Best 5 Solar Companies in Poway, CA

How To Choose the Best Solar Company in Poway

The price and efficacy of solar panels often rely on which company mounted them. Here are some essential aspects to keep in mind while searching for a solar company.

Licensing and Training

California requires solar companies to hold licenses for each type of equipment they install, which can include solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, pool heaters, boilers, water heaters, and HVAC. Contractors must complete a highly comprehensive educational series, gain four years of field experience, and pass written exams to earn licensure. Look 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 Poway

Your solar panels' style 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 are excellent for non-traditional roof shapes and cost the least, but don't work well for large residential installations.

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

You can plan to spend about $17,350 on average for a five-kilowatt solar energy system in Poway. Check the table in this section to get an idea of how much Poway solar companies might quote for your specific solar system's price.

Financing Solar Energy in Poway

There are numerous ways to pay for a solar energy system, and the right one will lower your costs. A few of the most common options include power purchase agreements (PPAs), leases, cash payments, and loans. We suggest 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 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 spend more in total due to accruing interest. 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, akin to an electric bill. We usually don’t recommend these two choices because you won't own the panels and cannot use solar incentives. Look for providers that offer two or more payment plans to find the right fit for your pocket.

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

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. Local governments and utilities might also offer their own incentives, rebates, and financing programs that could save you more money.