Best 5 Solar Companies in Hollister, CA

Hollister residents are purposeful about preserving its natural resources and embracing sustainability. That's why many homeowners are purchasing panels from the top solar professionals for their homes. While switching to solar energy comes with upfront costs, local homeowners could ultimately save $1,800 per kilowatt on their electric bills. A professional company can help you choose the best panels to maximize your savings. In this article, we'll showcase Hollister's best solar companies and offer tips for your company choice, so you can find the ideal one for your household.

Ranking Methodology

Our team focuses on the following criteria to determine the best Hollister solar companies.

• Experience and professional licensure: Each contractor 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 Hollister community for over 15 years.
• Feedback and reviews from customers: Most Hollister solar companies have both favorable and unfavorable reviews. However, a good review ratio indicates a company's dependability and responsiveness to issues.
• Service offerings and warranties: Solar installers should stand behind their systems and services with warranties. We evaluated how each installer responds to issues and warranty claims, focusing on timeliness and customer happiness.
• Panel brands and quality: The premier solar companies remain current on new technology, offering equipment from reliable, innovative manufacturers.
• Educational approach: Solar technicians must be good teachers. They should use their years of experience address your questions on how to maintain your system and maximize its performance.

Benefits of Solar Energy

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

• Lowered energy bills: Solar panels let you generate your own energy to power your home, lowering your periodic electricity costs. Going off-grid can eliminate your bills completely. Plus, a significant number of states have adopted net metering, which permit you to earn money by selling your unused energy back to the grid.
• Better energy independence: Solar panel systems with energy storage systems work through blackouts and emergencies, and you won't have to rely on your power company for your safety and comfort.
• Reduced carbon footprint: Using clean solar power lowers your dependence on conventional, less environmentally-friendly sources.

What Solar Incentives Are Available to Hollister Homeowners?

The state of California offers a number of solar incentives to help minimize your solar system costs. Check out a breakdown of relevant solar programs where you live.

How To Choose the Best Solar Company in Hollister

The more comprehensive your company research is, the better your solar installation will ultimately work. Consider each 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 photovoltaic (PV) systems, water heaters, HVAC, boilers, and pool heaters. Contractors must take a highly comprehensive educational series, gain four years of field experience, and pass written exams to secure a license. Look for private accreditations from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), among the solar sector's most respected trade groups. Its program includes certifications for both solar photovoltaic and water heating installers.

Cost of Solar Panels in Hollister

Different solar panel types look and perform differently. Monocrystalline panels offer the best energy production but cost more than other options and generally have the highest quality. Polycrystalline panels provide a lower price point but produce less power. Thin-film panels work well for small projects like RVs and sheds, but they're not ideal for larger installations due to their low performance.

If you'd like to charge an electric vehicle (EV) or use your solar power in cloudy weather, you can pay extra for accessories. By selecting the right components, you can make your panel array more productive and user-friendly. Not all solar providers offer these extras, so look for a provider that installs them if it's a priority for you.

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

Financing Solar Energy in Hollister

Choosing the best financing plan will influence your overall solar system cost and potential savings. Common payment options include loans, cash payments, power purchase agreements, and leases. 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. Similar to a car or home loan, you'll pay a set monthly rate with as little as $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 advise against these options since you won't own your system and are disqualified from solar incentives, but they might be suitable in specific circumstances. Ask each provider you're considering about the financing options it offers. A team member can help you determine the optimal option for your pocketbook.

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

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 rebates, financing programs, and incentives that could save you more money.

Sources

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