Compare the highest-rated home solar professionals in Glendale, California. All contractors are licensed, insured, and verified through our rigorous screening process.
A leading, award-winning residential solar and battery storage installer with a significant presence in Southern California. Known for high-quality designs, premium equipment (like Panasonic and Tesla), and a strong focus on customer service. They are well-versed in Glendale Water & Power (GWP) incentives and interconnection processes.
A highly-rated, customer-centric company specializing in custom residential solar and battery systems. They emphasize education and transparency, helping homeowners navigate financing and incentives. Their reviews consistently praise their professional installation crews and communication.
Part of the renowned Baker Electric family, this provider brings decades of electrical expertise to solar installations. They are a large, established company offering robust warranties and financing options. Their long history provides a sense of stability and reliability for homeowners.
** The home solar market in Glendale is **highly competitive and mature**, characterized by a high density of reputable installers vying for business. The average quality of providers is very good, driven by California's strict licensing requirements and an educated consumer base. Glendale's unique position of being served by its own utility, **Glendale Water & Power (GWP)**, rather than Southern California Edison, is a critical market factor. Top-tier providers distinguish themselves by having specific expertise with GWP's net metering programs, rebates, and interconnection requirements. Competition is fierce, which benefits the consumer through competitive pricing and enhanced service offerings. Typical pricing for a residential system ranges from **$2.80 to $3.80 per watt** before incentives, translating to a gross cost of approximately **$20,000 to $35,000** for an average-sized system. However, the strong federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC), along with potential GWP-specific incentives, can significantly reduce the net cost. The market is also seeing a rapid increase in demand for **battery storage solutions** like the Tesla Powerwall, both for backup power and for maximizing energy bill savings under GWP's rate structures.
4.7+ star average from verified customer reviews
All contractors are properly licensed and insured
10+ years average experience in the industry
Familiar with Glendale regulations and climate
Get answers to common questions about home solar services in Glendale, California.
For a typical 6kW system in Glendale, the gross cost before incentives ranges from $18,000 to $25,000. Crucially, you can reduce this by 30% with the federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC). Additionally, Glendale Water & Power (GWP) offers a specific solar rebate program for its customers, and California's property tax exclusion for solar installations means your system won't increase your property tax assessment, providing significant long-term savings.
Glendale's abundant sunshine (over 280 sunny days per year) is ideal for solar production, especially for offsetting high summer cooling costs. However, the city has a specific "Solar Glare" ordinance to prevent reflective glare from negatively impacting neighbors or air traffic. A reputable local installer will design your system and select panels (often with anti-reflective coatings) to comply with this during the permitting process with Glendale's Building and Safety Division.
The entire process typically takes 2 to 4 months. After design and contract signing, your installer submits for permits from the City of Glendale, which can take 3-6 weeks. Installation itself is usually 1-3 days. The longest wait is often for the "Permission to Operate" (PTO) from Glendale Water & Power after city inspection, which can take several weeks as they schedule the final meter swap.
Prioritize installers with extensive local experience in Glendale, as they will be familiar with GWP's interconnection process, local building codes, and the glare ordinance. Always verify they are a licensed California C-10 or C-46 contractor. Check reviews on platforms like Yelp and the California Contractors State License Board website, and get multiple detailed quotes that outline equipment, production estimates, and a clear breakdown of all costs and warranties.
A standard grid-tied solar system will automatically shut off during a grid outage for safety reasons, even in sunny weather. To have backup power, you must install a solar battery storage system, like a Tesla Powerwall or similar. This is a particularly valuable consideration in Glendale and California given PSPS events. A battery allows you to power essential loads from your solar panels and stored energy when the grid is down.