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 synonymous with innovation and ingenuity in the renewable energy sector. This forward-thinking company embraces disruption and has embraced the chance to be the largest residential and commercial installer in the United States.

Tesla acquired SolarCity in 2016, and combined the subsidiary’s expertise in solar financing and installation with the parent company’s strength in solar panel and solar battery production to become a juggernaut in the solar energy space.

Today, Tesla has hundreds of thousands of residential customers alone in the U.S., with tens of thousands of those customers housed in California.The company offers elegant, all-black panels, and rolled out solar roof tiles in late 2016 for truly seamless aesthetics and coverage. Made of extremely durable tempered glass, the tiles are unaffected by hail moving at up to 200 miles per hour.

Tesla purchased SolarCity with the goal of integrating renewable energy with its Powerwall battery storage system and vehicle charging stations. Tesla hopes to offer residential customers a comprehensive energy solution for both homes and transportation.Tesla can be reached through its website at https://www.tesla.com/energy.

Vivint

Vivint Solar is a cutting-edge company at the intersection of renewable energy and smart homes.CEO David Bywater is guiding the company’s expansion into the smart technology space. Bywater previously served as COO of sister company Vivint Smart Home and Xerox before joining Vivint Solar in 2016. The company plans to unveil an integrated solar generation and home management solution in 2017. Customers who sign on will be able to set preferences for heating, lighting, appliances, and security; automate adjustments; and control devices remotely.

Bywater is the ideal person to take Vivint Solar in this new direction. In addition to his experience with smart home technology, he holds an MBA from Harvard Business School. He gives back to the community through his promotion of solar energy and service as a board member of Youthlinc, a nonprofit organization that encourages students to become humanitarians.

The company was founded in 2011 as a dedicated residential installer. Low prices and a focus on getting home solar right spurred Vivint Solar’s growth. The company is now one of the fastest-growing residential installers. The Better Business Bureau gives Vivint an A- rating.

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

Sunrun

Sunrun is the nation’s top solar company dedicated exclusively to residential installations. BestCompany rated Sunrun its #1 solar company of 2016, owing largely to Sunrun’s unusually transparent payment plans.

Homeowners can quickly identify plan options online by filtering for service level (Sunrun or self-maintained panels) and payment schedule (monthly or upfront). Sunrun presents the results in an easy-to-understand table, so visitors are well-informed about their choices from the start. After filtering the available plans, customers can request a quote with the click of a button.Installation starts at zero down with the BrightSave lease. Homeowners get a a 95% production guarantee with this plan. Prepaying the entire lease up front with the BrightSave Prepaid plan will lock in the current energy rate for 20 years, and comes with a 100% production guarantee.

Homeowners can choose to add the company’s proprietary BrightBox battery storage system for extra security during grid outages. Sunrun customers save up to 20% on their electric bills.

Sunrun can be reached through its website at sunrun.com, or by phone at (888) GO-SOLAR.

SunStreet

SunStreet remains a professional solar energy company which has been featured for its quality and customer service by publications like The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and The Denver Post.The company specializes in developing entire communities and neighborhoods which use built-in solar energy systems. SunStreet believes that the systems are more integrated when they are part of the original design and can improve the curb appeal and property value of a home. Their team of qualified professionals can additionally evaluate a single residence and determine whether a customized solar energy system can be installed.

SunStreet uses state-of-the-art PV solar panels and customizes its energy system to suit the needs of each house. The company claims its equipment can produce more environmentally friendly energy than other models. The firm operates from its base in Irvine and serves the surrounding residents of Orange County.

SunStreet can be reached through its website at https://www.sunstreet.com/ or its phone number 877-757-7697.

Sun Time Energy

SunTime Energy educates the residents of Orange County on the benefits of solar energy, and it provides the installation of complete or partial systems for commercial and residential businesses with full repair services.

The firm features a knowledgeable team who will evaluate a property to determine whether or not it is capable of handling solar energy equipment, customize and design a new system, install the equipment, and monitor the entire system when it is completed to check for errors or problems. SunTime Energy remains an award-winning company which has been featured in numerous professional organizations for its customer service and quality, including The New York Times and the Los Angeles Times.

The company additionally understands that many home and business owners might not be able to afford the transition to solar energy outright and offers financing options like SolarLeases, Solar PPAs, and $500 referral fees for successful customer recommendations. SunTime Energy installs high-quality PV solar panels and offers 25-year warranties on equipment.

SunTime Energy can be reached through its website at http://www.suntimeenergy.com/ or its phone number 866-437-6445.

Solcius

Solcius provides commercial and residential clients with numerous services like full evaluations to determine if a property could handle a solar energy system, system design and creation, permitting, installation of equipment like PV solar panels, monitoring, and regular maintenance.

The firm claims that customers who switch to its patented solar panels will be able to save up to 30% of their energy bills with average savings of $800 per year per property. Solcius serves residents of Orange County and the nearby region, and it recognizes that the switch to solar energy can be difficult for people to afford without some form of assistance. The company features a variety of financing options like power purchase agreements and leases with fixed rates for 25 years to ease the process.

Solcius cooperates with a large network of dealers and partners to keep costs low and serve as many properties as possible, including organizations like the Sunnova Energy Corp. and the Ygrene Energy Company, Inc. Interested individuals can request a free quote for the entire cost of a new solar energy system and the labor involved.

Solcius can be reached through its website at http://www.solcius.com/ or its phone number 1-800-960-4150.

Smart Energy Today

Smart Energy Today recently ranked as #8 out of 500 during the 2016 Top Solar Contractors by Solar Power World and was additionally listed as the 4th fastest growing private company out of 500 competitors by Inc. Magazine.

Smart Energy Today claims to be able to save its clients over 30% on their annual energy bills with average savings of $800 per year per property. The company can install complete or partial solar energy systems and uses the latest equipment like photovoltaic solar panels, skylight tubes, and mass and reflective insulation. People can request a variety of services, including property evaluation, roof cleaning and repair, solar energy system design and creation, and full equipment installation.

Smart Energy Today serves residents of San Jose and the neighboring area. The firm uses its own patented technology like the Smart Air Ventilation solar fan, which keeps the attic or upper level of a property cool without requiring the installation of a complete solar energy system.

Smart Energy Today can be reached through its website at http://www.smartenergytoday.net/or its phone number 888-405-8689.

Horizon Solar Power

Horizon Solar Power opened in 2008 and has installed over 8,000 complete solar energy systems since its inception. The firm serves commercial and residential properties, including small and large businesses, mobile home parks, and auto dealerships.

Horizon Solar Power remains up to date with new developments in environmentally friendly energtechnology and primarily creates systems which use PV solar panels. The company features qualified employees who evaluate a property to determine if it can handle solar power, take care of permitting, design and create a custom system, and install of the equipment. Horizon Solar Power encourages the regional community by hiring local veterans and graduates from NABCEP-certified programs.

The firm understands that many people cannot purchase a solar energy system outright and therefore offers financing options like loans and solar PPAs. The company can additionally research rebates, so customers receive the maximum amount of help and money to install the system. Horizon Solar Power works with residents throughout Orange County and claims to be able to complete the full installation process within 45 days.

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

Semper Solaris

Semper Solaris is a good choice for consumers who want to support American workers and veterans.

Owned and operated by former US Marines, Semper only installs the highest quality American-made solar panels, and hires military veterans whenever possible. Semper partners with solar manufacturer SunPower to bring its customers superior panels that hold the industry record for efficiency.

Even if you used a different installer for your existing solar system, Semper will diagnose and repair any problems. It will also inspect your monitoring equipment to make sure the data it collects is accurate. It offers a 90-day warranty on all repairs.

Semper Solaris is also a roofing expert that does repairs and replacements with LEED-certified shingles made of wood, tile, and asphalt. This means homeowners can use a single, reputable contractor for multiple improvements.

The company is EGIA certified as licensed, insured, and in compliance with state laws. It’s also certified as a Master Trainer by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council. The company has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.

Semper Solaris can be reached through its website at sempersolaris.com, or by phone at (888) 210-3366.

Petersen Dean

PetersenDean Roofing and Solar is a major installer in Orange County and southern California. It was also a major influence on the expansion of the solar market during the 1980s and 90s. The company is an industry veteran with thousands of happy customers across the region.

Jim Petersen and Joe Dean founded PetersenDean Roofing and Solar from their garage in San Jose in 1984. The company grew exponentially over the following decades. In 1999, it produced 500 solar homes through a partnership with General Electric, catapulting California’s solar market forward.It offers full roof retrofits and replacements as part of its holistic approach to solar installation. PetersenDean is GAF Master Elite Certified in roofing and recognized by the National Housing Quality Program. The company provides whole-home efficiency upgrades that go well beyond the capabilities of other C-46 solar contractors.

PetersenDean Roofing and Solar, Inc. holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. The company is one of the most recognized and lauded solar firms in the region, and an ideal choice for homeowners in Orange and the surrounding area.

PetersenDean can be reached through its website at petersendean.com, or by phone at (800) 564-0362.

Ameco Solar

Ameco Solar has reigned as the top residential and commercial contractor in Southern California since 1974. These solar experts have amassed decades of knowledge about the solar industry and completed thousands of projects in SoCal.

The company continues to develop its product line and services as the industry evolves. It now offers black-on-black panels, painted conduit, and minimalist mounting hardware that maintain curb appeal. Customers can choose from a variety of solar panel brands from national companies, all of which Ameco has vetted for performance and durability. The company also provides solar hot water systems and solar pool heating.

Ameco has been in business for more than 40 years, which means it will likely be around to provide support in the decades to come. As a family-owned business, it knows the importance of developing positive relationships with customers. Ameco is verified by the California Solar Initiative and has a perfect safety record. Its longevity and A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau are also testaments to its excellent quality and service.

Ameco Solar can be reached through its website at solarexpert.com, or by phone at (888) 595-9570.

LA Solar Group

LA Solar is the top solar company in Los Angeles. The firm plans and installs custom systems for homeowners for as little as zero down.

Founded by engineers in 2012, LA Solar Group is now one of the fastest growing companies in the US, according to Inc. 500 and the Los Angeles Business Journal. It achieved this growth by putting money into employee training and technology, rather than marketing.

LA Solar only hires staff with years of experience, and puts them through a rigorous pre-screening process. The company also keeps up with new developments and technologies in the solar field. Before taking any action, LA Solar Group will use satellite imagery to make sure your roof is a good candidate for solar. It promises to install each solar system on time and on budget.

The firm focuses on low prices, superior installations, and creating positive, long-term relationships with its customers. It relies largely on referrals and word of mouth. This strategy has appeared to work well. The company has a perfect A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and thousands of satisfied customers.

LA Solar Group can be reached through its website at la-solargroup.com, or by phone at (855) 552-7652.

A1 Solar Power

A1 Solar Power has been working exclusively in California for over 30 years. Headquartered in Van Nuys, A1 Solar has offices in Westlake, San Diego, Riverside, Petaluma, Concord, and San Jose.

The company’s staff of more than 150 provides full solar service for both residential and commercial sites. So far, A1 Solar Power has set up more than 3,000 systems across the state.

The company installs environmentally friendly panels manufactured in the United States, and assigns a single project coordinator to each project. It offers a 10-year warranty on the installation work, as well as continuous monitoring for each solar system. A1 also has an in-house finance department that helps customers choose the right lease, purchase, or power purchase agreement (PPA) option from its large network of lenders.

Bear in mind that A1 Solar Power has an F rating from the Better Business Bureau, however, due to more than 75 complaints customers have filed against the company, some of which A1 has yet to resolve.

A1 Solar Power can be reached through its website at a1solarpower.net, or by phone at (855) 410-4700.

Green NRG

Green NRG has been designing turnkey and bespoke systems for homes and businesses for nearly ten years. This fully licensed and insured company offers a range of solar panels, including SunPower, Bosch, and Sharp.

Green NRG also installs several different types of inverters, such as SMA Sunny Boy inverters that provide power during grid outages. Customers can monitor system output through a mobile app that works on all Apple and Android devices.

The company arranges affordable financing options with CaliforniaFIRST, the HERO program, GreenSky, and Medallion Bank. It offers a senior citizen discount and a solar rebate program. Signing on with Green NRG gives customers the opportunity to do more than just reduce greenhouse gas emissions; the company will also make a donation to a local charity on your behalf.Additional insulation, asbestos removal, air duct cleaning, and crawl space repair services make Green NRG a solid choice for homeowners and businesses looking for holistic energy solutions.

Green NRG holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.Green NRG can be reached through its website at greenpowersolarpanels.com, or by phone at (866) 835-2423.