With so many solar companies to choose from, we know how daunting it can be to find an installer you can trust with your home’s solar system. To help you make the right decision, we’ve put together this comprehensive guide to the best solar companies in Orange, CA, as rated by our SolarReviews experts and Orange residents who’ve already gone solar.
We look for solar companies with owners who understand that when they sell you a solar system, you expect them to be there for the next 25 years to fix any issues that may arise. Here are the top companies we recommend for solar in Orange:
Company Description
Established in 2009. Sol-Up’s commitment to quality is especially visible in our installations. As Southern Nevada’s only NABCEP certified residential installer, Sol-Up combines years of experience in the field with the latest installation methods to provide ...
Learn moreSolarReviews Expert Rating Score:
Elite
Rating breakdown
Positives:
9 / 10
Time in business
6 / 10
Litigation and background
7 / 10
Verification of licenses and insurance
10 / 10
Profitability of installer
5 / 5
Consumer reviews performance
4 / 5
Transparency of pricing and sales process
5 / 5
Company size and location
10 / 10
Quality of brands sold
5 / 5
Vertical integration
10 / 10
Competitiveness of loan options
3 / 5
Employee satisfaction and safety record
3 / 5
Transparency about reputation
5 / 5
Sustainable pricing of systems
5 / 5
Reliability of consumer reviews
Negatives:
Services offered
- Solar - Installation
- Windows - Windows - Install & Replace
Latest Good Review
Tim H | Las Vegas, NV | 01-21-2025
Professional
We had the pleasure of working with Mary Lorenzo, very professional and no hard sell!! Loved the German engineering and made in the USA. Thank you Mary
See full reviewLatest Bad Review
DD33Raiders | Las Vegas, NV | 03-19-2025
Was sold on a finance deal that was misrepresented
I would sold a finance deal by John Tutino that was just plainly false. After we caught what was going on in how my payment was being applied, I brought this up to John. After getting on the phone with Mosaic, I realized that the deal I was sold and what I signed were two completely different things. When brought up to John he told me how I pay off my loan is my business and he didn’t misrepresent anything. He told me he would bring up my concerns to his manager and I haven’t heard anything back. I gave them an opportunity to make this right and have not had any response. Otherwise I would’ve just paid cash for the system and instead I’m out in interest I wasn’t expecting to pay based off what John and I talked about. I would not recommend John Tutino to anyone based on my experience.
See full reviewCompany Description
With Sunrun, you get a new, modern energy experience – the freedom to power life how and when you want with reliable, affordable energy made from the sun.
Learn moreSolarReviews Expert Rating Score:
Average
Rating breakdown
Positives:
6 / 10
Time in business
Negatives:
4 / 10
Litigation and background
4 / 10
Verification of licenses and insurance
5 / 10
Profitability of installer
1 / 5
Consumer reviews performance
1 / 5
Reliability of consumer reviews
2 / 5
Transparency of pricing and sales process
1 / 5
Company size and location
2 / 10
Quality of brands sold
1 / 5
Vertical integration
2 / 5
Transparency about reputation
2 / 10
Competitiveness of loan options
1 / 5
Sustainable pricing of systems
2 / 5
Employee satisfaction and safety record
Services offered
- Solar - Installation
Latest Good Review
Erika Shapiro | 03-28-2025
100% recommend
Getting our Solar Panels through SunRun has been amazing. Angelo Romero has been a pleasure to work with. He is very knowledgeable about SunRuns solar panels and is very professional. I would definitely Recomended SunRun for Solar Panels and I would 100% work with and recommend Angelo Romero if you are thinking about getting Solar Panels installed.
See full reviewLatest Bad Review
Edwin Fernandez | Elmsford, NY | 03-28-2025
The worst customer service ever, my solar panels haven’t been working for 10 months and the company hasn’t responded or resolved the issue . And they still taking the monthly payments every month . Don’t go with this company , they just want to take your money .
See full reviewBest solar installers in Orange, CA
| Company | SolarReviews expert rating | Consumer rating | City | Quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AMECO Solar & Roofing | Elite | Paramount | Get Quote | |
| Sol-Up | Elite | - | Get Quote | |
| Green 360 Solutions (formerly Elite Solar) | Unrated | Woodland Hills | Get Quote | |
| Cosmic Solar, Inc. | Unrated | Valley Center | Get Quote | |
| Stellar Solar | Very Good | Oceanside | Get Quote | |
| Affordable Home Solar | Unrated | Union City | Get Quote | |
| Sungreen Systems | Unrated | Irwindale | Get Quote |
Best solar companies for home battery installations in Orange
Batteries have become increasingly popular because they take an intermittent energy source like solar and turn it into a reliable and consistent supply of electricity. We recommend getting a solar battery quote if you want a backup power source or if your utility company doesn’t have a net metering program that buys excess solar energy at the full price of power, as you could save a little extra on your electric bill.
Here are some Orange companies that install panels and solar battery storage systems:
| Company | SolarReviews expert rating | Consumer rating | City | Quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gimenergy | Unrated | los angeles | Get Quote | |
| Green Conception | Elite | Burbank | Get Quote | |
| NRG Upgrade | Excellent | Los Angeles | Get Quote | |
| SunLux | Very Good | Corona | Get Quote | |
| Current Home | Unrated | Temecula | Get Quote |
How to find the best solar panel company near you
Picking a solar company is the most important decision you make when going solar. You need to trust them to drill holes in your roof, help you navigate financing and incentives and provide you with 25+ years of customer service.
Check out this video where our founder, who also founded a successful solar installation company, explains what to look for when choosing the best solar company near you.
Top things to consider when choosing a solar company in Orange:
Years in business
One of the first things to look at when finding a company is how long they have been in business. We suggest looking for companies that have been around for at least five years, as the longer it has been in business, the more likely it is you’ll have a positive installation experience.
Companies with five or more years of experience will probably have established after-sales service and warranty support. It signals that they aren’t a company in it to make a quick buck; they’re in it for the long haul.
Of course, there are exceptions to this rule, which is why you should also keep a few other factors in mind.
Licenses, insurance, and certifications
Solar companies that are licensed, insured and hold certifications take their business seriously. Look for companies that have NABCEP Certified professionals or certified electricians on staff and are properly insured, so their workers, and you, are protected.
Financing options
Not everyone has thousands of dollars to spend on a solar panel installation. So, you’ll want to find a company with solar financing options that work for you. Ask for quotes for various types of financing plans to see which one will work best for your budget. Solar loans are often your next best choice if you can’t pay in cash. But, if you don’t pay federal income taxes or can’t qualify for a loan, finding a company that offers solar leases or power purchase agreements might be the right move.
Services and products offered
Don’t choose a company that can’t complete the job that you want to be done. If you need an energy storage system, get quotes from companies that install batteries! Maybe you want a particular brand of panels or an electric vehicle charger installation. Ask the company if they provide those services or carry those brands so you don’t have to settle for less.
Customer review scores
Customer ratings give valuable insight into how a solar company actually operates and treats its customers. Read SolarReviews, Google and Yelp reviews to understand the company’s installation process, sales practices and overall customer service. But remember that some companies incentivize customers to leave positive reviews, so make sure you read reviews with some scrutiny.
Warranty
Any reputable solar installation company will offer a workmanship or labor warranty that covers any damages that may occur during the installation process. We recommend using an installer with at least a ten-year labor warranty.
Some installation companies, like SunPower, include a system performance guarantee. This promises you’ll get a certain amount of electricity from your solar panels and is an excellent added protection.
Orange incentives and rebates
Solar incentives and rebates can cut the cost of installing solar in Orange by thousands of dollars. The most significant incentive is the 30% federal solar tax credit, available to any taxpayer in the country when they purchase solar panels or battery storage.
Some cities, counties, states and utility companies offer additional solar incentives, saving homeowners even more money. Here are the solar incentives available in Orange:
| Incentive | Eligibility | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Clean Energy Tax Credit | Federal | Personal Tax Credit |
| Self-Generation Incentive Program | State | Battery Rebate |
| Property Tax Exclusion for Solar Energy Systems | State | Property Tax Incentive |
| Net Billing (NEM 3.0) | State | Net Metering |
How much can you save with solar incentives?
What to look for in solar quotes in Orange
Once you’ve found a few companies you like, you can start getting solar quotes. You can get a better deal when you get quotes from multiple solar installers; we suggest getting at least three quotes. Here are a few of my favorite tips and tricks for comparing quotes and what questions you should ask installers.
System size and energy production
All solar quotes should include the size of the system and how much energy it is projected to produce. Most of the quotes you get will probably be in the same ballpark. But, if one is drastically larger or smaller than the others — ask about it! Maybe one installer included shading from a tree, while another based its estimates on having that tree removed.
If you choose reliable installers, you can trust that these estimates will be as accurate as possible. But you can always double-check using the SolarReviews solar calculator and enter the information received in your quotes.
Pricing
You should know as much as possible about how much the solar panels cost. Make sure you know both the total cost of the system and the price per watt of solar installed. The cost per watt makes it easier to compare prices between quotes and gives you a better idea of how fairly the system is priced. The average price of solar is about $2.14 to $3.22 per watt in Orange, so anything in that range is a fair price.
Financing
Financing is one of the most important things to look for in your solar quote. There are a few different things to keep an eye out for, depending on what type of solar financing you’re using.
If you’re looking to use a solar loan, you should ask the company for both a cash quote and the financed quote. Solar loans include something called dealer fees, which can sometimes add 20% or more to the total cost of your system in exchange for a lower interest rate. It’s worth comparing what dealer fees and interest rates you’re quoted from different companies to get the best deal possible.
If you want a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA), you’ll want to look for an escalator clause in the contract. The escalator clause outlines how much your payments will go up every year. Ideally, this should be lower than the rate at which electric prices increase in your area, typically about 3% annually. If the escalator rate is higher than this, you could end up paying more than if you hadn’t gone solar at all!
Payback period
Some quotes may include when you’ll break even, meaning when your panels have saved as much as you spent on them.
If it’s not explicitly listed on the quote, you can compare any savings estimates they provide to the system’s total price and get a rough estimate of when your panels will pay themselves off. The shorter the payback period, the better.
Equipment
Good quality solar installers will carry good quality equipment. So if you pick an installer you trust, you can expect reliable products. But, it can’t hurt to research and ask the installer questions about what would be going on your roof.
Most solar panels installed today are about 400 watts in size and have efficiency ratings above 19%. Higher wattage and efficiency panels can produce slightly more electricity but may add a price premium. You’ll want to make sure the solar panels have the industry standard 25-year product and performance warranties.
Frequently asked questions about solar in Orange
How much do solar panels cost in Orange?
How much can solar panels save in Orange?
Do I need a solar battery in Orange?
How can you pay for solar panels in Orange?
What are the best solar companies for a solar lease in Orange?
What are the best solar companies for zero-down solar loans in Orange?
How SolarReviews rates installers
SolarReviews developed our Expert Rating criteria to make it easier for homeowners to find solar companies they can trust. It’s not just about the consumer reviews or the products they sell - it’s about how they treat their employees, how they support their customers, and if they run an honest business.
We used our team’s extensive knowledge of the solar industry to create a data-based scoring system for rating solar companies that encompasses all of the most important things to consider when picking the best solar company, including:
- Background checks
- Brand quality
- License and insurance
- Vertical integration
- Profitability
- Transparency
- Consumer reviews
- Loan options
- Local service
- Responsible pricing
Learn more about the SolarReviews Expert Rating system.
Andy is arguably the most qualified rooftop solar expert in America. He is in a unique position, having founded a large solar company but now being independent of any particular company. He has appeared on CNBC, has been referenced in public hearings concerning the rooftop solar industry ( such as the recent CPUC NEM 3 decision) and has been referenced by many major publications such as the Wall Street Journal, Business Week and many others.