California
76 cities ranked706,294home systems, 2021–2023
15.3%of homes have solar
$4.16/Wmedian price paid
#1statewide: Sunrun
Best Solar Installers by State
Pick your state to see the top solar companies in each city we rank, from public installation records.
Share of homes with solar Under 1%1–2%2–4%4–6%6–10%10% or more
Arizona
13 cities ranked108,897home systems, 2021–2023
10.4%of homes have solar
$4.04/Wmedian price paid
#1statewide: Sunrun
New York
12 cities ranked47,534home systems, 2023–2025
3.5%of homes have solar
$4.06/Wmedian price paid
#1statewide: Sunrun
New Jersey
8 cities ranked60,107home systems, 2023–2025
6.0%of homes have solar
68%leased or on a PPA
#1statewide: Sunrun
Massachusetts
4 cities ranked33,297home systems, 2020–2022
7.0%of homes have solar
$3.72/Wmedian price paid
#1statewide: Sunrun
New Mexico
3 cities ranked21,269home systems, 2021–2023
6.6%of homes have solar
$4.48/Wmedian price paid
#1in Albuquerque: Solar Works Energy
Texas
2 cities ranked22,375home systems, 2021–2023
0.6%of homes have solar
$3.83/Wmedian price paid
#1in San Antonio: Greenstar Power
Wisconsin
2 cities ranked7,845home systems, 2021–2023
0.7%of homes have solar
$3.80/Wmedian price paid
#1statewide: Everlight Solar Construction
Connecticut
1 city ranked18,083home systems, 2019–2021
7.7%of homes have solar
$3.70/Wmedian price paid
#1statewide: Trinity Solar
One city ranked in these states
Orlando, FL #1 Tesla Energy · 1,014 home systems Chicago, IL #1 Sunrun · 3,905 permits Minneapolis, MN #1 All Energy Solar · 1,409 permits Seattle, WA #1 Puget Sound Solar · 1,948 permits Honolulu, HI #1 Sunrun · 14,393 permits Kansas City, MO #1 Ecovole Solar · 1,756 permits Las Vegas, NV #1 Sunrun · 12,204 permits Philadelphia, PA #1 Solar States · 3,929 permits
We rank installers in the 17 states where public records or city permits name the company that installed each home system. Figures cover each state's latest three years of records; the share of homes with solar is from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. For every other state, see how many homes have solar in each state.
Hardware Guide
The Panels and Inverters Homeowners Actually Install
From public installation records of home systems installed in 2021–2023 (Tracking the Sun, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory).
Public records
| Panel brand | Share of home systems | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Qcells | 25% | The most common brand on US homes. |
| SunPower | 12% | SunPower filed for bankruptcy in 2024; panel warranties depend on the manufacturer (Maxeon). |
| LONGi | 10% | One of the world's largest panel makers. |
| REC | 7% | |
| LG | 5% | LG stopped making solar panels in 2022; existing warranties are still honored by LG. |
| JA Solar | 5% | |
| Silfab | 4% | Manufactures in North America. |
| Canadian Solar | 4% |
Panels keep getting better: the median panel installed on homes converted 16.4% of sunlight into electricity in 2015 and 20.8% in 2023. A higher-efficiency panel fits more power on the same roof; it doesn't make each kilowatt cheaper.
Power Conversion
43% of home systems
Microinverters (Enphase)
Converts DC to AC directly beneath each solar module on the roof.
- Conversion: Panel-level micro DC-to-AC
- Shade Loss: Fully isolated (0% cascade)
- Warranty: 25-Year Standard Manufacturer
Best for: Complex roofs, multi-angles, and partial tree shade.
38% of home systems
DC Optimizers (SolarEdge)
Panel-level optimizers paired with a high-efficiency central inverter.
- Conversion: Module MPPT + Central Inverter
- Shade Loss: Mitigated at module level
- Warranty: 25-Yr Optimizers / 12-Yr Inverter
Best for: Roofs with some shade where one central inverter is acceptable.
Low Initial Capex
Central String (SMA / Fronius)
Panels wired in series directly into a single central inverter.
- Conversion: Centralized DC-to-AC box
- Shade Loss: High (entire string affected)
- Warranty: 10 to 12 Years Standard
Best for: Open ground mounts and roofs with zero shade.
Tax Incentives
Federal Solar Tax Credits in 2026: What Changed
The 30% credit homeowners used to claim when buying a system (Section 25D) ended on December 31, 2025.
Buying a system (cash or loan)
No federal credit for systems installed on or after January 1, 2026. The Section 25D Residential Clean Energy Credit was terminated by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. A quote that still subtracts 30% from the price is out of date.
Leasing or a PPA
The Section 48E credit is claimed by the business that owns the system. Homeowners can benefit from it indirectly through a solar lease or power purchase agreement, available through the end of 2027.
State and utility incentives
Not affected by the federal change. They vary by state and utility, so ask each installer which ones apply to your address.
Guides by System Type
How Each Kind of Home Solar System Is Installed
What each type of system involves, what it costs and what to ask installers before you sign:
Home Systems
Residential Solar Systems
How a home system is installed, what it costs and what to ask installers.
Explore Guide →Panel Upgrades & Repowering
Removing and reinstalling panels for a new roof, and when to upgrade.
Explore Guide →Off-Grid Power Systems
Sizing panels and batteries for cabins and remote properties.
Explore Guide →Solar Water Heaters
How solar hot water systems work, what they cost and how they're maintained.
Explore Guide →Mounting, Batteries & Tesla
Flat Roof Ballasted Racks
Ballasted racks for flat roofs and what the roof has to carry.
View Guide →Ground Mount Arrays
When a ground array beats the roof, and what it costs.
View Guide →Solar Roof Shingles (BIPV)
How solar shingles compare with panels on price and output.
View Guide →Tesla Powerwall & Storage
How much backup one battery gives you, and what batteries cost.
View Guide →Tesla Solar Panels & Roof
How buying from Tesla compares with a local installer, and what to ask first.
View Guide →Are Batteries Worth It?
What a home battery costs installed, from real records, and when it pays off.
Read Guide →FAQ
Frequently Asked Installation Questions
Common questions about solar installation timelines, warranties, and contractor vetting.