Compare the highest-rated home solar professionals in Merced, California. All contractors are licensed, insured, and verified through our rigorous screening process.
A locally owned and operated company with a strong presence in the Central Valley. They are known for comprehensive service, from initial consultation and system design to installation and long-term maintenance. They emphasize customer education and high-quality equipment.
While based in Fresno, Sierra Pacific is a major regional player with extensive experience serving the entire Central Valley, including Merced. They offer a full suite of energy services, making them a good choice for homeowners looking to integrate solar with overall home efficiency.
A highly-rated, premium installer known for exceptional customer service and expertise in complex system designs, including off-grid and battery-backup solutions. They are a certified partner for top-tier manufacturers like Tesla and SunPower.
** The home solar market in Merced, California, is robust and competitive, driven by the region's high number of sunny days, rising electricity costs from PG&E, and favorable state and federal incentives. The average quality of providers is high, with several established local and regional companies vying for business. Homeowners have a good range of choices from local specialists like Baker Home Energy to larger regional experts like Sierra Pacific and Solar Harmonics. Competition is strong, which generally benefits the consumer through competitive pricing and improved service offerings. Typical pricing for a residential solar system in Merced can range from **$15,000 to $35,000+** before incentives, depending on system size (typically 5kW to 10kW), equipment quality, and roof complexity. The federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) can reduce this cost by 30%. Most reputable companies offer a variety of financing options, including loans, leases, and Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), making solar accessible without large upfront payments.
4.7+ star average from verified customer reviews
All contractors are properly licensed and insured
10+ years average experience in the industry
Familiar with Merced regulations and climate
Get answers to common questions about home solar services in Merced, California.
For a typical 6kW system in Merced, the average gross cost ranges from $18,000 to $24,000 before incentives. Beyond the 30% federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC), Merced homeowners can benefit from California's net metering policy (NEM 3.0) and the property tax exclusion for solar installations, ensuring your property taxes won't increase due to the added value. While there are no specific city-level rebates, Merced's high number of sunny days maximizes your system's financial return.
Merced's abundant sunshine, with over 260 clear days per year, makes it exceptionally well-suited for solar, with peak production from late spring through early fall. While winter tule fog can reduce morning output, panels still generate power on cloudy days and the intense summer sun leads to very high production. The best time to install is in spring or fall to avoid extreme heat delays and ensure your system is ready for the high-production summer season.
Prioritize providers with strong local experience who are familiar with Merced County's specific permitting processes and the City of Merced's building codes. Ensure they are a California C-46 Solar Contractor or C-10 Electrical contractor, licensed, bonded, and insured. Ask for references from recent Merced installations and verify they handle the entire interconnection process with Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), your local utility.
Under NEM 3.0, effective April 2023, the credit you receive for exporting excess solar energy to PG&E is significantly lower, making a solar-plus-battery storage system much more financially advantageous. For Merced homeowners, this means storing your excess daytime solar energy in a battery to use during expensive evening peak hours (4-9 pm) is now critical to maximizing savings and achieving a shorter payback period.
Yes, two key local factors are roof material and home age. Many homes in Merced have concrete tile roofs, which require specialized mounting equipment and can increase installation complexity and cost slightly. Additionally, if your home is older, an electrical panel upgrade may be necessary to meet current California Electrical Code (Title 24) and PG&E's requirements, which is a common consideration for the city's historic neighborhoods.