Learn about and get quotes from the top solar installers in San Diego
Updated:
Apr 12, 2024
Written by
Aniket Bhor
Aniket Bhor
Edited By:
Tori Addison
Tori Addison
With nearly 2 million installations statewide, California ranks first in the nation for total solar capacity. Sunny San Diego, California’s second-largest city, has also seen a tremendous rise in the demand for solar power. Among the many solar installers operating in California, our picks for the best solar companies in San Diego are SunPower, Sunrun, Momentum and Elevation.
We at the MarketWatch Guides team have done detailed research, conducted homeowner surveys and spoken with industry experts to shortlist the best solar companies in the country. Based on our research and detailed provider review methodology, we shortlisted the above-mentioned solar companies as the top options in San Diego.
Compare San Diego Solar Companies
The average cost of going solar in California is about $2.51 per watt of installed capacity. This price is lower than the national average of $2.85 per watt. Considering average pricing, a typical 6 kW system in California could cost $15,060 before incentives or rebates. Exact costs in San Diego may vary.
Use the table below to compare our top solar companies based on cost and other factors:
*Pricing is based on responses to two surveys we conducted in 2023 of 2,000 total homeowners with 8 kilowatt (kW) solar systems as well as pricing information obtained directly from SunPower, Tesla, Palmetto and local providers. Your cost may vary.
**BBB ratings are accurate as of November 2023.
Top 4 Solar Companies in San Diego of 2023
Based on our research, the following are the five best solar companies in San Diego:
- SunPower: Our pick for most experienced
- Sunrun: Our pick for leasing options
- Momentum: Our pick for solar system customization
- Elevation: Our pick for whole-home integration
SunPower
Our pick for most experience
Warranty 25 years
System Cost $24,000–$36,000
Sunrun Solar
Our pick for leasing options
Warranty 12 and 30 years
System Cost $20,000–$25,000
Momentum Solar
Our pick for easy integration
Warranty 20 and 25 years
System Cost $20,000–$25,000
Elevation
Our pick for whole-home integration
Warranty 30 years
System Cost $25,000–$27,500
What To Look for in a Solar Company
California has 2,380 solar companies operating in the state, many of which serve San Diego residents. With so many options, it can be tricky to choose the right solar installer. Below are a few important considerations that can make it easier to choose a provider.
The price tag of a solar system is often the biggest consideration for homeowners willing to go solar. We recommend looking for a solar company that offers high-quality equipment and reliable service at reasonable prices. You can also explore solar companies that offer flexible payment options, such as solar loans, solar leases and power purchase agreements (PPAs).
The higher the price of home service, the more important the provider’s trustworthiness and reliability. With solar panels, which should last 25 years or more, it’s important to check the reputation of a provider. You can gain insights into a company’s reputation by looking into customer reviews on platforms like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Trustpilot. Reliable solar companies should also avoid pushy sales tactics and rely on a transparent consultation process.
In addition to solar panel installation, some providers offer other services to further boost your energy savings or lower your upfront costs. For example, an LED lighting upgrade can lower your energy consumption and solar system size. You can also add accessories such as electric vehicle (EV) chargers or solar batteries. Sometimes extra services, such as tree removal or roof repairs, will be required to install your panels. When choosing an installer, we recommend listing the services you may need and narrowing your search to include companies offering those services.
Benefits of Going Solar in San Diego
Installing solar can be worth it for multiple reasons, including:
- Electricity bill savings: California residents are subject to exceptionally high power costs compared to other states. The average cost of energy per kilowatt-hour is nearly 30 cents in California, as opposed to the national average of about 16 cents. The pricing is even higher in San Diego, which has the country’s highest power costs. Using solar power can eliminate most or all of a household’s grid power consumption, saving significant amounts on energy bills in San Diego.
- Protection against rising power costs: High electricity rates are not the only issue with San Diego’s grid power. Rates are constantly rising. Recently, the utility company SDGE applied for another rate hike to boost prices across the city. Energy prices can rise multiple times over a solar system’s 25- to 30-year lifespan. San Diego homeowners who go solar can protect themselves from those rising energy costs over time.
- Environmental benefits: Solar power has been recognized worldwide for its cost-savings and for positively impacting the world’s climate. Unlike fossil fuels, solar panels operate with zero greenhouse gas emissions. Every kilowatt-hour of energy generated by a solar power system offsets a kilowatt-hour of energy generated from traditional fossil fuel-powered sources. Installing a solar panel system in San Diego can reduce your home’s carbon emissions.
- Security against power outages: As the planet’s climate changes, extreme weather events like heat waves are becoming more common, leading to blackouts that last a few hours or up to a few days. San Diego residents are no strangers to power outages, having experienced massive blackouts in 2011 and 2020. Homeowners with a solar and battery storage system are better equipped to handle blackouts. Solar systems with batteries can power essential appliances even through a power outage.
- Increased property value: Thanks to all the benefits mentioned above, homes with solar panel systems sell for a higher price than those that rely solely on grid power. Recent studies show buyers are willing to spend over 4% or more on a solar-powered home. Considering San Diego’s average home price of $937,453, a 4% increase could result in an extra $37,498 when selling your home. That price is higher than the cost of the typical solar system.
San Diego Solar Incentives
The city of San Diego receives an abundance of sunshine and has several solar-friendly policies. Thanks to the combination of federal, state and local solar incentives, San Diego residents can save substantial money when converting to solar power. Here is an overview of San Diego’s incentives and rebates:
Federal Incentives
The solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), commonly known as the federal solar tax credit, is a national solar incentive available to all U.S. residents. The incentive offers a tax credit equal to 30% of a solar project’s final cost. You can claim the credit once for the year you install panels and apply it to your federal income tax burden. The credit’s net effect is a tax deduction of 30% of your total system cost, resulting in shorter payback periods and greater energy savings.
Statewide Incentives
The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) ranks California as first in the nation for installed solar power. One of the reasons for the ranking is the state’s pro-solar policies and variety of incentives that encourage homeowners to go solar. Here is a look at California’s solar incentives:
| Incentive | Savings | Explanation |
| Self-Generation Incentive Program | Up to $200 per kWh of installed battery capacity | Homeowners who install a solar battery with their panels are eligible for a direct rebate through the CPUC. |
| Disadvantaged Communities—Single-family Solar Homes (DAC-SASH) | Up to 100% of a solar power system’s cost | Customers of PG&E, SCE, and SDG&E who are among the state’s top 25% most disadvantaged communities are eligible for a direct rebate. |
| Equity and Equity Resilience Incentives | $800 per kWh–$1,000 per kWh of energy storage system | These programs offer communities considered lower-income, medically vulnerable and at risk for wildfires a direct rebate on solar batteries, which can offset almost the entire cost of a battery system. |
| Active Solar Energy Tax Exclusion | Savings vary | The California State Board of Equalization (BOE) offers a property tax exclusion for solar energy systems. The state will not factor any increase to your property value as a result of installing a solar system into your property tax bill. |
| California Net Metering | Savings vary | Net metering allows customers to send excess energy their panels generate to the grid in exchange for energy credits, which customers can use to purchase grid power at night or on cloudy days. However, California recently moved to a new net metering structure that reduces the valuation of net metering energy credits. |
San Diego Incentives
Based on our research, the county of San Diego offers the following solar incentive. We recommend speaking with your local government, utility company or solar installer to learn about other available incentive programs or rebates.
| Incentive | Savings | Explanation |
| San Diego County’s Green Building Program | Up to a 7.5% reduction in plan check and building permit fees | Building owners (residential or commercial) that aid in energy conservation through solar panel installation or other energy efficiency upgrades are eligible for a reduction in the building’s renovation permit fees and plan checks. |
Frequently Asked Questions About Solar Companies in San Diego
No city in California, including San Diego, has a free solar panel program. Certain renewable energy companies may advertise “free panels” when selling solar leases, which may include zero upfront cost, but you still have to pay to use the system over time.
A few factors can make going solar in San Diego worth the investment. Located in southern California, the city receives exceptionally high amounts of sunlight, a major benefit of solar energy. The city also has significantly high electricity prices, which solar panels can help offset. Combined with the state’s solar-friendly policies and incentives, these factors make San Diego a prime location to install a solar power system.
The same is true for other cities in California, including the larger cities of Los Angeles and San Francisco or smaller towns like Vista, El Cajon, San Marcos or Escondido.
In 2023, California shifted from its NEM 2.0 net metering program to the new NEM 3.0 program. The new program no longer provides solar owners with a 1:1 rate for net energy credits. Instead, the state will offer a net-billing structure in which utility companies value energy credits at an avoided cost rate, which is lower than the retail price of grid electricity.
The cost of a solar panel system does not necessarily depend on the size of a house. Factors such as the household’s energy consumption, location, roof layout and energy efficiency, play a larger role. However, the typical solar system costs between $15,000 to $20,000.
Methodology: Our System for Ranking the Best Solar Companies
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