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 Moreno Valley, California, requires a solar installer that is properly certified, qualified and experienced. To help you find the right team, we’ve assembled a list of the leading solar companies in Moreno Valley.
Before settling on an installer, request recommendations from others, vet the installers you're considering and get quotes from multiple companies to find the one that meets your needs. You can select a local solar company in Moreno Valley or choose a leading national brand.
Although solar panels are a big upfront investment, you can lower your energy bills over the long term. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), changing to solar energy enables Moreno Valley homeowners to save $900 on average each year.
Not every solar company boats the same offerings. Before arranging your solar panel installation, compare different companies' offerings and get multiple quotes.
Search for Moreno Valley solar companies with a minimum of 3.5 out of 5 stars on Google Reviews and similar customer review platforms. The company should also have a good rating on Better Business Bureau (BBB).
Reviewing previous customer testimonials can give insight into other homeowners' experiences working with the solar company. Frequent poor reviews are worth making a note of as a possible warning sign.
Moreno Valley and the nearby areas receive plenty of sunlight, which allows homeowners to utilize solar energy. Here are the top reasons for considering solar energy:
Our survey from October 2023 showed that the national average price of solar panel installation is $11,743.
The cost of installing solar panels varies based on several elements, including your location, sunlight exposure, roof orientation, shading, system dimensions and labor. Be prepared to pay extra if you choose any accessories like solar trackers, batteries or animal guards.
As per numbers from the EIA, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and NASA, solar panel installation in Moreno Valley has an average cost of $6,803.
Solar panel installation is a sizable initial investment, but you can expect to see major savings reflected in your energy bills after some time.
In Moreno Valley, you can expect to save 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, changing to solar power also lessens your carbon footprint and minimizes 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
Moreno Valley homeowners can benefit from various solar incentives. Particular programs are available statewide to all California residents, and others differ based on utility company, municipality and city.
Here are solar incentives offered to California residents, as listed by DSIRE.
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 installation expert, first review these important questions.
The size of your system relies on your household’s energy consumption and the solar panel system's production ratio. Larger households often consume more energy and may require a bigger setup. If the system isn’t large enough, it may not produce enough energy to power your entire home.
Your solar plans may be impacted by specific permits and state or local rules. You must secure proper permits through your local building department and schedule an inspection.
Not all residences get the same amounts of sunlight. The tree density, rain levels and extreme weather can impact sunlight access. If your home doesn't get adequate sun, it may require extra panels with higher wattage.
To store additional energy, a lot of panel systems include a solar battery. This feature is essential in cloudy conditions and helps to prevent power loss. However, adding battery storage could increase installation costs.
There are multiple solar panel types available, with differences in life expectancy, design and efficiency. These aspects affect not just the cost, but also how often panels will need to be replaced and roof space requirements.
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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