We may be compensated if you purchase through links on our website. Our Reviews Team is committed to delivering honest, objective, and independent reviews on home products and services.
Best 5 Solar Companies in Milpitas, CA
The best solar company in Milpitas is SunPower.
Get matched with a top local pro
Join the 10,601 people who have received a free, no-obligation quote in the last 30 days
- Fact Checked
Fact checked by one of our trusted team members.
- Updated 2024-04-18 00:00:00
The Milpitas community is committed to protecting the environment and living greener lifestyles. That's why many homeowners are purchasing panels from the top solar installers for their homes. With all the options to choose from in this vibrant community, you might feel burnt out searching for a top-notch contractor. In this guide, we'll highlight Milpitas' best solar installers and offer advice for your company choice, so you can find the perfect one for your household.
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 Milpitas
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
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
TN Electrical and Solar Services
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
Highlight Solar
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
Soleeva
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
Clean Solar
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
Ranking Methodology
Our team has carefully researched dozens of solar installers near Milpitas, emphasizing the following criteria:
- Customer feedback and reviews: Most Milpitas solar contractors have both positive and critical reviews. However, a good review ratio reflects a company's reliability and responsiveness to issues.
- Educational programs and business model: Solar technicians must be good teachers. They should utilize their years of experience answer your questions on how to look after your system and maximize its performance.
- Panel quality and brand offerings: The top solar companies stay up-to-date with new technology, offering equipment from cutting-edge and trustworthy manufacturers.
- Experience and professional licensure: Each provider on our list complies with state and city licensing requirements and keeps current with industry best practices. Many of them have served the Milpitas community for more than a decade.
- Warranty and service offerings: Solar contractors should stand behind their equipment and services with warranties. We evaluated how each contractor responds to issues and warranty claims, focusing on timeliness and customer satisfaction.
Facts about Milpitas
- Average Max Temperature:71°F
- Solar Payback Period:7 years
- Average Daily Sunlight:69%
- Homes Powered by Solar:14,008
- Average Annual Energy Bill:$1,538
- Solar Power per Capita:94.0%
Benefits of Solar Energy
Solar energy offers several advantages that will enhance your home for years to come.
- Reduced energy costs: Sourcing some or all of your own energy will save you money on your electric bills long-term. Plus, some states provide net metering programs that enable you to sell your unused energy back to the grid, generating extra credits toward your energy bill.
- Reduced carbon footprint: Using clean solar power reduces your dependence on fossil fuels, which release greenhouse gases that damage the environment.
- Better energy independence: Solar panel systems with battery backups and storage systems operate through blackouts and emergencies, and you won't have to depend on the grid for your safety and well-being.
What Solar Incentives Are Available to Milpitas Homeowners?
Governments and power companies often reward homeowners for embracing 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: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 Milpitas
Choosing a company is the first step toward an effective and cost-efficient solar energy system. Consider each of these aspects in your company search.
Licensing and Training
California requires solar companies to hold licenses for each type of equipment they install, which can include solar boilers, HVAC, water heaters, 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. You should also visit a company's website to learn about its private credentials. 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 Milpitas
Your solar panels' type will impact how much power you can generate. Monocrystalline panels are among the highest quality and perform the best but cost the most. Polycrystalline panels offer you a budget panel with a traditional design, but at the cost of less power generation. Thin-film panels have a low cost and are excellent for non-traditional roofs, but aren't recommended for large home installations.
Additional accessories, such as battery storage and electric vehicle (EV) chargers, will raise your overall installation costs. However, they might make your solar system more efficient and convenient to use. Not all solar contractors provide these add-ons, so look for a company that sells them if it's a priority for you.
Most Milpitas homeowners select solar systems rated for five kilowatts (kW) of electrical capacity. These systems run about $17,350 to set up, considering both materials and labor. You can find more specific solar cost information in the table.
| Solar Panel Cost | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Solar Monocrystalline | $1,961.43 |
| Solar Polycrystalline | $1,529.91 |
| Thin-Film | $894.41 |
| Solar Battery | $1,255.31 |
| Solar Home EV Charger | $4,707.43 |
Financing Solar Energy in Milpitas
There are various ways to pay for a new solar system, and the right one will minimize your overhead. A few of the most common options include cash payments, leases, loans, and power purchase agreements (PPAs). Though it requires a large up-front payment, cash is the most cost-effective choice because it qualifies you for solar incentives and doesn't accrue interest. Solar loans are the second most effective option. As with a home or auto loan, you'll pay a monthly rate towards system ownership, including interest. You can still apply for cost-saving solar incentives, and depending on your lender, you could put as little as $0 down. Solar leases involve paying a set monthly rate to use rooftop panels. A PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) lets you pay a monthly rate based only on the energy you use, akin to an electric bill. We typically don’t recommend these two choices because you won't own the panels and cannot use solar incentives. Ask each provider you're evaluating about the payment plans it offers. A staff 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 Milpitas.
You can claim a 26% federal solar tax credit from the IRS for new residential solar systems purchased before 2032. Additionally, local governments and utilities may have their own rebates and financing plans that could reduce your total cost even more.
| 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 Milpitas
Most Milpitas homeowners spend about $1,538 on energy each year. Your costs could drop by $1,764.67 for each kilowatt you generate after you pay off a solar array.
Yes, solar energy is readily available in Milpitas. A growing number of area homes are already using solar power on-site or through utility grids, and California has about 74255 jobs forming its solar economy.
Yes, new solar systems translate 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.
Today's solar systems are remarkably durable, lasting up to 25 years. Monocrystalline panels and other top-tier models tend to work longer than less expensive models.
There's no universal answer for how long a solar project might take. Ultimately, it depends on panel style, the permitting and inspection process, the necessary prework, system size, and local weather. Many homeowners can be solar-ready within a few months from their initial estimate visit.
To preserve your solar system's efficiency, inspections and cleanings every six months are usually adequate. In dry or dusty seasons, your panels might need cleanings every one to two months. Your provider can recommend a maintenance schedule. Its team could also handle the cleaning for you.
A PPA is a contract between you and your provider. They set up, own, and care for the panels, and you buy 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, specialty lenders and installer. You'll need to pass a credit check to qualify for most of them. While the upfront costs are greater, and you'll be responsible for upkeep, you'll also have total ownership and can apply for many more incentives.
It's prudent to gather at least three different estimates before committing to a single solar provider. This lets you evaluate pricing, customer feedback, product quality, and warranty options. It also helps you assess a provider's knowledge, reliability and responsiveness, all of which are positive signs.
Sources
Explore Useful Articles On Solar
How Do Solar Panels Work? (2024)
Tamara Jude-December 19, 2023
How Many Solar Panels Do I Need? (2024 Guide)
Tamara Jude-December 19, 2023
Monocrystalline vs. Polycrystalline Solar Panels (2024 Guide)
Tamara Jude-December 19, 2023
Types of Solar Panels (2024 Guide)
January 31, 2024
What Are the Environmental Benefits of Solar Energy?
Tamara Jude-December 18, 2023