Best 5 Solar Companies in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA

Rancho Palos Verdes residents are purposeful about conserving resources and living greener lifestyles. That's why many homeowners are purchasing panels from the top 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 set up and tune a system that fits your energy needs without being too expensive. On this page, we'll highlight Rancho Palos Verdes' best solar companies and provide expert advice for your solar journey.

Ranking Methodology

Our team used the following criteria to determine the best Rancho Palos Verdes solar companies.

• Customer feedback and reviews: Most Rancho Palos Verdes solar companies have both favorable and unfavorable reviews. However, a good review ratio demonstrates a company's reliability and responsiveness to issues.
• Educational programs and business model: Solar technicians must be good teachers. They should utilize their years of experience address your questions on how to maintain your system and optimize its performance.
• Panel brands and quality: The leading solar companies remain current on new technology, offering equipment from cutting-edge and trustworthy manufacturers.
• Warranty and service offerings: Solar installers 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 satisfaction.
• Professional licensure and experience: 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 Rancho Palos Verdes community for over 15 years.

Benefits of Solar Energy

Solar energy provides multiple advantages that will enhance your home for years to come.

• Lowered energy bills: Solar panels let you generate your own energy to power your home, minimizing your monthly electricity costs. Going off-grid can eliminate your bills completely. Plus, a significant amount of states have adopted net metering, which permit you to earn money by selling your unused energy back to the grid.
• Better energy independence: Photovoltaic solar panel systems with battery storage systems function through power outages and emergencies, and you won't have to rely on the electrical grid for your safety and comfort.
• Reduced carbon footprint: The sun is one of the universe's most abundant clean energy sources, meaning you can minimize or conquer your home's dependence on non-renewable sources.

What Solar Incentives Are Available to Rancho Palos Verdes Homeowners?

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

How To Choose the Best Solar Company in Rancho Palos Verdes

Choosing a company is the first step toward a well-oiled and cost-efficient solar array. Consider each of these elements in your company 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, pool heaters, boilers, water heaters, and HVAC. 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. Solar installers can also earn accreditations from trade groups and standards organizations. The most prestigious 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 Rancho Palos Verdes

Your solar panels' type will impact how much electricity you can produce. 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 are excellent for non-traditional roof shapes and cost the least, but don't work well for large residential installations.

Additional system add-ons, 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 all solar providers offer these additional features, so look for a provider that installs them if it's essential for you.

Generally speaking, it will cost about $17,350 for a five-kilowatt solar array in Rancho Palos Verdes. This table shows more specific prices for different solar panel types and system components in your area.

Financing Solar Energy in Rancho Palos Verdes

Solar companies use multiple different financing options to lower your costs and increase your savings. Though some providers offer unique payment plans, the most common are solar leases, power purchase agreements (PPAs), solar loans and cash payments. Though it requires a large up-front payment, cash is the most affordable choice because it doesn't accrue interest and qualifies you for incentives. Solar loans are the next best option. As with a car or home loan, 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 let you rent your panels for a fixed monthly rate, while PPAs let you pay just for the energy you use, similar to an electric bill. Both options disqualify you for solar incentives and don't grant you system ownership. Solar experts generally don't recommend them, but they might be suitable in some cases. We recommend working with a provider that offers multiple financing options. Ask each agent about what's available, and acquire more than one estimate for the best odds of keeping within your budget.

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

You can claim a 26% federal solar tax credit from the IRS for new residential solar systems purchased before 2032. Additionally, utilities and local governments may have their own rebates and financing plans that could reduce your total cost even more.

Sources

• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
• U.S. Department of Energy