Best 5 Solar Companies in Lodi, CA

With Lodi's clear skies and below-average rainfall, it's an excellent area for families and businesses seeking to harness the added sunlight by buying panels from one of the best solar installers. While going solar comes with upfront costs, local homeowners could ultimately save $1,700 per kilowatt on their electric bills. A professional company can help you choose the best panels to maximize your savings. Discover Lodi's top-rated solar companies and learn crucial decision-making strategies on this page.

Ranking Methodology

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

• Panel quality and brand offerings: The leading solar companies remain current on new technology, providing equipment from cutting-edge and trustworthy manufacturers.
• Educational programs and business model: Solar technicians must be knowledgeable. They should tap into their years of experience answer your questions on how to care for your system and optimize its performance.
• Customer reviews and feedback: Most Lodi solar companies have both favorable and unfavorable reviews. However, a good review ratio shows a company's reliability and responsiveness to issues.
• Professional licenses and credentials: Each company on our list complies with state and city licensing requirements and keeps current with industry best practices. Many of them have served the Lodi community for more than a decade.
• Service offerings and warranties: Solar installers should stand behind their products and services with warranties. We evaluated how each contractor responds to issues and warranty claims, focusing on promptness and customer satisfaction.

Benefits of Solar Energy

Solar energy comes with multiple advantages. Let's look at a few of them.

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

What Solar Incentives Are Available to Lodi Homeowners?

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

How To Choose the Best Solar Company in Lodi

The price and performance of solar panels often depend on the provider that installed them. Here are some key items to bear in mind while shopping for a solar provider.

Licensing and Training

California requires solar companies to hold licenses for each type of equipment they install, which can include solar water heaters, HVAC, boilers, pool heaters, and photovoltaic (PV) systems. Contractors must take a highly comprehensive educational series, gain four years of experience as an apprentice or journeyman, and pass written exams to secure a license. Look for private accreditations from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), one of the solar industry's most trusted trade groups. Its program includes certifications for both solar photovoltaic and water heating installers.

Cost of Solar Panels in Lodi

The type of solar panels you purchase dictates how much energy 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.

You can also add electric car (EV) chargers and battery backup systems. These will increase your total installation cost, but they can boost your solar system's efficiency. Not every solar contractor includes these add-ons, so look for a contractor that installs them if it's essential for you.

If you're a resident of Lodi and want a five-kilowatt solar energy system, you could expect to pay about $17,350 for materials and labor. Find more information on specific component and solar panel costs in the table.

Financing Solar Energy in Lodi

There are various ways to pay for a new solar system, and the right one will reduce your expenses. A few of the most common options include cash payments, loans, power purchase agreements (PPAs), and leases. Most solar experts recommend a cash payment or using a solar loan. Cash payments demand a large up-front sum, but they help you avoid 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 as little as $0 down. Solar leases involve paying a set monthly rate to use rooftop panels. A PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) enables you to pay a monthly rate based only on the energy you use, like an electric bill. We typically don’t recommend these two options because you won't own the system and cannot use solar incentives. Look for companies that offer two or more payment plans to find the right fit for your wallet.

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

A 26% federal solar tax credit applies to new home solar systems purchased through 2032. Further incentives may be available through local 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