Compare the highest-rated home solar professionals in Lathrop, California. All contractors are licensed, insured, and verified through our rigorous screening process.
A highly reputable, full-service solar and battery storage provider with a strong presence in Northern California. They are known for professional system design, high-quality equipment (like SunPower), and comprehensive customer service from consultation through maintenance. Their extensive experience and national backing provide significant trust and reliability.
A veteran-owned company with a strong focus on customer service and a wide range of energy solutions. They are particularly noted for their expertise in combining solar with battery backup systems, which is a growing priority for Central Valley homeowners. They offer various financing options and have deep knowledge of local incentives.
A highly-rated, local contractor based in nearby Manteca, offering a more personalized service experience. They specialize in custom-designed systems for residential properties and emphasize customer education and transparency. Their excellent local reviews indicate strong customer satisfaction and reliability for the Lathrop community.
** The home solar market in Lathrop, California, is robust and competitive, driven by the region's high number of sunny days and historically high electricity rates from PG&E. The market is characterized by a mix of large, well-established regional installers and smaller, highly-specialized local companies. * **Average Quality:** The quality is generally high, with most reputable installers offering Tier-1 solar panels (like Qcells, REC, Panasonic) and established inverters (Enphase or SolarEdge). Battery storage (Tesla Powerwall, Enphase IQ Battery) is becoming an increasingly standard offering due to grid reliability concerns. * **Competition Level:** Competition is strong. While Lathrop itself has few storefronts, it is actively serviced by companies from Stockton, Manteca, Tracy, and the broader Bay Area. This gives homeowners a wide range of choices from national brands to local experts. * **Typical Pricing:** Pricing is competitive with the rest of Northern California. For a typical 6kW system, homeowners can expect a gross price in the range of **$18,000 to $28,000** before applying the 30% federal tax credit and any other local incentives. The final cost is highly dependent on system size, equipment choice, and roof complexity. Multiple quotes are strongly recommended. **Disclaimer:** It is always crucial for homeowners to verify a company's state contractor license on the CSLB website and obtain multiple, detailed quotes before making a final decision. The information provided is based on research as of late 2023 and is subject to change.
4.7+ star average from verified customer reviews
All contractors are properly licensed and insured
10+ years average experience in the industry
Familiar with Lathrop regulations and climate
Get answers to common questions about home solar services in Lathrop, California.
For a typical 6kW system in Lathrop, the gross cost before incentives is typically between $18,000 and $25,000. The most significant incentive is the 30% federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which directly reduces your federal tax liability. Additionally, California's net metering policy (NEM 3.0) and the property tax exclusion for solar systems add long-term financial benefits, making the net investment substantially lower over time.
Lathrop's location in the Central Valley provides excellent solar potential, with over 260 sunny days per year and high solar irradiance. While summer heat can slightly reduce panel efficiency, the long hours of intense sunlight from spring through fall typically result in very high energy production. The frequent morning tule fog in winter burns off quickly, minimizing its impact on your system's annual output.
Prioritize providers licensed by the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) with a C-46 Solar classification and strong local experience. They should be intimately familiar with the City of Lathrop's specific permit requirements and the interconnection process with PG&E. Look for companies with numerous installations in San Joaquin County and strong reviews addressing local factors like roof types common in the area and managing the PG&E interconnection.
From contract to activation, the process typically takes 2 to 4 months. This timeline includes system design, securing permits from the City of Lathrop Community Development Department, installation, and the final inspection and PG&E interconnection approval. Delays can occur during the PG&E interconnection review, which is a standard step for all systems in their service territory.
Under California's NEM 3.0, which applies to all new PG&E interconnections, you earn credits for excess solar energy sent to the grid, but at a lower, time-of-day rate. This makes pairing your system with a home battery, like a Tesla Powerwall, highly advantageous in Lathrop. A battery allows you to store excess solar for use in the evening during peak rate periods, dramatically increasing your savings and providing backup power during PG&E Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) events.