Compare the highest-rated home solar professionals in Colton, California. All contractors are licensed, insured, and verified through our rigorous screening process.
Sunrun is one of the nation's largest residential solar, battery storage, and energy services companies. They are a major player in the California market, known for their strong manufacturer partnerships and comprehensive service offerings, including popular leasing and PPA financing options that reduce or eliminate upfront costs.
A highly-rated, family-owned local provider based in Riverside, Baker Home Energy has built a strong reputation in the Inland Empire for quality custom installations and exceptional customer service. They specialize in both grid-tied and off-grid systems and are known for their expertise in complex installations and high-end equipment.
An award-winning, locally-owned solar installer known for its high customer satisfaction ratings and personalized service. They offer a full suite of services from design to maintenance and are particularly adept at navigating local incentives and financing. Their focus on the Southern California market makes them experts in local permitting and grid interconnection.
The home solar market in Colton, California, is robust and highly competitive, characterized by a mix of national giants like Sunrun and Tesla and a strong contingent of reputable regional and local installers from surrounding cities like Riverside, San Bernardino, and Rancho Cucamonga. The high number of sunny days, coupled with California's high electricity rates and favorable state incentives like the Net Energy Metering (NEM) program, makes solar an attractive investment for homeowners. The average quality of providers is high, given California's strict licensing requirements. Competition is intense, which can benefit the consumer through competitive pricing and enhanced service offerings. Typical pricing for a residential system in Colton ranges from **$15,000 to $30,000+** before the 30% federal tax credit, depending on system size (typically 5kW to 10kW), equipment quality, and roof complexity. Multiple financing options, including loans, leases, and Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), are widely available.
4.7+ star average from verified customer reviews
All contractors are properly licensed and insured
10+ years average experience in the industry
Familiar with Colton regulations and climate
Get answers to common questions about home solar services in Colton, California.
For a typical Colton home, a 6kW solar system averages between $15,000 and $20,000 before incentives. Crucially, you are eligible for the 30% federal solar tax credit, which significantly lowers the net cost. Additionally, California's property tax exclusion for solar installations means adding panels won't increase your property tax assessment, protecting your investment.
The full process typically takes 2 to 4 months. After design and permitting, which includes approval from the City of Colton's Building & Safety Department and Southern California Edison (SCE), installation itself takes 1-3 days. The longest phase is often waiting for SCE to approve the interconnection and install a new net meter, which can take several weeks.
Colton's abundant sunshine (over 280 sunny days per year) is ideal for solar energy production. However, extreme summer heat can temporarily reduce panel efficiency. A quality installer will design your system to account for this, often recommending panels with good temperature coefficients and ensuring proper roof spacing for airflow to mitigate heat-related performance loss.
Prioritize providers licensed by the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) with a C-46 or C-10 license and strong familiarity with Colton's permit process and SCE requirements. Look for established local companies with physical offices, strong warranties, and a portfolio of installations in San Bernardino County. Always check reviews and verify they handle the entire permitting and interconnection paperwork.
Yes, but system design is now more critical. Under NEM 3.0, exporting power to the grid pays less, so the focus shifts to maximizing self-consumption. For Colton homeowners, this means pairing solar with a battery storage system is highly advantageous to store excess daytime energy for use during expensive evening peak hours, dramatically improving savings and providing backup power during Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS).