San Antonio, Texas, is a prime place to transition to solar energy. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), the Lone Star State ranks second in the country for solar energy, with nearly $22 billion invested to date. Plus, it has more than 600 solar providers to choose from.
We’ve researched and ranked the best solar companies nationwide, comparing providers on product performance, reputation, customer satisfaction, price, warranty coverage, and more. See our picks for San Antonio homeowners.
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Top Solar Installation Companies
These are our recommendations for the top five solar providers in San Antonio:
- Most Experienced: SunPower
- Best Comprehensive Coverage: ADT Solar
- Best for Home Builders: Sunrun
- Most Protection: Palmetto Solar
- Best for Guided Services: Momentum Solar
Solar Installation Cost Factors in San Antonio
According to EnergySage, the average price for a 5-kilowatt (kW) solar panel system in San Antonio is $13,250. However, several factors impact what your total cost will be, including the following:
- Company: Solar providers charge different prices for their products. If the company you buy your panels from doesn’t manufacture the equipment, the manufacturer will also influence pricing. Better quality and reputation mean a higher price tag.
- Energy efficiency: Expect to pay more for high-efficiency solar panels.
- Panel type: Most solar companies only sell monocrystalline panels due to their high performance, which makes them more expensive. You can opt for more affordable polycrystalline and thin-film panels, but they won’t be as efficient and you may need more of them to power your home.
- Roof pitch: Most solar installation companies charge extra for riskier or more difficult installations. Plan to pay more for labor if your roof has a steep pitch.
- System size: The more panels you have, the more expensive your system will be.
Solar Tax Incentives in San Antonio
Texas offers residents several ways to save money when installing a solar power system. Your solar installer can help you identify which tax credits and rebates you qualify for, but most Texans can take advantage of the following:
- Property tax exemption: Installing solar panels increases your home value, which typically drives up the property tax you owe. However, Texas waives these additional taxes for solar panels.
- Net-metering: CPS Energy will buy back the excess energy your system generates to supply electricity to the local power grid.
- Federal solar tax credit: Those who purchase their solar energy system outright or via solar loan qualify for the federal tax credit. This allows you to claim 30% of your total solar panel cost on your income taxes the year of installation.
- Solar rights law: This isn’t a financial incentive, but Texas has a solar rights law that prevents Homeowners Associations from blocking your solar installation.
Getting Solar Quotes in San Antonio
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You can get a quote for your San Antonio solar panel system in just a few minutes by following these steps:
- Go to the website of the company from which you want a quote. Click on “Get a Quote” or similar language either in the top right corner or at the bottom of the home page.
- Fill out the required information. This typically includes basic contact information, property details, and roof size.
- You’ll either receive a free quote on the site or by email within a few minutes.
You can also get a quote by phone if you prefer to speak to a representative. The average time to get a quote by phone when we called providers was 15 minutes.
What to Ask Solar Providers
We recommend asking solar panel companies these questions:
- Are your NABCEP-certified, licensed, bonded, and insured?
- Can you share a few customer references?
- Does your team do all the work, or do you use subcontractors? How do you check the work your subcontractors perform?
- Have you worked with my local utility company?
- How long have you worked in solar?
- How many systems have you installed? May I see photos?
- What is your business license number?
- Who do I contact if I have a question or issue? What are turnaround times like to resolve issues?
We also suggest asking these questions about their equipment:
- Is this what you have/would put on your home or business?
- What are the benefits and drawbacks of this equipment?
- What do customers complain about with this equipment?
- What warranty protection do you offer for each piece of equipment?
Solar Services
Solar panel installation companies often provide a few services to help guide you through the solar process and care for your system after installation. These can include the following:
- Consultation: All companies should offer an initial consultation to discuss your home’s energy needs and whether your property is a good fit for solar. This is done virtually or in person. While virtual consultations are more convenient, be aware that the representative won’t be able to provide as specific or potentially accurate information as they would if they saw your property in person.
- Design: Providers have in-house design teams to create the best solar panel layout for your roof. You’ll approve this design before installation moves forward.
- Installation: Not all companies use an in-house installation team. Some use third-party companies. Some only install panels, while others install batteries, electric vehicle chargers, and other equipment. In-house installation is typically preferred, as it ensures quality and reduces potential communication issues across multiple parties.
- Maintenance and cleaning: Many warranties include a maintenance plan through your provider. Check if a company provides system maintenance or cleaning services after installation.
- System monitoring: If a company has a mobile app, it likely includes some degree of system monitoring. Ask if a provider offers system monitoring to track your panels’ performance.
- Additional services: Some companies partner with third parties to handle services that help your installation run smoothly. Roof repair and pest control are common additional services because installing panels on a damaged or infested roof isn’t wise.
Our Recommendation
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San Antonio‘s year-round sunny weather, solar incentives, and long list of solar companies to choose from make it a great city for switching to solar energy and reducing electricity bills. Out of all the companies available in the area, we recommend SunPower, ADT Solar, and Sunrun due to their panel performance, warranties, years of experience, and reputation.
Before committing to any company, look at its panel selection, warranties, and customer reviews. We suggest getting a free quote from at least three companies to compare pricing before starting your solar project.
What Solar Installation Looks Like
Most solar energy companies follow a similar installation process. This typically includes the following steps:
- Site evaluation: A company representative will come to your home to evaluate the scope of work and inspect your roof, attic, and electrical setup.
- Permit approval: Most states require a permit to install solar panels. Your solar provider should handle this paperwork with your local municipality.
- Installation: Installation typically takes one to three days. You don’t need to be home for it, but we recommend it so you can ask questions along the way.
- Cleanup: Installers should remove debris and leave your property in good condition.
- City inspection: Your provider should coordinate with your city to have an inspector check that your system is up to code.
- Utility connection: Your system must be connected to your local utility system if you’re connecting it to the grid. You’ll apply for connection through your power company (some providers do this for you), which will want to inspect your system to make sure it’s in accordance with its utility guidelines. You can turn your system on after getting permission to operate.
How We Chose the Top Solar Companies
We researched and analyzed dozens of solar panels and solar installation companies. We then formulated a rating system based on each solar installer or manufacturer’s services and products. We weighed several significant factors, including the quality and type of solar panels offered, the customer support network, warranty lengths and limitations, and additional benefits such as mobile apps for monitoring and customer service.
Speaking directly to representatives, we determined how each solar company personalizes its solar panel installation for each home. We also analyzed each company’s warranty options to ensure their product and performance guarantees match or exceed industry standards.
We evaluated each provider based on its rating and history with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to determine reputation. In addition, we analyzed the 100 most recent Google Reviews for each provider across various locations and branches.
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