Compare the highest-rated home solar professionals in North Highlands, California. All contractors are licensed, insured, and verified through our rigorous screening process.
Sunrun is a national leader in residential solar with a significant presence in California. They are known for their comprehensive service, from custom design to installation and ongoing monitoring. A major strength is their variety of flexible financing options, including purchase, loan, and their popular Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), which allows homeowners to pay for the power generated rather than the equipment itself.
A well-established, family-owned company based in Fresno with a strong footprint in Northern California. PetersenDean is unique because they handle both roofing and solar, allowing for integrated services, which is a significant advantage for homes needing a new roof alongside solar installation. They emphasize quality American-made materials and in-house installation crews.
A veteran-owned company with an exceptional reputation for customer service in the Greater Sacramento area. Semper Solaris offers high-quality solar installations, specializes in battery backup systems (particularly Tesla Powerwall), and often runs promotions for military members and first responders. They provide a full suite of services from energy assessment to repair.
** The home solar market in North Highlands is **highly competitive and mature**, benefiting from its location within Sacramento County. The region receives abundant sunshine, making it ideal for solar energy production. Homeowners have access to a wide range of providers, from massive national corporations (like Sunrun) to strong regional players (like PetersenDean and Semper Solaris). **Average Quality & Competition:** The competition is fierce, which generally drives high service quality and competitive pricing. Companies often differentiate themselves through unique financing models (e.g., Sunrun's leases), specialized bundles (e.g., PetersenDean's roofing expertise), or superior customer service and niche markets (e.g., Semper Solaris). **Typical Pricing:** As a rough estimate, the average cost for a residential solar panel system in this area ranges from **$15,000 to $30,000** before incentives. The final price is highly dependent on system size (typically 5kW to 10kW for an average home), panel quality, and the inclusion of a battery. The federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which currently allows for a 30% tax credit on the system cost, significantly reduces the net price for homeowners who purchase their systems. Most top-tier providers are well-versed in all local and federal incentives and will include this analysis in their consultations.
4.7+ star average from verified customer reviews
All contractors are properly licensed and insured
10+ years average experience in the industry
Familiar with North Highlands regulations and climate
Get answers to common questions about home solar services in North Highlands, California.
For a typical 6kW system in North Highlands, the gross cost before incentives is usually between $18,000 and $25,000. Crucially, you can reduce this by 30% with the federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC). Additionally, you benefit from California's net metering policies through SMUD (Sacramento Municipal Utility District), which credits you for excess power sent to the grid, significantly improving long-term savings and payback period.
North Highlands' abundant sunshine, with over 260 clear days per year, provides excellent solar production, especially during long, hot summers when air conditioning use is high. SMUD's current net metering program (NEM 2.0 successor tariff) credits excess generation at a lower rate than the retail price, making it advantageous to size your system to closely match your annual usage rather than overproduce significantly.
Prioritize installers who are licensed, insured, and have extensive experience with SMUD's specific interconnection process and requirements. Look for companies with strong local references in North Highlands and verify they are certified by major manufacturers (like SunPower or Panasonic). Always get multiple detailed quotes that include system design, equipment brands, and a clear explanation of SMUD's paperwork and inspection timeline.
The entire process typically takes 3 to 5 months. After design and contract signing, SMUD requires plan review and approval (which can take several weeks), followed by the installation itself. The final step involves mandatory inspections from Sacramento County and SMUD before the utility grants "Permission to Operate." Scheduling these inspections is the most variable part of the timeline.
Summer heat can temporarily reduce panel efficiency, which is factored into local system designs. Seasonal wildfire smoke can cause a noticeable but temporary drop in daily energy production, requiring occasional cleaning to remove ash residue. Panels are designed for durability, and reputable installers use equipment rated for high temperatures common in our Sacramento Valley climate.