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Best 5 Solar Companies in San Gabriel, CA
The best solar company in San Gabriel is SunPower by True Power Solar.
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- Updated 2024-04-18 00:00:00
San Gabriel homeowners are committed to preserving its natural resources and living greener lifestyles. That's why many homeowners are purchasing panels from the top solar professionals for their homes. 7,288 homes in the area already use a solar PV or water heating system. Certified installers will therefore have the exact experience you need to join the solar trend with confidence. Discover San Gabriel's top-rated solar companies and learn crucial decision-making tips on this page.
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
- Builds custom, high-efficiency solar systems suited to each home
- Extensive coverage area throughout the country
- Offers energy storage and EV charger add-ons
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
- Provides system monitoring
- Offers diverse financing options for various budgets
- Provides EV and solar battery solutions
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
- Offers 7 panel brand options
- 25-year workmanship warranty
- Offers battery options
5 Best Solar Companies in San Gabriel
Brands are algorithmically curated from a database of local service providers near you. We require a minimum number of Google reviews and average ratings for provider inclusion.
SunPower by True Power Solar
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
SunPower by Sun Solar-OC
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
SunPower by Sea Bright Solar
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
Precis Solar
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
Altadena Energy & Solar
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
Ranking Methodology
We assessed a multitude of San Gabriel solar installers, using the following criteria to choose the best:
- Panel quality and brand offerings: The leading solar companies remain current on new technology, providing equipment from reliable, innovative manufacturers.
- Experience and professional licensure: Each company on our list meets state and city licensing requirements and keeps current with industry best practices. Many of them have served the San Gabriel community for a decade or longer.
- Customer reviews and feedback: Most San Gabriel solar providers have both positive and critical reviews. However, a good review ratio shows a company's dependability and responsiveness to issues.
- Warranty and service offerings: Solar contractors should stand behind their products and services with warranties. We evaluated how each installer responds to issues and warranty claims, focusing on timeliness and customer satisfaction.
- Educational approach: Solar technicians must be excellent teachers. They should tap into their years of experience address your questions on how to care for your system and maximize its performance.
Facts about San Gabriel
- Average Max Temperature:71°F
- Solar Payback Period:9 years
- Average Daily Sunlight:72%
- Homes Powered by Solar:7,288
- Average Annual Energy Bill:$1,185
- Solar Power per Capita:82.1%
Benefits of Solar Energy
Solar energy offers multiple advantages that will enhance your home for years to come.
- Better energy independence: Adding a battery storage system lets you have trustworthy energy during grid outages and storms.
- Lowered energy bills: You can skip the premium cost of grid-tied power by producing some electricity at home. Plus, many states provide net metering which can allow you to sell your unused energy back to help pay for your energy bill.
- 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 Gabriel Homeowners?
California homeowners who upgrade to solar could qualify for rebates, special financing, reimbursements and tax credits. Here are just a few of the region's incentive offerings.
Incentive Type:Property Tax Incentive
Website:http://www.boe.ca.gov/proptaxes/active-solar-energy-system.htm#Description
Incentive Amount:
100% of system value; 75% of system value exemption for dual-use equipment
Incentive Type:PACE Financing
Website:https://wrcog.us/DocumentCenter/View/4469/CPP-V2-2018-FINAL
Incentive Amount:
Eligible products can be financed for up to 25 years, depending on the useful life of the eligible product.
Minimum financing: $5,000
The financing may not exceed fifteen percent (15%) of the market value of the property, up to the first seven hundred thousand dollars ($700,000) of the property’s market value, and ten percent (10%) of the remaining value of the Property above seven hundred thousand dollars ($700,000) minus any PACE assessment on the propertyThe total amount of any annual property taxes and assessments shall not exceed five percent (5%) of the property's fair market value, determined at the time program financing is approved.
Incentive Type:PACE Financing
Incentive Amount:
Locally determined
Incentive Type:Rebate Program
Website:https://www.selfgenca.com/
Incentive Amount:
For projects 30 kW or larger, 50% of incentive will be received up-front; 50% will be received based on actual kWh production over the first 5 years. For projects under 30kW, 100% of the incentive will be paid up front.
Incentives will step down over time. See below for incentive amounts.
Incentive Type:Feed-in Tariff
Incentive Type:Feed-in Tariff
Website:https://www.ladwp.com/fit
Incentive Amount:
$0.17/kWh adjusted by a time of delivery multiplier
Base price will step down over time as certain MW goals are met
Incentive Type:Rebate Program
Website:http://www.gosolarcalifornia.ca.gov/solarwater/index.php
Incentive Amount:
Step 1 Incentive Rates (contact utility to determine current incentive levels):
Single Family Residential Incentives:
Systems that displace natural gas: $29.85 per estimated therm displaced
Systems that displace electricity or propane: Funding has been exhausted
Commercial/Multifamily Incentives:
Systems that displace natural gas: $20.19 per estimated therm displaced
Systems that displace electricity or propane: $0.42 per estimated kWh displaced *** Note, funding has been exhausted in this category for SCE and PG&E
Solar Pool heating: $5.00 per estimated therm displaced
Incentive Type:Personal Tax Credit
Website:https://www.ecowatch.com/solar/ev-appliance-solar-tax-credit-calculator
Incentive Amount:
30% federal tax credit for systems placed in service after 12/31/2021 and before 01/01/2033. Good for: solar water heat, solar photovoltaics, biomass, geothermal heat pumps, wind (small), fuel cells using renewable fuels.
How To Choose the Best Solar Company in San Gabriel
The more informed your company research is, the better your photovoltaic system will ultimately perform. Consider all of these factors in your business 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, HVAC, boilers, water heaters, and pool heaters. 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 prestigious are the PV Installation Professional and Solar Heating Installer certificates, granted 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 Gabriel
Your solar modules' type will influence how much electricity you can produce. Monocrystalline panels are among the highest quality and cost the most but perform the best. Polycrystalline panels generate less, but they're a great traditional option for low budgets. Thin-film panels have a low cost and are excellent for non-traditional roofs, but aren't recommended for large home installations.
Additional system add-ons, 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 every solar provider includes these add-ons, so look for a company that installs 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 Gabriel. Check the table in this section to get an idea of what amount San Gabriel solar companies might quote for your specific solar system's price.
| Solar Panel Cost | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Solar Monocrystalline | $1,193.93 |
| Solar Polycrystalline | $931.26 |
| Thin-Film | $544.43 |
| Solar Battery | $764.11 |
| Solar Home EV Charger | $2,865.43 |
Financing Solar Energy in San Gabriel
Solar contractors offer multiple different financing options to increase your savings and lower your costs. Though some providers offer unique payment plans, the most common are solar loans, power purchase agreements (PPAs), cash payments and solar leases. Most solar experts recommend a cash payment or using a solar loan. Cash payments demand 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. Much like a home or auto 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) enables you to pay a monthly rate based only on the energy you use, akin to an electric bill. We generally don’t recommend these two options because you won't own the system and are disqualified from using solar incentives. Look for companies that offer several 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 San Gabriel.
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.
| Solar System Capacity | Estimated Payback period |
|---|---|
| 1 kW | 1.4 years |
| 2 kW | 2.7 years |
| 5 kW | 6.8 years |
| 10 kW | 13.7 years |
Frequently Asked Questions about Solar in San Gabriel
On average, San Gabriel homeowners shell out around $1,185 per year on electric bills. Once you repay your solar array, you could reduce your costs by $1,317.57 per kilowatt you produce.
Yes, solar energy is becoming increasingly popular in San Gabriel. Some homes already generate solar power on-site or through utility grids, and they're fortified by a state solar economy with 74255 job opportunities and counting.
Yes, a solar PV system will boost your property value. According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), for every dollar you save on energy bills, your home value rises by $20. So, if your panels save you $600 per year on energy costs, your property could appreciate $12,000.
One common way to calculate your home's solar viability is by using PVWatts. This powerful free tool considers tree cover, local weather and topography, system size, and panel efficiency to determine how much power your array could generate. However, it's not a substitute for consulting with a solar expert, who can create a full estimate with the most updated data.
Modern solar systems are built to last. The average model is good for 25 years of service. Budget panels tend to have reduced longevity than premium models.
To preserve your solar system's efficiency, inspections and cleanings every six months are usually enough. In dry or dusty seasons, your panels might need cleanings every few months. Your technician can recommend a maintenance schedule. Its team could also do the cleaning for you.
To enhance your solar system's performance, you can use the following steps:
- optimize the panels' position with your solar installer
- regularly clean your solar panels
- upgrade to a more efficient inverter trim or cut down trees in the way of your panels
- use energy-efficient appliances
Net metering is a method that credits solar homeowners for any excess electricity they generate and send back to the grid.
Some states or energy providers oblige you to participate in net metering when purchasing your solar system, while others give you a choice. Either way, once you join, you'll get a check or bill credit for your excess generation at a wholesale or retail rate.
Sources
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