SolarHut LLC is a Diamond Springs, California-based company providing solar, battery, and electrical solutions to residential and commercial customers in El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento, and Amador Counties. Founded in 20… See all 0 reviews →
Top Solar Companies in California
32+ verified contractors in California. Compare pricing, read reviews, and find the best fit for your project.
California has more rooftop solar than any other state — and the highest electricity rates in the country, averaging about 33¢/kWh. That combination still makes solar one of the best home upgrades a California homeowner can make, but the math changed in 2026: the federal residential tax credit is gone and NEM 3.0 net billing has reshaped how exported power is paid. Here is what installing solar in California actually costs and saves in 2026.
There are 32+ verified companies serving California. Whether you need installation, removal, battery storage, or ongoing maintenance, Top Solar Services makes it easy to compare local contractors by reviews, pricing, and credentials. Every listed company has been vetted through our human-led process. California homeowners typically pay $16,000–$26,000 for a complete residential solar system before incentives. Use the filters below to narrow by city, rating, or project size.
Top-rated solar installers in California, and why
These are among the highest-rated, fully vetted installers serving California right now. Every company is verified through our human-led process; here is what each is known for.
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SolarHut LLC
Listed Diamond Springs installer — established since 2008.
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Citadel Roofing & Solar
Listed Vacaville installer — established since 2015.
Citadel Roofing & Solar is a California-based company headquartered in Vacaville that provides solar installation, battery storage, and roofing services to residential and commercial customers across California. The com… See all 0 reviews →
Browse other solar services in California
Solar Installation · Solar Removal · Panel Cleaning · Battery Storage · Commercial Solar · System Maintenance
How much do solar panels cost in California in 2026?
A typical residential solar system in California runs $2.50–$2.80 per watt installed. Most homes need a 8–9 kW system, which lands at roughly $18,700–$25,300 before incentives, with a payback period of about 7–9 years. With local electricity at about ~33¢/kWh (roughly 80% above the U.S. average), every kilowatt-hour you self-generate is worth that much off your bill.
Pairing solar with a battery adds roughly $10,000–$16,000 but is now central to the economics under NEM 3.0 — storing midday production to use during the expensive evening peak is what drives the savings.
Sources: EnergySage — California solar prices (2026) U.S. EIA — average electricity rates
What solar incentives are available in California in 2026?
The federal residential tax credit ended on December 31, 2025, so California's state, utility, and financing-based incentives now do the heavy lifting. Here is the current stack.
Federal residential credit (Section 25D) — EXPIRED
Homeowners who buy a system in 2026 can no longer claim the 30% federal credit; it ended December 31, 2025. A solar lease or PPA can still pass through the commercial 48E credit via the system owner. IRS — One Big Beautiful Bill FAQ
SGIP battery rebate
The Self-Generation Incentive Program still pays for home batteries. General-market funds (~$200/kWh) are largely exhausted, but equity and equity-resiliency tiers run far higher — up to roughly $1,000–$1,100/kWh for qualifying low-income, medical-baseline, or wildfire/PSPS-zone households. CPUC — SGIP
Property-tax exclusion
California excludes the added value of a solar system from your property-tax assessment — but the exclusion is set to sunset, so systems generally must be completed before January 1, 2027 to lock it in. CA Board of Equalization
DAC-SASH (income-qualified)
Up to about $3/watt for income-qualified homeowners in disadvantaged communities served by PG&E, SCE, or SDG&E; funded through 2030. EnergySage — CA incentives
How does NEM 3.0 (net billing) work in California?
Since April 2023, PG&E, SCE, and SDG&E customers fall under NEM 3.0, the Net Billing Tariff. Instead of crediting exported power at the retail rate, exports are now paid at the utility's avoided cost — frequently in the range of 4–8¢/kWh rather than the ~30¢ you pay to buy power. That ~25%-of-retail export value is exactly why a battery matters: self-consuming your own stored energy in the evening is worth far more than exporting it midday. NEM 3.0 was upheld by a California appeals court in March 2026. CPUC NEM 3.0 (coverage)
How do you vet a solar installer in California?
1. Verify the license
Solar installers in California must hold an active CSLB license — typically a C-46 (Solar) or C-10 (Electrical) classification. Look up any contractor's license number on the CSLB site to confirm it is active, bonded, and free of disciplinary actions. Check it at the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB).
2. Check certifications and insurance
Favor crews with at least one NABCEP-certified installer, verify $1M+ general liability plus workers' compensation, and insist on a written workmanship warranty of 10 years or more in addition to the panel and inverter manufacturer warranties.
3. Read verified reviews and get it in writing
Every company on this page has already cleared our human-led verification, but always read recent reviews, ask for two or three local references, and get the production estimate, warranty terms, and incentive assumptions in writing before you sign.
Solar by city in California
Local utility rules and rebates vary across California. Browse vetted installers in the state's largest metros:
- Solar installers in Los Angeles
The largest rooftop-solar market in the U.S.; LADWP and SCE territory with strong owner-occupied demand.
- Solar installers in San Diego
SDG&E has the highest rates in the state, giving solar-plus-battery the fastest payback in California.
- Solar installers in San Jose
High incomes and high PG&E rates across Silicon Valley make residential solar especially attractive.
- Solar installers in Sacramento
Served by SMUD, a municipal utility outside NEM 3.0, with its own solar and battery/VPP incentives.
- Solar installers in Fresno
Hot Central Valley climate and strong irradiance drive both home and agricultural solar.
Is commercial solar worth it in California in 2026?
California commercial solar is having a stronger year than residential: businesses keep the 30% federal credit through Section 48E (for projects that begin construction by mid-2026), stack it with MACRS depreciation, and can add a domestic-content bonus. High commercial demand charges make solar-plus-storage attractive for peak-shaving, and NEM aggregation lets agricultural and multi-meter sites spread credits across meters.
Explore commercial solar installers in California, compare the broader commercial solar contractor directory, or read our guide to 2026 tariff and tax-credit changes for commercial buyers.
Compare nearby states
Solar companies in Nevada · Solar companies in Arizona · Solar companies in Oregon · Solar companies in Washington
People Also Ask
Who are the top solar companies in California in 2026?
Our directory ranks the top 32+ solar companies in California by verified review score, NABCEP certification status, warranty terms, and project completion rate. The shortlist is led by locally-owned, NABCEP-certified installers concentrated in the state's largest metros. Use the filters above to compare by city, rating, and service type.
How much does solar installation cost in California?
Residential solar systems in California typically cost $16,000–$26,000 installed. California's net billing rules favor pairing solar with battery storage for best economics The federal residential ITC (Section 25D) expired December 31, 2025, so state and utility incentives are now the main driver of net cost.
What solar incentives are available in California?
California homeowners may benefit from California Solar Initiative, DAC-SASH for low-income households, and NEM 3.0 net billing through the IOUs. Solar leases and PPAs may still capture the commercial 48E credit indirectly. Ask any contractor on this page for a current incentive stack analysis specific to your address and utility.
How do I verify a solar contractor's license in California?
Every state maintains a contractor licensing database — typically operated by the state's Department of Consumer Affairs, Contractors State License Board, or Board of Electrical Contractors. Ask the contractor for their license number and verify it directly. Top Solar Services confirms license status before issuing the Verified or Premier Verified badge.
Is solar worth it in California without the federal tax credit?
For many California homeowners, yes — particularly where retail electricity rates are high, net metering exists at retail or near-retail rates, and state rebate or SREC programs apply. The federal residential 25D credit expired December 31, 2025, which has stretched typical payback periods, but lifetime savings on a 25-year system remain positive in most cases. Solar leases and PPAs (third-party owned systems) may still capture the commercial 48E credit indirectly through pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions About Solar in California
2026 Tax Credit Update: The federal residential solar tax credit
(Section 25D) expired December 31, 2025. Commercial credits (48E) still apply.
Learn more →
How much does solar installation cost in California?
Residential solar systems in California typically cost $16,000–$26,000 installed before incentives. California's net billing rules favor pairing solar with battery storage for best economics Note: the federal residential solar tax credit (Section 25D) expired December 31, 2025, so state, utility, and lease/PPA-based incentives are now the primary ways to lower net cost.
Are there solar incentives in California?
Yes. California homeowners may benefit from California Solar Initiative, DAC-SASH for low-income households, and NEM 3.0 net billing through the IOUs. The federal residential solar tax credit (Section 25D) expired December 31, 2025, so state and utility incentives are now the primary stack. Solar leases and PPAs (third-party owned systems) may still qualify for the commercial 48E credit passed to lessors.
How do I find a licensed solar contractor in California?
Look for contractors with a valid California contractor license, NABCEP certification, and verified reviews on Top Solar Services. Every company on this page has been vetted through our human-led verification process.
How many solar companies are in California?
Top Solar Services lists 32+ verified solar companies in California, covering installation, removal, battery storage, commercial projects, and ongoing maintenance.
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