Compare the highest-rated home solar professionals in El Dorado Hills, California. All contractors are licensed, insured, and verified through our rigorous screening process.
Sunrun is a national leader in residential solar and battery storage. They are known for their strong manufacturer partnerships and flexible financing options, including leases, PPAs, and loans. Their Brightbox battery storage system is a popular offering for backup power.
A highly-rated local provider known for exceptional customer service and custom system design. They specialize in high-end residential installations and have deep expertise in both grid-tied and off-grid solutions, including whole-home backup power.
A prominent regional installer known for its strong reputation and veteran-owned ethos. They offer a full suite of services from installation to maintenance and have strong partnerships with top-tier equipment manufacturers like Tesla and LG.
** The home solar market in El Dorado Hills is robust and competitive, characterized by high-quality offerings due to the community's affluent demographics and high electricity rates from PG&E. The market features a mix of well-known national providers (like Sunrun) and exceptional regional specialists (like Baker Home Energy and Semper Solaris). Competition is strong, which benefits consumers through competitive pricing and high service standards. Typical pricing for a residential system ranges from $20,000 to $45,000+ before incentives, heavily dependent on system size (typically 6kW to 10kW for homes in the area) and the inclusion of battery storage. Homeowners in El Dorado Hills are generally well-informed and have high expectations for both the equipment and the quality of installation, driving providers to maintain excellent reputations and offer premium products. The high number of sunny days and favorable net metering policies (though evolving) continue to make solar a sound investment.
4.7+ star average from verified customer reviews
All contractors are properly licensed and insured
10+ years average experience in the industry
Familiar with El Dorado Hills regulations and climate
Get answers to common questions about home solar services in El Dorado Hills, California.
For a typical 6kW to 8kW system in El Dorado Hills, homeowners can expect a gross cost between $18,000 and $28,000 before incentives. The most significant savings come from the 30% federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which directly reduces your federal tax liability. Additionally, you benefit from California's net metering policy (NEM 3.0) with SMUD, which provides bill credits for excess energy sent to the grid, and SMUD offers specific rebates and programs that can further lower upfront costs.
El Dorado Hills' abundant sunshine, with over 260 clear days per year, is excellent for solar production, especially during long, dry summers. Your relationship with SMUD is crucial, as they are your local utility provider under the NEM 3.0 tariff. This newer net metering structure makes pairing your system with a home battery (like a Tesla Powerwall) highly advantageous, allowing you to store excess daytime energy for use during expensive evening peak hours, maximizing your bill savings under SMUD's rate plan.
Yes, you must navigate both the County of El Dorado's building permit process and any specific Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs) from your neighborhood's HOA. California's Solar Rights Act (Civil Code 714) significantly limits an HOA's ability to deny a solar installation, but they can still have reasonable rules regarding placement for aesthetic uniformity (e.g., panel color or mounting style). A reputable local installer will manage the county permit process and help you submit the proper documentation to your HOA for approval.
Prioritize installers with extensive local experience in El Dorado County and a proven track record of working seamlessly with SMUD's interconnection process. Ensure they are certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and hold a valid California C-10 or C-46 solar contractor license. Ask for references from recent installations in your specific neighborhood to see how they've handled local HOAs and the terrain considerations common in our foothill community.
Seasonal variations are normal; summer provides optimal production, while shorter winter days and occasional Central Valley tule fog will reduce output. A more significant local consideration is wildfire smoke, which can temporarily reduce panel efficiency due to particulate haze. This underscores the value of a battery backup system—not only for financial savings under NEM 3.0 but also for providing essential power during PSPS (Public Safety Power Shutoff) events, which can occur in our region during high fire-danger conditions.