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Best 5 Solar Companies in Campbell, CA
The best solar company in Campbell is SunPower.
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- Updated 2024-04-18 00:00:00
With Campbell's clear skies and below-average rainfall, it's an excellent area for families and businesses seeking to harness the extra sunlight by buying panels from one of the best solar companies. While embracing solar power comes with upfront costs, local homeowners could ultimately save $1,700 per kilowatt on their electric bills. A professional company can help you select the best panels to maximize your savings. Discover Campbell's top-rated solar companies and learn vital decision-making tips on this page.
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
- Builds custom, high-efficiency solar systems suited to each home
- Extensive coverage area throughout the country
- Offers energy storage and EV charger add-ons
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
- Provides system monitoring
- Offers diverse financing options for various budgets
- Provides EV and solar battery solutions
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
- Offers 7 panel brand options
- 25-year workmanship warranty
- Offers battery options
5 Best Solar Companies in Campbell
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
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
TN Electrical and Solar Services
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
Cinnamon Energy Systems
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
Infinium Solar, Inc.
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
Highlight Solar
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
Ranking Methodology
Our team has screened dozens of solar contractors near Campbell, with emphasis on the following criteria:
- Warranty and service offerings: Solar providers should stand behind their equipment and services with warranties. We evaluated how each installer responds to issues and warranty claims, focusing on timeliness and customer satisfaction.
- Experience and professional licensure: Each provider 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 Campbell community for a decade or longer.
- Customer reviews and feedback: Most Campbell solar companies have both favorable and unfavorable reviews. However, a good review ratio demonstrates a company's trustworthiness and responsiveness to issues.
- Panel brands and quality: The best solar companies stay up-to-date with new technology, providing equipment from cutting-edge and trustworthy manufacturers.
- 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 improve its performance.
Facts about Campbell
- Average Max Temperature:71°F
- Solar Payback Period:7 years
- Average Daily Sunlight:69%
- Homes Powered by Solar:7,833
- Average Annual Energy Bill:$1,538
- Solar Power per Capita:94.0%
Benefits of Solar Energy
Solar energy provides multiple advantages that will enhance your home for years to come.
- Better energy independence: Adding a battery backup or storage system lets you have trustworthy energy during storms and grid outages.
- Reduced carbon footprint: Using clean solar power lowers your dependence on fossil fuels, which release greenhouse gases that damage the environment.
- Lowered energy bills: Solar panels allow you to generate your own energy to power your home, decreasing your monthly electricity costs. Going off-grid can eliminate your bills completely. Plus, a significant amount of states have adopted net metering, which permit you to earn money by selling your unused energy back to the grid.
What Solar Incentives Are Available to Campbell Homeowners?
The state of California offers a range of solar incentives to help minimize your solar system costs. Here is a breakdown of applicable solar programs where you live.
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:Leasing Program
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 Campbell
The more comprehensive your provider search is, the better your solar installation will ultimately operate. Here are some key items to keep in mind while shopping for a solar specialist.
Licensing and Training
California requires solar companies to hold licenses for each type of equipment they install, which can include solar HVAC, boilers, photovoltaic (PV) systems, water heaters, and pool heaters. Contractors must take a highly comprehensive educational series, gain four years of experience as an apprentice or journeyman, and pass written exams to earn licensure. Check for private accreditations from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), among the solar industry's most credible trade groups. Its program includes certifications for both solar photovoltaic and water heating installers.
Cost of Solar Panels in Campbell
Different solar panel types look and perform differently. Monocrystalline panels offer the best energy production but cost more than other options 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.
If you need to charge an electric car or use your solar power in cloudy weather, you can pay extra for accessories. By choosing the right components, you can make your system more effective and user-friendly. Not all solar companies offer these extras, so look for a contractor that sells them if it's a priority for you.
You can plan to spend about $17,350 on average for a five-kilowatt solar energy system in Campbell. Use the table in this section to get an idea of what amount Campbell solar companies might quote for your specific solar system's price.
| Solar Panel Cost | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Solar Monocrystalline | $1,961.43 |
| Solar Polycrystalline | $1,529.91 |
| Thin-Film | $894.41 |
| Solar Battery | $1,255.31 |
| Solar Home EV Charger | $4,707.43 |
Financing Solar Energy in Campbell
Solar installers use multiple different financing options to lower your costs and increase your savings. Though some providers offer unique payment plans, the most common are solar loans, power purchase agreements (PPAs), solar leases and cash payments. Most solar experts recommend paying cash 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. Like a car or home loan, you'll pay a set monthly rate with potentially $0 down. Solar leases let you rent your panels for a set monthly rate, while PPAs let you pay only 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 installer you're vetting about the payment options it offers. A consultant can help you determine the optimal option for your financial situation.
The table below lists the average payback periods for different capacities of solar systems in Campbell.
You are eligible for a 26% federal solar tax credit for new solar energy equipment until the year 2032. Local and state governments and utility companies might also offer rebates, discounts, and dedicated financing plans that could save you more.
| 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 Campbell
On average, Campbell homeowners shell out roughly $1,538 per year on power bills. Once you repay your solar array, you could save $1,702.28 per kilowatt you produce.
Yes, solar energy is on the rise in Campbell. Some homes already generate solar power on-site or through utility grids, and they're supported by a state solar economy with 74255 workers and counting.
Yes, solar panels will boost your property value. According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), for every dollar you reduce on energy bills, your home value increases by $20. So, if your panels save you $600 per year on energy costs, your property could appreciate $12,000.
To determine your home's solar readiness, nothing substitutes for a comprehensive estimate from a local solar installer. However, you can use the PVWatts tool for a simple solar viability estimate based on public data, including tree cover, local weather and topography, panel efficiency, and system size.
Solar panels don't need much maintenance to keep working for your home. All you'll need to do is inspect and clean the panels every six months or as necessary in dusty seasons. Solar companies frequently offer maintenance packages to assist in your system's care.
The average Campbell solar system size is 3.0 kilowatts (kW). However, your final system size depends on your family's energy needs. Your panel model, roof size, and surrounding shading could also impact your final result. A professional solar contractor will consider these factors and determine the right system size for your home.
To enhance your solar system's performance, you can implement the following steps:
- optimize the panels' position with your solar installer
- regularly clean your solar panels
- upgrade to a more efficient inverter trim or cut down trees in the way of your panels
- use energy-efficient appliances
The main differences between a PPA and traditional financing are that you pay a fluctuating monthly rate based on your energy usage and don't own your system. Your solar company installs and maintains the panels, and you pay for the generated electricity for 10–25 years. Afterward, you can continue the contract or purchase the system outright.
You might look into a PPA if you don’t want to be responsible for maintenance and don’t want to invest in a system, but keep in mind you won’t be paying toward ownership or be able to access any solar financial incentives. Many solar experts don’t recommend PPAs. Our guide covers other financing options above.
Sources
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