To pick the best solar companies in Clovis, we compared popular California solar companies on ratings and reviews, equipment options, warranty terms and other factors. Our picks may be Authorized Partners who 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 hot-summer Mediterranean-type climate, to choose the best solar companies in Clovis, 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 Clovis 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 $18,239 in Clovis.
A typical solar panel installation costs anywhere from $8,645 to $24,700 in California. Prices in Clovis are comparable, ranging from $8,050 to $23,000.
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 declining or if your area gets frequent blackouts.
System size is the other major solar cost factor. The average Clovis household needs a system with a capacity of 7.93 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 Clovis
5 kW
6 kW
7 kW
8 kW
9 kW
10 kW
Before federal tax credit
$11,500
$13,800
$16,100
$18,400
$20,700
$23,000
After federal tax credit
$8,050
$9,660
$11,270
$12,880
$14,490
$16,100
How can I pay for solar panels?
You can finance or lease solar panels with minimal upfront costs. 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.
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.
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.
Clovis participates in California’s efforts to streamline the solar permitting process, reducing time and costs associated with obtaining permits. This is part of the state's broader SolarAPP+ program, which helps simplify residential solar installations through online permitting.
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 some other questions to ask yourself:
What is the condition of my roof? As a rule of thumb, if your roof is over 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 reinstall the panels. This is an expensive and frustrating process.
How much sunlight do I get? Clovis gets a good amount of sunlight. The state averages 5 to 7.5 peak sun hours every day. However, the panels might not get enough sun to power your home if you have a lot of shading around your house, whether from trees or tall buildings.
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.
How does the federal solar tax credit work?
The federal solar investment tax credit (ITC) is a significant incentive for most homeowners going solar. It reduces your federal tax liability by 30% of how much it costs to install solar panels.
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.
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. 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.
PG&E offers rebates for improving your home’s energy efficiency, such as upgrading insulation, windows and appliances. Combining these upgrades with solar panels can enhance savings by lowering overall energy usage.
Additionally, solar installations are exempt from property tax reassessments, meaning the value added to your home by solar panels won’t increase your property taxes. Additional incentives, including state tax credits and rebates, can be combined with federal incentives to maximize savings.
How does net metering work in Clovis?
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.
Clovis is served by Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), which offers Net Energy Metering (NEM). Under the state's NEM 3.0 policy, solar customers can send excess energy back to the grid and receive credits on their electricity bills. However, under NEM 3.0, the compensation for exported energy has decreased, which makes the addition of battery storage systems more beneficial for maximizing self-consumption and savings.
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.
Are solar panels worth it in Clovis?
Solar panels are generally worth it in California if you like the idea of lowering your monthly utility bills. On average, Clovis homeowners with solar panels can avoid $53,251 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).
Methodology: How we chose the best solar companies in Clovis
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 Clovis, 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 Clovis 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:
Soleeva
Sunrun
ShopSolar
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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:
Solar energy solutions. Offers solar energy kits, DIY solar kits and lithium batteries. Small- and large-scale equipment. Online purchasing with shipping to 48 states. Partner installer network. Financing and warranty available.
Sunrun offers free energy consultations in 20 states. 15 years of experience. Sells and leases customized residential solar energy systems. Solar advisors offer one-on-one consultants to guide you through the details.
Solar panel manufacturing and installation services. Proprietary anti-soiling, self-cooling technology. Battery backup and electric vehicle charging station solutions. 30-year panel warranty. Serves the Bay Area.
California-based residential and commercial solar installers. Service areas include Antelope Valley, Bakersfield, Central Coast and Fresno. 25-year warranty on solar energy systems. Pay with cash or finance with a loan or lease.
Specializes in agricultural, commercial and residential solar installations in California’s Central Valley. Offers products from brands like Canadian Solar, FranklinWH and Tesla. Lifetime warranties for workmanship and components.
A residential, commercial and agricultural installer working across California.
Solar installations utilizing Panasonic solar panels. Accepts upfront payments and loans. Products backed by a 25-year warranty.
Residential, commercial and agricultural installation and maintenance in Fresno, Kern, Kings and Tulare counties in central California. Pay upfront or finance with a power purchase agreement.
Commercial and industrial electrical services, solar energy system installation and backup power systems for the Bay Area, Central Valley and Greater Sacramento region of northern California.
Commercial, residential and agricultural solar energy system installation for parts of the Central Valley area of California. 25-year product, performance and labor warranty on systems with parts from REC Group and SolarEdge.
Performs solar installation services in 34 locations throughout central California. Offers a 25-year performance warranty with financing options available. Brands offered include Enphase, Generac, LG, Sol-Ark and SolarEdge.
Residential and commercial solar energy system installation, roofing and batteries for parts of California. Offers brands like Enphase Energy, LG Electronics and Tesla Powerwall. Free estimates available.
Residential and commercial solar installations. Serves 54 cities across California. Installations include 25-year workmanship warranties. Some customers eligible for free, one-time roof replacement.
Performs solar installations on homes and businesses in Northern and Southern California. Offers military, teacher, firefighter and police discounts. Also offers zero-down loans and leases.
Residential and commercial solar maintenance and installation in Fresno and the surrounding area. Financing includes leases, loans and power purchase agreements. Free quotes. Services available in Spanish.
Residential, commercial and agricultural solar energy system installation, storage and EV charging for Northern California. 25-year panel, 10-year inverter and 10-year installation warranties. Free quotes available.
Central Valley solar company offering installations for solar energy systems, solar pool heaters and solar water heaters along with solar panel cleaning. Offers a free solar assessment. Financing options include loans and leases.
Residential and commercial installation of solar energy systems, solar patios, solar panel cleaning and generators in parts of Southern California. Offers generators from Generac Power Systems. Finance with a loan.