Best-Reviewed Solar Companies in Los Angeles (2026)
Solar is a five-figure decision, and many “best solar company” lists don't explain how the companies were selected or scored. We analyzed 433 recent Google reviews across seven Los Angeles-area solar installers, ranked them by an adjusted rate of 1- and 2-star reviews, and mapped the complaints that keep coming up.
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Key findings
Cali Energy had the lowest adjusted complaint rate at 1.7%, followed by AWS Solar at 2.1% and Solar Optimum at 7.3%. Cali Energy also had the highest average rating (4.93) and the highest five-star share (97%) among the seven companies. Its sample of 29 reviews was smaller than most of the larger installers, so the result should be read with that limitation in mind. The most common complaints across the group were high-pressure sales (most associated with Sunrun) and post-signing execution — delays and communication (most associated with NRG Clean Power and LA Solar Group).
Cali Energy and AWS Solar — a statistical tie at the top
Cali Energy and AWS Solar both recorded zero 1- or 2-star reviews (0 of 29 and 0 of 23). We rank by a Jeffreys-prior adjusted complaint rate — (1–2★ + 0.5) ÷ (total + 1) — applied identically to all seven companies, which places Cali Energy first at 1.7% against AWS Solar's 2.1%. That gap is not evidence that one is better than the other. Their 95% credible intervals — 0.0%–8.2% and 0.0%–10.2% — overlap almost completely. The ordering reflects Cali Energy's slightly larger sample, nothing more. Treat them as one leading group, with Solar Optimum close behind on a far larger sample.
Honest caveat: 29 reviews is still a small sample. The adjustment discounts that; it does not erase it.
Los Angeles solar company reviews: quick comparison
Seven residential solar installers serving Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley.
| # | Company | Reviews | 5★ | 1–2★ | % neg | Adj. rate | Avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cali Energy | 29 | 97% | 0 | 0% | 1.7% | 4.93 |
| 2 | AWS Solar | 23 | 96% | 0 | 0% | 2.1% | 4.91 |
| 3 | Solar Optimum | 74 | 88% | 5 | 7% | 7.3% | 4.66 |
| 4 | LA Solar Group | 115 | 87% | 12 | 10% | 10.8% | 4.55 |
| 5 | NRG Clean Power | 94 | 87% | 10 | 11% | 11.1% | 4.56 |
| 6 | Sunrun | 64 | 88% | 7 | 11% | 11.5% | 4.56 |
| 7 | GreenCal Construction | 34 | 74% | 7 | 21% | 21.4% | 4.15 |
Source: Cali Energy analysis of 433 Google reviews published August 2025 – August 2026. Verified August 26, 2026.
Full analysis for each company — star distribution, quarter-by-quarter trend, complaint themes and what to check before signing:
Which LA solar installer is best for what?
A quick answer, before the company-by-company detail below.
Best observed review score
Cali Energy — lowest adjusted complaint rate and highest average rating
Strongest record on a large sample
Solar Optimum — the lowest complaint rate among companies with 60+ reviews
Best-known lease / $0-down PPA option
Sunrun
Largest recent review base
LA Solar Group — 115 reviews
Strong result from a small company
AWS Solar
How we ranked them
Transparent, reproducible, and applied identically to every company — including us.
| Criterion | How it was applied |
|---|---|
| Review window | A rolling 12 months — Google reviews published August 2025 – August 2026. |
| Source | Google reviews only, from each company's primary profile serving the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles (linked in each section). One platform, so averages are comparable. National brands' Google profiles may include a small share of reviews describing projects in other service areas. |
| How companies were selected | We screened the first 20 non-sponsored Google Maps results for “solar company Los Angeles” and “solar company San Fernando Valley”, searched signed-out from ZIP 91324 (Northridge), using the same desktop device, browser, signed-out status, ZIP-code location and search procedure for both queries. After removing duplicates and companies with fewer than 20 reviews in the window, 7 qualified. All companies meeting these criteria were included. |
| Primary metric | Jeffreys-prior adjusted complaint rate = (1–2★ reviews + 0.5) ÷ (total reviews + 1). A small statistical adjustment so zero complaints in a small sample doesn't appear identical to zero complaints in a much larger one. Lower is better. |
| Minimum sample | Companies with fewer than 20 reviews in the window were excluded. The adjusted rate above already discounts a clean record on a thin sample, so no separate size grading is applied. |
| Complaint themes | Each 1–2★ review carrying written feedback was hand-coded into the themes defined below; categories can overlap. |
| Business facts | Statements about certifications, financing, or service scope come from each company's own materials, not from reviews. Review-based claims come only from Google reviews. |
| Negatives kept | We did not remove negative reviews from any company, ourselves included. Relative dates (“a year ago”) were converted to months; duplicates and edited reviews were counted once. |
| Theme | Counted when a reviewer described… |
|---|---|
| Sales pressure | door-to-door canvassing, misrepresentation, or high-pressure tactics |
| Pricing | an unexpected increase, high price vs other bids, or a post-contract charge |
| Delays | a timeline substantially exceeded or a stalled project |
| Communication | unreturned calls, unanswered messages, or unclear status after signing |
| Post-install service | a warranty, repair, monitoring, or safety complaint after installation |
1. Cali Energy Reviews (2026): What Customers Say
29 reviews · 0 one/two-star · 4.93 avg · 97% five-star
Best for: homeowners who want one accountable in-house team for solar, roofing, electrical and battery.
What customers praise
- Reaching "a real person on the phone," not a call center
- Installs finished on schedule, "price as quoted"
- Self-performed crews — no subcontractor handoffs (per the company)
- Warranty follow-through years later (inverter replaced under warranty)
Where it slips
- One 3★ reviewer felt dispatch/support got slower than before
- One of the smaller samples here (29) — less data than the larger installers
Stars: 97% five-star · one 3★ · 0% one–two star. Critical reviews: 1 of 29.
"Easy to get someone on the phone, no call centers. They handled everything and it took about 2 weeks."
Read the full Cali Energy review analysis → — all 29 reviews broken down by star rating and by quarter, the recurring themes in both praise and complaints, and the questions worth asking before you sign.
See Cali Energy's Google reviews → · CSLB / licenses Verified August 26, 2026.
2. AWS Solar Reviews (2026): What Customers Say
23 reviews · 0 one/two-star · 4.91 avg · 96% five-star
Best for: homeowners who want a small, highly-rated installer and don't mind fewer reviews.
What customers praise
- No 1- or 2-star reviews in the window — strong satisfaction
- Quality of the finished system
Where it slips
- Its single critical (3★) review cited poor communication "except when demanding payment"
- That reviewer said a permit mix-up caused a 3-week gap before inspection
- Small sample (23)
Stars: 96% five-star · 3★: 1 · 0 one–two star.
Read the full AWS Solar review analysis → — all 23 reviews broken down by star rating and by quarter, the recurring themes in both praise and complaints, and the questions worth asking before you sign.
See AWS Solar's Google reviews → Verified August 26, 2026.
3. Solar Optimum Reviews (2026): What Customers Say
74 reviews · 5 one/two-star · 4.66 avg · 88% five-star
Best for: buyers who want a large, established installer with a deep review history and roofing under one roof.
What customers praise
- The lowest complaint rate among the large-sample companies here
- GAF-certified roofing paired with solar (per the company); long-term relationships
- Competitive pricing, organized project management
Where it slips
- Among the negative reviews, one alleged a deposit/pricing “bait-and-switch”
- Another alleged non-performance and unreturned calls
5 of 74 reviews were 1–2★ (7%) — the strongest record among the companies with a large review base.
Read the full Solar Optimum review analysis → — all 74 reviews broken down by star rating and by quarter, the recurring themes in both praise and complaints, and the questions worth asking before you sign.
See Solar Optimum's Google reviews → Verified August 26, 2026.
4. LA Solar Group Reviews (2026): What Customers Say
115 reviews · 12 one/two-star · 4.55 avg · 87% five-star
Best for: price-first buyers prepared to follow up persistently on service.
What customers praise
- Competitive pricing
- Handles solar, roofing and batteries (per the company)
- The largest recent review base in this group (115)
Where it slips
- 9 of its 12 negative reviews describe service dropping off after install — unreturned calls, multi-month repair waits, and reviewers who alleged contractual commitments were not fulfilled
- One reviewer described installation-related safety incidents — a wiring fire risk and an electrical shock — which we did not independently verify
Largest sample here (115 reviews). A large base cuts both ways: more praise and more documented friction.
Read the full LA Solar Group review analysis → — all 115 reviews broken down by star rating and by quarter, the recurring themes in both praise and complaints, and the questions worth asking before you sign.
See LA Solar Group's Google reviews → Verified August 26, 2026.
5. NRG Clean Power Reviews (2026): What Customers Say
94 reviews · 10 one/two-star · 4.56 avg · 87% five-star
Best for: buyers who value a big review base and strong warranty/after-sales help — if the project stays on track.
What customers praise
- Standout warranty and tech support (one rep repeatedly named)
- Advertises a price-match guarantee (per NRG); many happy, monitored systems
- Several reviewers say NRG recovered well after a rough start and compensated them
Where it slips
- 6 of NRG's 10 negative reviews described schedule delays or a stalled project
- 5 described communication dropping off after contract signing (themes overlap)
- 3 cited unexpected costs; 2 cited a lost or at-risk federal tax credit
A large review base (94) with 10 critical reviews (11%).
Read the full NRG Clean Power review analysis → — all 94 reviews broken down by star rating and by quarter, the recurring themes in both praise and complaints, and the questions worth asking before you sign.
See NRG Clean Power's Google reviews → Verified August 26, 2026.
6. Sunrun Reviews (2026): What Customers Say
64 reviews · 7 one/two-star · 4.56 avg · 88% five-star
Best for: homeowners who specifically want $0-down leasing or a PPA and are ready to negotiate hard on price.
What customers praise
- One of the largest residential solar brands; offers lease/PPA financing with no upfront cost (per Sunrun)
- Many smooth, satisfied installations
Where it slips
- Most of the negative reviews cited aggressive door-to-door sales or being priced above competing bids
- 2 described canvassers ignoring "no soliciting" signs; 1 alleged a rep implied a utility (SCE) affiliation
- 1 reported a no-show install appointment with no call
7 of 64 reviews were 1–2★ (11%).
"Get multiple bids… this is the most expensive system. The sales team is great but that's not to your benefit."
Read the full Sunrun review analysis → — all 64 reviews broken down by star rating and by quarter, the recurring themes in both praise and complaints, and the questions worth asking before you sign.
See Sunrun's Google reviews → Verified August 26, 2026.
7. GreenCal Construction Reviews (2026): What Customers Say
34 reviews · 7 one/two-star · 4.15 avg · 74% five-star
Note: appears to operate primarily as a roofing/construction contractor; reviews indicate it is sometimes subcontracted by solar companies.
What customers praise
- Solid roofing work when the project goes smoothly
Where it slips
- Highest complaint rate in the group (21%)
- Of 7 negative reviews: 3 cited disorganization or poor project management, 2 cited permit problems
- 2 described roof leaks or blame-passing while it worked as a subcontractor; some noted debris and nails left behind
Read the full GreenCal Construction review analysis → — all 34 reviews broken down by star rating and by quarter, the recurring themes in both praise and complaints, and the questions worth asking before you sign.
See GreenCal Construction's Google reviews → Verified August 26, 2026.
What reviews can't tell you
Reviews capture the customer experience — communication, timelines, cleanup. They do not tell you whether the deal is good. Two installers with identical five-star reviews can quote wildly different prices, equipment, and terms. Before you sign with anyone on this list, get the numbers reviews never show:
- Price per watt — a useful baseline for comparing systems of different sizes, before accounting for equipment, roofing, batteries and financing.
- Cash price vs. financed price — financing can hide a large dealer fee baked into the total.
- Dealer / loan fees — often thousands, rarely stated up front.
- Panel and inverter models — exact make and model, not just “premium panels.”
- Battery usable capacity — in kWh, and the estimated backup duration under clearly defined household loads.
- Production guarantee — is the promised output guaranteed in writing?
- Roof & workmanship warranties — length, and whether they're transferable if you sell.
- Electrical panel upgrade — needed or not, and who pays.
- PPA/lease escalator — if leasing, the annual rate increase over 20–25 years.
- Cancellation terms & who owns service after PTO — especially if crews are subcontracted.
Underlying data: atomic counts (CSV) · company summary (CSV) — counts only, no reviewer names or review text, CC BY 4.0. Google publishes relative review dates only, so the quarter column is derived and approximate; star ratings and counts are exact.
Frequently asked
Which LA solar company has the best reviews in 2026?
What do solar customers complain about most?
Does it matter if a solar company subcontracts the work?
How were the seven companies chosen?
Related reading
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Get a free estimatePrepared by Cali Energy, August 26, 2026. This article is for general educational purposes only and is not legal, tax, financial, engineering, or utility advice. Rates, incentives, codes, permit requirements, equipment specifications, prices, and program terms may change; figures and timelines are estimates, not guarantees. Confirm current requirements with the applicable utility, AHJ, program administrator, manufacturer, or a licensed professional. See our Content Disclaimer. Cali Energy · 19201 Parthenia St, Ste E, Northridge, CA 91324 · CSLB #1032379 (B, C-10, C-39)