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California Solar Guide 2026
Everything you need to know about going solar in California. Compare costs, find incentives, and get free quotes from top-rated solar installers.
Average System Cost
$30,800
Before incentives
Average Annual Savings
$1,900
Per year
Payback Period
11.5 years
Typical timeline
Top-Rated Solar Companies in California
View All Companies →Featured
Powur PBC
Del Mar, CA
3.3★
500 reviews
Powur PBC is a B-Corp certified solar marketplace and MLM company that connects customers with solar installation partners across 22 states. Operating since 2014, Powur uses independent consultants for sales and subcontracts installation work to regional partners.
Experience:19 years
Warranty:30 years
BBB Rating:A+
Model:marketplace
Stellar Solar
Oceanside, CA
4.9★
676 reviews
Stellar Solar is a top-rated local installer with 28 years of experience in Southern California since 1998. As an authorized Maxeon dealer, they install premium Maxeon panels (formerly SunPower) with industry-leading 40-year warranties. With over 16,000 residential and commercial installations, they are consistently voted San Diego's Best Solar.
Experience:28 years
Warranty:40 years
BBB Rating:A+
Baker Electric Home Energy
San Diego, CA
4.5★
920 reviews
Founded in 1938, Baker Electric is one of California's most trusted names in electrical services. Their solar division offers premium installations backed by decades of electrical expertise.
Experience:86 years
Warranty:25 years
BBB Rating:A+
Elevation
Chandler, AZ (serves CA)
4.1★
450 reviews
Elevation offers comprehensive home energy solutions beyond just solar. Their services include energy audits, insulation, and HVAC upgrades, making them ideal for homeowners seeking complete efficiency improvements.
Experience:11 years
Warranty:25 years
BBB Rating:A+
Palmetto Solar
Charleston, SC (serves CA)
4★
850 reviews
Palmetto Solar is a B Corp certified company focused on social and environmental impact. Their proprietary technology platform provides advanced monitoring and energy management tools.
Experience:15 years
Warranty:25 years
BBB Rating:F
Semper Solaris
El Cajon, CA
4★
1100 reviews
Semper Solaris is a veteran-owned company offering solar, roofing, and HVAC services. They provide special discounts for military members and veterans.
Experience:13 years
Warranty:25 years
BBB Rating:A+
Disclaimer: Company rankings are based on publicly available data including customer reviews, BBB ratings, years in business, and service offerings as of February 2, 2026. Featured companies may include paid placements.
Solar by City
Los Angeles
Avg. Cost: $29,850
Annual Savings: $2,000
Sun Hours: 5.6/day
View Los Angeles Solar →
San Diego
Avg. Cost: $28,840
Annual Savings: $2,600
Sun Hours: 5.7/day
View San Diego Solar →
San Jose
Avg. Cost: $29,736
Annual Savings: $2,200
Sun Hours: 5.4/day
View San Jose Solar →
San Francisco
Avg. Cost: $28,665
Annual Savings: $1,950
Sun Hours: 5.2/day
View San Francisco Solar →
Fresno
Avg. Cost: $29,952
Annual Savings: $2,250
Sun Hours: 6.1/day
View Fresno Solar →
Sacramento
Avg. Cost: $29,475
Annual Savings: $1,600
Sun Hours: 5.8/day
View Sacramento Solar →
Long Beach
Avg. Cost: $29,273
Annual Savings: $2,150
Sun Hours: 5.5/day
View Long Beach Solar →
Oakland
Avg. Cost: $29,470
Annual Savings: $2,050
Sun Hours: 5.3/day
View Oakland Solar →
Bakersfield
Avg. Cost: $30,080
Annual Savings: $2,350
Sun Hours: 6.2/day
View Bakersfield Solar →
Anaheim
Avg. Cost: $29,232
Annual Savings: $2,150
Sun Hours: 5.6/day
View Anaheim Solar →
Riverside
Avg. Cost: $29,944
Annual Savings: $2,200
Sun Hours: 5.9/day
View Riverside Solar →
Stockton
Avg. Cost: $29,378
Annual Savings: $2,150
Sun Hours: 5.7/day
View Stockton Solar →
Irvine
Avg. Cost: $29,110
Annual Savings: $2,180
Sun Hours: 5.7/day
View Irvine Solar →
Santa Rosa
Avg. Cost: $29,330
Annual Savings: $2,100
Sun Hours: 5.4/day
View Santa Rosa Solar →
Modesto
Avg. Cost: $29,325
Annual Savings: $2,180
Sun Hours: 5.8/day
View Modesto Solar →
Why Go Solar in California?
California leads the nation in solar adoption with over 1.5 million installations. Under NEM 3.0, pairing solar with battery storage is strongly recommended to maximize self-consumption and offset high electricity rates — export rates without storage are significantly lower than under previous net metering rules.
California homeowners with a solar+battery system under NEM 3.0 typically see payback in 10-12 years, compared to 6-8 years under the old NEM 2.0 rules. Costs reflect solar + battery storage system recommended under NEM 3.0, where pairing a ~10kWh battery (avg $8,500) is effectively required to achieve meaningful savings. Federal tax credit expired 12/31/2025. Payback periods are longer than pre-NEM 3.0 due to reduced export rates without storage.
California Solar News
Learn more about solar energy in your area
California's SGIP Program Can Get You a Free Home Battery — Here's How to Qualify
California's SGIP program offers rebates up to $1,100/kWh — enough to make a home battery essentially free for qualifying households. Learn who qualifies, how much you can get, and how to apply before funding runs out.
California's Power Outage Crisis: Why Solar + Battery Storage Is the Smart Backup Plan
California's wildfires, earthquakes, and storms have a long history of knocking out the grid for days. Learn how a solar + battery storage system keeps your home powered when the utility can't.
Get a Free Estimate in Seconds
See how much you can save on your electricity bill with solar power.