Best 5 Solar Companies in Porterville, CA

How To Choose the Best Solar Company in Porterville

Choosing a company is the first step toward a well-oiled and cost-efficient solar energy system. Here are some key items to remember while shopping for a solar specialist.

Licensing and Training

California requires solar companies to hold licenses for each type of equipment they install, which can include solar pool heaters, boilers, water heaters, photovoltaic (PV) systems, and HVAC. 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 industry's most respected trade groups. Its program includes certifications for both solar photovoltaic and water heating installers.

Cost of Solar Panels in Porterville

The style of solar panels you purchase dictates how much electricity you can produce. Monocrystalline panels and high-quality and cost more but give you the best performance. 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 recommended for large residential installations, but they are ideal for small projects like converting RVs and sheds.

You can also add electric vehicle (EV) chargers and battery backup systems. These will increase your total installation cost, but they can maximize your solar system's efficiency. Not all solar contractors include these additional features, so look for a provider that installs them if it's essential for you.

Generally speaking, it costs about $17,350 for a five-kilowatt solar array in Porterville. This table displays more specific pricing information for different solar panel types and system components in your area.

Financing Solar Energy in Porterville

There are various ways to pay for new solar panels, and the right one will minimize your overhead. A few of the most common options include leases, cash payments, loans, and power purchase agreements (PPAs). We suggest paying with cash or securing 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 monthly 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, like an electric bill. We generally don’t recommend these two choices because you won't own the panels and are disqualified from using solar incentives. We recommend working with a provider that offers multiple financing options. Ask each salesperson about what's available, and get 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 Porterville.

A 26% federal solar tax credit applies to new residential solar equipment purchased through 2032. Additional incentives may be available through city and state governments, usually in the form of rebates and special financing programs.