How to Choose a Solar Installer in California
Short answer: before you sign, vet the company — not just the price. Confirm the contractor holds an active CSLB license with the right classifications, read real local reviews, ask whether the crew is in-house or subcontracted, and find out who actually honors the workmanship warranty. Below is a step-by-step vetting checklist you can run on any proposal.
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- Verify the contractor's CSLB license is active and carries the right classifications at cslb.ca.gov before you sign anything.
- Ask directly whether your crew is in-house employees or subcontractors, and get who honors the workmanship warranty in writing.
- Real, recent, local reviews, years in business, and proof of bond and insurance tell you more than a polished sales pitch.
Start with the license, then work down the list
Solar is a long-term relationship: the company that installs your system is the one you'll call if a panel fails in year eight. Vetting the company is a separate job from comparing the numbers on the quote. Here's a transparent checklist you can run on any installer — what to verify, where to check it, and why it matters.
| What to verify | Where to check it | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| CSLB license status | “Check a License” at cslb.ca.gov | The status should read Active. Inactive, suspended, or revoked is a stop sign. |
| License classifications | Same CSLB license record | Solar work commonly falls under B, C-46, C-10, or C-39 — explained below. |
| Bond & workers' comp | CSLB license record | Every CA contractor carries at least a $25,000 bond; workers' comp protects you if a worker is hurt on your roof. |
| Years in business | CSLB issue date + your own research | A longer track record means someone is still around to honor the warranty later. |
| Real local reviews | Google, Yelp, your city | Look for named, recent, nearby reviews — not just a star average. |
| In-house vs subcontracted crews | Ask the company directly | You want to know who is physically on your roof and who employs them. |
| Warranty backing | The written contract | A workmanship warranty is only as good as the company standing behind it. |
| Proof of insurance | Ask for a certificate | General liability covers damage to your home during the install. |
Sources: CSLB — Check a License · CPUC California Solar Consumer Protection Guide
What the CSLB classifications mean
California licenses contractors by classification — the type of work they're qualified to do. A solar install often touches roofing, electrical, and structural work at once, so more than one classification can be relevant. A company can legally install solar under different valid combinations; the point is to confirm the scope your job needs is actually covered.
| Class | What it covers | Relevance to solar |
|---|---|---|
| B — General Building | Projects involving two or more unrelated trades | Lets a builder coordinate roof, electrical, and structural work on one project. |
| C-46 — Solar | Thermal & photovoltaic solar energy systems | The dedicated solar classification. |
| C-10 — Electrical | Wiring, panels, and connections that carry electrical energy | Solar interconnects with your electrical service — C-10 covers that work. |
| C-39 — Roofing | Sealing, waterproofing, and roof surfaces | Matters when panels mount on — or you replace — the roof. |
Source: CSLB — Licensing Classifications
Verify a license in about two minutes
Go to cslb.ca.gov and open “Check a License.” Enter the company's license number or business name. On the record, confirm the Status reads Active, note the classifications and issue date (how long they've been licensed), and check that the contractor's bond and workers' compensation lines are current. You can also verify any license by phone at the CSLB at (800) 321-CSLB (2752).
In-house crews vs subcontracted crews
Some solar companies employ their own installers; others sign the contract and then hand the job to a subcontracted crew. Neither is automatically wrong — plenty of reputable firms use vetted subs — but you should know which one you're getting, because it affects accountability. When the same company that sold you the system also employs the people on your roof, there's a single point of responsibility for quality and for the warranty later. When work is subcontracted, ask who supervises it, who you call for a callback, and whether the warranty travels with the company you signed with or with the sub.
A fair question to ask any installer: “Are the people installing my system your employees, and who do I call if something needs fixing in year five?” A transparent answer either way is a good sign.
Two different warranties — know who backs each
Every solar system carries two kinds of warranty, and they're backed by different parties:
Equipment warranties come from the manufacturer — typically 25 years on panels and 10–25 on inverters. Those are only useful if the manufacturer is still in business and you can file the claim.
The workmanship (installation) warranty comes from the installer — it covers the labor, mounting, flashing, and wiring they did. This is the one that depends entirely on the company still existing and standing behind its work. A long workmanship warranty from a company with a short track record is worth less than a solid one from an established local installer. Get the length and the terms in writing, and confirm who honors it if the panels ever need to come off for a roof repair. Whether the whole system pencils out is a separate question — we walk through that in is solar still worth it in California?
Six things that separate a solid installer from a risky one
An active CSLB license
Verified at cslb.ca.gov, status Active. This is the non-negotiable first check — everything else comes after.
The right classifications
The license covers the scope your job needs — general (B), solar (C-46), electrical (C-10), and/or roofing (C-39).
In-house crews
Or, if subcontracted, a clear answer on who supervises the work and who you call for a warranty callback.
Real local reviews
Named, recent reviews from customers in your area — and a completed-project portfolio you can actually look at.
Bond & insurance
A current $25,000 contractor bond, workers' comp, and general-liability coverage — ask for the certificate.
A warranty you can collect on
A workmanship warranty in writing, from a company with the track record to still be here when you need it.
What this looks like in practice
As one example: Cali Energy is a Northridge-based installer holding CSLB #1032379 with B (general), C-10 (electrical), and C-39 (roofing) classifications, using in-house crews across Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley. You can verify that record yourself at cslb.ca.gov, and see completed installs on our projects page. The takeaway isn't which company — it's that you can and should confirm these details for any installer before you sign.
Then — and only then — compare the numbers
Once a company clears the vetting checklist, you can compare its proposal against others on the merits. That's its own skill: use our side-by-side quote checklist to line up price per watt, equipment, and scope, and watch for the common red flags in solar quotes — a “today-only” discount, a monthly payment quoted instead of a total price, or an unexplained markup worth an itemized explanation. A higher price can be entirely justified by real roof work, an electrical upgrade, or premium equipment; the goal is to understand why, not to assume the cheapest quote wins.
You have time to change your mind
California gives home solar buyers a cancellation window — generally at least 3 business days after signing, and 5 business days if you're 65 or older. The exact terms can vary depending on where and how you signed, and the required Solar Energy System Disclosure Document spells out your cancellation rights on the front page of the contract. When in doubt, read the CPUC California Solar Consumer Protection Guide before you sign.
Frequently asked
How do I check if a solar installer is licensed in California?
Use the CSLB's free “Check a License” tool at cslb.ca.gov. Enter the company's license number or business name, then confirm the Status reads Active and review the classifications, bond, and workers' comp. You can also verify by phone at (800) 321-CSLB (2752).
What CSLB license does a solar installer need in California?
California solar work may be performed under different qualifying classifications depending on the project scope: B (general building), C-46 (solar), C-10 (electrical), and C-39 (roofing). They are not all required at once — but the electrical, roofing and structural parts of the job must each be covered by the contractor’s own classification or by a properly licensed subcontractor. A company can legally install solar under different valid combinations — what matters is that the license covers the scope your specific job needs, including any electrical or roof work.
Is it better to use in-house crews or subcontractors for solar?
Both can do good work. The advantage of in-house crews is a single point of accountability — the company that sold you the system also employs the people on your roof and honors the warranty. If a company uses subcontractors, that's not a dealbreaker; just ask who supervises the install and who you'll call for a warranty callback down the road.
Who honors the solar warranty if something breaks?
There are two warranties. The equipment warranty (panels, inverter) comes from the manufacturer. The workmanship warranty covering the installation comes from the installer — so it's only as reliable as the company standing behind it. Get the workmanship warranty's length and terms in writing before you sign.
How many years should a solar company have been in business?
There's no magic number, but a longer track record means the company is more likely to still be around to honor its workmanship warranty years later. Check the license issue date on the CSLB record for how long they've held the license, and weigh it alongside real local reviews and completed installs.
Can I cancel a solar contract after signing?
Generally yes — California gives home solar buyers a cancellation window of at least 3 business days, or 5 business days if you're 65 or older. Terms can vary by where and how you signed, and your rights are stated on the front page of the required Solar Energy System Disclosure Document. See the CPUC California Solar Consumer Protection Guide for details.
Related reading
Talk to a licensed local installer
Verify our CSLB #1032379 at cslb.ca.gov, then get a clear, itemized proposal from an in-house crew — no subcontracted mystery, no pressure.
Get a free estimatePrepared by Cali Energy, August 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 Unit E, Northridge, CA 91324 · CSLB #1032379 (B, C-10, C-39)