Best 5 Solar Companies in Morgan Hill, CA

With Morgan Hill's clear skies and below-average rainfall, it's an ideal area for families and businesses hoping to harness the added sunlight by purchasing panels from one of the best solar installers. While switching to solar energy comes with upfront costs, local homeowners could ultimately save $1,800 per kilowatt on their electric bills. A professional technician can help you choose the best panels to maximize your savings. Discover Morgan Hill's best solar companies and learn crucial decision-making tips on this page.

Ranking Methodology

We analyzed a multitude of Morgan Hill solar installers, using the following criteria to select the finest:

• Warranty and service offerings: Solar providers should stand behind their equipment and services with warranties. We evaluated how each company responds to issues and warranty claims, focusing on promptness and customer happiness.
• Panel quality and brand offerings: The leading solar companies stay up-to-date with new technology, offering equipment from innovative, dependable manufacturers.
• Customer feedback and reviews: Most Morgan Hill solar providers have both favorable and unfavorable reviews. However, a good review ratio indicates a company's trustworthiness and responsiveness to issues.
• Educational approach: Solar technicians must be good teachers. They should tap into their years of experience address your questions on how to look after your system and improve its performance.
• 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 Morgan Hill community for more than a decade.

Benefits of Solar Energy

Solar energy offers multiple advantages. Here are some highlights.

• Better energy independence: Solar panel systems with battery storage systems operate through blackouts and emergencies, and you won't have to depend on the electrical grid for your safety and comfort.
• Reduced carbon footprint: Adopting solar is a surefire way to reduce your carbon footprint and home fossil fuel dependency.
• Lower utility costs: Sourcing some or all of your own electricity will spend less on electricity long-term. Plus, some states offer net metering programs that enable you to sell your unused energy back to the grid, generating additional credits toward your energy bill.

What Solar Incentives Are Available to Morgan Hill Homeowners?

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

How To Choose the Best Solar Company in Morgan Hill

The price and efficiency of solar panels often hinge on the provider that mounted them. Consider each of these factors in your service provider search.

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, photovoltaic (PV) systems, 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 licensure. Solar providers can also earn accreditations from standards organizations and trade groups. The most respected ones in the industry come from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners. Most company websites will prominently display earned credentials, but you should also ask your estimator for more information.

Cost of Solar Panels in Morgan Hill

Your solar panels' model will affect how much energy you can generate. Monocrystalline panels are among the highest quality and cost the most but perform the best. 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.

If you'd like to charge an electric vehicle (EV) or use your solar power in inclement weather, you can pay extra for add-ons. By choosing the right components, you can make your system more effective and user-friendly. Not all solar contractors offer these additional features, so look for a company that sells them if it's a priority for you.

A majority of Morgan Hill homeowners opt for solar systems designed for five kilowatts (kW) of electrical capacity. These systems run about $17,350 to set up, considering both materials and labor. You can see more specific solar cost information in the table.

Financing Solar Energy in Morgan Hill

There are many ways to pay for a new solar system, and the right one will minimize your overhead. A few of the most common options include loans, cash payments, leases, and power purchase agreements (PPAs). Though it requires a large up-front payment, cash is the most cost-effective choice because it doesn't accrue interest and qualifies you for incentives. Solar loans are the second most effective option. As with a car loan or mortgage, you'll pay a monthly rate towards system ownership, including interest. You can still apply for money-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) allows you to pay a monthly rate based only on the energy you use, as with an electric bill. We generally don’t recommend these two options because you won't own the system and are disqualified from using solar incentives. Look for contractors that offer two or more payment plans to find the right fit for your budget.

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

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 financing programs, rebates, 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