Best 5 Solar Companies in Redding, CA

With Redding's clear skies and below-average rainfall, it's an excellent area for homeowners and businesses hoping to harness the added sunlight by purchasing panels from one of the best solar companies. Solar installers take a distinctively educational approach, helping homeowners understand the underlying technology and tune it to their requirements. In this guide, we'll show you Redding's best solar companies and offer advice for your company choice, so you can find the perfect one for your residence.

Ranking Methodology

Our team has researched dozens of solar installers near Redding, emphasizing the following criteria:

• Service offerings and warranties: Solar providers should stand behind their equipment and services with warranties. We evaluated how each provider responds to issues and warranty claims, focusing on promptness and customer happiness.
• Reviews and feedback from customers: Most Redding solar contractors have both favorable and unfavorable reviews. However, a good review ratio demonstrates a company's trustworthiness and responsiveness to issues.
• Professional licenses and credentials: Each provider on our list meets state and city licensing requirements and stays up to date with industry best practices. Many of them have been a part of the Redding community for over 15 years.
• Panel quality and brand offerings: The leading solar companies remain current on new technology, offering equipment from cutting-edge and trustworthy manufacturers.
• Educational approach: Solar technicians must be knowledgeable. They should tap into their years of experience address your questions on how to look after your system and optimize its performance.

Benefits of Solar Energy

Solar energy has numerous advantages that will enhance your home for years to come.

• Better energy independence: Adding a battery backup or storage system lets you have trustworthy energy during storms and grid outages.
• Lowered energy bills: You can dodge the premium cost of grid-tied power by generating some electricity right where you use it. Plus, many states provide net metering which can allow you to sell your unused energy back for credits on your bill.
• Reduced carbon footprint: Embracing solar is a surefire way to decrease your carbon footprint and home fossil fuel dependency.

What Solar Incentives Are Available to Redding Homeowners?

Governments and utility companies often incentivize homeowners for switching to solar. Here are some of the rebates, tax credits or other programs you could qualify for.

How To Choose the Best Solar Company in Redding

The more thorough your provider search is, the better your solar panels will ultimately perform. Make your choice based on the following vital factors.

Licensing and Training

California requires solar companies to hold licenses for each type of equipment they install, which can include solar pool heaters, boilers, photovoltaic (PV) systems, HVAC, and water heaters. Contractors must take a highly comprehensive educational series, gain four years of field experience, and pass written exams to secure a license. You should also visit a company's website to learn about its private certifications. Two of the most respected are the Solar Heating Installer and PV Installation Professional certificates, awarded by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP). Some companies don't publish this information online, so you should also ask your estimator about them.

Cost of Solar Panels in Redding

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 produce less power, but start at a more budget-friendly price point. 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.

Additional accessories, such as battery storage and electric vehicle (EV) chargers, will add to your overall installation costs. However, they might make your solar system more efficient and convenient to use. Not every solar contractor includes these optional components, so look for a provider that installs them if it's crucial for you.

If you're a resident of Redding and are looking into a five-kilowatt solar energy system, you could expect to pay about $17,350 for parts and installation. Find more information on specific component and solar panel costs in the table.

Financing Solar Energy in Redding

There are many ways to pay for a new solar system, and the right one will help you decrease overhead. A few of the most common options include loans, power purchase agreements (PPAs), leases, and cash payments. Most solar experts recommend paying cash or using a solar loan. Cash payments require a large up-front sum, but they help you avoid paying interest, grant you system ownership, and qualify you for cost-saving solar incentives. Solar loans have the same benefits, though you'll pay more in total due to interest and fees. Like a car or home loan, you'll pay a set monthly rate with as little as $0 down. 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, as with an electric bill. We typically don’t recommend these two options because you won't own the panels and are disqualified from using solar incentives. Ask each business you're vetting about the payment plans it offers. A consultant can help you determine the most suitable option for your pocketbook.

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

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