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 a global leader in renewable energy products, and the most recognizable name in residential solar installations in Riverside and in the state of California.

This California company is renowned throughout the United States. As the largest photovoltaic installation firm in the nation, Tesla is a dependable choice for residential, commercial, and utility-scale solar.

The company has offices in over 20 states and the District of Columbia, with a total client base of more than 300,000 businesses and residences. Tesla affords solar energy users the opportunity to fully integrate a residential solar system with Tesla products via the firm’s popular solar roof tiles and the Powerwall battery storage device.

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

Vivint

Vivint Solar is currently one of the top three residential installers in the United States, thanks in large part to its signature solar lease program in which customers buy the power Vivint’s panels generate. This payment model allows homeowners to go solar for little to zero down. Customers can also choose to take out a loan or pay for a system upfront.

Founded in 2011, the company went public three years later in 2014. Vivint Solar is a subsidiary of Vivint, Inc., a leading smart home firm. It’s no wonder that Vivint Smart Home and Vivint Solar will be working closely together in 2017 to roll out a comprehensive home management system that runs on renewable energy. The solution integrates rooftop solar, indoor sensors, advanced software, and a central control panel to manage HVAC, lighting, security, and appliances through a smart home assistant.

Forbes, Fortune, and TechCrunch have all featured this next-generation solar provider. The Better Business Bureau gives Vivint Solar a very respectable A- rating, and it has 4.3 out of 5 stars on Consumer Affairs.

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

Sunrun

Sunrun is the largest residential solar installer in the country. Founded in 2007, it currently has a wide customer base of more than 100,000 people.

Sunrun’s unconventional solar lease model made residential solar affordable and fueled the company’s growth. Today, it offers a full suite of exceptionally transparent lease, loan, and purchase options for custom-tailored solar systems.

This industry veteran has been involved in solar contracting for nearly 10 years. It installs two million dollars worth of solar each business day, and one system every ten minutes. The company’s network of installers employs over 3,000 staff, and Sunrun continues to grow. In March 2016, the company partnered with energy retailer Constellation to offer solar to homeowners in several East Coast states, including Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, and New York.

Sunrun also offers a fully-integrated battery storage system that provides clean backup power during grid outages. Purchases and leases both come with a lifetime warranty that includes free monitoring, maintenance, and repairs.

The company holds the Better Business Bureau’s top rating, and its achievements have been recognized by bestcompany and the US Department of Energy.

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

PetersenDean

PetersenDean Roofing and Solar is a major solar provider in California, and one of the most affordable solar installation companies in Riverside.

With over 30 years of experience in the solar industry, PetersenDean is a veteran of California’s solar market. Founded in 1984 by Jim Petersen and Joe Dean, the company grew rapidly into a full-service roofing and solar business that tackles residential projects with comprehensive expertise. PetersenDean helped launch the solar industry in California through a 1999 partnership with General Electric that powered more than 500 homes with solar power. The company’s success in its local market has since spread nationwide.

PetersenDean supports the US economy by installing panels made in California and Oregon, and the impact is significant. So far, it has installed more than a million systems across the country.

PetersenDean Roofing and Solar holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, a certification from the National Housing Quality Program, and a GAF Master Elite certification in roofing. PetersenDean also maintains a 4.67/5 rating with SolarReviews.com over 61 reviews.

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

Semper Solaris

This veteran-owned solar and roofing contractor supports renewable energy, American industry, and former military members all at the same time. Semper Solaris has the unique distinction of being owned and operated by former US Marines.

Semper Solaris was established in San Diego in 2012 and found success quickly, thanks to the high standards and values of its crew of veterans. The company installs American-made, cutting-edge SunPower panels that have a record 22% efficiency rate. Customers can verify system output with Semper’s monitoring system.

While their military days are in the past, the staff at Semper Solaris is still committed to making a difference. The company participates in the HERO program, an energy and water efficiency project that makes upgrades possible for average homeowners through affordable PACE financing. Customers can finance solar panels, central air, new windows, roofing work, doors, and artificial turf through this program. HERO contractors are licensed by the state and verified by HERO. They’re also required to follow best practices for consumer protection.

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

Sullivan Solar

Over the past 13 years, this San Diego company has evolved from a one-person local business to become one of the ten largest solar companies in California. Sullivan Solar Power tackles jobs of any size, from residential to municipal systems.

To date, the company has designed and installed more than 6,000 systems. Union Tribune readers named the firm San Diego’s top solar company as recently as 2016 – just one of many accolades Sullivan has earned.

Sullivan Solar is a North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) certified installer that only employs licensed electricians with a minimum of 5,000 hours of training. The company monitors each system remotely to verify output, and offers a money-back guarantee on solar production. Angie’s List recognized Sullivan Solar with its Super Service Award as a result of these guiding business principles for the fourth time in 2015.

Numerous magazines and organizations have recognized Sullivan as a standout solar installer.

Founder, CEO, and San Diego native Daniel Sullivan was the San Diego Business Journal’s Most Admired CEO of 2013. Both Inc. Magazine and the San Diego Business Journal named Sullivan Solar one the fastest-growing companies for several years running. The company also holds a complaint-free A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.

Sullivan Solar can be reached through its website at sullivansolarpower.com, or by phone at 1-800-SULLIVAN.

GRID Alternatives

GRID Alternatives remains a professional company which was chosen in 2008 to be the statewide program manager for the $162 million Single-family Affordable Solar Homes, demonstrating the firm’s commitment to making solar energy affordable for people of all socioeconomic classes.

GRID Alternatives opened in 2001 and has since installed almost 10,000 solar energy systems for commercial and residential properties in Riverside and the surrounding region. The firm offers a variety of services to single-family homes, multi-family homes and rental properties, and entire communities seeking solar energy.

Qualified employees with the company perform initial consultations, design customized systems for each client, install of the equipment, and also perform job training for interested individuals. GRID Alternatives hires locally and features numerous programs to help people from lower socioeconomic classes find job opportunities in the growing solar energy industry.

GRID Alternatives can be reached through its website at https://gridalternatives.org/ or its phone number 510-731-1310.

SolarMax

SolarMax is a local solar installer headquartered in Riverside, with offices in Temecula, San Diego, and Diamond Bar. The company manufactures its own panels right at home in California. It’s also known for manufacturing innovative, high-quality inverters.

Founded in 2008, SolarMax has nearly ten years of experience in the business and more than 4,300 residential projects under its belt. The firm ensures service quality by using its own designers, engineers, and installers. Designers plan out custom systems tailored to each home’s characteristics and energy goals. SolarMax even determines which type of inverter is best for your installation. It employs experts in both solar and roofing, and breaking each installation into two different phases so they can apply their skills appropriately.

SolarMax rolled out a battery storage system in early 2017 that keeps homes up and running during storms and summer outages. Customers can set the storage system to control certain appliances in advance, and the device will take over when the grid goes down. The battery powers a refrigerator with clean solar energy for 48 hours, and a laptop for 80.

SolarMax offers a 25-year warranty on the panels and equipment, and a 10-year warranty on installation work. The company is a SolarReviews pre-screened Solar Pro and a member of the Solar Energy Industries Association. It holds an A- rating with the Better Business Bureau.

SolarMax can be reached through its website at solarmaxtech.com, or by phone at (866) 285-2388.

Solcius

Solcius is a professional solar energy company which affiliates with a large network of researchers, like the Sunnova Energy Corp. and the Ygrene Energy Company, Inc., and provides to give people high-quality solar energy technology at affordable prices.

Solcius serves residents of Riverside and the neighboring region and can work with commercial and residential properties. The firm claims that people who switch to its patented solar technology will be able to save up to 30% on their energy bills with an average of $800 saved per year per property.

People who contact the company can request services like full property evaluation, permitting, the design and creation of a custom solar energy system, installation, monitoring, and maintenance. Interested individuals can also receive free quotes, and Solcius can work with potential clients to help them afford the equipment through solar leasing or PPAs.

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

Energy Remodeling

This veteran contractor and installer has worked on more than 3,000 successful solar projects throughout California. It uses American-made solar panels for each system, and offers a 25-year warranty on the equipment. This fast-growing firm is an Energy Upgrade California contractor that offers a range of other energy-related services, in addition to solar panels.

While Energy Remodeling handles both residential and commercial installations, it’s a good choice for homeowners considering efficiency upgrades and other home renovation projects. Customers can work with a single, trusted contractor on a variety of projects, including electric vehicle charging stations, window replacement, home security, roofing and siding, insulation, energy audits, irrigation, and drought-tolerant landscaping.

Over the past 25 years, Energy Remodeling has managed to leverage its whole-home approach to expand its service areas into San Diego, Los Angeles, Riverside, Bakersfield, Fresno, San Jose, and East Bay. Inc. Magazine named it one of the 500 fastest-growing private companies in the United States, and the Better Business Bureau gives it an impeccable A+ rating.

Energy Remodeling can be reached through its website at nrgremodeling.com, or by phone at (877) 245-4672.

Green NRG

Green NRG has been providing custom-tailored solar solutions for California homeowners since 2008.

With Green NRG, customers can select from several different brands of solar panels that have aesthetics and different efficiency rates. The choices include SunPower panels, which boast the highest efficiency rate of any solar equipment. The company monitors each system continuously to keep tabs on power output.

Among other sources, Green NRG arranges for CaliforniaFIRST financing, which provides low-cost loans for efficiency projects that homeowners repay gradually as part of their property taxes. It also partners with the HERO program to secure affordable financing for solar panels and energy efficient upgrades. With each new contract, the company gives back by making a donation to a California nonprofit of the customer’s choosing.

Founded in Chatsworth, California in 2008, Green NRG now has satellite offices in San Diego, Dublin, South Carolina, and Texas. Even so, the company joined Thumbtack in 2016 to make it convenient for customers to get free quotes and connect online. While Green NRG has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, homeowners can scroll through customer reviews on Thumbtack as well.

Green NRG can be reached through its website at greenpowersolarpanels.com, or by phone at (866) 835-2423.