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Best 5 Solar Companies in Montclair, CA
The best solar company in Montclair is SunPower by True Power Solar.
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- Updated 2024-04-18 00:00:00
Montclair homeowners are intentional about protecting the environment and living sustainably. That's why many people are purchasing panels from the best solar professionals for their homes. Local homeowners might go for solar to break free of high power costs from sources like natural gas. An experienced team can help you install and adjust a system that meets your energy needs without being too expensive. Discover Montclair's top-rated solar companies and learn crucial decision-making advice 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 Montclair
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 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.
SunPower by Sea Bright Solar
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
Precis Solar
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
JDC Energy
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
Ranking Methodology
Our team has meticulously studied dozens of solar providers near Montclair, concentrating on the following criteria:
- Educational approach and support: Solar technicians must be knowledgeable. They should use their years of experience address your questions on how to look after your system and improve its performance.
- Warranty and service offerings: Solar contractors should stand behind their systems and services with warranties. We evaluated how each installer responds to issues and warranty claims, focusing on promptness and customer happiness.
- Feedback and reviews from customers: Most Montclair solar installers have both favorable and unfavorable reviews. However, a good review ratio shows a company's dependability and responsiveness to issues.
- Experience and professional licensure: Each installer on our list meets state and city licensing requirements and stays up to date with industry best practices. Many of them have served the Montclair community for over 15 years.
- Panel brands and quality: The top solar companies stay up-to-date with new technology, providing equipment from reliable, innovative manufacturers.
Facts about Montclair
- Average Max Temperature:77°F
- Solar Payback Period:9 years
- Average Daily Sunlight:72%
- Homes Powered by Solar:7,496
- Average Annual Energy Bill:$1,185
- Solar Power per Capita:95.6%
Benefits of Solar Energy
Solar energy provides multiple advantages. Let's look at a few of them.
- Better energy independence: Photovoltaic solar panel systems with battery storage systems work through power outages and emergencies, and you won't have to depend on the grid for your safety and comfort.
- Lowered energy bills: Solar panels let you generate your own energy to power your home, reducing your periodic electricity costs. Going off-grid can eliminate your bills completely. Plus, a significant number of states offer net metering, which permit you to earn money by selling your unused energy back to the grid.
- Reduced carbon footprint: Using clean solar power means you're less dependent on fossil fuels, which emit harmful greenhouse gasses.
What Solar Incentives Are Available to Montclair Homeowners?
California agencies and electric companies offer a variety of solar incentives to help minimize your solar system costs. Here is a breakdown of relevant solar programs where you live.
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 Montclair
Choosing a company is the first step toward an effective and valuable solar system. Consider each of these factors 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, boilers, water heaters, HVAC, and pool heaters. Contractors must complete a highly comprehensive educational series, gain four years of experience as an apprentice or journeyman, and pass written exams to earn a license. You should also visit a company's website to learn about its private certifications. Two of the most prestigious are the PV Installation Professional and Solar Heating Installer certificates, awarded 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 Montclair
The kind of solar panels you select dictates how much power you can generate. 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.
Additional components, such as battery storage and electric vehicle (EV) chargers, will increase your overall installation costs. However, they might make your solar system more efficient and convenient to use. Not every solar provider includes these additional features, so look for a contractor that sells them if it's essential for you.
If you're a resident of Montclair and are considering getting a five-kilowatt solar energy system, you could plan to spend about $17,350 for materials and labor. Find more information on specific component and solar panel costs in the table.
| 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 Montclair
Choosing the best financing option will influence your overall solar system cost and possible savings. Common payment options include power purchase agreements, leases, loans, and cash payments. We recommend paying with cash or securing a solar loan for the best return on investment (ROI). Cash payments require a hefty sum up-front, but you’ll pay the least long-term by avoiding interest. You’ll also own your system and can apply for solar panel incentives to reduce your total costs. Solar loans are another solid option if you don’t want to make a big initial investment. You can pay for your system in installments while still enjoying energy bill savings and solar incentives. However, you’ll pay more in total due to accruing interest. Solar leases involve paying a set monthly rate to use rooftop panels. A PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) permits you to pay a monthly rate based only on the energy you use, similar to an electric bill. We typically don’t recommend these two choices because you won't own the panels and are disqualified from using solar incentives. Look for contractors that offer multiple payment plans to find the right fit for your financial needs.
The table below lists the average payback periods for different capacities of solar systems in Montclair.
A 26% federal solar tax credit applies to recently-purchased solar equipment purchased through 2032. Further incentives may be available through city and state governments, usually in the form of rebates and special financing programs.
| 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 Montclair
Most Montclair homeowners spend about $1,185 on energy each year. Your costs could drop by $1,307.60 for each kilowatt you generate after you pay off a solar array.
Yes, solar energy is readily available in Montclair. A growing number of local homes already use solar power on-site or through utility grids, and California has about 74255 jobs comprising its solar economy.
Yes, solar panels will raise your property value. According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, for every dollar you save on energy bills, your home value rises by $20. So, if your panels save you $600 per year on energy costs, your property could appreciate $12,000.
Today's solar panels are impressively durable, lasting up to 25 years. Monocrystalline options and other top-tier models tend to last longer than cheaper models.
Solar panels don't need much upkeep to keep working for your home. All you'll need to do is inspect and clean the panels every six months or as necessary in dusty seasons. Solar companies frequently offer maintenance packages to assist in your system's care.
The average Montclair solar system size is 2.9 kilowatts (kW). However, your final system size depends on your family's electricity usage. Your surrounding shading, roof size, and panel model could also impact your final result. A professional solar installer will consider these factors and determine the right system size for your home.
To enhance your solar system's performance, you can try the following strategies:
- optimize the panels' position with your solar installer
- regularly clean your solar panels
- upgrade to a more efficient inverter trim or cut down trees in the way of your panels
- use energy-efficient appliances
Net metering is a method that credits solar homeowners for any excess electricity they generate and send back to the grid.
Some states or energy providers oblige you to participate in net metering when purchasing your solar system, while others give you a choice. Either way, once you participate, you'll earn a check or bill credit for your excess generation at a wholesale or retail rate.
Sources
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