Josephine NesbitContributing Writer
Josephine Nesbit is a contributing writer for USA TODAY Homefront. She specializes in home impr...
Updated Apr. 22, 2024
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Homefront Local uses a unique algorithm to score solar companies based on important factors like user reviews and how popular they are in your area.
High-quality solar panel installation in Claremont, California requires you to hire a solar installer with the right certification, skills and experience. We've compiled a list of the highest-rated solar companies in Claremont to help you choose the right installer.
Prior to choosing an installer, request referrals from others, vet potential companies and collect multiple quotes to find the ideal company for your requirements. You can find a local solar company in Claremont or pick a well-known national brand.
While putting in solar panels requires a significant initial investment, it can lower your energy bills over time. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports that transitioning to solar energy enables Claremont homeowners to save an average of $750 every year.
The services from different solar technicians aren't all the same. Make sure to compare companies and get quotes before you schedule your solar panel installation.
Focus on Claremont solar companies that have at least 3.5 out of 5 stars based on customer commentary on Google Reviews and comparable sites. Make sure the company has a good rating on Better Business Bureau (BBB) when choosing a solar company.
Looking at previous customer reviews will provide a sense of how other homeowners viewed the company, so be wary if you see a pattern of negative reviews.
The Claremont region enjoys plenty of sunlight, which is great for homeowners to take advantage of solar energy. Here are the key reasons to adopt solar:
Based on the results of our survey performed in October 2023, the average cost for solar panel installation nationally is $11,743.
The price of solar panel installation varies based on several factors, such as where you live, availability of sunlight, roof direction, shading, system size and labor. Be prepared to pay more if you opt for add-ons like animal guards, batteries or solar trackers.
According to data from NASA, the EIA and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), installing solar panels in Claremont averages around $6,920.
While installing solar panels requires a major investment to start, you can achieve considerable savings on your energy bills in the long term.
In Claremont, you can anticipate saving money after going completely to solar. However, it takes time to recoup the initial investment, and factors such as rain and tree coverage affect how long it takes to see a return on your solar investment.
Beyond cost savings, switching to solar power also lessens your carbon footprint and lowers your environmental impact. Provided below are the approximated CO2 emission reductions you can expect from solar energy, as determined by our analysis of data from NASA and the EPA.
Experts Ready to Help
There are several solar incentives available to homeowners in Claremont. Various programs are applicable to all California residents, while others are determined by your utility company, municipality and city.
Available solar incentives for California homeowners, as stated by DSIRE, include:
Name / Incentive Type | Incentive Amount/Details |
---|---|
Property Tax Incentive Property Tax Exclusion for Solar Energy Systems and Solar Plus Storage System | 100% of system value; 75% of system value exemption for dual-use equipment |
PACE Financing Western Riverside Council of Governments - Home Energy Renovation Opportunity (HERO) Financing Program | Eligible products can be financed for up to 25 years, depending on the useful life of the eligible product. Minimum financing: $5,000 The financing may not exceed fifteen percent (15%) of the market value of the property, up to the first seven hundred thousand dollars ($700,000) of the property’s market value, and ten percent (10%) of the remaining value of the Property above seven hundred thousand dollars ($700,000) minus any PACE assessment on the propertyThe total amount of any annual property taxes and assessments shall not exceed five percent (5%) of the property's fair market value, determined at the time program financing is approved. |
PACE Financing Local Option - Municipal Energy Districts | Locally determined
|
Rebate Program Self-Generation Incentive Program | For projects 30 kW or larger, 50% of incentive will be received up-front; 50% will be received based on actual kWh production over the first 5 years. For projects under 30kW, 100% of the incentive will be paid up front. Incentives will step down over time. See below for incentive amounts. |
Feed-in Tariff Renewable Market Adjusting Tariff (ReMAT) | See Website |
Feed-in Tariff LADWP - Feed-in Tariff (FiT) Program | $0.17/kWh adjusted by a time of delivery multiplier Base price will step down over time as certain MW goals are met |
Rebate Program California Solar Initiative - Solar Thermal Program | Step 1 Incentive Rates (contact utility to determine current incentive levels): Single Family Residential Incentives: Systems that displace natural gas: $29.85 per estimated therm displaced Systems that displace electricity or propane: Funding has been exhausted Commercial/Multifamily Incentives: Systems that displace natural gas: $20.19 per estimated therm displaced Systems that displace electricity or propane: $0.42 per estimated kWh displaced *** Note, funding has been exhausted in this category for SCE and PG&E Solar Pool heating: $5.00 per estimated therm displaced |
Personal Tax Credit Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit | 30% federal tax credit for systems placed in service after 12/31/2021 and before 01/01/2033. Good for: solar water heat, solar photovoltaics, biomass, geothermal heat pumps, wind (small), fuel cells using renewable fuels. |
When selecting a solar panel installation professional, first review these key considerations.
Your household's energy use and the solar system's production ratio influence the appropriate panel system size for you. Bigger houses tend to use more power and will potentially need larger solar installations. An undersized system faces the risk of inadequate energy generation to completely power your home.
Your solar installation project could be subject to applicable codes and permits by your state. You'll need to acquire the required permits from your local building department, as well as set up an inspection.
Not all homes receive the same amount of sunlight. Trees, rainfall and severe weather conditions in your area can impact sunlight access. If your home doesn’t get enough sunlight, then you may require extra panels with more wattage capacity.
To store additional energy, a lot of panel systems include a solar battery. This feature becomes critical in cloudy conditions and helps to mitigate power loss. However, adding battery storage can result in higher setup expenses.
You have options among solar panel types, as they differ in life expectancy, design and efficiency. These elements affect cost, how soon you'll need to swap panels and the amount of roof area you'll need.
The Homefront Local team employs a proprietary scoring algorithm that evaluates companies based on key factors you value, such as average customer review ratings and trustworthiness indicators. Our method for determining trust involves a comparative analysis of the number of reviews a company receives compared to its local competitors. This leads to companies that have earned more trust from your local community being awarded a higher score.
We review national and large regional solar providers against our full methodology. We score solar companies on reputation and customer reviews, service options, payment, financing and warranties.
Editorial note: The name “Homefront” refers to the alliance between USA TODAY and Home Solutions that publishes review, comparison, and informational articles designed to help USA TODAY readers make smarter purchasing and investment decisions about their home. Under the alliance, Homefront provides and publishes research and articles about home service and home improvement topics. Homefront has an affiliate disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Homefront editorial staff alone (see About Homefront). Homefront adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information. Go back to top
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