Between 2023 and 2025, 2,910 home solar systems were installed in Chico by 119 different companies. Sunrun installed the most (443, or 15% of the local market), followed by Alternative Energy Systems (314) and Ohm Solar Solutions (294). 14% of the systems were leased or financed through a power purchase agreement; the rest were bought outright. Every company in the ranking was still installing in 2025; installers that have since closed are left out.
Top 10 Solar Companies in Chico by Home Installations
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Serves Chico, CA · no office address listed
- Most installations
- Typical system
- 4.5 kW
- Median price (owned)
- $3.27/W
- Leased / PPA
- 56%
- With battery
- 40%
Sunrun sells both: 56% of its systems here were leased or on a PPA, the rest bought outright. Its most common setup here pairs LONGi Green Energy panels with SolarEdge inverters with power optimizers. 40% of its systems here include a home battery. Its median price for an owned system, $3.27/W, is 7% below the Chico median of $3.50/W. A typical system is 4.5 kW, about 11 panels, and it has installed in Chico since 2000. It is also among the top installers in 107 other cities we rank, including Bakersfield and San Diego.
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- Mostly sells systems you own
- (530) 345-6980
- 13620 Hwy 99, Chico, CA 95973
- Typical system
- 7.2 kW
- Median price (owned)
- $3.83/W
- Leased / PPA
- 1%
- With battery
- 19%
Alternative Energy Systems mostly sells systems the homeowner owns, paid in cash or with a loan. Its most common setup here pairs Hanwha Q CELLS panels with Enphase microinverters. 19% of its systems here include a home battery. Its median price for an owned system, $3.83/W, is 9% above the Chico median of $3.50/W. A typical system is 7.2 kW, about 18 panels, and it has installed in Chico since 2006.
Phone from its California contractor license, CSLB #853351
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- Mostly sells systems you own
- (530) 433-4609
- ohmsolarsolutions.com
- 1300 Nord Ave, Chico, CA 95928
- Typical system
- 7.3 kW
- Median price (owned)
- $4.41/W
- Leased / PPA
- 0%
- With battery
- 24%
Ohm Solar Solutions mostly sells systems the homeowner owns, paid in cash or with a loan. Its most common setup here pairs Hanwha Q CELLS panels with Enphase microinverters. 24% of its systems here include a home battery. Its median price for an owned system, $4.41/W, is 26% above the Chico median of $3.50/W. A typical system is 7.3 kW, about 18 panels, and it has installed in Chico since 2022.
Phone from its California contractor license, CSLB #1069206
- Map & reviews ↗
Feather River Aire and Solar
- Mostly sells systems you own
- (530) 891-6787
- featherriveraire.com
- 3268 Esplanade Ste A, Chico, CA 95973
- Typical system
- 7.6 kW
- Median price (owned)
- $3.26/W
- Leased / PPA
- 0%
- With battery
- 22%
Feather River Aire and Solar mostly sells systems the homeowner owns, paid in cash or with a loan. Its most common setup here pairs Hanwha Q CELLS panels with Enphase microinverters. 22% of its systems here include a home battery. Its median price for an owned system, $3.26/W, is 7% below the Chico median of $3.50/W. A typical system is 7.6 kW, about 19 panels, and it has installed in Chico since 2022. It also installs heating and air conditioning, so it can size the solar system around a new heat pump or AC unit.
Phone from its California contractor license, CSLB #807511
- Map & reviews ↗
Royal Aire
- Mostly sells systems you own
- (530) 899-9999
- wecareroyalaire.com
- 2530 Zanella Way Ste A, Chico, CA 95928
- Typical system
- 6.9 kW
- Median price (owned)
- $4.00/W
- Leased / PPA
- 0%
- With battery
- 23%
Royal Aire mostly sells systems the homeowner owns, paid in cash or with a loan. Its most common setup here pairs Wyone Trading panels with Enphase microinverters. 23% of its systems here include a home battery. Its median price for an owned system, $4.00/W, is 14% above the Chico median of $3.50/W. A typical system is 6.9 kW, about 17 panels, and it has installed in Chico since 2012. It also installs heating and air conditioning, so it can size the solar system around a new heat pump or AC unit.
Phone from its California contractor license, CSLB #510286
- Map & reviews ↗
Blm Holdings
- Mostly sells systems you own
- (530) 520-1120
- 3080 Thornetree Dr #75, Chico, CA 95973
- Typical system
- 3.2 kW
- Median price (owned)
- $2.79/W
- Leased / PPA
- 0%
- With battery
- 1%
Blm Holdings mostly sells systems the homeowner owns, paid in cash or with a loan. Its most common setup here pairs Hanwha Q CELLS panels with Enphase microinverters. Its median price for an owned system, $2.79/W, is 20% below the Chico median of $3.50/W. A typical system is 3.2 kW, about 8 panels, and it has installed in Chico since 2018.
Phone from its California contractor license, CSLB #927742
- Map & reviews ↗
Urban Design
- Mostly sells systems you own
- (530) 809-1079
- urbandesignsolar.com
- 4742 Skyway Road, Paradise, CA 95969
- Typical system
- 8.4 kW
- Median price (owned)
- $3.47/W
- Leased / PPA
- 0%
- With battery
- 17%
Urban Design mostly sells systems the homeowner owns, paid in cash or with a loan. Its most common setup here pairs Hanwha Q CELLS panels with Enphase microinverters. 17% of its systems here include a home battery. Its median price for an owned system, $3.47/W, is close to the Chico median. A typical system is 8.4 kW, about 21 panels, and it has installed in Chico since 2012.
Phone from its California contractor license, CSLB #893826
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Serves Chico, CA · no office address listed
- Mostly sells systems you own
- Typical system
- 7.1 kW
- Median price (owned)
- $4.80/W
- Leased / PPA
- 0%
- With battery
- 38%
Premier Solar Solutions mostly sells systems the homeowner owns, paid in cash or with a loan. Its most common setup here pairs JA Solar panels with Enphase microinverters. 38% of its systems here include a home battery. Its median price for an owned system, $4.80/W, is 37% above the Chico median of $3.50/W. A typical system is 7.1 kW, about 18 panels, and it has installed in Chico since 2016.
- Map & reviews ↗
Webb Bill Construction
- Mostly sells systems you own
- Lowest median price in this list
- (530) 891-3351
- 121 Yellowstone Drive, Chico, CA 95973
- Typical system
- 3.6 kW
- Median price (owned)
- $2.53/W
- Leased / PPA
- 0%
- With battery
- 4%
Webb Bill Construction mostly sells systems the homeowner owns, paid in cash or with a loan. Its most common setup here pairs Hanwha Q CELLS panels with Enphase microinverters. Its median price for an owned system, $2.53/W, is 28% below the Chico median of $3.50/W. A typical system is 3.6 kW, about 9 panels, and it has installed in Chico since 2021.
Phone from its California contractor license, CSLB #749650
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Serves Chico, CA · no office address listed
- Mostly leases & PPAs
- Most battery installs
- Typical system
- 6.2 kW
- Median price (owned)
- $5.68/W
- Leased / PPA
- 67%
- With battery
- 75%
Bright Planet Solar mostly sells leases and power purchase agreements: 67% of its systems here were leased or on a PPA, so the homeowner pays monthly and doesn't own the panels. Its most common setup here pairs JA Solar panels with SolarEdge inverters with power optimizers. 75% of its systems here include a home battery, well above the Chico average of 26%. Its median price for an owned system, $5.68/W, is 62% above the Chico median of $3.50/W. A typical system is 6.2 kW, about 15 panels, and it has installed in Chico since 2001. It is also among the top installers in 69 other cities we rank, including Stockton and Chula Vista.
Comparing quotes in Chico?
Divide each quote's total, before incentives, by the system size in watts. Homeowners in Chico who bought their system paid a median of $3.50/W in 2023–2025. Reject any 2026 quote that subtracts a 30% federal tax credit from a purchase: that credit ended in 2025.
How to check a solar quote →Solar Battery Installers in Chico
753 of the 2,910 home solar systems installed in Chico in 2023–2025 (26%) included a home battery, put in by 63 companies. These installed the most:
| Installer | With battery | Of its installs | Median price | Leased / PPA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Sunrun | 176 | 40% | — | 94% |
| 2. Ohm Solar Solutions | 70 | 24% | $6.68/W | 0% |
| 3. Bright Planet Solar | 69 | 75% | — | 80% |
| 4. Alternative Energy Systems | 58 | 19% | $5.49/W | 7% |
| 5. Royal Aire | 45 | 23% | $4.84/W | 0% |
- Most common battery: Tesla (44% of those with a known brand), then Enphase Energy (38%).
- What a battery adds: owned systems with one had a median of $5.39/W, against $3.50/W for all home systems in Chico. The recorded price includes the battery, so the gap (+1.89 $/W on a 7.3 kW system) is roughly what it cost.
- Battery on most of their jobs: Bright Planet Solar (75%), Tesla (67%). The others add one on some jobs, not by default.
- Lowest median price among them: Tesla, at $4.45/W for systems the homeowner bought.
Ask whether a battery quote backs up the whole house or only a subpanel, and size it from your bills: one 13 kWh battery covers essentials overnight, not central air. Under California's Net Billing Tariff (from April 2023) exported solar earns little, so storing it for evening use is what makes a battery pay. More in Tesla Powerwall installation.
Enphase Installers in Chico
2,013 of the 2,910 home solar systems installed in Chico in 2023–2025 (69%) used Enphase inverters, put in by 95 companies. These installed the most:
| Installer | With Enphase | Of its installs | Median price | Leased / PPA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Ohm Solar Solutions | 247 | 84% | $4.08/W | 0% |
| 2. Alternative Energy Systems | 246 | 78% | $3.61/W | 0% |
| 3. Royal Aire | 169 | 85% | $3.90/W | 0% |
| 4. Feather River Aire and Solar | 167 | 84% | $3.21/W | 0% |
| 5. Sunrun | 159 | 36% | $3.27/W | 21% |
- Typical Enphase system: 6.5 kW at a median $3.35/W when bought, most often with Hanwha Q CELLS panels.
- Enphase on most of their jobs: Ohm Solar Solutions (84%), Alternative Energy Systems (78%), Royal Aire (85%), Feather River Aire and Solar (84%), Blm Holdings (100%), Urban Design (83%), Premier Solar Solutions (91%), Webb Bill Construction (99%), United Sun Energy (86%). The others use Enphase on some jobs, not by default.
- Lowest median price among them: Webb Bill Construction, at $2.53/W for systems the homeowner bought.
Enphase puts a microinverter under each panel, with a 25-year limited warranty; if one fails, only that panel stops. If your installer has closed, any of these companies can take over the system.
Home Solar in Chico by the Numbers
Based on 2,910 residential systems installed in Chico between 2023 and 2025, as reported to utilities and state agencies.
Most-installed panel brands
- Hanwha Q CELLS
- LONGi Green Energy
- JA Solar
Most-installed inverter brands
- Enphase Energy
- SolarEdge
- Tesla
How these brands compare nationwide: share, price and leasing →
Home installations per year
Median price of owned systems by year: 2020: $3.64/W · 2021: $3.39/W · 2022: $3.52/W · 2023: $3.48/W · 2024: $3.37/W · 2025: $3.87/W.
Solar Panel Repair in Chico
When a system stops producing, the best first call is an established local company. The companies ranked above installed systems in Chico through 2025, so they know the equipment on local roofs. Many will service a system they didn't install, but not all — ask before you book, and expect a diagnostic fee.
71% of the home systems installed here in 2023–2025 use Enphase Energy inverters, followed by SolarEdge (14%). Enphase systems use a microinverter under each panel, so one failure usually knocks out a single panel and the monitoring app shows which one. Systems with a central (string) inverter — SolarEdge and others — stop producing entirely when that inverter fails; a dark screen or an error code on the unit on your wall is the usual sign.
Checks to do before you call anyone: solar troubleshooting guide. Storm damage, a roof leak or a burning smell: what to do first.
Installers That Closed or Went Bankrupt in Chico
At least 455 home solar systems in Chico were installed by companies that have since closed, liquidated or filed for bankruptcy. They are left out of the ranking above. If one of them installed your system, its workmanship warranty is likely gone — but panel and inverter warranties come from the manufacturer and usually survive the installer.
- Freedom Forever228 systems in Chico
Filed for Chapter 11 in April 2026; converted to Chapter 7 liquidation in August 2026. Source: pv magazine USA
- Infinity Energy108 systems in Chico
Ceased operations in 2023. Source: Forme Solar
- Sungevity68 systems in Chico
Sungevity filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in March 2017. Source: Solar Power World
- SunPower51 systems in Chico
Filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in August 2024. Its assets were sold off. The SunPower brand now belongs to Complete Solaria, a different company that renamed itself SunPower in 2025. Source: Utility Dive
- Phoenix Solar Energy242 systems in Chico
No installations recorded anywhere in California after 2020 (records run through 2025). That does not by itself mean the company closed — check before relying on it for service.
- Captive Solar Energy161 systems in Chico
No installations recorded anywhere in California after 2023 (records run through 2025). That does not by itself mean the company closed — check before relying on it for service.
- Revolve Solar108 systems in Chico
No installations recorded anywhere in California after 2017 (records run through 2025). That does not by itself mean the company closed — check before relying on it for service.
- Unisun99 systems in Chico
No installations recorded anywhere in California after 2019 (records run through 2025). That does not by itself mean the company closed — check before relying on it for service.
- Westhaven Solar87 systems in Chico
No installations recorded anywhere in California after 2023 (records run through 2025). That does not by itself mean the company closed — check before relying on it for service.
- Chico Roofing74 systems in Chico
No installations recorded anywhere in California after 2021 (records run through 2025). That does not by itself mean the company closed — check before relying on it for service.
- Spg Solar74 systems in Chico
No installations recorded anywhere in California after 2013 (records run through 2025). That does not by itself mean the company closed — check before relying on it for service.
- Allianz Heating and Air73 systems in Chico
No installations recorded anywhere in California after 2023 (records run through 2025). That does not by itself mean the company closed — check before relying on it for service.
See the full list of solar companies that went out of business and what still works if yours is one of them.
Solar in Chico: Common Questions
Who installs the most solar panels in Chico?
In the most recent three years of records (2023–2025), Sunrun installed 443 home systems in Chico, more than any other company. Alternative Energy Systems (314) and Ohm Solar Solutions (294) came next. Volume shows local experience, not workmanship, so compare quotes and reviews before choosing.
How much does a solar system cost in Chico?
Homeowners who bought their system outright paid a median of $3.50/W before incentives, and the typical system was 6.7 kW — about $23,500 in total. Prices vary by installer: in the ranking above, the median ranges from $2.53/W to $5.68/W.
Do most people in Chico buy or lease their panels?
86% bought their system and 14% leased it or signed a power purchase agreement (PPA). With a lease or PPA you pay little upfront, but you don't own the panels and the savings are smaller over the contract. Some installers sell almost only one way — check the "Leased / PPA" figure for each company in the ranking.
Who repairs solar panels in Chico?
Start with the companies in the ranking above: Sunrun, Alternative Energy Systems and Ohm Solar Solutions did the most work here, and an installer that knows the equipment on local roofs can usually diagnose a fault faster. If your system was leased or is on a PPA, call the company you pay each month first — maintenance is normally its job.
Can I still get the federal solar tax credit in 2026?
Not as a homeowner buying the system: the 30% residential credit (Section 25D) ended on December 31, 2025. Be wary of any quote that still subtracts it from the price. See our 2026 solar tax credit guide for what's left.
What if my solar installer went out of business?
Your panels and inverters are still covered by their manufacturers' warranties; what you lose is the installer's workmanship and roof-leak warranty. If the system is leased or on a PPA, the company you pay each month is usually responsible for repairs, and any active company in the ranking can take over service. See the installers that closed in Chico and what still works when an installer closes.
What do homeowners in Chico pay for electricity?
Residential customers in California pay an average of 34.74¢ per kWh, 99% above the national average. The higher the rate, the faster solar pays for itself. Source: EIA, Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A.
No company pays to be listed or to rank higher, and any ad on this site is labeled. Before you sign, confirm the contractor license, insurance and recent reviews, and get at least three quotes. If a company in Chico has closed, moved or changed its phone number, tell us and we'll check it.
How This Ranking Works
Companies are ranked by the home solar systems they installed here in 2023–2025, from utility and state records; each needs at least 10 local installations and must still have been installing in 2025. Closed or bankrupt companies are removed and listed separately. The count shows local experience, not workmanship or service.
Source: Tracking the Sun, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (2026 edition), licensed CC BY 4.0. In New York and New Jersey, recent years come from the state programs' own records (NYSERDA and New Jersey's Clean Energy Program). Company names were standardized and closures checked against news reports by Solar Power Fix. More about our methodology.
Solar system not producing in Chico?
The checks to do before you call anyone: the inverter screen, the breakers, the monitoring app and what each error code means.