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Best 5 Solar Companies in El Dorado Hills, CA
The best solar company in El Dorado Hills is Sunrun Solar.
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- Updated 2024-04-18 00:00:00
El Dorado Hills homeowners are increasingly using solar panels to power their homes and heat their water. If you live in one of the area's many old homes, you might doubt your electrical system would accommodate solar panels. However, new technology and knowledgeable installers can help these homeowners access eco-friendly, clean power. Discover El Dorado Hills' best 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 El Dorado Hills
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.
Sunrun Solar
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
1215 Striker Ave Ste 120, Sacramento, CA 95834
(916) 547-5250
www.sunrun.com/solar-by-state/ca/sacr...
Sun Up Electric Inc.
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
Modernize Power
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
Bright Home Services
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
Eagle Energy
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
Ranking Methodology
Our team has carefully researched dozens of solar providers near El Dorado Hills, focusing on the following criteria:
- Reviews and feedback from customers: Most El Dorado Hills solar contractors have both positive and critical reviews. However, a good review ratio demonstrates a company's dependability and responsiveness to issues.
- Experience and professional licensure: Each company 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 El Dorado Hills community for a decade or longer.
- Service offerings and warranties: Solar installers should stand behind their equipment and services with warranties. We evaluated how each contractor responds to issues and warranty claims, focusing on promptness and customer happiness.
- Panel quality and brand offerings: The leading solar companies remain current on 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 answer your questions on how to look after your system and maximize its performance.
Facts about El Dorado Hills
- Average Max Temperature:61°F
- Solar Payback Period:8 years
- Average Daily Sunlight:67%
- Homes Powered by Solar:8,603
- Average Annual Energy Bill:$1,538
- Solar Power per Capita:99.8%
Benefits of Solar Energy
Solar energy offers numerous advantages that will enhance your home for years to come.
- Smaller power bills: Producing some or all of your own energy will cut power costs long-term. Plus, some states provide net metering programs that make it possible for you to sell your surplus energy back to the grid, generating additional credits toward your energy bill.
- Better energy independence: Adding a solar battery storage system lets you have reliable energy during storms and grid outages.
- Reduced carbon footprint: Using clean solar power lowers your dependence on conventional, less environmentally-friendly sources.
What Solar Incentives Are Available to El Dorado Hills Homeowners?
Governments and power companies often reward homeowners for switching to solar. Here are some of the tax credits, rebates, or other programs you could qualify for.
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:Rebate Program
Website:https://www.smud.org/en/residential/environment/solar-for-your-home/financing-options.htm
Incentive Amount:
$300
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 El Dorado Hills
The cost and effectiveness of solar panels often depend on the provider that mounted them. Make your choice based on the following important considerations.
Licensing and Training
California requires solar companies to hold licenses for each type of equipment they install, which can include solar pool heaters, HVAC, water heaters, photovoltaic (PV) systems, and boilers. Contractors must complete a highly comprehensive educational series, gain four years of field experience, and pass written exams to earn licensure. 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, backed 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 El Dorado Hills
The type of solar panels you select determines how much electricity you can produce. 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 meant for large home installations, but they're excellent for small projects like sheds and RVs.
If you need to charge an electric car or use your solar power in inclement weather, you can pay extra for add-ons. By selecting the right components, you can make your panel array more efficient and user-friendly. Not all solar companies provide these additional features, so look for a company that sells them if it's essential for you.
You can plan to spend about $17,350 on average for a five-kilowatt solar energy system in El Dorado Hills. Check the table in this section to get an idea of how much El Dorado Hills solar companies might quote for your specific solar system's price.
| Solar Panel Cost | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Solar Monocrystalline | $1,128.21 |
| Solar Polycrystalline | $880.01 |
| Thin-Film | $514.47 |
| Solar Battery | $722.06 |
| Solar Home EV Charger | $2,707.71 |
Financing Solar Energy in El Dorado Hills
Solar providers use multiple different financing options to lower your costs and increase your savings. Though some providers offer unique payment plans, the most common are power purchase agreements (PPAs), solar loans, 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 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 auto loan, you'll pay a set monthly rate with potentially $0 down. Solar leases allow you to pay a monthly rate to rent your panels, while a power purchase agreement lets you pay a fluctuating rate based on only the energy you use. We generally don't recommend 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 recommend working with a contractor that offers multiple financing options. Speak with each agent about what's available, and secure more than one estimate for the best odds of keeping within your spending limits.
The table below lists the average payback periods for different capacities of solar systems in El Dorado Hills.
The IRS allows you to claim a 26% federal tax credit for solar panels on total system costs, so long as you purchase it before 2032. Municipal authorities and utilities might also offer their own rebates, financing programs, and incentives that could save you more money.
| 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 El Dorado Hills
Most El Dorado Hills homeowners spend about $1,538 on energy each year. Your costs could drop by $1,613.91 for each kilowatt you generate after you pay off a solar array.
Yes, solar energy is reaching new heights in El Dorado Hills. Some homes already generate solar power on-site or through utility grids, and they're backed by a state solar economy with 74255 jobs and counting.
Yes, new solar systems lead to higher property values according to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL.) Homeowners could project a $20 property value increase for each dollar they save on energy. Therefore, $600 in energy savings could increase your home's value by $12,000.
Your solar job's duration will depend on its complexity and size, as well as El Dorado Hills' permit and inspection procedures. It could take a couple of weeks to a couple of months on average.
The average El Dorado Hills solar system size is 3.1 kilowatts (kW). However, your final system size depends on your home's electricity usage. Your panel model, surrounding shading, and roof size could also impact your final result. A professional solar company will consider these factors and determine the right array size for your home.
Most El Dorado Hills homeowners pay back a solar loan in 7.5 years. You can shorten the payback period by paying off extra loan principal each month.
A power purchase agreement (PPA) is a contract between you and your installer. They set up, own, and care for the panels, and you purchase the generated electricity from them for 10–25 years. There will usually be options to buy out early to own your system and extend the agreement.
In contrast, solar loans can come from the government, local banks, installer and specialty lenders. You'll need to pass a credit check to qualify for most of them. While the upfront costs are more expensive, and you'll be responsible for maintenance, you'll also have complete ownership and can apply for many more benefits.
Sources
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