Top Rated Solar Companies for
Gold Rush Energy Solutions: $3.82 per watt, Tesla: $2.64 per watt, Vivint: $3.76 per watt, Sunrun: $3.83 per watt, Stellar Solar: $3.73 per watt, Solar Optimum: $2.71 per watt, Semper Solaris: $4.00 per watt
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About These Solar Companies
Semper Solaris is a well-regarded company with a connection to our military veterans. It’s owned and operated by former U.S. Marines, and hires vets whenever possible. It only installs gold standard SunPower panels, which have the industry’s highest efficiency rate. The panels are also made in the United States.
SunPower named Semper Solaris its Residential National Dealer of the Year in 2015. The company was also awarded a Residential National Rising Star Award in 2014. Semper Solaris is a certified solar installer and an International Renewable Energy Council (IREC) certified master trainer. The the Better Business Bureau gives it an A+ rating.
“As a Captain in the US Marine Corps trust means everything,” Co-founder Kelly Shawhan says. “Trust, to be there for my Marines. Trust, to be the expert. Trust, to get the job done right. That same philosophy stayed with me for the past 20 years as a contractor and a solar specialist. Solar can be complicated, but at Semper Solaris we pride ourselves on taking the time to help you understand how solar works and how to choose the right system.”
Semper Solaris can be reached through its website at sempersolaris.com, or by phone at (888) 210-3366.
Sunrun is America’s premier residential installer, and bestcompany’s #1 solar firm.
Prices are part of what makes it so popular. Roughly two-thirds of Sunrun customers save at least 20 percent on electricity, which can amount to $20,000 over 20 years. More than 100,000 homeowners have signed on to take advantage of the savings Sunrun offers. The company installs one system every ten minutes, and recently cemented new partnerships that will spur further growth.
Prospective customers can calculate potential savings online, simply by entering some basic personal information and choosing a price range for their average electric bills. The installation phase takes two to five days. Known for its transparency, Sunrun outlines the entire process on its website; visitors can see how long each step may take, from the initial site assessment to activation.
Customers can add the BrightBox energy storage system, which provides backup during grid outages. The company offers a warranty for the life of the entire system, as well as continuous monitoring. The company will know immediately if something needs adjustment.
Sunrun can be reached through its website at sunrun.com, or by phone at 888-GO-SOLAR.
This residential and commercial installer is the ninth fastest growing company in the city, according to the Los Angeles Business Journal.
LA Solar has enjoyed rapid growth over the past few years, reporting a remarkable revenue increase of more than 1,000 percent between 2013 and 2015. Launched in Van Nuys in 2011, the company also now serves Texas, Arizona, Oregon, New York, and Colorado.
“Key to our growth was and continues to be customer service,” says Ara Petrosyan, founder and CEO of LA Solar Group. “Every customer is treated with great attention and care.”
The company opened offices in Bakersfield, California as Kern Solar Group and Fremont, California as Bay Solar Group in late 2016 — areas where energy costs have been rising by at least five percent. Inc. Magazine recently named LA Solar the 75th fastest growing company in the nation.
“Our goal is to go beyond just solar and tap into new technologies that bring more sustainable solutions to those that want to make a difference with the environment and with their pockets,” Robert Sarai, Business Development Manager for LA Solar Group, explains.
LA Solar Group can be reached through its website at la-solargroup.com, or by phone at (855) 552-7652.
Petersen Dean only uses solar panels and equipment manufactured in the United States by local companies like Unirac and Eagle. The firm emphasizes the importance of developing regional communities to improve financial prosperity as well as environmental health.
Some of the available services from Petersen Dean include a professional consultation from qualified employees, free estimates, full system design and customization, installation, one final inspection, and then the powering up of a client’s new solar energy system. Unlike some other companies, Petersen Dean locks in its customers’ rates for equipment and energy consumption so they never have to handle escalating payments.
The firm realizes that California frequently suffers from blackouts and brownouts and thus offers additional products like batteries designed to back up the energy produced by its PV solar panels. The company also remains dedicated to helping its customers receive the full number of rebates and tax breaks they qualify for and serves residents throughout southern California.
Petersen Dean can be reached through its website at https://petersendean.com/ or its phone number 877-552-4418.
Vivint
Vivint Solar opened in 2011 and was listed as #2 on Solar Power World’s Top 500 Solar Contractors in North America list. The firm additionally won numerous awards for its customer service, including the People’s Choice Stevie Award for Favorite Customer Service Provider.
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The firm serves residential properties and offers a variety of plans for people of different socioeconomic backgrounds, including PPAs, leases, and loans. Vivint Solar provides and designs full or partial solar energy systems, and it also handles the installation and maintenance of equipment. Its professionals currently serve the California Bay Area from the firm’s base in San Diego, and they now provide clients with Mercedes-Benz Energy Storage Systems.
The company remains dedicated to streamlining the installation process for homeowners and will handle paperwork and the search for permits. Vivint Solar recently negotiated an agreement with ChargePoint to develop Fully Integrated Solar, a comprehensive residential product suite that includes a solar energy system, EV charger, home battery, and smart home technology.
Vivint Solar can be reached through its website at https://www.vivintsolar.com/state/california or its phone number 877-859-3344.
Baker Electric Solar is a mainstay of the solar industry in California and a veteran of the electricity sector. As a fourth-generation business, Baker Electric has been serving Southern California for over 75 years.
Despite its rich history, Baker has its eyes on the future. In 2015, Baker’s business ventures collectively reached 1GW of total installed solar. The company recently began offering residential energy storage in San Diego as well. With its storage option and a cost per watt that’s 8% lower than the California average, it’s an ideal choice for solar installation in San Diego.
Baker’s multiple awards and recognitions cement its status as one of the most lauded solar companies in San Diego. The company has received awards from Inc. Magazine, Solar Power World, PV American WEST, and SunPower, as well as an Angie’s List Super Service Award.
Baker Electric Solar exceeds industry standards for safety, quality, and value. Its commitment to excellence has also earned the company the 2014 NECA Zero Injury Award and the 2014 NECA Safety Excellence Award. Baker has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and a 4.5-star average on Yelp! over 94 reviews.
Baker Electric Solar can be reached through its website at www.bakerelectricsolar.com, or by phone at 877-543-8765.
ASI Hastings Heating and Air Conditioning is a whole-home energy management provider, and San Diego’s Energy Upgrade Contractor of the Year for 2013 and 2014. ASI has saved residents thousands of dollars by making energy efficient upgrades. Numerous organizations have recognized ASI for its excellence.
The company won the Better Business Bureau’s (BBB) torch award for business ethics and integrity eight times, and currently holds an A- rating with the BBB. Customers appreciate generating electricity at 15% less per installed watt than the regional average, as well as ASI’s lifetime workmanship and service guarantees. The U.S. Department of Energy also awarded ASI its Century Club Award for ENERGY STAR residential contractors that complete a minimum of 100 projects in a single year.
ASI has been serving Southern California for more than 60 years. It’s managed to stay in business by providing superior service. The company only uses certified technicians, and offers zero down financing based on the Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program. In addition to solar, ASI Hastings upgrades HVAC systems by installing new furnaces and air conditioners.
ASI Hastings Heating and Air Conditioning can be reached through its website at asiheatingandair.com, or by phone at (800) 481-2665.
This residential and commercial installer is #30 on Solar Power World’s list of the Top Solar Contractors headquartered in California, and #55 in the United States. It won the Angie’s List Super Service Award in 2014, and holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.
Customers give Sunline Energy high ratings for its prices, quality, and professionalism. Thanks to its extensive knowledge of local regulations, the firm guarantees turnaround within three weeks of requesting a quote, which is much faster than the industry average. Getting connected faster means that Sunline customers start saving on their energy bills sooner. Sunline installs on clay tile and standard roof surfaces at nearly 15% less per installed watt than the California average.
Prices start at around $18,700 for for a 6 KW system, which includes panels, inverters, and wifi-based monitoring. A backup generator and power consumption monitoring are available as add-ons. Some of Sunline’s systems pay for themselves in as little as four years.
Sunline Energy can be reached through its website at sunlineenergy.com, or by phone at (858) 777-7910.
Future Energy Savers is a solar energy company which has been recognized for its installation of solar panels on the White House. The company serves residents throughout southern California and only uses solar panels made in the United States to promote local industry.
Future Energy Savers provides services like property evaluation for the equipment, the design of a customized energy system, and the full installation of products. The firm is a Platinum Installer for SolarWorld-USA and only uses the manufacturer’s products with accompanying warranties. Some other environmentally products available from the company include solar hot water systems and energy efficient HVAC equipment.
Future Energy Savers is an award-winning business with accolades from professional groups like the State of California and the Department of Water and Power. Since its opening in 1978, the firm has installed over 6,500 solar energy systems for residential properties.
Future Energy Savers can be reached through its website http://www.energysavers.com/ at or its phone number 888-258-2120.
Sullivan Solar Power is a turnkey solar system provider serving all of Southern California. The company has designed and installed more than 5,300 systems totaling more than 39 megawatts of solar power, ranging from small-scale residential to large-scale commercial and municipal systems.
Founder Daniel Sullivan is a San Diego native, and his company serves as a standard for all solar business in the region. Sullivan Solar maintains safety protocols far above the industry standard, and ensures the well-being of its employees through frequent safety trainings. The company holds an NABCEP certification, the highest available credential for solar contractors in the US.
A collection of awards and recognitions solidifies the company’s position as a top installer. The San Diego Business Journal recognized Daniel Sullivan as Most Admired CEO in 2013, and the company as the sixth fastest growing business in San Diego in 2010. Inc. Magazine and the San Diego Business Journal both included Sullivan Solar on their respective lists of fastest-growing companies for the seventh consecutive year. Sullivan maintains a longstanding A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, with no complaints filed since the business began. It also holds an impressive 4.7 star rating on Yelp! after 187 reviews, and received the Angie’s List Super Service Award in 2011, 2012, and 2013.
Sullivan Solar Power’s portfolio includes solar projects for San Diego State University, UC San Diego, Port of San Diego, Port of Long Beach, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, and Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, as well as many churches, schools, and municipalities. Regardless of project size and scope, Sullivan is committed to delivering the best products and the most qualified professionals to its customers.
Sullivan Solar can be reached through its website, www.sullivansolarpower.com, or by phone at 1-800-SULLIVAN.
SolarMax completed over 6,000 residential property installations since 2008 and continues to innovate and develop new technologies for solar energy systems. The firm offers a 25-year warranty on workmanship and takes pride in cutting out the middleman and working with clients directly.
SolarMax assembles all of its projects locally and serves residents throughout southern California. The firm specializes in developing entire properties which function using patented solar energy systems. The company’s qualified employees provide interested people with a variety of services, including free solar panel consultations, the creation and design of a custom system, permitting, and the installation of all of the equipment.
The firm recently released new technology like the FLEX Energy Storage System, which is a battery that can be attached to an existing solar system. The battery stores up to 5 kWh of extra energy to keep powering a home if something goes wrong with the panels. SolarMax also features several financing options for people who cannot afford the total cost of solar panels, including solar loans and PPAs.
SolarMax can be reached through its website at https://www.solarmaxtech.com/ or its phone number 855-279-2103.
Stellar Solar is a mainstay of San Diego County with more than 6,000 systems under its belt. The firm has completed projects for homeowners, businesses, churches, and nonprofit organizations since it opened its doors in 1998.
Referrals drive most of this local company’s growth. Union Tribune readers voted it San Diego’s best installer for the first time in 2011, and then again from 2013-2015. It also holds a perfect A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.
The company has experience installing solar at most types of sites, including ground mounts in rural areas and mobile panels at special events. It has its own system for installing solar on complex tile roofs without damaging any of the tiles.
Stellar installs industry-leading SunPower panels. At 22%, this American-made solar equipment has the highest available efficiency rate. The company offers a 30-day installation guarantee and a 25-year warranty on the panels. Customers can choose from lease and purchase options, with purchases paying for themselves in 4-7 years.
Stellar Solar can be reached through its website at stellarsolar.net, or by phone at (866) 787-6527.
Disclaimer: Solar Tribune provides information and data from a wide range of sources, and cannot independently verify every aspect of the data. Solar Tribune not guarantee the quality or results of working with any installer or parts provider.