Best 5 Solar Companies in Clovis, CA

With Clovis' clear skies and below-average rainfall, it's an excellent area for families and businesses hoping to harness the additional sunlight by buying panels from one of the best solar companies. With all the options to choose from in this vibrant community, you might feel swamped searching for an excellent installer. In this guide, we'll show you Clovis' best solar companies and offer suggestions for your company choice, so you can find the right one for your household.

Ranking Methodology

Our team has thoroughly vetted dozens of solar companies near Clovis, with emphasis on the following criteria:

• Certifications and licenses: Each installer on our list meets state and city licensing requirements and keeps current with industry best practices. Many of them have been a part of the Clovis community for more than a decade.
• Feedback and reviews from customers: Most Clovis solar companies have both positive and critical reviews. However, a good review ratio indicates a company's reliability and responsiveness to issues.
• Educational approach: Solar technicians must be excellent teachers. They should utilize their years of experience answer your questions on how to care for your system and optimize its performance.
• Service offerings and warranties: Solar providers should stand behind their systems and services with warranties. We evaluated how each provider responds to issues and warranty claims, focusing on promptness and customer happiness.
• Panel brands and quality: The top solar companies keep up with new technology, providing equipment from reliable, innovative manufacturers.

Benefits of Solar Energy

Solar energy offers multiple advantages that will enhance your home for years to come.

• Reduced energy costs: Generating some or all of your own power will save you money on your electric bills long-term. Plus, some states provide net metering programs that make it possible for you to sell your unused energy back to the grid, generating additional credits toward your energy bill.
• Reduced carbon footprint: Using clean solar power reduces your dependence on fossil fuels, which release greenhouse gases that damage the environment.
• Better energy independence: Solar energy can keep your home functioning through blackouts and emergencies, giving you additional security. You can use your solar energy anytime with optional battery storage.

What Solar Incentives Are Available to Clovis Homeowners?

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

How To Choose the Best Solar Company in Clovis

Choosing a company is the first step toward an effective and cost-efficient solar system. Consider all of these elements in your contractor search.

Licensing and Training

California requires solar companies to hold licenses for each type of equipment they install, which can include solar pool heaters, water heaters, HVAC, photovoltaic (PV) systems, and boilers. Contractors must take a highly comprehensive educational series, gain four years of field experience, and pass written exams to secure a license. Solar providers can also pursue certifications from trade groups and standards organizations. The most prestigious ones in the industry come from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners. Most company websites will prominently display earned credentials, but you should also ask your estimator for more information.

Cost of Solar Panels in Clovis

The type of solar panels you purchase determines how much energy you can generate. Monocrystalline panels and high-quality and cost more but give you the best performance. Polycrystalline panels work with a tried-and-true mechanism and cost less, but produce less power. Thin-film panels aren't the best for large residential installations, but they are excellent accessories for non-traditional roofs.

Additional system add-ons, such as electric vehicle (EV) chargers and battery storage, will add to your overall installation costs. However, they might make your solar system more efficient and convenient to use. Not every solar company offers these add-ons, so look for a provider that sells them if it's important for you.

If you're a resident of Clovis and are considering getting a five-kilowatt solar energy system, you could plan to spend about $17,350 for parts and installation. Find more information on specific component and solar panel costs in the table.

Financing Solar Energy in Clovis

There are many ways to pay for a new solar system, and the right one will reduce your expenses. A few of the most common options include leases, loans, power purchase agreements (PPAs), and cash payments. Though it requires a large up-front payment, cash is the most cost-effective choice because it qualifies you for solar incentives and doesn't accrue interest. Solar loans are the next best option. As with a car or home loan, you'll pay a monthly rate towards system ownership, including interest. You can still apply for cost-saving solar incentives, and depending on your lender, you could put as little as $0 down. Solar leases allow you to pay a monthly fee to rent your panels, while a PPA lets you pay a fluctuating rate based on only the energy you use. We generally advise against these options since you will not have ownership of your system and are disqualified from solar incentives, but they might be suitable in certain circumstances. We advise working with an installer that offers multiple financing options. Speak with each consultant about what's available, and acquire more than one estimate for the best odds of keeping within your budget.

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

You are eligible for a 26% federal solar tax credit for new solar energy devices until the year 2032. Municipal and state governments and utility companies might also offer rebates, discounts, and unique financing solutions that could save you more.

Sources

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