Best 5 Solar Companies in San Bruno, CA

With San Bruno's clear skies and little rainfall, it's a perfect area for families and businesses aiming to harness the added sunlight by purchasing panels from one of the best solar companies. Solar experts take a personalized and educational approach, helping homeowners understand the underlying technology and tailor it to their requirements. On this page, we'll highlight San Bruno's best solar companies and share insightful advice for your solar journey.

Ranking Methodology

We assessed a multitude of San Bruno solar companies, using the following criteria to determine the superior:

• Customer reviews and feedback: Most San Bruno solar providers have both favorable and unfavorable reviews. However, a good review ratio shows a company's reliability and responsiveness to issues.
• Warranty and service offerings: Solar installers should stand behind their systems and services with warranties. We evaluated how each company responds to issues and warranty claims, focusing on timeliness and customer happiness.
• Certifications and credentials: Each provider on our list complies with state and city licensing requirements and keeps current with industry best practices. Many of them have served the San Bruno community for more than a decade.
• Panel quality and brand offerings: The top solar companies stay up-to-date with new technology, providing equipment from reliable, innovative manufacturers.
• Educational programs and business model: Solar technicians must be good teachers. They should use their years of experience answer your questions on how to care for your system and improve its performance.

Benefits of Solar Energy

Solar energy provides multiple advantages. Here are some highlights.

• Lower energy bills: Generating some or all of your own power will spend less on electricity long-term. Plus, some states provide net metering programs that enable you to sell your unused energy back to the grid, generating additional credits toward your energy bill.
• Better energy independence: Adding a battery backup or storage system lets you have reliable energy during storms and grid outages.
• Reduced carbon footprint: The sun is a highly abundant clean energy source, meaning you can minimize or conquer your home's dependence on fossil fuels.

What Solar Incentives Are Available to San Bruno Homeowners?

California's public agencies and power companies offer numerous solar incentives to help cut your solar system costs. Below is a breakdown of available solar programs where you live.

How To Choose the Best Solar Company in San Bruno

The cost and efficiency of solar panels often rely on the solar company that mounted them. Consider all of these elements in your service provider search.

Licensing and Training

California requires solar companies to hold licenses for each type of equipment they install, which can include solar pool heaters, HVAC, water heaters, boilers, and photovoltaic (PV) systems. Contractors must complete 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 accreditations. Two of the most recognized are the Solar Heating Installer and PV Installation Professional certificates, backed 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 San Bruno

The type of solar panels you purchase dictates how much power you can produce. Monocrystalline panels and high-quality and cost more but give you the best performance. Polycrystalline panels work with a tried-and-true mechanism and cost less, but produce less power. Thin-film panels aren't the best for large residential installations, but they are excellent accessories for non-traditional roofs.

Additional components, such as electric vehicle (EV) chargers and battery storage, will increase your overall installation costs. However, they might make your solar system more efficient and convenient to use. Not all solar contractors include these optional components, so look for a provider that sells them if it's important for you.

You can expect to pay about $17,350 on average for a five-kilowatt solar energy system in San Bruno. Use the table in this section to get an idea of the amount San Bruno solar companies might quote for your specific solar system's price.

Financing Solar Energy in San Bruno

There are various 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 leases, power purchase agreements (PPAs), loans, and cash payments. Though it involves a large up-front payment, cash is the most cost-effective choice because it doesn't accrue interest and qualifies you for incentives. Solar loans are the runner-up option. As with a car or home loan, you'll pay a monthly rate towards system ownership, including interest. You can still apply for valuable solar incentives, and depending on your lender, you could put 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 determined by the energy you use, like an electric bill. We typically don’t recommend these two choices because you won't own the solar system and are disqualified from using solar incentives. Ask each business you're considering about the payment options it offers. A consultant can help you determine the most suitable option for your financial situation.

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

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. Municipal authorities and utilities might also offer their own incentives, rebates, and financing programs 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