We may be compensated if you purchase through links on our website. Our Reviews Team is committed to delivering honest, objective, and independent reviews on home products and services.
Best 5 Solar Companies in San Juan Capistrano, CA
The best solar company in San Juan Capistrano is SunPower by Sun Solar-OC.
Get matched with a top local pro
Join the 10,601 people who have received a free, no-obligation quote in the last 30 days
- Fact Checked
Fact checked by one of our trusted team members.
- Updated 2024-04-18 00:00:00
San Juan Capistrano homeowners are increasingly using solar panels to produce their electricity and heat their water. If you're considering going solar, you might be worried about costly initial investments. By collaborating with a skilled installer, you'll have both the economic and technical support you need for a successful transition. Discover San Juan Capistrano's best solar companies and learn important 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 Juan Capistrano
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 Sun Solar-OC
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
Precis Solar
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
SunPower by True Power Solar
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.
SunPower by Milholland Electric
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
Ranking Methodology
Our team used the following criteria to determine the best San Juan Capistrano solar companies.
- Panel brands and quality: The best solar companies remain current on new technology, providing equipment from cutting-edge and trustworthy manufacturers.
- Educational approach: Solar technicians must be knowledgeable. They should tap into their years of experience answer your questions on how to care for your system and improve its performance.
- 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 timeliness and customer happiness.
- Certifications and licenses: Each provider on our list meets state and city licensing requirements and keeps current with industry best practices. Many of them have been a part of the San Juan Capistrano community for a decade or longer.
- Customer feedback and reviews: Most San Juan Capistrano solar installers have both favorable and unfavorable reviews. However, a good review ratio demonstrates a company's reliability and responsiveness to issues.
Facts about San Juan Capistrano
- Average Max Temperature:70°F
- Solar Payback Period:8 years
- Average Daily Sunlight:71%
- Homes Powered by Solar:6,612
- Average Annual Energy Bill:$1,659
- Solar Power per Capita:92.4%
Benefits of Solar Energy
Solar energy offers numerous advantages that will enhance your home for years to come.
- Lower utility costs: Generating some or all of your own electricity will save you money on your electric bills long-term. Plus, some states offer net metering programs that enable you to sell your surplus energy back to the grid, generating additional credits toward your energy bill.
- Better energy independence: Adding a solar battery storage system lets you have trustworthy energy during grid outages and storms.
- Reduced carbon footprint: Utilizing solar is a surefire way to decrease your carbon footprint and home fossil fuel dependency.
What Solar Incentives Are Available to San Juan Capistrano Homeowners?
The state of California offers several solar incentives to help cut your solar system costs. Check out a breakdown of relevant solar programs where you live.
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 Juan Capistrano
Choosing a company is the first step toward an effective and valuable solar energy system. 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 water heaters, photovoltaic (PV) systems, boilers, pool heaters, and HVAC. Contractors must complete a highly comprehensive educational series, gain four years of field experience, and pass written exams to secure a license. Check a company's website for private accreditations from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), one of the solar sector's most trusted trade groups. Its program includes certifications for both solar photovoltaic and water heating installers.
Cost of Solar Panels in San Juan Capistrano
The kind of solar panels you choose determines how much electricity 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 recommended for large residential installations, but they are ideal for small projects like converting RVs and sheds.
If you need to charge an electric vehicle (EV) or use your solar power in dark weather, you can pay extra for add-ons. By selecting the right components, you can make your system more efficient and convenient to use. Not all solar companies offer these add-ons, so look for a provider that installs them if it's important for you.
If you're a resident of San Juan Capistrano and are considering getting a five-kilowatt solar energy system, you could plan to spend about $17,350 for parts and installation. Find more information on specific component and solar panel costs in the table.
| Solar Panel Cost | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Solar Monocrystalline | $1,235.00 |
| Solar Polycrystalline | $963.30 |
| Thin-Film | $563.16 |
| Solar Battery | $790.40 |
| Solar Home EV Charger | $2,964.00 |
Financing Solar Energy in San Juan Capistrano
There are a plethora of ways to pay for a new solar system, and the right one will minimize your overhead. A few of the most common options include loans, cash payments, leases, and power purchase agreements (PPAs). Most solar experts recommend paying cash or using a solar loan. Cash payments require a large up-front sum, but they save you from 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 car or home loan, you'll pay a set monthly rate with as little as $0 down. Solar leases allow you to pay a monthly rate to rent your panels, while a PPA lets you pay a fluctuating rate based on only the energy you use. We generally don't recommend these options since you will not have ownership of your system and are disqualified from solar incentives, but they might be appropriate in particular circumstances. Look for companies that offer two or more payment plans to find the right fit for your financial needs.
The table below lists the average payback periods for different capacities of solar systems in San Juan Capistrano.
You are eligible for a 26% federal solar tax credit for new solar energy devices until the year 2032. City and state officials and utility companies might also offer rebates, discounts, and unique financing solutions that could save you 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 Juan Capistrano
On average, San Juan Capistrano homeowners shell out around $1,659 per year on power bills. Once you pay off your solar array, you could reduce your costs by $1,479.19 for every kilowatt you produce.
Yes, solar energy is becoming increasingly popular in San Juan Capistrano. 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, solar energy systems will raise your property value. According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 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.
Your solar job's duration will depend on its complexity and size, as well as San Juan Capistrano's permit and inspection procedures. It could take a couple of weeks to two months on average.
The average San Juan Capistrano solar system size is 2.9 kilowatts (kW). However, your final system size depends on your household's power consumption. Your roof size, surrounding shading, and panel model could also impact your final result. A professional solar company will consider these factors and determine the right array size for your home.
The average payback period for a solar loan in San Juan Capistrano is 8.2 years. By paying off extra principal each month, you can shorten the payback period and own your system faster.
To enhance your solar system's performance, you can implement 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
Most utilities and states offer net metering programs, and some mandate homeowners to join. Once you enroll, you can get a check or bill credit for any surplus electricity you produce and send to the grid. Generally, power companies reimburse solar homeowners at a wholesale or "avoided-cost" rate.
Sources
Explore Useful Articles On Solar
How Do Solar Panels Work? (2024)
Tamara Jude-December 19, 2023
How Many Solar Panels Do I Need? (2024 Guide)
Tamara Jude-December 19, 2023
Monocrystalline vs. Polycrystalline Solar Panels (2024 Guide)
Tamara Jude-December 19, 2023
Types of Solar Panels (2024 Guide)
January 31, 2024
What Are the Environmental Benefits of Solar Energy?
Tamara Jude-December 18, 2023