Best 5 Solar Companies in Ceres, CA

Ceres homeowners are purposeful about preserving its natural resources and practicing eco-friendly lifestyles. That's why many homeowners are purchasing panels from the best solar professionals for their homes. While going solar 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 Ceres' best solar companies and learn crucial decision-making strategies on this page.

Ranking Methodology

We analyzed dozens of Ceres solar installers, using the following criteria to select the best:

• Service offerings and warranties: Solar contractors should stand behind their systems and services with warranties. We evaluated how each company responds to issues and warranty claims, focusing on timeliness and customer satisfaction.
• Certifications and licenses: Each contractor on our list complies with state and city licensing requirements and stays up to date with industry best practices. Many of them have been a part of the Ceres community for more than a decade.
• Educational approach: Solar technicians must be excellent teachers. They should tap into their years of experience answer your questions on how to look after your system and improve its performance.
• Panel quality and brand offerings: The premier solar companies stay up-to-date with new technology, providing equipment from innovative, dependable manufacturers.
• Reviews and feedback from customers: Most Ceres solar contractors have both favorable and unfavorable reviews. However, a good review ratio indicates a company's dependability and responsiveness to issues.

Benefits of Solar Energy

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

• Reduced carbon footprint: Using solar is a surefire way to lower your carbon footprint and home fossil fuel dependency.
• Lowered energy bills: You can dodge the premium cost of grid-tied power by generating some electricity at home. Plus, many states provide net metering which can allow you to sell your unused energy back to credit part of your bill.
• Better energy independence: Solar panel systems can keep your home functioning through blackouts and emergencies, giving you additional security. You can use your solar energy anytime with an optional battery backup system.

What Solar Incentives Are Available to Ceres Homeowners?

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

How To Choose the Best Solar Company in Ceres

Choosing a company is the first step toward an effective and valuable solar system. 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 boilers, pool heaters, HVAC, water heaters, and photovoltaic (PV) systems. Contractors must take a highly comprehensive educational series, gain four years of experience as an apprentice or journeyman, and pass written exams to secure a license. You should also visit a company's website to learn about its private certifications. Two of the most recognized are the Solar Heating Installer and PV Installation Professional certificates, granted by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP). Some companies don't publish this information online, so you should also ask your estimator about them.

Cost of Solar Panels in Ceres

Your photovoltaic panels' type will influence how much energy you can generate. Monocrystalline panels are among the highest quality and perform the best but cost the most. Polycrystalline panels offer you a budget panel with a traditional design, but at the cost of less power generation. Thin-film panels have a low cost and are excellent for non-traditional roofs, but aren't recommended for large home installations.

If you want to charge an electric car or use your solar power in inclement weather, you can pay extra for add-ons. By choosing the right components, you can make your system more efficient and convenient to use. Not all solar providers provide these additional features, so look for a contractor that installs them if it's essential for you.

Generally speaking, it costs about $17,350 for a five-kilowatt solar array in Ceres. This table shows more specific prices for different solar panel types and system components in your area.

Financing Solar Energy in Ceres

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, cash payments, solar leases and power purchase agreements (PPAs). We advise making a cash payment or securing a solar loan for the best return on investment (ROI). Cash payments require a hefty sum up-front, but you’ll pay the least long-term by avoiding interest. You’ll also own your system and can apply for solar panel incentives to minimize your total costs. Solar loans are another solid option if you don’t want to make a big initial investment. You can pay for your system in monthly installments while still benefiting from energy bill savings and solar incentives. However, you’ll spend more in total due to accruing interest. Solar leases involve paying a set monthly rate to use rooftop panels. A PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) lets you pay a monthly rate determined by the energy you use, as with an electric bill. We typically don’t recommend these two choices because you won't own the panels and cannot use solar incentives. Ask each installer you're considering about the payment options it offers. A consultant can help you determine the best option for your budget.

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

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