Los Angeles is a solar sweet spot: great sun, big cooling loads, and electric rates that make efficiency and self-consumption matter. But the best installer for your neighbor is not always the best installer for you.
Below is my updated 2026 list of top Los Angeles residential solar companies, plus the exact criteria I use to rank them, what customers consistently praise (and complain about), and what a “good quote” looks like in LA.
Quick note: This list is residential focused and based on publicly available information.
Key takeaways (read this first)
- LA pricing benchmark: recent market data puts Los Angeles around $2.36 per watt on average (cash price), with many quotes falling roughly between $2.04 to $2.73 per watt, depending on equipment and roof complexity.
- In 2026, storage matters more for many homeowners on SCE because export credits under California’s Net Billing Tariff (often called “NEM 3.0”) are not the same as the older retail rate credits.
- LADWP customers play by different rules than SCE customers. Your interconnection and credits depend on your utility.
- Do not choose based on star rating alone. In LA, the biggest difference between good and bad outcomes is usually:
- How accurately the system is sized
- How the installer handles permitting and utility approval (PTO)
- Whether warranties and service are truly local and responsive
- If you want a fast baseline price, you can start with our instant quote page: our instant quote tool
Top 10 solar companies in Los Angeles (2026)
I am listing these in rank order, with a “review snapshot” plus the most common sentiment themes I see across major review platforms.
1) NRG Clean Power (yes, that’s us)
Best for: homeowners who want a strong balance of value, responsiveness, and proven California scale.
Because this article lives on the NRG Clean Power blog, I want to be transparent: NRG Clean Power is our team. We still place ourselves at #1 because the same things LA homeowners care about most (clear system design, realistic timelines, and responsive service after PTO) are exactly what we work to deliver every day.
Review snapshot: for the most current feedback across platforms, you can browse our live reviews hub here: NRG Clean Power reviews
Pricing expectation in LA: typically competitive against the LA average, especially for standard rooftop installs.
Customer sentiment (common themes):
- Most praised: clear explanations, helpful project guidance, and transparent communication around equipment and next steps.
- Most common complaints: scheduling friction during permitting or PTO windows (often driven by city and utility timelines).
Why we rank high for LA: Los Angeles projects can bottleneck at permits, inspections, and utility approvals. Installers that manage documentation and expectations well tend to deliver the best overall homeowner experience.
2) Ameco Solar & Roofing
Best for: homeowners who want solar + roofing coordination from a long standing Southern California company.
Review snapshot: Ameco has a strong presence on major solar review platforms and appears in multiple installer directories.
Pricing expectation in LA: usually mid range to premium, especially when bundling roof work.
Customer sentiment (common themes):
- Most praised: project management, professionalism, and being able to coordinate roofing and solar under one umbrella.
- Most common complaints: occasional timeline delays around inspections or equipment replacements.
3) Sunrun
Best for: homeowners who want national scale and financing options, and who are comfortable being extra diligent on contract details.
Review snapshot: Sunrun’s online ratings are mixed across platforms, with consistent mentions of post install support experiences.
Pricing expectation in LA: depends heavily on financing structure (cash vs loan vs lease). Always compare the cash price and any dealer fees.
Customer sentiment (common themes):
- Most praised: availability, financing/lease options, and broad service footprint.
- Most common complaints: customer service responsiveness and resolution speed after activation.
4) OC Solar (super local LA pick)
Best for: homeowners who want a highly local, design-first installer that knows LA permitting and is comfortable with more complex roofs and electrical scopes.
Pricing expectation in LA: usually mid-range. I see them show up as competitive when the scope is clearly defined and the quote is apples-to-apples.
Customer sentiment (common themes):
- Most praised: communication, strong project management, and a “no surprises” installation experience.
- Most common complaints: like many local installers, scheduling can tighten during peak summer demand, so confirm realistic timelines up front.
Why it ranks well for LA: Los Angeles is full of edge cases (older panels, MPUs, tile roofs, ADUs, long conduit runs). Local installers that do a lot of LA work tend to handle those details better.
5) Cali Energy (super local pick)
Best for: homeowners in Los Angeles who want a local installer with strong schedule and “price as quoted” feedback.
Why it is on the list: I replaced Solar Optimum with a more local LA area option, and Cali Energy shows a very “local installer” style profile.
Pricing expectation in LA: commonly near market average for straightforward installs.
Customer sentiment (common themes):
- Most praised: clear expectations, smooth installation flow, and strong “on schedule” feedback.
- Most common complaints: fewer reviews overall than bigger brands, so always ask for recent local references.
6) SunLux
Best for: homeowners who want a high average installer rating and a company that operates in the LA area.
Pricing expectation in LA: mid range; can be competitive depending on equipment and roof work.
Customer sentiment (common themes):
- Most praised: professionalism and communication during install.
- Most common complaints: some reviewers mention that post install support can be slower than the sales and install phase.
7) Baker Home Energy
Best for: homeowners who want a long standing Southern California contractor with broader home energy services.
Pricing expectation in LA: mid range to premium, depending on equipment and add ons.
Customer sentiment (common themes):
- Most praised: installation quality and professionalism.
- Most common complaints: scattered complaints on certain platforms about follow up responsiveness.
8) LA Solar Group
Best for: homeowners who want a high volume local Los Angeles installer and are willing to compare multiple bids carefully.
Pricing expectation in LA: often competitive.
Customer sentiment (common themes):
- Most praised: value and pricing competitiveness.
- Most common complaints: schedule and after sales support feedback is more mixed than top ranked installers.
9) Semper Solaris
Best for: homeowners who want a solar + roofing + storage style portfolio, with a strong SoCal footprint.
Pricing expectation in LA: mid range.
Customer sentiment (common themes):
- Most praised: sales experience and clear process steps.
- Most common complaints: some projects report timeline delays and occasional service follow up friction.
10) Freedom Forever
Best for: homeowners who want a widely available installer and plan to stay hands on during project management.
Pricing expectation in LA: can be competitive, but varies by dealer channel and financing.
Customer sentiment (common themes):
- Most praised: install crews and on site work when the project is well managed.
- Most common complaints: communication gaps and after sales support responsiveness.
How I ranked these companies (methodology)
I do not rank installers based on one platform or one star rating. For a city as large as Los Angeles, I care about consistency.
Here is what I prioritize:
1) Verified review signals across multiple platforms
I look for patterns across sources like SolarReviews, EnergySage, BBB, and large public review ecosystems.
- Do customers repeatedly mention a smooth permitting process?
- Do complaints cluster around the same issue (for example, post install support)?
- Does the company respond publicly and show a resolution process?
2) Local service footprint in Los Angeles
Los Angeles permitting and utility workflows can be a project by project grind. Installers that routinely work in LA tend to be more reliable.
3) Quote transparency
A great proposal should clearly state:
- System size (kW)
- Estimated annual production (kWh)
- Panel and inverter brands
- Warranty terms (product, workmanship, production)
- The cash price even if you finance
4) Storage readiness for 2026
If you are on SCE, storage can materially change the economics under Net Billing.
If you are on LADWP, the credit structure is different, but storage can still help with resilience and time of use rates.
5) No weird contract mechanics
For loans and leases, I watch closely for:
- escalators
- large dealer fees baked into financed pricing
- unclear production guarantees
What does solar cost in Los Angeles?
Los Angeles pricing is not one number, but you can anchor to a benchmark and adjust from there.
LA benchmark pricing
A recent market benchmark puts Los Angeles near $2.36 per watt (average), with a typical range around $2.04 to $2.73 per watt for many homes.
Quick math you can use
- 8 kW system at $2.36/W = about $18,880 before incentives
- 10 kW system at $2.36/W = about $23,600 before incentives
- 12 kW system at $2.36/W = about $28,320 before incentives
For a deeper statewide breakdown (equipment tiers, roof types, financing effects), use this guide: our California solar cost guide
What pushes your quote up in LA
- Main panel upgrades (common in older LA homes)
- Tile roofs and complex roof geometry
- Trenching or long electrical runs
- Batteries and backup load centers
- HOA documentation and additional engineering stamps
2026 incentives and policy context for Los Angeles
Incentives can move quickly, and Los Angeles homeowners often hear outdated advice.
Federal solar tax credit
The federal residential solar credit rules have been in flux. If you are planning an install that completes in 2026, confirm current eligibility with a tax professional and your installer.
California property tax treatment for solar
California has historically excluded active solar energy systems from property tax assessment, and recent legislative updates clarified treatment and timing for many systems.
Net metering and billing
Los Angeles homeowners are often served by either LADWP or SCE (and sometimes other utilities depending on neighborhood).
- SCE customers: California’s Net Billing Tariff changed export credits compared to older NEM structures.
- LADWP customers: LADWP has its own net metering guidelines and processes.
The practical takeaway:
- If you are on SCE, ask every installer for a proposal that optimizes self consumption, often with storage.
- If you are on LADWP, still ask for a time of use and bill scenario comparison.
How to choose a solar company in Los Angeles (the checklist I actually use)
If you only do one thing, do this: compare at least three quotes with the same inputs.
Step 1: Get your real usage profile
- Pull 12 months of kWh
- Note your rate plan and utility (LADWP vs SCE)
- Identify big loads: EV charging, pool pumps, AC, electric dryer, heat pump
Step 2: Decide whether you are solar only or solar + storage
I tend to recommend considering storage when:
- You are on SCE under Net Billing
- You have frequent outages or medical equipment needs
- You want to shift afternoon solar into evening usage
Step 3: Compare quotes apples to apples
Ask each installer to provide:
- Same target offset percentage (for example 90% to 105%)
- Same assumptions about future usage (EV, additions)
- Cash price and financed price (if financing)
Step 4: Ask these 10 questions before you sign
- Who is the licensed contractor and what is the CSLB license number?
- Do you use your own crews or subcontractors?
- What is the full equipment list (panel, inverter, battery)?
- What happens if production is materially below estimate?
- What is the workmanship warranty and who services it?
- How do you handle roof penetrations and leak claims?
- What is the typical LA permitting timeline right now?
- Who communicates with the utility for PTO?
- What are the total fees in the financing option (dealer fees, origination fees)?
- Can you provide 2 to 3 recent installs in my part of LA County?
Step 5: Watch for red flags
- A quote that is much larger than everyone else “to be safe”
- No site visit before you sign
- Financing that hides a massive dealer fee in the system price
- Pressure tactics tied to “incentives expiring tomorrow”
Company by company notes (what to look for in the proposal)
Use these mini guides to sanity check proposals you get.
NRG Clean Power: what to check (with us)
- Verify the exact panel and inverter pairing and make sure it matches your roof constraints.
- If you are on SCE, ask us to model a self-consumption focused scenario (often solar + storage) and show the assumptions.
- Use our public reviews hub for the most up to date customer feedback: NRG Clean Power reviews
Ameco Solar & Roofing: what to check
- If bundling roof work, ask for two line items: roof and solar
- Confirm how roofing scope changes are handled mid project
Sunrun: what to check
- Always request the cash price and compare it to financed pricing
- Read the service terms carefully, especially around monitoring and maintenance
OC Solar: what to check
- Ask for an itemized scope (solar, electrical work, and any roof work) so change orders do not surprise you.
- Confirm who your point of contact is from contract to PTO, and how service tickets work after activation.
- If you are on SCE, make sure the proposal includes a self-consumption focused option (often solar + storage) and shows the assumptions.
Cali Energy: what to check
- Ask for recent LA County references
- Confirm service coverage area and post install support expectations
SunLux: what to check
- Confirm the service office that will support your project
- Ask how they handle service tickets after PTO
Baker Home Energy: what to check
- If adding HVAC or battery work, confirm how projects are sequenced
- Ask for an itemized scope of work for electrical upgrades
LA Solar Group: what to check
- Confirm project management cadence and who your point of contact is
- Ask for a realistic schedule range and what causes delays
Semper Solaris: what to check
- If roofing is included, ask for roof warranty details in writing
- Confirm how they handle issues discovered after tear off
Freedom Forever: what to check
- Clarify who owns the customer experience if there is a dealer involved
- Ask how service requests are submitted and escalated
Final advice (and a quick next step)
If you are shopping solar in Los Angeles for 2026, the smartest move is not guessing who is “best.” It is comparing proposals that are built on your utility rules and your usage.
- Start by benchmarking cost expectations here: our California solar cost guide
- If you want a fast ballpark quote you can compare against your other bids: our instant quote tool
Disclaimer
This article is based on publicly available information and review platforms. Ratings and review counts change constantly, and individual experiences can vary by office, installer crew, project complexity, and utility timeline.
Written with insights from publicly available customer reviews and company profiles on platforms such as SolarReviews, EnergySage, BBB.org, and other directories. Always verify licenses, warranties, and pricing directly with the installer before signing a contract.