Between 2023 and 2025, 1,644 home solar systems were installed in Merced by 144 different companies. Sunrun installed the most (588, or 36% of the local market), followed by Bright Planet Solar (143) and Empower Electric (72). 44% 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 Merced by Home Installations
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Serves Merced, CA · no office address listed
- Most installations
- Mostly leases & PPAs
- Typical system
- 6.2 kW
- Median price (owned)
- $3.70/W
- Leased / PPA
- 82%
- With battery
- 70%
Sunrun mostly sells leases and power purchase agreements: 82% 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. 70% of its systems here include a home battery. Its median price for an owned system, $3.70/W, is 16% below the Merced median of $4.42/W. A typical system is 6.2 kW, about 15 panels, and it has installed in Merced since 2000. It is also among the top installers in 107 other cities we rank, including Bakersfield and San Diego.
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Serves Merced, CA · no office address listed
- Typical system
- 6.1 kW
- Median price (owned)
- $5.46/W
- Leased / PPA
- 53%
- With battery
- 50%
Bright Planet Solar sells both: 53% 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. 50% of its systems here include a home battery. Its median price for an owned system, $5.46/W, is 24% above the Merced median of $4.42/W. A typical system is 6.1 kW, about 15 panels, and it has installed in Merced since 2001. It is also among the top installers in 69 other cities we rank, including Stockton and Chula Vista.
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- Mostly sells systems you own
- (707) 479-4268
- empowerelectric.weebly.com
- PO Box 750391, Petaluma, CA 94975
- Typical system
- 6.9 kW
- Median price (owned)
- $6.39/W
- Leased / PPA
- 1%
- With battery
- 78%
Empower Electric 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. 78% of its systems here include a home battery. Its median price for an owned system, $6.39/W, is 45% above the Merced median of $4.42/W. A typical system is 6.9 kW, about 17 panels, and it has installed in Merced since 2008. It is also an electrical contractor, useful if the main panel needs an upgrade for solar, a battery or an EV charger. It is also among the top installers in 11 other cities we rank, including Fresno and Stockton.
Phone from its California contractor license, CSLB #878385
- Map & reviews ↗
Alternative Power Generation
Serves Merced, CA · no office address listed
- Mostly sells systems you own
- Typical system
- 8.0 kW
- Median price (owned)
- $3.69/W
- Leased / PPA
- 2%
- With battery
- 32%
Alternative Power Generation mostly sells systems the homeowner owns, paid in cash or with a loan. Its most common setup here pairs Hanwha Q CELLS panels with GoodWe inverters. 32% of its systems here include a home battery. Its median price for an owned system, $3.69/W, is 17% below the Merced median of $4.42/W. A typical system is 8.0 kW, about 20 panels, and it has installed in Merced since 2001.
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Serves Merced, CA · no office address listed
- Mostly sells systems you own
- Typical system
- 6.2 kW
- Median price (owned)
- $6.28/W
- Leased / PPA
- 0%
- With battery
- 6%
SolGen Electric mostly sells systems the homeowner owns, paid in cash or with a loan. Its most common setup here pairs Solarever panels with Altenergy Power System inverters. 6% of its systems here include a home battery. Its median price for an owned system, $6.28/W, is 42% above the Merced median of $4.42/W. A typical system is 6.2 kW, about 16 panels, and it has installed in Merced since 2019. It is also among the top installers in 2 other cities we rank, including Hayward and Stockton.
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- Mostly sells systems you own
- Lowest median price in this list
- Most battery installs
- (707) 446-5500
- citadelrs.com
- 761 Eubanks Dr, Vacaville, CA 95688
- Typical system
- 4.5 kW
- Median price (owned)
- $2.47/W
- Leased / PPA
- 0%
- With battery
- 100%
Citadel Roofing and Solar mostly sells systems the homeowner owns, paid in cash or with a loan. Its most common setup here pairs JA Solar panels with Tesla inverters. 100% of its systems here include a home battery. Its median price for an owned system, $2.47/W, is 44% below the Merced median of $4.42/W. A typical system is 4.5 kW, about 11 panels, and it has installed in Merced since 2002. It also works as a roofing contractor, which helps if the roof needs repairs before the panels go on. It is also among the top installers in 13 other cities we rank, including Fairfield and Tulare.
Phone from its California contractor license, CSLB #647149
- Map & reviews ↗
Rt Maher Construction
Serves Merced, CA · no office address listed
- Mostly sells systems you own
- Typical system
- 7.5 kW
- Median price (owned)
- $3.29/W
- Leased / PPA
- 0%
- With battery
- 15%
Rt Maher Construction mostly sells systems the homeowner owns, paid in cash or with a loan. Its most common setup here pairs REC Group panels with SolarEdge inverters with power optimizers. 15% of its systems here include a home battery. Its median price for an owned system, $3.29/W, is 26% below the Merced median of $4.42/W. A typical system is 7.5 kW, about 19 panels, and it has installed in Merced since 2005.
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- Mostly sells systems you own
- (866) 467-6987
- powur.com
- 5850 El Camino Real, Carlsbad, CA 92008
- Typical system
- 7.8 kW
- Median price (owned)
- $5.54/W
- Leased / PPA
- 0%
- With battery
- 20%
Powur 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. 20% of its systems here include a home battery. Its median price for an owned system, $5.54/W, is 25% above the Merced median of $4.42/W. A typical system is 7.8 kW, about 20 panels, and it has installed in Merced since 2019. It is also among the top installers in 24 other cities we rank, including Rancho Cucamonga and Costa Mesa.
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- (559) 275-0222
- 4936 East Ashlan Avenue, Fresno, CA 93726
- Typical system
- 8.9 kW
- Median price (owned)
- $4.60/W
- Leased / PPA
- 23%
- With battery
- 23%
Quality Home Services sells both: 23% of its systems here were leased or on a PPA, the rest bought outright. Its most common setup here pairs SunPower panels with Enphase microinverters. 23% of its systems here include a home battery. Its median price for an owned system, $4.60/W, is close to the Merced median. A typical system is 8.9 kW, about 22 panels, and it has installed in Merced since 2010. It is also among the top installers in 2 other cities we rank, including Fresno and Visalia.
Phone from its California contractor license, CSLB #716208
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- Mostly sells systems you own
- (559) 447-1557
- solarnegotiators.com
- 4603 W Jennifer Ave, Fresno, CA 93722
- Typical system
- 9.8 kW
- Median price (owned)
- $4.09/W
- Leased / PPA
- 10%
- With battery
- 63%
Solar Negotiators 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. 63% of its systems here include a home battery. Its median price for an owned system, $4.09/W, is 7% below the Merced median of $4.42/W. A typical system is 9.8 kW, about 24 panels, and it has installed in Merced since 2013. It is also among the top installers in 5 other cities we rank, including Fresno and Madera.
Phone from its California contractor license, CSLB #1021919
Comparing quotes in Merced?
Divide each quote's total, before incentives, by the system size in watts. Homeowners in Merced who bought their system paid a median of $4.42/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 Merced
892 of the 1,644 home solar systems installed in Merced in 2023–2025 (54%) included a home battery, put in by 88 companies. These installed the most:
| Installer | With battery | Of its installs | Median price | Leased / PPA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Sunrun | 411 | 70% | $3.37/W | 91% |
| 2. Bright Planet Solar | 72 | 50% | $5.84/W | 72% |
| 3. Empower Electric | 56 | 78% | — | 0% |
| 4. Citadel Roofing and Solar | 40 | 100% | $2.47/W | 0% |
| 5. Senga Energy | 23 | 82% | — | 87% |
- Most common battery: Tesla (37% of those with a known brand), then Enphase Energy (21%).
- What a battery adds: owned systems with one had a median of $4.99/W, against $4.42/W for all home systems in Merced. The recorded price includes the battery, so the gap (+0.57 $/W on a 6.7 kW system) is roughly what it cost.
- Battery on most of their jobs: Sunrun (70%), Bright Planet Solar (50%), Empower Electric (78%), Citadel Roofing and Solar (100%), Senga Energy (82%), Solar Negotiators (63%), Tesla (95%), Power Up Energy Solutions (92%). The others add one on some jobs, not by default.
- Lowest median price among them: Citadel Roofing and Solar, at $2.47/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.
Home Solar in Merced by the Numbers
Based on 1,644 residential systems installed in Merced between 2023 and 2025, as reported to utilities and state agencies.
Most-installed panel brands
- JA Solar
- Hanwha Q CELLS
- LONGi Green Energy
Most-installed inverter brands
- SolarEdge
- Enphase Energy
- Tesla
How these brands compare nationwide: share, price and leasing →
Home installations per year
Median price of owned systems by year: 2020: $3.74/W · 2021: $3.84/W · 2022: $4.63/W · 2023: $4.54/W · 2024: $3.95/W · 2025: $4.30/W.
Solar Panel Repair in Merced
When a system stops producing, the best first call is an established local company. The companies ranked above installed systems in Merced 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.
36% of the home systems installed here in 2023–2025 use SolarEdge inverters, followed by Enphase Energy (29%). 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 Merced
At least 507 home solar systems in Merced 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 Forever170 systems in Merced
Filed for Chapter 11 in April 2026; converted to Chapter 7 liquidation in August 2026. Source: pv magazine USA
- Infinity Energy147 systems in Merced
Ceased operations in 2023. Source: Forme Solar
- PetersenDean71 systems in Merced
Filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in June 2020; its assets were sold in 2021. Source: Solar Power World
- Kuubix Energy58 systems in Merced
Closed; its California contractor license has been revoked. Source: EnergySage
- Sungevity39 systems in Merced
Sungevity filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in March 2017. Source: Solar Power World
- Titan Solar22 systems in Merced
Ceased operations and filed for Chapter 7 in June 2024. Source: PV Tech
- Tea Solar64 systems in Merced
No installations recorded anywhere in California after 2022 (records run through 2025). That does not by itself mean the company closed — check before relying on it for service.
- California Solar Systems55 systems in Merced
No installations recorded anywhere in California after 2024 (records run through 2025). That does not by itself mean the company closed — check before relying on it for service.
- Acro Energy35 systems in Merced
No installations recorded anywhere in California after 2015 (records run through 2025). That does not by itself mean the company closed — check before relying on it for service.
- Kurios Energy28 systems in Merced
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.
- Gci Solar26 systems in Merced
No installations recorded anywhere in California after 2018 (records run through 2025). That does not by itself mean the company closed — check before relying on it for service.
- RT Maher Construction26 systems in Merced
No installations recorded anywhere in California after 2016 (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 Merced: Common Questions
Who installs the most solar panels in Merced?
In the most recent three years of records (2023–2025), Sunrun installed 588 home systems in Merced, more than any other company. Bright Planet Solar (143) and Empower Electric (72) came next. Volume shows local experience, not workmanship, so compare quotes and reviews before choosing.
How much does a solar system cost in Merced?
Homeowners who bought their system outright paid a median of $4.42/W before incentives, and the typical system was 6.8 kW — about $30,000 in total. Prices vary by installer: in the ranking above, the median ranges from $2.47/W to $6.39/W.
Do most people in Merced buy or lease their panels?
56% bought their system and 44% 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 Merced?
Start with the companies in the ranking above: Sunrun, Bright Planet Solar and Empower Electric 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 Merced and what still works when an installer closes.
What do homeowners in Merced 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 Merced 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 Merced?
The checks to do before you call anyone: the inverter screen, the breakers, the monitoring app and what each error code means.