Best Solar Panels for Homes in San Diego, CA

How to choose solar energy companies in San Diego

California, which has set a goal of 100 percent clean energy by 2045, is the leading solar market in the U.S, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association. There are over 2,000 solar companies in the state, where nearly six million homes use solar power.

Solar customers in San Diego benefit from California’s plentiful sunshine by installing panels that capture the sun’s energy and pass it through an inverter before it is used to power homes. San Diego is second only to Los Angeles in solar capacity, state data show.

Most solar energy companies in San Diego offer free consultations to determine if your home is a suitable candidate for solar installation, followed by a complimentary quote. The average cost of a solar energy system in San Diego is around $17,000 including installation. But the bottom-line cost is significantly less after taking into account the federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit and California Solar Initiative rebates.

When choosing solar panels for your home, you will likely be selecting one of two types:

• Monocrystalline silicon panels, usually darker in color, are the most common and most efficient kind of solar panel. They are generally the most expensive type of panel on the market and make sense if your roof is smaller.
• Polycrystalline silicon panels, bluer in color, produce adequate power but are not nearly as efficient. If you have plenty of roof space and want to be more economical, polycrystalline may be appropriate.

Residential solar panels can be either ground-mounted or installed on rooftops. Rooftop panels are more common, less expensive and usually installed more easily. Ideally, they will be south-facing and will be tilted at a 30-degree angle.

There are several different ways to pay for a solar energy system in San Diego:

• You can own the system and the energy it produces by purchasing from a solar energy company directly.
• You can own the system by paying for it with a loan, with different financing options available.
• You can pay a monthly amount to rent, or lease, the system; the solar energy company owns the system.

When you buy a solar energy system in San Diego, you are responsible for maintenance, unless you add on a service plan, which many purchasers do because of the size of the investment. With leasing, the solar company will oversee maintenance. If there are defects or installation problems, those will be covered as long as the warranty is in effect. Most warranties for solar energy systems last at least two decades, but check to see if coverage expires sooner.

Most homeowners insurance policies cover solar panels, as they are considered a permanent attachment to the home. Check with your provider for coverage limits or exceptions, like for ground-mounted panels.

The company you purchase your solar system from should install it. Installation is typically included in the cost of the system, but make sure. In all cases, the solar energy company in San Diego should help you determine what permits or licenses you may need before installation.