Between 2023 and 2025, utilities and state programs recorded 586,529 new home solar systems in California. Sunrun installed the most (120,076), followed by Tesla (29,079) and Bright Planet Solar (24,630). 34% of the systems were leased or on a power purchase agreement; the rest were bought outright. We rank the top companies in 75 cities, from San Diego (25,323 systems) to Hawthorne.
Top 10 Solar Companies in California by Home Installations
| # | Company | Home installs, 2023–2025 | Share | Ranked in | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sunrun | 120,076 | 21% | 75 cities | (833) 420-5550 Map & reviews |
| 2 | Tesla | 29,079 | 5% | 68 cities | Map & reviews |
| 3 | Bright Planet Solar | 24,630 | 4% | 64 cities | Map & reviews |
| 4 | Citadel Roofing and Solar | 10,309 | 2% | 14 cities | (707) 925-3949 Map & reviews |
| 5 | Semper Solaris | 9,182 | 2% | 25 cities | (619) 432-4211 Map & reviews |
| 6 | Better Earth | 8,356 | 1% | 43 cities | (888) 373-9379 Map & reviews |
| 7 | V3 Electric | 7,426 | 1% | 19 cities | (844) 837-6937 Map & reviews |
| 8 | Powur | 6,028 | 1% | 23 cities | (866) 467-6987 Map & reviews |
| 9 | ESP (Energy Service Partners) | 6,008 | 1% | 37 cities | Map & reviews |
| 10 | Baker Electric Solar | 5,886 | 1% | 8 cities | (760) 745-2001 Map & reviews |
Statewide volume favors companies that work in many cities. For the best local option — to install or to repair — use the city rankings below.
Compare 75 California Cities
Home solar in each city we rank: how much was installed, how many companies did it, what owned systems cost and how many homeowners leased.
| City | Home systems | Companies | Median price | Leased / PPA | With battery | #1 company |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego | 25,323 | 562 | $4.24/W | 26% | 24% | Sunrun |
| Bakersfield | 18,499 | 323 | $3.93/W | 40% | 46% | Sunrun |
| Fresno | 16,067 | 331 | $4.09/W | 41% | 46% | Sunrun |
| San Jose | 13,592 | 398 | $4.37/W | 23% | 50% | Sunrun |
| Stockton | 8,200 | 261 | $4.42/W | 52% | 51% | Sunrun |
| Chula Vista | 6,362 | 262 | $4.36/W | 42% | 27% | Sunrun |
| Fontana | 5,517 | 263 | $4.43/W | 54% | 45% | Sunrun |
| Visalia | 5,490 | 207 | $3.95/W | 54% | 46% | Sunrun |
| Irvine | 5,385 | 250 | $3.82/W | 32% | 34% | Sunrun |
| Madera | 5,177 | 191 | $3.80/W | 34% | 34% | Sunrun |
| Lancaster | 5,007 | 232 | $4.53/W | 46% | 49% | Sunrun |
| Corona | 4,971 | 327 | $4.25/W | 36% | 40% | Sunrun |
| Ontario | 4,810 | 221 | $4.25/W | 44% | 27% | Sunrun |
| Victorville | 4,541 | 204 | $4.46/W | 56% | 41% | Sunrun |
| Palmdale | 4,418 | 225 | $4.46/W | 49% | 44% | Sunrun |
| Santa Rosa | 4,165 | 225 | $4.50/W | 25% | 52% | Sunrun |
| Escondido | 4,072 | 285 | $4.28/W | 29% | 27% | Sunrun |
| Oceanside | 4,053 | 271 | $4.27/W | 32% | 24% | Sunrun |
| Temecula | 3,983 | 243 | $4.25/W | 43% | 35% | Sunrun |
| Oakland | 3,967 | 278 | $4.76/W | 17% | 44% | Sunrun |
| Hemet | 3,950 | 220 | $4.49/W | 62% | 47% | Sunrun |
| Fremont | 3,923 | 218 | $4.10/W | 19% | 39% | Tesla |
| San Bernardino | 3,816 | 259 | $4.99/W | 52% | 49% | Sunrun |
| Murrieta | 3,565 | 258 | $4.16/W | 47% | 49% | Sunrun |
| Antioch | 3,399 | 172 | $4.25/W | 42% | 46% | Sunrun |
| Moreno Valley | 3,335 | 217 | $4.94/W | 53% | 48% | Sunrun |
| Riverside | 3,316 | 237 | $4.25/W | 46% | 49% | Sunrun |
| Long Beach | 3,261 | 303 | $4.29/W | 32% | 45% | Sunrun |
| Tulare | 3,182 | 147 | $3.79/W | 50% | 47% | Sunrun |
| Fairfield | 3,025 | 169 | $4.25/W | 35% | 42% | Sunrun |
| Chico | 2,910 | 119 | $3.50/W | 14% | 26% | Sunrun |
| San Marcos | 2,726 | 197 | $4.23/W | 22% | 20% | Sunrun |
| Carlsbad | 2,686 | 241 | $4.03/W | 16% | 22% | Sunrun |
| Rialto | 2,672 | 171 | $5.09/W | 64% | 48% | Sunrun |
| Perris | 2,569 | 183 | $4.51/W | 52% | 53% | Sunrun |
| Simi Valley | 2,552 | 236 | $4.40/W | 38% | 57% | Sunrun |
| Vista | 2,504 | 249 | $4.25/W | 36% | 21% | Sunrun |
| Santa Clarita | 2,490 | 183 | $4.25/W | 39% | 57% | Sunrun |
| San Francisco | 2,486 | 168 | $4.89/W | 6% | 35% | Luminalt |
| Palm Springs | 2,319 | 172 | $4.22/W | 26% | 46% | Renova Energy |
| Hayward | 2,278 | 188 | $4.25/W | 30% | 47% | Sunrun |
| Huntington Beach | 2,255 | 258 | $4.15/W | 29% | 42% | Sunrun |
| Santa Ana | 2,029 | 254 | $4.21/W | 31% | 37% | Sunrun |
| Concord | 1,963 | 184 | $4.50/W | 34% | 56% | Sunrun |
| Sunnyvale | 1,918 | 177 | $4.25/W | 15% | 45% | Tesla |
| Santa Barbara | 1,851 | 132 | $4.41/W | 20% | 56% | Sunrun |
| Santa Maria | 1,783 | 91 | $4.67/W | 60% | 58% | Sunrun |
| Pomona | 1,780 | 184 | $4.63/W | 41% | 37% | Sunrun |
| Ventura | 1,752 | 161 | $4.43/W | 24% | 44% | Sunrun |
| Vallejo | 1,745 | 142 | $5.07/W | 50% | 57% | Sunrun |
| Garden Grove | 1,690 | 209 | $3.75/W | 28% | 30% | Sunrun |
| Berkeley | 1,657 | 176 | $4.72/W | 6% | 40% | A1 Sun |
| Merced | 1,644 | 144 | $4.42/W | 44% | 54% | Sunrun |
| Orange | 1,640 | 254 | $4.04/W | 28% | 43% | Sunrun |
| Rancho Cucamonga | 1,615 | 191 | $3.93/W | 38% | 47% | Sunrun |
| West Covina | 1,599 | 193 | $4.25/W | 39% | 34% | Sunrun |
| Fullerton | 1,532 | 253 | $4.00/W | 29% | 43% | Sunrun |
| Paso Robles | 1,504 | 99 | $3.93/W | 39% | 51% | Sunrun |
| Richmond | 1,465 | 175 | $4.99/W | 33% | 51% | Sunrun |
| Santa Cruz | 1,456 | 113 | $4.84/W | 13% | 39% | Allterra Solar |
| Salinas | 1,445 | 122 | $4.94/W | 40% | 60% | Sunrun |
| Thousand Oaks | 1,416 | 198 | $4.29/W | 27% | 58% | Sunrun |
| Torrance | 1,299 | 203 | $4.25/W | 29% | 47% | Sunrun |
| Oxnard | 1,288 | 149 | $4.83/W | 43% | 49% | Sunrun |
| San Rafael | 1,199 | 140 | $4.67/W | 17% | 59% | Sunrun |
| San Mateo | 1,121 | 160 | $4.51/W | 17% | 53% | Tesla |
| Norwalk | 1,006 | 157 | $5.26/W | 42% | 48% | Sunrun |
| Los Angeles | 918 | 152 | $4.96/W | 37% | 44% | Sunrun |
| Costa Mesa | 865 | 164 | $4.00/W | 28% | 38% | Sunrun |
| Downey | 795 | 156 | $4.30/W | 33% | 47% | Sunrun |
| Watsonville | 701 | 89 | $4.87/W | 35% | 59% | Sunrun |
| National City | 583 | 87 | $4.98/W | 54% | 32% | Sunrun |
| El Monte | 483 | 103 | $4.22/W | 42% | 34% | Sunrun |
| Inglewood | 439 | 121 | $4.89/W | 38% | 48% | Sunrun |
| Hawthorne | 388 | 100 | $4.56/W | 37% | 49% | Sunrun |
Home systems installed in the latest three years of utility and state records for each city. Median price is for systems the homeowner bought, before incentives.
Comparing quotes in California?
Divide each quote's total, before incentives, by the system size in watts. Homeowners in California who bought their system paid a median of $4.25/W in 2023–2025; each city page shows the local median. 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 →Home Solar in California by the Numbers
Based on 586,529 residential systems installed in California between 2023 and 2025, as reported to utilities and state agencies.
Most-installed panel brands
- Hanwha Q CELLS
- JA Solar
- LONGi Green Energy
Most-installed inverter brands
- Enphase Energy
- SolarEdge
- Tesla
How these brands compare nationwide: share, price and leasing →
Solar Panel Repair in California
When a system stops producing, start with an established local company: the ones ranked in each city above did the most work there in the latest records and 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. If your system is leased or on a PPA, call the company you pay each month first: maintenance is normally its job.
46% of the home systems installed in California in 2023–2025 use Enphase Energy inverters, followed by SolarEdge (26%). 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 stop producing entirely when that inverter fails; a dark screen or an error code on the unit on your wall is the usual sign.
- Troubleshooting guide: the checks to do before calling anyone.
- Maintenance: cleaning, inspections and what actually needs doing.
- Damage and safety: storms, fire, roof leaks and when to shut the system off.
Installers in California That Closed or Went Bankrupt
At least 304,143 home systems in California were installed by these companies. Their panels and inverters are still covered by the manufacturers' warranties; the installer's workmanship warranty is likely gone. The city pages list the local companies still active that can take over service.
| Company | Systems in California | What happened |
|---|---|---|
| SunPower | 99,313 | Filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in August 2024. Utility Dive |
| Freedom Forever | 39,181 | Filed for Chapter 11 in April 2026; converted to Chapter 7 liquidation in August 2026. pv magazine USA |
| Sungevity | 31,969 | Sungevity filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in March 2017. Solar Power World |
| Infinity Energy | 25,300 | Ceased operations in 2023. Forme Solar |
| PetersenDean | 22,889 | Filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in June 2020; its assets were sold in 2021. Solar Power World |
| Verengo | 17,729 | Filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in September 2016; its last office closed in 2019. pv magazine |
| Sunnova | 16,871 | Filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in June 2025. Houston Public Media |
| Solcius | 11,266 | Filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in February 2024. Solar Power World |
| Sullivan Solar Power | 9,479 | Shut down abruptly in November 2021. Solar Power World |
| American Solar Direct | 7,159 | Filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in June 2017. pv magazine USA |
| RGS Energy | 7,010 | Exited home solar installation in 2019 and filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in 2020. Solar Power World |
| Titan Solar | 6,443 | Ceased operations and filed for Chapter 7 in June 2024. PV Tech |
| Kuubix Energy | 4,868 | Closed; its California contractor license has been revoked. EnergySage |
| Sunpro Solar | 2,206 | Became ADT Solar in 2020; ADT exited residential solar in 2024. Solar Power World |
| ADT Solar | 1,417 | ADT exited the residential solar business in 2024. Solar Power World |
| Vision Solar | 1,043 | Filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in December 2023. Patch |
What Your Warranty Still Covers If the Installer Is Gone
- Panels and inverters: covered by the manufacturer, not the installer. Find the brand on the inverter label or in your monitoring app and contact the manufacturer directly.
- Workmanship and roof leaks: usually a promise from the installer. If the installer is in bankruptcy, that warranty may be delayed or discharged; file a claim in the case if one is open.
- Leases and PPAs: the system belongs to the finance company, and most contracts make it responsible for maintenance even if the installer that sold it is gone. Call the company you pay each month and check your contract.
- Loans: keep paying. A closed installer does not cancel a solar loan.
How Many Homes in California Have Solar
Utilities in California reported 2,272,639 homes with rooftop solar in 2026, with 14,381 MW of panels between them, or 6.3 kW per home on average. That is 143,256 more homes than a year earlier (+7%). California ranks 1 of 44 states by the number of homes with solar. Home batteries paired with those systems add up to 3,784 MW.
Homeowners in California pay an average of 34.74¢ per kWh for electricity, against 17.45¢ nationally. At rates this high, a typical system can pay for itself in under ten years in the best case, even without the federal credit. What solar costs and how long it takes to pay back.
These figures count homes enrolled in net metering or a similar program that credits the power they send to the grid, as reported by utilities. Homes on other arrangements may be missing, and a change in how a utility reports can make the numbers jump. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Form EIA-861M, net metering, July 2026.
Solar in California: Common Questions
Who installs the most solar panels in California?
In 2023–2025, Sunrun installed 120,076 home systems in California, more than any other company, followed by Tesla (29,079) and Bright Planet Solar (24,630). Volume shows experience, not workmanship, so compare quotes and reviews before choosing.
How much does a solar system cost in California?
Homeowners who bought their system outright paid a median of $4.25/W before incentives, and the typical system was 6.3 kW — about $27,000 in total. By city, the median ranged from $3.50/W in Chico to $5.26/W in Norwalk.
Do most homeowners in California buy or lease their panels?
66% bought their system and 34% leased it or signed a power purchase agreement (PPA). Leasing was most common in Rialto (64%) and least common in San Francisco (6%). With a lease or PPA you pay little upfront, but you don't own the panels and the savings are smaller over the contract.
Which California cities install the most solar?
Among the cities we rank, San Diego (25,323 home systems), Bakersfield (18,499 home systems), Fresno (16,067 home systems) lead. Each city page ranks the local companies and shows prices, leasing and the installers that closed there.
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 warranty and service. See the installers that closed in California and what your warranty still covers.
What do homeowners in California 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.
Battery, Enphase and SolarEdge Installers in California
Each city ranking below lists the companies that installed the most systems with a home battery or with a given inverter brand, in the cities with enough of them.
Solar Battery Installers
- Bakersfield (8,427)
- Fresno (7,336)
- San Jose (6,803)
- San Diego (6,006)
- Stockton (4,142)
- Visalia (2,504)
- Fontana (2,465)
- Lancaster (2,465)
- Santa Rosa (2,152)
- Corona (1,969)
- Palmdale (1,923)
- San Bernardino (1,865)
- Victorville (1,860)
- Hemet (1,855)
- Irvine (1,824)
- Murrieta (1,740)
- Madera (1,733)
- Oakland (1,731)
- Chula Vista (1,712)
- Riverside (1,629)
- Moreno Valley (1,604)
- Antioch (1,562)
- Fremont (1,539)
- Tulare (1,499)
- Simi Valley (1,459)
- Long Beach (1,458)
- Santa Clarita (1,424)
- Temecula (1,399)
- Perris (1,360)
- Ontario (1,290)
- Rialto (1,288)
- Fairfield (1,284)
- Escondido (1,110)
- Concord (1,089)
- Hayward (1,064)
- Palm Springs (1,063)
- Santa Barbara (1,033)
- Santa Maria (1,032)
- Vallejo (992)
- Oceanside (971)
- Huntington Beach (947)
- Merced (892)
- San Francisco (868)
- Salinas (860)
- Sunnyvale (854)
- Thousand Oaks (815)
- Paso Robles (768)
- Ventura (764)
- Rancho Cucamonga (761)
- Chico (753)
- Santa Ana (750)
- Richmond (742)
- Orange (709)
- San Rafael (709)
- Berkeley (660)
- Fullerton (654)
- Pomona (652)
- Oxnard (632)
- Torrance (606)
- Carlsbad (602)
- San Mateo (595)
- Santa Cruz (572)
- West Covina (535)
- San Marcos (534)
- Vista (517)
- Garden Grove (505)
- Norwalk (486)
- Watsonville (411)
- Los Angeles (402)
- Downey (371)
Enphase Installers
- San Diego (12,033)
- Bakersfield (9,386)
- Fresno (7,115)
- San Jose (4,680)
- Irvine (3,461)
- Stockton (3,160)
- Fontana (3,131)
- Ontario (3,035)
- Madera (2,707)
- Chula Vista (2,592)
- Corona (2,390)
- Temecula (2,239)
- Lancaster (2,228)
- Victorville (2,215)
- Chico (2,013)
- Hemet (1,950)
- San Bernardino (1,900)
- Santa Rosa (1,767)
- Oceanside (1,762)
- Oakland (1,762)
- Escondido (1,756)
- Visalia (1,732)
- Murrieta (1,674)
- Palmdale (1,663)
- Riverside (1,599)
- Long Beach (1,575)
SolarEdge Installers
Official Solar Resources in California
- Contractors State License Board (CSLB) — Look up a license (solar work needs a C-46, C-10 or B) and any complaints.
- California Solar Consumer Protection Guide (CPUC) — The guide installers must give you, with the disclosures you sign.
- California Public Utilities Commission — Sets net billing (NEM 3.0) and interconnection rules for PG&E, SCE and SDG&E.
- DSIRE (NC Clean Energy Technology Center) — Every state, utility and local incentive for solar and batteries.
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 California has closed, moved or changed its phone number, tell us and we'll check it.
Sources
Where These Numbers Come From
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.