for the term of your leasing contract, typically 25 years.
• Full amount lease: You can prepay for up to 25 years of solar energy.

Many praised the company's customer service and responsiveness, as well as the reasonable pricing and smooth installation process.

• “The process was very easy and simple and their reps were extremely helpful and guided me through the whole thing. They gave me an estimate of the timeline and they were pretty much right on target. It's been four months since everything got done and everything's working great. I have an app on my phone for monitoring the system and I can check any time to see how my array is doing and what my output is. I would recommend Soleeva.” — Kevin in Oxnard, CA
• “Soleeva's price was good and so was their service. They had a representative named Yen who was extremely responsive at all times of the day. I was very happy. The installation went as planned. The crew was very receptive and they did everything I asked. If somebody wants to install solar, I recommend Soleeva. The energy generation is fine.” — Nickolas in San Jose, CA
• “Soleeva installed the system quickly. The rates were good and so was the communication. They responded quickly. I would recommend Soleeva to my family and friends.” — Jatinder in Oakland, CA

Installation is generally smooth, although some customers have reported broken tiles or difficulty with the wireless connection. “Installation-wise, our experience with Soleeva was perfect,” Jeffrey in San Mateo, California, told us. “It was completed in about a day and a half. But communication-wise and the follow-up, I would give that a much lower rating.” Another customer, Brenda in Annapolis, California, was upset that the installation took longer than expected.

Soleeva was founded by a mechanical engineer and a manufacturing finance expert in the San Francisco Bay Area. It provides ongoing maintenance and low- to no-down-payment financing options.

Soleeva services

• Residential solar design, engineering and construction
• Commercial solar projects
• Farm and agricultural solar solutions
• Credit-based and non-credit-based financing

Once solar panels projects are complete, Soleeva backs production with a 25-year warranty and solar panels with a 30-year warranty. There are multiple financing packages available, from low- to no-down-payment options.

• “I moved into a new bigger house and I was expecting to get big utility bills. I started researching all the different solar companies and getting solar. I decided to go to Project Solar because it seemed to me like they have less of the middle people. It was a lower cost and more efficient for me to get it through them than get it with some other companies that have a lot of middle people. I'll recommend them.” — Ihab in Riverside, CA
• “The sign-up process at Project Solar was very easy and convenient and I liked it. They were very transparent and upfront with everything they told me and what they did. The installers were always responsive and informed me of what they were doing or going to do. Overall, it was a very good experience.” — Gustavo in Temecula, CA
• “Everything was planned, aligned and executed on time. Even though I worked with four different people, it was always a very seamless process. The handling and pricing were excellent.” — Srikanth in San Jose, CA

“They were friendly, helpful, and had all the answers I needed,” Stan in California said. “The problem was that it took time to get responses while dealing over the phone and generally by text messaging. I'm sure they're probably overworked. But it took a little bit longer than it would have taken if I had it installed by a normal company.”

Others told us about installation delays and inconsistent communication, too. The focus on streamlining might mean fewer customization options or handling complex roof situations. Incidentally, there might be some room for improvement when it comes to quality control.

Project Solar specializes in DIY and professional solar solutions. As part of the full-service installation, it offers Enphase IQ 5P batteries or Tesla Powerwall. DIY projects only have the Enphase IQ 5P option. The website provides clear information on pricing models and potential savings. It also has an 84% production level guarantee for 25 years and will provide reimbursements if production levels are not met during this time.

Project Solar services

• System design
• Equipment procurement
• Pro and DIY installations
• Financing solutions

Project Solar provides two main warranties: a 25-year manufacturer’s warranty and a 10-year workmanship warranty. The manufacturer's warranty covers defects in materials or workmanship of the solar panels, inverters and other equipment. The workmanship warranty covers installation issues (like faulty wiring or improper mounting) if you get full-service installation. Both are limited and have exclusions like weather damage or misuse.

For DIY projects, customers can pay cash or finance through a third party. They can also pay with a home equity loan or line of credit. Project Solar partners with solar loan lenders to offer two financing options for professional installation:

• Option A: Loans have higher interest rates but shorter terms. Option A is best if you can pay the loan off quickly, which saves on interest in the long run.
• Option B: Loans have lower interest rates with longer terms. Option B is ideal for homeowners who want predictable monthly expenses and plan to stay in their current house for at least 20 more years.

The majority of California reviewers we’ve heard from have positive experiences with Sunriver. They often say it’s easy to get started and relatively affordable.

• “Signing up with SunRiver was easy and they were the cheapest I found. Our system's all installed and working. So far, so good. My bill is also a lot lower. Their reps were good, too. During installation, Matt, the foreman, investigated some existing underground conduit that I had, which saved me some money because I didn't have to trench anything. And when they put the conduit that they had to put in, they made sure they put it where I wanted it so it wasn't an eyesore.” — Jeremy in Grass Valley, CA
• “... Overall, SunRiver is the most affordable and lowest pressure sales. I dealt with Peter who came out and sat down with me and went through the plan, answered all my questions, and never pushed for the next step. Every other solar salesman I dealt with was always like, ‘When are we gonna sign? When are we gonna push?’ I had quotes and I had dealt with at least five other salesmen. SunRiver never pushed, and the product that they offered came in at a much more affordable price than anybody else.” — Greg in Lincoln, CA

We’ve heard a couple complaints about the app being “flaky” or minor software hiccups. However, Sunriver is generally quick to make things right. Overall, most customers we’ve talked to still recommend the company.

Sunriver Solar is a solar panel installation company in Auburn, California. It offers solar panel and battery storage solutions in the Bay Area and Northern California. It uses Hanwha Qcells solar panels. Battery backup options include the Enphase IQ 5P and the Tesla Powerwall 3. The company is fully licensed and insured.

Sunriver Solar services

• Clean energy consultations
• Ongoing system monitoring
• Troubleshooting and support
• Expansion and upgrades

Projects are backed by 25-year workmanship and manufacturer’s warranties. Sunriver Solar offers zero-down financing options. There are no prepayment penalties, meaning you can pay off your loan at any time without penalty. Financing is available for qualified borrowers with credit scores as low as 580.