Between 2023 and 2025, 1,456 home solar systems were installed in Santa Cruz by 113 different companies. Allterra Solar installed the most (424, or 29% of the local market), followed by Sandbar Solar (176) and Sunrun (147). 13% 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 Santa Cruz by Home Installations
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- Most installations
- Mostly sells systems you own
- (831) 425-2608
- allterrasolar.com
- 849 Almar Ave Ste C-281, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
- Typical system
- 4.8 kW
- Median price (owned)
- $4.88/W
- Leased / PPA
- 0%
- With battery
- 22%
Allterra Solar mostly sells systems the homeowner owns, paid in cash or with a loan. Its most common setup here pairs Panasonic panels with Enphase microinverters. 22% of its systems here include a home battery. Its median price for an owned system, $4.88/W, is close to the Santa Cruz median. A typical system is 4.8 kW, about 12 panels, and it has installed in Santa Cruz since 2009. It is also among the top installers in Watsonville.
Phone from its California contractor license, CSLB #847973
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Serves Santa Cruz, CA · no office address listed
- Mostly sells systems you own
- Typical system
- 5.3 kW
- Median price (owned)
- $4.65/W
- Leased / PPA
- 0%
- With battery
- 36%
Sandbar Solar mostly sells systems the homeowner owns, paid in cash or with a loan. Its most common setup here pairs REC Group panels with Enphase microinverters. 36% of its systems here include a home battery. Its median price for an owned system, $4.65/W, is close to the Santa Cruz median. A typical system is 5.3 kW, about 13 panels, and it has installed in Santa Cruz since 2010. It is also among the top installers in Watsonville.
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Serves Santa Cruz, CA · no office address listed
- Mostly leases & PPAs
- Lowest median price in this list
- Typical system
- 5.5 kW
- Median price (owned)
- $4.52/W
- Leased / PPA
- 79%
- With battery
- 59%
Sunrun mostly sells leases and power purchase agreements: 79% 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. 59% of its systems here include a home battery. Its median price for an owned system, $4.52/W, is 7% below the Santa Cruz median of $4.84/W. A typical system is 5.5 kW, about 14 panels, and it has installed in Santa Cruz 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
- (408) 357-2706
- solartechnologies.com
- 23 Las Colinas Ln #106, San Jose, CA 95119
- Typical system
- 5.1 kW
- Median price (owned)
- $4.79/W
- Leased / PPA
- 1%
- With battery
- 40%
Solar Technologies mostly sells systems the homeowner owns, paid in cash or with a loan. Its most common setup here pairs SunPower panels with SunPower inverters. 40% of its systems here include a home battery. Its median price for an owned system, $4.79/W, is close to the Santa Cruz median. A typical system is 5.1 kW, about 13 panels, and it has installed in Santa Cruz since 2001. It is also among the top installers in 2 other cities we rank, including Berkeley and Watsonville.
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Serves Santa Cruz, CA · no office address listed
- Mostly sells systems you own
- Most battery installs
- Typical system
- 7.2 kW
- Median price (owned)
- $4.82/W
- Leased / PPA
- 0%
- With battery
- 94%
Tesla mostly sells systems the homeowner owns, paid in cash or with a loan. Its most common setup here pairs Hanwha Q CELLS panels with Tesla inverters. 94% of its systems here include a home battery, well above the Santa Cruz average of 39%. Its median price for an owned system, $4.82/W, is close to the Santa Cruz median. A typical system is 7.2 kW, about 18 panels, and it has installed in Santa Cruz since 2001. It is also among the top installers in 84 other cities we rank, including Fremont and Sunnyvale.
- Map & reviews ↗
Day One Solar
- Mostly sells systems you own
- (831) 687-8097
- day1solar.com
- 387 Coral St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
- Typical system
- 5.2 kW
- Median price (owned)
- $5.42/W
- Leased / PPA
- 0%
- With battery
- 46%
Day One Solar mostly sells systems the homeowner owns, paid in cash or with a loan. Its most common setup here pairs Silfab Solar panels with Enphase microinverters. 46% of its systems here include a home battery. Its median price for an owned system, $5.42/W, is 12% above the Santa Cruz median of $4.84/W. A typical system is 5.2 kW, about 13 panels, and it has installed in Santa Cruz since 2013.
Phone from its California contractor license, CSLB #987896
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- Mostly leases & PPAs
- (619) 881-7394
- 1358 La Mirada Dr, San Marcos, CA 92078
- Typical system
- 5.6 kW
- Leased / PPA
- 67%
Exo Energy 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 Hanwha Q CELLS panels with Enphase microinverters. A typical system is 5.6 kW, about 14 panels, and it has installed in Santa Cruz since 2019. It is also among the top installers in 6 other cities we rank, including Perris and Victorville.
Phone from its California contractor license, CSLB #1063308
- Map & reviews ↗
Solcon Solar
Serves Santa Cruz, CA · no office address listed
- Mostly sells systems you own
- Typical system
- 3.0 kW
- Median price (owned)
- $5.15/W
- Leased / PPA
- 0%
- With battery
- 4%
Solcon 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. Its median price for an owned system, $5.15/W, is 6% above the Santa Cruz median of $4.84/W. A typical system is 3.0 kW, about 8 panels, and it has installed in Santa Cruz since 2006.
Phone from its California contractor license, CSLB #584607
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- Mostly sells systems you own
- (866) 334-6639
- nexussolar.net
- 10692 Stanford Ave Unit A, Garden Grove, CA 92840
- Typical system
- 4.4 kW
- Median price (owned)
- $7.26/W
- Leased / PPA
- 0%
- With battery
- 55%
Nexus Energy Systems mostly sells systems the homeowner owns, paid in cash or with a loan. Its most common setup here pairs Hyundai Energy Solutions panels with Enphase microinverters. 55% of its systems here include a home battery. Its median price for an owned system, $7.26/W, is 50% above the Santa Cruz median of $4.84/W. A typical system is 4.4 kW, about 11 panels, and it has installed in Santa Cruz since 2011. It is also among the top installers in Albuquerque, NM.
Phone from its California contractor license, CSLB #359060
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Serves Santa Cruz, CA · no office address listed
- Mostly leases & PPAs
- Typical system
- 4.4 kW
- Leased / PPA
- 95%
- With battery
- 79%
Bright Planet Solar mostly sells leases and power purchase agreements: 95% 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. 79% of its systems here include a home battery, well above the Santa Cruz average of 39%. A typical system is 4.4 kW, about 11 panels, and it has installed in Santa Cruz since 2001. It is also among the top installers in 69 other cities we rank, including Stockton and Chula Vista.
Comparing quotes in Santa Cruz?
Divide each quote's total, before incentives, by the system size in watts. Homeowners in Santa Cruz who bought their system paid a median of $4.84/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 Santa Cruz
572 of the 1,456 home solar systems installed in Santa Cruz in 2023–2025 (39%) included a home battery, put in by 83 companies. These installed the most:
| Installer | With battery | Of its installs | Median price | Leased / PPA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Allterra Solar | 92 | 22% | $7.89/W | 0% |
| 2. Sunrun | 87 | 59% | — | 83% |
| 3. Tesla | 65 | 94% | $4.91/W | 0% |
| 4. Sandbar Solar | 63 | 36% | $7.85/W | 0% |
| 5. Solar Technologies | 35 | 40% | — | 0% |
- Most common battery: Tesla (53% of those with a known brand), then Enphase Energy (25%).
- What a battery adds: owned systems with one had a median of $6.90/W, against $4.84/W for all home systems in Santa Cruz. The recorded price includes the battery, so the gap (+2.06 $/W on a 5.9 kW system) is roughly what it cost.
- Battery on most of their jobs: Sunrun (59%), Tesla (94%), Bright Planet Solar (79%), Semper Solaris (83%), Nexus Energy Systems (55%). The others add one on some jobs, not by default.
- Lowest median price among them: Tesla, at $4.91/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 Santa Cruz by the Numbers
Based on 1,456 residential systems installed in Santa Cruz between 2023 and 2025, as reported to utilities and state agencies.
Most-installed panel brands
- Panasonic
- REC Group
- Hanwha Q CELLS
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: $4.32/W · 2021: $4.17/W · 2022: $4.40/W · 2023: $4.71/W · 2024: $4.90/W · 2025: $5.82/W.
Solar Panel Repair in Santa Cruz
When a system stops producing, the best first call is an established local company. The companies ranked above installed systems in Santa Cruz 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.
66% of the home systems installed here in 2023–2025 use Enphase Energy inverters, followed by SolarEdge (12%). 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 Santa Cruz
At least 410 home solar systems in Santa Cruz 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.
- RGS Energy212 systems in Santa Cruz
Exited home solar installation in 2019 and filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in 2020. Source: Solar Power World
- SunPower57 systems in Santa Cruz
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
- American Solar Direct41 systems in Santa Cruz
Filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in June 2017. Source: pv magazine USA
- Infinity Energy39 systems in Santa Cruz
Ceased operations in 2023. Source: Forme Solar
- Sungevity37 systems in Santa Cruz
Sungevity filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in March 2017. Source: Solar Power World
- Freedom Forever24 systems in Santa Cruz
Filed for Chapter 11 in April 2026; converted to Chapter 7 liquidation in August 2026. Source: pv magazine USA
- Independent Energy Systems60 systems in Santa Cruz
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.
- Ecoenergies52 systems in Santa Cruz
No installations recorded anywhere in California after 2007 (records run through 2025). That does not by itself mean the company closed — check before relying on it for service.
- REC Solar Commercial42 systems in Santa Cruz
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.
- Land and Sea Solar26 systems in Santa Cruz
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.
See the full list of solar companies that went out of business and what still works if yours is one of them.
Solar in Santa Cruz: Common Questions
Who installs the most solar panels in Santa Cruz?
In the most recent three years of records (2023–2025), Allterra Solar installed 424 home systems in Santa Cruz, more than any other company. Sandbar Solar (176) and Sunrun (147) came next. Volume shows local experience, not workmanship, so compare quotes and reviews before choosing.
How much does a solar system cost in Santa Cruz?
Homeowners who bought their system outright paid a median of $4.84/W before incentives, and the typical system was 5.3 kW — about $25,500 in total. Prices vary by installer: in the ranking above, the median ranges from $4.52/W to $7.26/W.
Do most people in Santa Cruz buy or lease their panels?
87% bought their system and 13% 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 Santa Cruz?
Start with the companies in the ranking above: Allterra Solar, Sandbar Solar and Sunrun 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 Santa Cruz and what still works when an installer closes.
What do homeowners in Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz?
The checks to do before you call anyone: the inverter screen, the breakers, the monitoring app and what each error code means.