Should I Lease or Buy Solar Panels?

Should I Purchase Batteries?

Solar Roof Shingles vs. Panels

Costs and Savings of Solar

Choosing the Best Solar Company for You

Which Solar Panels are Best for Me?

Tesla

Tesla is one of the largest solar producers in Fresno, and the largest solar installation provider in the United States. With over 300,000 customers across the nation, Tesla’s commitment to providing affordable solar throughout the country is unparalleled.

With a 2018 market cap of over $50 billion, Tesla is a well-established global leader in the renewable energy sector. Through a combination of innovation and acquisitions, Tesla can claim expertise in the the production and distribution of electric vehicles, lithium-ion batteries, and solar panels at a scale that draws few global rivals.

Tesla acquired SolarCity in 2016 and has leveraged this acquisition to expand its offering of solar energy products and services. Tesla is a unique solar company in that it both manufactures solar panels and solar batteries, in addition to installing these products as well.

Tesla can be reached through its website at https://www.tesla.com/energy.

Vivint

Founded in 2011, Vivint Solar is one of the fastest-growing residential solar providers, due to its focus on affordability and service. It’s also one of the most forward-thinking. Vivint Solar has plans to tighten its grip on the residential market by introducing trend-setting smart home technology into its product line in 2017.

This complete home solution will control everything from solar panels to kitchen appliances with Sky, a home assistant that can make suggestions, determine the mode it should switch to (away, night, etc.), and adjust conditions accordingly. Customers will be able to configure preferred settings to automate heating, air conditioning, lighting, dishwashers, and more to increase the comfort and efficiency of their homes.

CEO David Bywater holds a Bachelor of Science degree in economics from Brigham Young University and an MBA from Harvard Business School. He currently serves on the board of Youthlinc, a Utah nonprofit that fosters global citizenship by offering local and international service experiences. Bywater and Vivint Solar are equally committed to improving the environment through clean, renewable energy.

Vivint Solar can be reached through its website at vivintsolar.com, or by phone at (877) 404-4129.

Sunrun

This San Francisco-based residential installer is one of the most popular solar companies in the United States, owing to its focus on affordability. Sunrun is also well-regarded by consumer groups for its exceptionally transparent payment plans.

Founded in 2007, the company now employs more than 1,000 people who design and install high-quality solar systems. Customers can take advantage of a lifetime warranty, free support, and an optional BrightBox home energy storage system for backup during storms and outages. …Read More

Petersen Dean

To counteract the frequent blackouts and scheduled brownouts in California, Petersen Dean sells backup batteries in addition to their solar energy systems, so people can take advantage of stored energy from their environmentally friendly equipment.

Petersen Dean designed their batteries to not be affected during blackouts and brownouts and can set them so they keep essential equipment like refrigerators running. The firm additionally offers complete solar energy systems which come with a free initial quote or consultation, full system design, installation, and the first powering up.

The firm serves residents of Fresno and only uses equipment made in the United States to encourage local industries. Petersen Dean is a partner of numerous American-based businesses such as Mission Solar Energy. The firm fixes in its customers’ rates after purchase and installation, so clients pay the same rate throughout the duration of their contract with no additional charges.

Petersen Dean can be reached through its website at https://petersendean.com/ or its phone number 877-552-4418.

Enver Energy

This Tustin-based company offers comprehensive home energy services including solar, HVAC, window, and roofing solutions that address power generation and efficiency at the same time. While Enver Energy was founded as recently as 2013, owners Ben and Benson Kane have decades of experience in the contracting industry.

Customers generate energy at 35% more per watt than the California average, and the company does not offer or recommend battery storage systems. However, its installers are certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), and Enver is well-regarded by its customers. The Better Business Bureau gives it an A- rating, and Qualified Remodeler ranked Enver #41 out of the Top 500 remodelers in the country.

Enver also participates in the Home Energy Renovation Opportunity (HERO) program, which works with local governments to make energy efficient, water efficient, and renewable energy products more affordable for the average homeowner. The company is one of only 12 Channel Partners in the program who have been vetted for quality, pricing, and customer reviews.

Enver Energy can be reached through its website at enverenergy.com, or by phone at (877) 404-0551.

Horizon Solar Power

Horizon Solar Power designs, creates, and installs complete solar energy systems for commercial and residential properties while also handling the hassle of finding the required permits.

The firm serves residents of Fresno and the nearby region and additionally offers full home consultations to determine whether or not a property can handle the prerequisites of solar energy equipment. Potential clients can also receive free quotes from Horizon Solar Power’s professionals, and the company carefully vets the laws of the region to ensure its customers receive the maximum savings, rebates, and incentives available.

Horizon Solar Power realizes that affording an environmentally-friendly solar system can be difficult, so the firm offers a variety of financing options like loans and solar PPAs. The company has installed over 8,000 systems since its inception and was ranked #7 in the 2015 Top Solar Contractors in the U.S. by Solar Power World magazine.

Horizon Solar Power can be reached through its website at http://www.horizonsolarpower.com/ or its phone number 855-857-2567.

Semper Solaris

Kelly Shawhan and John Almond founded Semper Solaris using professional and honorable principles from Mr. Shawhan’s experience in the U.S. Marine Corp, including the motto of Semper Fidelis, or “alway faithful.”

Semper Solaris serves residents of Fresno and offers a broad range of discounts for members of the military, police, and fire department. Customers can request full service in fluent English or Spanish, and the firm is known for its free energy analyses. The free energy analysis allows a property to determine whether or not solar energy is a viable alternative and if their area can handle the prerequisites of solar panels.

Some of the available services from the company include property evaluation, the development and design of customized energy systems, the installation of equipment, and the initial system activation. Semper Solaris uses PV solar panels and other products from SunPower and was named the 2015 and 2016 SunPower “Residential National Dealer of the Year” because of its quality and customer service.

Semper Solaris can be reached through its website at https://www.sempersolaris.com/ or its phone number 888-210-3366.

Complete Solar

Complete Solar is a solar energy company which claims to manage the largest network of Sales and Installation partners in the United States to ensure clients receive the best quality systems and equipment.

The company sells directly to consumers to be cost effective and partners with a variety of local businesses, including installers, roofing contractors, financiers, and marketers. Interested individuals can contact Complete Solar for a free quote, and the company serves many types of residences.

The firm serves residents of Fresno and the nearby area. Its team of qualified employees offer different services such as full building analysis to determine if a property can handle solar energy, the design and creation of a customized solar energy system, and complete installation. Complete Solar takes pride in its speedy installation times and uses state-of-the-art equipment which allows it to evaluate a property in minutes.

Complete Solar can be reached through its website at http://completesolar.com/ or its phone number 877-299-4943.

SunPower

Headquartered in San Jose, SunPower is a residential, commercial and utility-scale installer that has survived for decades in the solar industry through innovation. While many solar companies focus on cost, SunPower emphasizes efficiency.

The company designs and manufactures its own high-quality solar panels, resulting in a 22% efficiency rate – the highest in the industry. In addition to its elegant, all-black panels, it offers a minimalist mounting system that blends in with many roof surfaces and enhances aesthetics. Satisfied customers give SunPower an A+ rating through the Better Business Bureau.

Founder and CEO Tom Dinwoodie earned degrees in Structural Engineering from Cornell University, Mechanical Engineering from MIT, and Architecture from UC Berkeley. He holds more than 30 patents on photovoltaic systems. Dinwoodie’s direction has earned SunPower a place in the global market. The company is competitive in North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia.

SunPower doubled its annual income in 2014, and continues to grow quickly. So far, the company has installed more than 18 million MWh of solar energy, including a large-scale, multi-campus project for the Bonita Unified School District it completed in early 2017. It dedicates equal attention to large and small projects alike.

SunPower can be reached through its website at us.SunPower.com, or by phone at 800-SunPower.

RGS

RGS Energy has been providing solar in California since 1978. It now has a national presence and 11 field offices. To date, RGS has installed more than 25,000 systems totaling 260 MW of solar energy. RGS Solar has decades of experience in the solar industry, which it leverages to provide distinguished service to residential, small commercial, and government clients.

RGS Energy is a contender for some of the largest solar contracts in central California. It has hundreds of projects in Fresno under its belt, as well as installations for Yale University, the U.S. Naval Air Station in Fallon, Nevada, Aetna Insurance, and the City of San Pablo.

RGS Energy has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, which reflects its commitment to customer service. Testimonials highlight the company’s commitment to completing projects from start to finish, its simple approach to financing, and the overall quality of its installations.

Forbes Magazine recognizes RGS Energy’s commitment to providing affordable solar with innovative discount options for customers. For example, an innovative partnership with BMW granted BMW customers a 35% discount on solar installations through RGS Energy, with options to purchase or lease the solar installation.

RGS Energy can be reached through its website at rgsenergy.com, or by phone at (888) 567-6527.