Best 5 Solar Companies in Danville, CA

With Danville's clear skies and little rainfall, it's an excellent area for families and businesses aiming to harness the extra sunlight by buying panels from one of the best solar companies. While switching to solar energy comes with upfront costs, local homeowners could ultimately save $1,700 per kilowatt on their electric bills. A professional technician can help you select the best panels to maximize your savings. Discover Danville's top-rated solar companies and learn key decision-making advice on this page.

Ranking Methodology

Our team focuses on the following criteria to assess the best Danville solar companies.

• Customer reviews and feedback: Most Danville solar providers have both favorable and unfavorable reviews. However, a good review ratio shows a company's reliability and responsiveness to issues.
• Panel quality and brand offerings: The top solar companies remain current on new technology, providing equipment from innovative, dependable manufacturers.
• Service offerings and warranties: Solar contractors should stand behind their equipment and services with warranties. We evaluated how each installer responds to issues and warranty claims, focusing on promptness and customer satisfaction.
• Experience and professional licensure: Each installer on our list complies with state and city licensing requirements and keeps current with industry best practices. Many of them have served the Danville community for a decade or longer.
• Educational programs and business model: Solar technicians must be knowledgeable. They should tap into their years of experience answer your questions on how to maintain your system and improve its performance.

Benefits of Solar Energy

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

• Reduced carbon footprint: Using clean solar power reduces your dependence on fossil fuels, which release greenhouse gases that damage the environment.
• Lower utility costs: Sourcing some or all of your own power will spend less on electricity long-term. Plus, some states provide net metering programs that enable you to sell your surplus energy back to the grid, generating additional credits toward your energy bill.
• Better energy independence: Solar panel systems with energy storage systems work through power outages and emergencies, and you won't have to depend on the grid for your safety and well-being.

What Solar Incentives Are Available to Danville Homeowners?

California's public agencies and power companies offer a variety of solar incentives to help minimize your solar system costs. Here's a breakdown of relevant solar programs where you live.

How To Choose the Best Solar Company in Danville

The more thorough your company research is, the better your photovoltaic system will ultimately work. Here are some key items to consider while searching for a solar company.

Licensing and Training

California requires solar companies to hold licenses for each type of equipment they install, which can include solar water heaters, boilers, pool heaters, photovoltaic (PV) systems, and HVAC. 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. You should also visit a company's website to learn about its private accreditations. Two of the most prestigious are the Solar Heating Installer and PV Installation Professional certificates, awarded 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 Danville

The kind of solar panels you purchase dictates how much energy you can generate. Monocrystalline panels and high-quality and give you the best performance but cost more upfront. 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 the best for large residential installations, but they are excellent accessories for non-traditional roofs.

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 panel array more productive and user-friendly. Not all solar providers provide these add-ons, so look for a company that sells them if it's important for you.

You can plan to spend about $17,350 on average for a five-kilowatt solar energy system in Danville. Check the table in this section to get an idea of how much Danville solar companies might quote for your specific solar system's price.

Financing Solar Energy in Danville

There are numerous ways to pay for a new solar system, and the right one will minimize your overhead. A few of the most common options include loans, leases, cash payments, and power purchase agreements (PPAs). We suggest making a cash payment or securing a solar loan for the highest 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 have full ownership of your system and can apply for solar panel incentives to reduce 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 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) permits you to pay a monthly rate determined by the energy you use, akin to an electric bill. We typically don’t recommend these two options because you won't own the solar system and are disqualified from using solar incentives. We advise working with a company that offers multiple financing options. Speak with each agent about what's available, and obtain more than one estimate for the best odds of staying within your spending limits.

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

A 26% federal solar tax credit applies to new residential solar equipment purchased through 2032. Extra incentives may be available through city and state governments, usually in the form of rebates and special financing programs.

Sources

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