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Best 5 Solar Companies in Highland, CA
The best solar company in Highland is SunPower by Sea Bright Solar.
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- Updated 2024-04-18 00:00:00
Highland residents are committed to protecting the environment and living sustainably. That's why many people are purchasing panels from the top solar installers for their homes. Local homeowners might choose solar to break free of high power costs from sources like natural gas. A professional team can help you install and optimize a system that fits your energy needs without costing a fortune. Discover Highland's top-rated solar companies and learn key decision-making strategies 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 Highland
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 by Sea Bright Solar
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
SunPower by True Power Solar
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
SunPower by Sun Solar-OC
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
Precis Solar
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
Burgeson's Heating, A/C , Electrical, Solar & Plumbing
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
Ranking Methodology
We assessed a multitude of Highland solar installers, using the following criteria to choose the finest:
- Educational approach: Solar technicians must be knowledgeable. They should utilize their years of experience address your questions on how to maintain your system and improve its performance.
- Customer reviews and feedback: Most Highland solar companies have both positive and critical reviews. However, a good review ratio shows a company's trustworthiness and responsiveness to issues.
- Certifications and licenses: Each company on our list meets state and city licensing requirements and keeps current with industry best practices. Many of them have served the Highland community for over 15 years.
- Panel quality and brand offerings: The leading solar companies remain current on new technology, offering equipment from innovative, dependable manufacturers.
- Service offerings and warranties: Solar companies should stand behind their products and services with warranties. We evaluated how each installer responds to issues and warranty claims, focusing on timeliness and customer happiness.
Facts about Highland
- Average Max Temperature:77°F
- Solar Payback Period:9 years
- Average Daily Sunlight:72%
- Homes Powered by Solar:10,283
- Average Annual Energy Bill:$1,185
- Solar Power per Capita:95.6%
Benefits of Solar Energy
Solar energy comes with multiple benefits. Here are some highlights.
- Lowered energy bills: You can dodge the added cost of grid-tied power by producing some electricity right where you use it. Plus, many states provide net metering which can allow you to sell your unused energy back for credits on your bill.
- Reduced carbon footprint: Using clean solar power reduces your dependence on conventional, less environmentally-friendly sources.
- Better energy independence: Photovoltaic solar panel systems with battery storage systems operate through blackouts and emergencies, and you won't have to rely on your power company for your safety and comfort.
What Solar Incentives Are Available to Highland Homeowners?
California homeowners who decide on solar could qualify for tax credits, rebates, reimbursements and special financing. Here are just a few of the region's incentive programs.
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: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 Highland
The more thorough your company investigation is, the better your photovoltaic system will ultimately work. 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 HVAC, photovoltaic (PV) systems, pool heaters, boilers, and water heaters. Contractors must complete a highly comprehensive educational series, gain four years of field experience, and pass written exams to earn licensure. Look for private accreditations from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), among the solar sector's most trusted trade groups. Its program includes certifications for both solar photovoltaic and water heating installers.
Cost of Solar Panels in Highland
The kind of solar panels you select determines how much power 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 the best for large residential installations, but they are excellent accessories for non-traditional roofs.
If you need to charge an electric vehicle (EV) or use your solar power in cloudy weather, you can pay extra for add-ons. By selecting the right components, you can make your panel array more productive and user-friendly. Not every solar company provides these optional components, so look for a company that installs them if it's important for you.
You can expect to pay about $17,350 on average for a five-kilowatt solar energy system in Highland. Check the table in this section to get an idea of the amount Highland solar companies might quote for your specific solar system's price.
| Solar Panel Cost | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Solar Monocrystalline | $1,314.29 |
| Solar Polycrystalline | $1,025.14 |
| Thin-Film | $599.31 |
| Solar Battery | $841.14 |
| Solar Home EV Charger | $3,154.29 |
Financing Solar Energy in Highland
Choosing the right financing option will affect your overall solar system cost and expected savings. Common payment options include loans, cash payments, leases, and power purchase agreements. 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 car loan, you'll pay a set monthly rate with potentially $0 down. 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, as with an electric bill. We usually don’t recommend these two choices because you won't own the system and are disqualified from using solar incentives. We suggest working with an installer that offers multiple financing options. Ask each consultant about what's available, and acquire more than one estimate for the best odds of staying within your budget.
The table below lists the average payback periods for different capacities of solar systems in Highland.
The IRS allows you to claim a 26% federal tax credit for solar panels on the full cost of the solar system, so long as you purchase it before 2032. Municipal authorities and utilities might also offer their own incentives, financing programs, and rebates 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 Highland
Most Highland homeowners spend about $1,185 on energy each year. Your costs could drop by $1,345.33 for each kilowatt you generate after you pay off a solar array.
Yes, solar energy is readily available in Highland. A growing number of area homes already access solar power on-site or through utility grids, and California has about 74255 jobs forming its solar economy.
Yes, a solar PV system will increase your property value. According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, for every dollar you save 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.
Today's solar installations are impressively durable, lasting up to 25 years. Monocrystalline options and other premium models tend to last longer than less expensive models.
A typical Highland solar home uses a 2.9-kW panel array, but you might need a smaller system if your energy needs are higher. Solar experts will evaluate your property's power usage and roof shading to determine the right system for you.
Most Highland homeowners pay back a solar loan in 9.0 years. You can shorten the payback period by paying off extra loan principal each month.
Net metering is a system that credits solar homeowners for any excess electricity they generate and send back to the grid.
Some states or utilities require you to participate in net metering when purchasing your solar system, while others give you a choice. Either way, once you join, you'll earn a check or bill credit for your excess generation at a wholesale or retail rate.
While many online reviews are positive, even the leading solar companies might have critical feedback. You should know these early warning signs for the best odds of a well-done job:
- Pressuring you into signing a contract
- Not being straightforward about warranties, credentials and training, cost and references
- Limited or no customization
- Rushing through the site assessment
- Limited customer feedback
Sources
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