Best 5 Solar Companies in Santa Barbara, CA

How To Choose the Best Solar Company in Santa Barbara

Choosing a company is the first step toward an effective and valuable solar array. Make your choice based on the following important considerations.

Licensing and Training

California requires solar companies to hold licenses for each type of equipment they install, which can include solar boilers, pool heaters, HVAC, water heaters, 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. Solar companies can also obtain accreditations from trade groups and standards organizations. The top 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 Santa Barbara

Different solar panel types look and perform differently. Monocrystalline panels cost more than other options, but they generate the most power 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.

If you'd like to charge an electric vehicle (EV) or use your solar power in inclement weather, you can pay extra for accessories. By selecting the right components, you can make your panel array more effective and convenient to use. Not all solar companies provide these additional features, so look for a contractor that sells them if it's a priority for you.

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

Financing Solar Energy in Santa Barbara

There are various ways to pay for a solar energy system, and the right one will reduce your expenses. A few of the most common options include leases, power purchase agreements (PPAs), loans, 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. Similar to a home or auto 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 power purchase agreement lets you pay a variable 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 suitable in certain circumstances. We recommend working with an installer that offers multiple financing options. Talk to each agent about what's available, and obtain more than one estimate for the best odds of keeping within your financial plan.

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

A 26% federal solar tax credit applies to recently-purchased solar equipment purchased through 2032. Further incentives may be available through local governments, usually in the form of rebates and special financing programs.