Best 5 Solar Companies in Buena Park, CA

Buena Park homeowners experience an average of 191 sunny days per year, making the city an excellent environment for solar power. Many are working with top solar installers to get panels on their roofs. While switching to solar energy comes with upfront costs, local homeowners could ultimately save $1,400 per kilowatt on their electric bills. A professional company can help you select the best panels to maximize your savings. In this article, we'll highlight Buena Park's best solar providers and offer suggestions for your company choice, so you can find the right one for your home.

Ranking Methodology

Our team used the following criteria to determine the best Buena Park solar companies.

• Educational programs and business model: Solar technicians must be good teachers. They should use their years of experience answer your questions on how to care for your system and improve its performance.
• Reviews and feedback from customers: Most Buena Park solar providers have both favorable and unfavorable reviews. However, a good review ratio indicates a company's dependability and responsiveness to issues.
• Certifications and credentials: Each installer 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 Buena Park community for a decade or longer.
• Warranty and service offerings: Solar companies should stand behind their systems and services with warranties. We evaluated how each company responds to issues and warranty claims, focusing on promptness and customer satisfaction.
• Panel brands and quality: The best solar companies remain current on new technology, providing equipment from cutting-edge and trustworthy manufacturers.

Benefits of Solar Energy

Solar energy provides multiple perks. Let's look at a few of them.

• Smaller power bills: Producing some or all of your own power will spend less on electricity long-term. Plus, some states provide net metering programs that allow you to sell your extra energy back to the grid, generating extra credits toward your energy bill.
• Reduced carbon footprint: Solar is a highly abundant clean energy source, meaning you can lower or beat your home's dependence on "traditional" sources.
• Better energy independence: Adding a battery backup or storage system lets you have trustworthy energy during grid outages and storms.

What Solar Incentives Are Available to Buena Park Homeowners?

California homeowners who decide on solar could qualify for rebates, special financing, tax credits and reimbursements. Here are just a few of the local incentive programs.

How To Choose the Best Solar Company in Buena Park

The cost and performance of solar panels often depend on which company mounted them. Consider all of these criteria in your business search.

Licensing and Training

California requires solar companies to hold licenses for each type of equipment they install, which can include solar water heaters, HVAC, pool heaters, boilers, and photovoltaic (PV) systems. Contractors must take a highly comprehensive educational series, gain four years of field experience, and pass written exams to secure a license. Solar installers can also earn certificates from trade groups and standards organizations. 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 Buena Park

The type of solar panels you choose determines how much energy you can produce. Monocrystalline panels and high-quality and cost more but give you the best performance. Polycrystalline panels produce less power, but they're worth it if you want a traditional panel style without the high cost. Thin-film panels aren't meant for large home installations, but they're excellent for small projects like sheds and RVs.

If you'd like to charge an electric car or use your solar power in dark weather, you can pay extra for accessories. By selecting the right components, you can make your system more productive and user-friendly. Not all solar companies provide these optional components, so look for a provider that installs them if it's important for you.

Most Buena Park homeowners opt for solar systems designed for five kilowatts (kW) of electrical capacity. These systems run about $17,350 to install, considering both materials and labor. You can find more specific solar cost information in the table.

Financing Solar Energy in Buena Park

Choosing the correct financing solution will affect your overall solar system cost and potential savings. Common payment options include power purchase agreements, leases, loans, and cash payments. Most solar experts recommend paying cash or using a solar loan. Cash payments require a large up-front sum, but they save you from 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. Like a home or car loan, you'll pay a set monthly rate with as little as $0 down. Solar leases allow you to rent your panels for a fixed 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 don't grant you system ownership. Solar experts generally don't recommend them, but they might be suitable in some cases. Look for installers that offer two or more payment plans to find the right fit for your financial needs.

The table below lists the average payback periods for different capacities of solar systems in Buena Park.

You can claim a 26% federal solar tax credit from the IRS for new residential solar systems purchased before 2032. Additionally, local governments and utilities may have their own financing plans and rebates that could reduce your total cost even more.

Sources

• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
• U.S. Department of Energy