California is the sunniest state in the United States. The demand for solar panels in California has escalated, like never before, which has led to a rapid decline in the cost of solar technology. The price has fallen 40% in the last five years. Ranked no. 1 in the nation, it has 27.9 GW of solar installed that powers millions of homes. Because of a favorable environment, there are over two thousand active solar companies in the state, and 50% of them are installers. Whether you are a homeowner or business, it is going to be cumbersome to select the right installer for you. To make things easy for you, I have nailed down the list of best solar companies in California:

1. Solar Optimum
2. SunLux Energy
3. Renova Energy
4. NRG Clean Power
5. Semper Solaris
6. Mega Power Electric
7. Future Energy Savers
8. Cosmic Solar
9. Forme Solar
10. Kota Energy Group
11. SunPower by Stellar Solar

The list above consists of very reputable and reliable names. Most of them take both residential and commercial projects. Before you select one, it is always recommended to get a quote from at least three installers and personally interview them.

Solar Optimum

Solar Optimum is one of the top solar companies in California. Founded in 2008, the company has a mission to provide environment-friendly, alternative energy to its consumers. With its sophisticated team, Solar Optimum delivers solar solutions for both residences and commerce. The company has also installed projects for governments and non-profit clients. Whether you want a rooftop, ground-mount, carport, or canopy, the company can meet your needs.

As a reputable state-level installer, it executes projects from A to Z by itself. It covers design, installation, inspection, permits, etc. Solar Optimum also offers storage battery and financing solutions for homeowners and businesses in California.

Headquartered in Glendale, the Solar Optimum has a physical presence throughout California: Ventura, San Diego, Laguna Niguel, Bakersfield, San Bernardino, Benicia, Riverside, Escondido, and Palm Desert.

Website	solaroptimum.com
Headquarters	Glendale, California
Products/services	Solar panels, batteries, financing
Area served	California
No. of employees	50+
Founded in	2008
Key people	Arno Aghamalian (CEO, Founder)

SunLux Energy

SunLux Energy is a full-service solar-panel provider from California. It provides solar installation services for residential and commercial entities. Besides solar panels, the company offers electric vehicle solutions, backup generators, and storage batteries. Its 50+ team consists of technicians, master electricians, project managers, and designers that provide integrated solar solutions to its customers.

SunLux Energy is active in California and Texas. In California, the company has a presence in Rancho Cucamonga, Placentia, Sylmar, and Temecula.

Website	sunlux.com
Headquarters	Rancho Cucamonga, California
Products/services	Solar panels, batteries, financing
Area served	California, Texas
No. of employees	50+
Founded in	January 2015
Key people	Guillermo Santomauroi (CEO, co-Founder), Joe Benko (President, co-Founder)

Renova Energy

Renova Energy is a top-rated solar installer in California. The company provides solar-related services to residences and businesses in California. As one of the first NABCEP-certified companies of the nation, Renova Energy has a strong and experienced team that is committed to renewable energy systems. As of 2020, Renova Energy has installed over 25 megawatts of solar power. Its products and services include solar panels, smart energy storage solutions, and solar financing.

As a SunPower elite dealer, Renova Energy markets and sells solar panels of SunPower, which is a leading solar panel manufacturer in the world. Apart from regular installation, the company provides maintenance services for photovoltaic systems.

Website	renovaenergy.com
Headquarters	Palm Desert, California
Products/services	Solar panels, batteries, financing
Area served	California
No. of employees	65+
Founded in	2007
Key people	Vincent Battaglia (CEO, Founder)

NRG Clean Power

NRG Clean Power is one of the best solar contractors in California. With more than eight years of experience in solar installation, the company has gained a good reputation in the market. The company handles all procedures and processes itself, including permits and inspections. NRG Clean Power offers Americans solar panels and roofing services. It has also partnered with financial companies to avail customers of different payment options. Besides the previous, NRG Clean Power serves energy-efficient solutions, like HVAC and windows.

Most of the company’s business comes from California, but it is also active in Texas. As of 2020, it has completed 5700+ projects with a residential capacity of 50 megawatts.

Website	nrgcleanpower.com
Headquarters	Los Angeles, California
Products/services	Solar panels, financing
Area served	California, Texas
No. of employees	50+
Founded in	2012
Key people	Oren Tamir (CEO, Founder)

Semper Solaris

Semper Solaris is a veteran-owned company and known for hiring former US Marines. As one of the best solar installers in California, it provides numerous solar services, like solar panels, storage batteries, roofing solutions, and HVAC. Driven by military values, it has a well-experienced team that consists of more than 200 employees. Semper Solaris has teamed up with Panasonic catering to its customers 100% American-made solar panels.

The company has an office in San Diego, Bay Area, Los Angeles, Orange County, Inland Empire, Bakerspire, and Fresno.

Website	sempersolaris.com
Headquarters	El Cajon, California
Products/services	Solar panels, roofing, storage batteries, heating & air conditioning systems
Area served	California
No. of employees	200+
Founded on	March 9, 2012
Key people	John Almond (CEO, co-Owner), Kelly Shawhan (co-Owner)

Mega Power Electric

Mega Power Electric is a family-owned business from California that provides electrical services to the people of the state. Founded in 2000 by husband and wife, the company aims to promote clean and affordable energy to California. With more than 19 years of experience, Mega Power Electric has captured the market in all major cities of California, including San Francisco, San Jose, Los Angeles, Riverside, Santa Clara, Granite Bay, Van Nuys, Pasadena.

Its team has extensive experience and can handle all types of solar projects. The company’s solar services cover rooftop, ground-mount, panel replacement & upgradation, and EV charging station.

Website	megapower.solar
Headquarters	Van Nuys, California
Products/services	Solar panels, electrical services, solar financing
Area served	California
No. of employees	30+
Founded in	2000
Key people	Gary Nester (Owner)

Future Energy Savers

Established in 1978, Future Energy Savers is a four-decade-old company in California. It provides several energy-saving services, such as solar panels, roofing, HVAC, exterior coating, windows replacement, EV car stations, batteries. The family-owned business has installed photovoltaic systems in tens of thousands of homeowners. Besides individuals, it has served churches, community gardens, and shelters.

Since its founding, Future Energy Savers has been recognized by many awards from governments, institutions, and electric companies. The installer is committed to the nation’s growth by selling made-in-America solar panels.

Website	energysavers.com
Headquarters	Elk Grove, California
Products/services	Solar panels, batteries, roofing, EV charging, heating & air conditioning
Area served	California
No. of employees	60+
Founded in	1978
Key people	Jeffrey Adkins (Owner)

Cosmic Solar

Cosmic Solar is one of the top solar contractors in California and a SunPower elite dealer. As a major player in the region, it offers full-line solar services to people and businesses of Southern California. The services include solar installation, solar thermal heating, pool heating, and financing. Further, Cosmic Solar provides a full range of roofing services that cover inspection, repair, reroofing, maintenance, and gutter installation.

Headquartered at Vista, Cosmic Solar serves its customers throughout Southern California.

Website	cosmicsolar.com
Headquarters	Vista, California
Products/services	Solar panels, roofing, solar hot water system, pool water heating system
Area served	California
No. of employees	15+
Founded in	2004
Key people	Bahram Shadzi (President, Founder)

Forme Solar

Founded in 2017, in just a few years, the company has gained ground in the solar industry. Forme Solar provides solar installation, roofing services, EV charging, and storage batteries for homeowners and businesses of Southern California. As one of the best regional solar contractors, it has partnered with many brands to provide a tailor-made experience to its customers.

The company is active in several cities of Southern California, covering San Diego, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Orange, Riverside, Irvine, Santa Ana, Chula Vista, etc.

Website	formesolar.com
Headquarters	La Habra, California
Products/services	Solar panels, batteries, roofing, EV Charging
Area served	California
No. of employees	11+
Founded in	2017
Key people	Leanne Kim (CEO, Founder)

Kota Energy Group

Kota Energy Group is a California-based solar company. It offers solar panels, solar financing, storage batteries, and roofing services. Furthermore, the company offers complete home automation solutions. It has offices in California, Nevada, and Florida.

Website	kotaenergygroup.com
Headquarters	Camarillo, California
Products/services	Solar panels, batteries, roofing
Area served	California, Florida, Nevada
No. of employees	25+
Founded in	2018
Key people	Scott Hyde (CEO, Founder)

SunPower by Stellar Solar

Established in 1998, SunPower by Stellar Solar is a two-decade-old company headquartered in Oceanside, California. It sells solar panels for residences as well as commercial entities. Further, it provides Tesla Powerwall. As a top solar contractor in San Diego and SunPower elite dealer, it offers full-service photovoltaic systems. Since its founding, it has installed more than 12,000 solar systems in Southern California.

Website	stellarsolar.net
Headquarters	Oceanside, California
Products/services	Solar panels, batteries
Area served	California
No. of employees	50+
Founded in	1998
Key people	Kent Harle (President, Founder)

 

Our last company, though not based in California, is Tiny Watts Solar. They have been around since 2017 and are doing a great job. If you would like to learn more about them click here.