Best 5 Solar Companies in Oakley, CA

With Oakley's clear skies and little rainfall, it's a perfect area for families and businesses looking to harness the additional sunlight by purchasing panels from one of the best solar companies. While switching to solar energy comes with upfront costs, local homeowners could ultimately save $1,700 per kilowatt on their electric bills. A professional company can help you select the best panels to maximize your savings. In this article, we'll show you Oakley's best solar companies and offer advice for your company choice, so you can find the right one for your residence.

Ranking Methodology

Our team used the following criteria to assess the best Oakley solar companies.

• Experience and professional licensure: Each installer on our list complies with state and city licensing requirements and stays up to date with industry best practices. Many of them have served the Oakley community for a decade or longer.
• Panel quality and brand offerings: The best solar companies remain current on new technology, offering equipment from reliable, innovative manufacturers.
• Educational approach and support: Solar technicians must be knowledgeable. They should utilize their years of experience answer your questions on how to look after your system and optimize its performance.
• Warranty and service offerings: Solar installers should stand behind their systems and services with warranties. We evaluated how each provider responds to issues and warranty claims, focusing on promptness and customer happiness.
• Customer reviews and feedback: Most Oakley solar installers have both favorable and unfavorable reviews. However, a good review ratio shows a company's trustworthiness and responsiveness to issues.

Benefits of Solar Energy

Solar energy offers several advantages that will enhance your home for years to come.

• Better energy independence: Photovoltaic solar panel systems with battery backups and storage systems work through power outages and emergencies, and you won't have to depend on the grid for your safety and comfort.
• Reduced carbon footprint: The sun is a highly abundant clean energy source, meaning you can reduce or eliminate your home's dependence on fossil fuels.
• Lower utility costs: Generating some or all of your own power will spend less on electricity long-term. Plus, some states provide net metering programs that allow you to sell your extra energy back to the grid, generating additional credits toward your energy bill.

What Solar Incentives Are Available to Oakley Homeowners?

California homeowners who choose solar could qualify for reimbursements, rebates, tax credits and special financing. Here are just a few of the region's incentive programs.

How To Choose the Best Solar Company in Oakley

The price and performance of solar panels often hinge on the provider that mounted them. Make your choice based on the following essential elements.

Licensing and Training

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

Cost of Solar Panels in Oakley

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 car or use your solar power in inclement weather, you can pay extra for add-ons. By selecting the right components, you can make your system more productive and user-friendly. Not every solar contractor offers these additional features, so look for a provider that sells them if it's important for you.

If you're a resident of Oakley and want a five-kilowatt solar energy system, you could plan to spend about $17,350 for parts and installation. See more information on specific component and solar panel costs in the table.

Financing Solar Energy in Oakley

Choosing the right financing solution will affect your overall solar system cost and potential savings. Common payment options include loans, cash payments, power purchase agreements, and leases. We suggest making a cash payment or using a solar loan for the highest 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 have full ownership of your system and can apply for solar panel incentives to minimize your total costs. Solar loans are another good option if you don’t want to make a big initial investment. You can pay for your system in installments while still benefiting from 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) lets you pay a monthly rate based only on the energy you use, similar to an electric bill. We typically don’t recommend these two options because you won't own the solar system and cannot use solar incentives. We suggest working with a provider that offers multiple financing options. Talk to each salesperson about what's available, and obtain more than one estimate for the best odds of staying within your budget.

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

The IRS allows you to claim a 26% federal tax credit for solar panels on your new solar panels, so long as you purchase it before 2032. City and state governments and utilities might also offer their own financing programs, incentives, and rebates 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