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Best 5 Solar Companies in Union City, CA
The best solar company in Union City is SunPower.
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- Updated 2024-04-18 00:00:00
With Union City's clear skies and below-average rainfall, it's a great area for families and businesses aiming to harness the extra sunlight by buying panels from one of the best solar installers. With all the options to choose from in this concrete jungle, you might feel swamped searching for a top-notch contractor. In this guide, we'll show you Union City's best solar providers and offer suggestions for your company choice, so you can find the perfect one for your household.
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 Union City
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
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
Solar Bill Review
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
Semper Solaris
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
Simply Solar
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
Infinity Energy
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
Ranking Methodology
Our team focuses on the following criteria to determine the best Union City solar companies.
- Panel brands and quality: The top solar companies remain current on new technology, providing equipment from innovative, dependable manufacturers.
- Educational approach and support: Solar technicians must be good teachers. They should use their years of experience address your questions on how to look after your system and maximize its performance.
- Service offerings and warranties: Solar contractors should stand behind their equipment and services with warranties. We evaluated how each contractor responds to issues and warranty claims, focusing on promptness and customer satisfaction.
- Certifications and credentials: Each installer on our list complies with state and city licensing requirements and stays up to date with industry best practices. Many of them have served the Union City community for a decade or longer.
- Customer reviews and feedback: Most Union City solar contractors have both positive and critical reviews. However, a good review ratio shows a company's dependability and responsiveness to issues.
Facts about Union City
- Average Max Temperature:70°F
- Solar Payback Period:7 years
- Average Daily Sunlight:68%
- Homes Powered by Solar:13,755
- Average Annual Energy Bill:$1,538
- Solar Power per Capita:93.1%
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 reliable energy during storms and grid outages.
- Reduced carbon footprint: Using clean solar power lowers your dependence on conventional, less environmentally-friendly sources.
- Lowered energy bills: With solar energy systems, you produce power without paying the tacked-on costs of grid-connected power. You can eliminate your bills completely if you go off-grid. Plus, a significant number of states offer net metering, which permit you to earn money by selling your unused energy back to the grid.
What Solar Incentives Are Available to Union City Homeowners?
The state of California offers several solar incentives to help reduce your solar system costs. Below is 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 Union City
Choosing a company is the first step toward an effective and cost-efficient solar system. Make your choice based on the following crucial aspects.
Licensing and Training
California requires solar companies to hold licenses for each type of equipment they install, which can include solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, pool heaters, water heaters, boilers, and HVAC. Contractors must take a highly comprehensive educational series, gain four years of field experience, and pass written exams to secure a license. Solar providers can also obtain certificates from trade groups and standards organizations. The most respected ones in the industry come from the NABCEP. Most company websites will prominently display earned credentials, but you should also ask your estimator for more information.
Cost of Solar Panels in Union City
Your photovoltaic panels' type will impact how much energy 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 are excellent for non-traditional roof shapes and cost the least, but don't work well for large residential installations.
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 companies offer these add-ons, so look for a provider that sells them if it's important for you.
You can plan to spend about $17,350 on average for a five-kilowatt solar energy system in Union City. Use the table in this section to get an idea of how much Union City solar companies might quote for your specific solar system's price.
| Solar Panel Cost | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Solar Monocrystalline | $1,417.14 |
| Solar Polycrystalline | $1,105.37 |
| Thin-Film | $646.22 |
| Solar Battery | $906.97 |
| Solar Home EV Charger | $3,401.14 |
Financing Solar Energy in Union City
Choosing the ideal financing plan will impact your overall solar system cost and expected savings. Common payment options include cash payments, power purchase agreements, loans, and 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. 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 determined by the energy you use, like an electric bill. We generally don’t recommend these two options because you won't own the solar system and are disqualified from using solar incentives. We advise working with an installer that offers multiple financing options. Speak with each representative about what's available, and acquire more than one estimate for the best odds of staying within your budget.
The table below lists the average payback periods for different capacities of solar systems in Union City.
A 26% federal solar tax credit applies to recently-purchased solar equipment purchased through 2032. Further incentives may be available through city and state governments, usually in the form of rebates and special financing programs.
| 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 Union City
On average, Union City homeowners shell out approximately $1,538 per year on energy bills. Once you pay off your solar array, you could reduce your costs by $1,749.02 per kilowatt you produce.
Yes, solar energy is readily available in Union City. A growing number of area homes already use solar power on-site or through utility grids, and California has about 74255 jobs comprising its solar economy.
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 increases 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 local weather and topography, panel efficiency, tree cover, and system size to determine how much electricity your array could generate. However, it's not a substitute for consulting with a local solar installation company, who can create a full estimate with the most updated data.
Modern solar installations are designed for durability. The average panel provides 25 years of reliable power. Lower-cost panels tend to last shorter than premium models.
Most Union City homeowners pay back a solar loan in 6.9 years. You can shorten the payback period by paying off extra loan principal each month.
After you sign a power purchase agreement, your solar contractor will not charge to set up and take care of your new panel array. Instead, you'll pay them only for the electricity you generate. Typically, PPAs last for 10–25 years or until you "buy out" of the contract.
If you choose a lease, you'll make fixed payments each month.
With both leases and PPAs, you don't own your panels and lose eligibility for most incentives. Further, you'll have to "buy out" or transfer the contract if you sell your home during the term.
It's wise to obtain at least three different estimates before committing to a single solar installer. This lets you evaluate warranty options, pricing, product quality, and customer feedback. It also lets you gauge an installer's responsiveness, reliability and knowledge, all of which are positive signs.
Sources
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