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Best 5 Solar Companies in Arcadia, CA
The best solar company in Arcadia is SunPower by True Power Solar.
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- Updated 2024-04-18 00:00:00
Arcadia residents are intentional about conserving resources and practicing eco-friendly lifestyles. That's why many homeowners are purchasing panels from the best solar installers for their homes. Local homeowners might go for solar to break free of high power costs from sources like natural gas. A professional solar company can help you install and optimize a system that meets your energy needs without breaking the bank. Discover Arcadia's top-rated solar companies and learn essential decision-making advice on this page.
5 Best Solar Companies in Arcadia
Brands are algorithmically curated from a database of local service providers near you. We require a minimum number of Google reviews and average ratings for provider inclusion.
SunPower by True Power Solar
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
SunPower by Sun Solar-OC
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
SunPower by Sea Bright Solar
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
Precis Solar
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
Altadena Energy & Solar
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
Ranking Methodology
Our team used the following criteria to determine the best Arcadia solar companies.
- Educational approach: Solar technicians must be excellent teachers. They should utilize their years of experience address your questions on how to care for your system and optimize its performance.
- Reviews and feedback from customers: Most Arcadia solar installers have both favorable and unfavorable reviews. However, a good review ratio demonstrates a company's reliability and responsiveness to issues.
- Professional licenses and credentials: Each company on our list meets state and city licensing requirements and stays up to date with industry best practices. Many of them have been a part of the Arcadia community for over 15 years.
- Panel brands and quality: The leading solar companies keep up with new technology, providing equipment from cutting-edge and trustworthy manufacturers.
- Warranty and service offerings: Solar installers should stand behind their products and services with warranties. We evaluated how each installer responds to issues and warranty claims, focusing on promptness and customer satisfaction.
Facts about Arcadia
- Average Max Temperature:71°F
- Solar Payback Period:9 years
- Average Daily Sunlight:72%
- Homes Powered by Solar:10,399
- Average Annual Energy Bill:$1,185
- Solar Power per Capita:82.1%
Benefits of Solar Energy
Solar energy provides multiple advantages. Here are some highlights.
- Better energy independence: Adding a solar battery storage system lets you have trustworthy energy during storms and grid outages.
- Lowered energy bills: You can avoid the expensive cost of grid-tied power by producing some electricity right where you use it. Plus, many states offer net metering which can allow you to sell your unused energy back to credit part of your bill.
- Reduced carbon footprint: The sun is the universe's most abundant clean energy source, meaning you can reduce or eliminate your home's dependence on non-renewable sources.
What Solar Incentives Are Available to Arcadia Homeowners?
California homeowners who decide on solar could qualify for reimbursements, special financing, tax credits and rebates. Here are just a few of the area's incentive offerings.
Incentive Type:Property Tax Incentive
Website:http://www.boe.ca.gov/proptaxes/active-solar-energy-system.htm#Description
Incentive Amount:
100% of system value; 75% of system value exemption for dual-use equipment
Incentive Type:PACE Financing
Website:https://wrcog.us/DocumentCenter/View/4469/CPP-V2-2018-FINAL
Incentive Amount:
Eligible products can be financed for up to 25 years, depending on the useful life of the eligible product.
Minimum financing: $5,000
The financing may not exceed fifteen percent (15%) of the market value of the property, up to the first seven hundred thousand dollars ($700,000) of the property’s market value, and ten percent (10%) of the remaining value of the Property above seven hundred thousand dollars ($700,000) minus any PACE assessment on the propertyThe total amount of any annual property taxes and assessments shall not exceed five percent (5%) of the property's fair market value, determined at the time program financing is approved.
Incentive Type:PACE Financing
Incentive Amount:
Locally determined
Incentive Type:Rebate Program
Website:https://www.selfgenca.com/
Incentive Amount:
For projects 30 kW or larger, 50% of incentive will be received up-front; 50% will be received based on actual kWh production over the first 5 years. For projects under 30kW, 100% of the incentive will be paid up front.
Incentives will step down over time. See below for incentive amounts.
Incentive Type:Feed-in Tariff
Incentive Type:Feed-in Tariff
Website:https://www.ladwp.com/fit
Incentive Amount:
$0.17/kWh adjusted by a time of delivery multiplier
Base price will step down over time as certain MW goals are met
Incentive Type:Rebate Program
Website:http://www.gosolarcalifornia.ca.gov/solarwater/index.php
Incentive Amount:
Step 1 Incentive Rates (contact utility to determine current incentive levels):
Single Family Residential Incentives:
Systems that displace natural gas: $29.85 per estimated therm displaced
Systems that displace electricity or propane: Funding has been exhausted
Commercial/Multifamily Incentives:
Systems that displace natural gas: $20.19 per estimated therm displaced
Systems that displace electricity or propane: $0.42 per estimated kWh displaced *** Note, funding has been exhausted in this category for SCE and PG&E
Solar Pool heating: $5.00 per estimated therm displaced
Incentive Type:Personal Tax Credit
Website:https://www.ecowatch.com/solar/ev-appliance-solar-tax-credit-calculator
Incentive Amount:
30% federal tax credit for systems placed in service after 12/31/2021 and before 01/01/2033. Good for: solar water heat, solar photovoltaics, biomass, geothermal heat pumps, wind (small), fuel cells using renewable fuels.
How To Choose the Best Solar Company in Arcadia
The price and effectiveness of solar panels often depend on the solar company that installed them. Make your choice based on the following essential elements.
Licensing and Training
California requires solar companies to hold licenses for each type of equipment they install, which can include solar HVAC, photovoltaic (PV) systems, pool heaters, water heaters, and boilers. Contractors must complete a highly comprehensive educational series, gain four years of field experience, and pass written exams to earn licensure. Solar providers can also obtain certifications from standards organizations and trade groups. The most respected ones in the industry come from the NABCEP. Most company websites will prominently display earned credentials, but you should also ask your estimator for more information.
Cost of Solar Panels in Arcadia
Different solar panel types look and perform differently. Monocrystalline panels cost more than other options, but they generate the most power and generally have the highest quality. Polycrystalline panels provide a lower price point but produce less power. Thin-film panels work well for small projects like RVs and sheds, but they're not ideal for larger installations due to their low performance.
You can also add battery backups and electric vehicle (EV) chargers. These will increase your total installation cost, but they can increase your solar system's efficiency. Not every solar provider includes these optional components, so look for a provider that sells them if it's essential for you.
Generally speaking, it will cost about $17,350 for a five-kilowatt solar array in Arcadia. This table displays more specific prices for different solar panel types and system components in your area.
Solar Panel Cost | Average Cost |
---|---|
Solar Monocrystalline | $1,193.93 |
Solar Polycrystalline | $931.26 |
Thin-Film | $544.43 |
Solar Battery | $764.11 |
Solar Home EV Charger | $2,865.43 |
Financing Solar Energy in Arcadia
There are various ways to pay for new solar panels, and the right one will reduce your expenses. A few of the most common options include power purchase agreements (PPAs), loans, cash payments, and leases. Most solar experts recommend a cash payment or using a solar loan. Cash payments demand a large up-front sum, but they help you avoid paying interest, grant you system ownership, and qualify you for cost-saving solar incentives. Solar loans have the same benefits, though you'll pay more in total due to interest and fees. Similar to an auto or home loan, you'll pay a set monthly rate with potentially $0 down. Solar leases allow you to use your panels for a set monthly rate, while PPAs let you pay just for the energy you use, much like an electric bill. Both options disqualify you for solar incentives and do not provide you system ownership. Solar experts generally don't recommend them, but they might be suitable in some cases. Ask each provider you're considering about the payment options it offers. A representative can help you determine the optimal option for your budget.
The table below lists the average payback periods for different capacities of solar systems in Arcadia.
The IRS allows you to claim a 26% federal tax credit for solar panels on your new solar panels, so long as you purchase it before 2032. Local governments and utilities might also offer their own financing programs, incentives, and rebates that could save you more money.
Solar System Capacity | Estimated Payback period |
---|---|
1 kW | 1.4 years |
2 kW | 2.7 years |
5 kW | 6.8 years |
10 kW | 13.7 years |
Frequently Asked Questions about Solar in Arcadia
On average, Arcadia homeowners spend around $1,185 per year on electric bills. Once you pay off your solar array, you could save $1,396.83 for every kilowatt you produce.
Yes, solar energy is readily available in Arcadia. A growing number of local homes generate or access solar power on-site or through utility grids, and California has about 74255 jobs making up its solar economy.
Yes, new solar systems mean higher property values according to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL.) Homeowners could project a $20 property value increase for each dollar they save on energy. Therefore, $600 in energy savings could increase your home's value by $12,000.
Even if your property has high tree cover, you could still benefit from solar energy. Your technician will optimize your system's performance by choosing the proper site for panels, installing a battery backup system, cleaning them regularly, and positioning them to capture the most sunlight throughout the year. This way, you can keep solar energy longer and utilize it as necessary.
Modern solar systems are built to last. The average unit provides 25 years of reliable power. Budget panels tend to have shorter lifespans than top-tier models.
Most Arcadia homeowners pay back a solar loan in 8.7 years. You can shorten the payback period by paying off extra loan principal each month.
After you sign a PPA, your solar provider will not charge to install or maintain your new panel array. Instead, you'll pay them only for the electricity you generate. Typically, PPAs last for 10–25 years or until you "buy out" of the contract.
If you choose a lease, you'll make fixed payments each month.
With both leases and PPAs, you do not own your panels and lose eligibility for some incentives. Further, you'll have to "buy out" or transfer the contract if you sell your home during the term.
Sources
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