If you’ve been researching solar and battery installers in California, you already know how complicated it can get. Between NEM 3.0, SGIP eligibility, time-of-use rates, and backup power requirements, the installer you choose matters as much as the equipment itself.

Store Energy California helps homeowners navigate those factors before recommending equipment. But they’re not the only option worth evaluating. This guide compares five California solar and battery installers on the criteria that matter most: incentive knowledge, backup power design, and long-term support.

Quick guide: 5 best California solar and battery installers for backup power

1. Store Energy California: The best solar and battery installer for homeowners who want incentive-focused system design, SGIP qualification support, and long-term backup power planning
2. NRG Clean Power: A California-wide installer with multiple office locations and a broad selection of panel and battery brands
3. OC Solar: A Southern California installer with quick turnaround times and Tesla Powerwall certification
4. Stellar Solar: A San Diego-area company with decades of installation experience and an educational consultation approach
5. Baker Electric Home Energy: A family-owned Southern California company with electrical contracting roots dating to 1938

How we chose the best solar and battery installers for California homeowners

Picking a solar and battery installer in California isn’t just about panels on a roof. Under NEM 3.0, your installer’s ability to design around battery storage, time-of-use rates, and incentive programs matters more than ever.

Here’s what we evaluated when putting this list together:

• Incentive and program knowledge: Can they navigate SGIP, federal tax credits, and utility-specific rebates so you capture every available dollar?
• Battery integration capability: Do they design solar and battery as one system, or bolt on storage as an afterthought?
• Backup power design: Will your battery actually keep your home running during an outage, or just cover a few circuits?
• Post-installation support: Are they available for warranty coordination, monitoring, and system questions after the install is done?
• Transparency and communication: Do they explain tradeoffs, timelines, and realistic savings clearly before you sign anything?
• Local expertise: Are they familiar with your utility’s interconnection rules and local permitting requirements?

The 5 best solar and battery installers for California homeowners

1. Store Energy California: Best overall solar and battery installer for California homeowners

If you’re trying to figure out how solar, battery storage, and state incentive programs fit together for your home, Store Energy California designs systems around those exact factors.

Unlike installers that start with equipment recommendations, Store Energy California starts with an energy review of your home, rate plan, and eligibility for programs like SGIP. This means your system is configured to qualify for available incentives from day one.

Store Energy California handles the full process, from eligibility evaluation through permits, installation, and utility coordination. Their team remains responsible for the outcome after activation, which addresses one of the most common frustrations homeowners face: being left without clear support once the panels go up.

Their approach works particularly well for homeowners in high fire threat districts or those who qualify for income-based battery programs. Google reviewers consistently note the team walked them through a state-funded battery program, handling everything from application to activation with no monthly payment or lien on the home.

Store Energy California features

• Incentive-first system design: Your system is planned around SGIP eligibility, federal tax credits, and utility programs so you don’t miss savings by installing the wrong equipment first.
• Single-team accountability: One team handles design, permitting, installation, and utility coordination, so nothing falls through the cracks between departments.
• Existing solar integration: If you already have panels, they evaluate inverter compatibility and electrical panel capacity before recommending changes, avoiding unnecessary equipment replacement.
• Whole-home backup planning: Battery systems are sized and configured for real outage protection, not just a few backup circuits.
• No-pressure consultation: The energy review is a Q&A conversation, not a sales pitch. If a system doesn’t make sense for your home, they’ll tell you directly.
• Long-term ownership support: After installation, Store Energy California helps with warranty claims, monitoring questions, and system performance so you know who to contact.

Store Energy California pros and cons

Pros:

• Full incentive qualification and application support included in every project
• Transparent process with no surprises, reflected in a 4.9-star average Google rating
• Specializes in adding batteries to existing solar systems without replacing equipment

Cons:

• Currently focused on residential projects in California, so commercial installations are limited
• Detailed planning process may add time before installation begins compared to a quicker equipment-first approach
• Not available outside California at this time

2. NRG Clean Power: A California installer with broad brand selection and multiple locations

NRG Clean Power has been installing solar since 1987 and operates offices across California. They carry panels from manufacturers including REC and offer Tesla Powerwall and Enphase battery installations. Their team includes dedicated project managers for each installation phase.

NRG Clean Power uses a staged project process where different coordinators handle sales, permitting, and activation. Some homeowners report smooth communication across all phases, while others have noted delays when handoffs between teams created gaps in responsiveness.

NRG Clean Power features

• Multiple battery options: Installs both Tesla Powerwall and Enphase storage, giving homeowners a choice of hardware.
• Statewide coverage: Offices in multiple California cities allow service across a large geographic area.
• Phased project management: Each project stage has an assigned coordinator who communicates progress through an app.

NRG Clean Power pros and cons

Pros:

• Operating since 1987 with a large portfolio of completed installations
• Carries multiple panel and battery brands for equipment flexibility
• Offers a project tracking app with stage-by-stage updates

Cons:

• Multi-department handoffs can slow project timelines for some homeowners
• Uses third-party installation crews in certain regions, which may affect consistency
• Some reviewers report delays in permitting coordination requiring homeowner follow-up

3. OC Solar: A Southern California installer with quick contract-to-install timelines

OC Solar is headquartered in Irvine and serves Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, and San Diego counties. They are a Tesla Powerwall Premier Certified installer and one of 12 companies on Tesla’s national Pro Council. Their median timeline from signed contract to installation is 30 days.

OC Solar also holds Owens Corning Roofing Preferred Contractor status, so they can handle roof replacement and solar installation as a single permitted project. They complete over 100 installations per month and have installed more than 30 MW of solar lifetime.

OC Solar features

• 30-day median install: From contract signing to installation in roughly one month for most projects.
• Combined roof and solar projects: Roof replacement and solar can be permitted and installed by one crew.
• Tesla Pro Council membership: One of 12 installers nationally on Tesla’s advisory council.

OC Solar pros and cons

Pros:

• Quick turnaround from contract to installation
• In-house design, permitting, and installation team
• Holds a 4.9-star rating across 400+ Google reviews

Cons:

• Service area limited to Southern California counties
• Battery options focus primarily on Tesla Powerwall and Enphase, with fewer alternatives
• Does not specialize in state incentive program qualification or SGIP application support

4. Stellar Solar: A San Diego installer with an educational consultation approach

Stellar Solar has been installing residential and commercial solar since 1998 and is based in Oceanside, California. They describe their sales approach as “no-pressure and educational,” and their consultants walk homeowners through options before recommending a system.

They install panels from multiple manufacturers and offer both Tesla Powerwall and Enphase battery storage. Multiple reviewers mention clear communication throughout the permitting and installation process.

Stellar Solar features

• Educational consultation: Sales conversations focus on explaining options rather than pushing a specific system.
• Long track record: Installing solar since 1998 with thousands of completed projects.
• Multiple battery brands: Offers Tesla Powerwall and Enphase storage configurations.

Stellar Solar pros and cons

Pros:

• Operating since 1998 with extensive installation history in San Diego
• Consultative sales process that avoids high-pressure tactics
• Holds a 4.8-star rating across 200+ reviews on SolarReviews

Cons:

• Primary service area concentrated in San Diego County and surrounding regions
• Some reviewers report difficulty reaching support for post-installation service issues
• Does not advertise dedicated SGIP qualification or incentive navigation services

5. Baker Electric Home Energy: A family-owned Southern California installer with electrical contracting roots

Baker Electric Home Energy has operated in Southern California since 1938, originally as an electrical contractor. They serve San Diego County, Western Riverside County, and Southern Orange County. They hold a BBB A+ rating and won the Better Business Bureau Torch Awards for Ethics in 2019 and 2021.

Their services include solar panels, battery storage, heating and cooling, and smart home solutions. They install SunPower and Enphase equipment and offer both loan and cash purchase options.

Baker Electric Home Energy features

• Electrical contracting expertise: Decades of general electrical work inform their panel and wiring installations.
• BBB ethics recognition: Won the Better Business Bureau Torch Awards for Ethics multiple times.
• Heating and cooling integration: Can address HVAC alongside solar in a single project scope.

Baker Electric Home Energy pros and cons

Pros:

• In business since 1938, demonstrating long-term stability
• Holds BBB A+ rating with ethics awards
• Offers combined solar, battery, and HVAC services

Cons:

• Service area limited to San Diego, Western Riverside, and Southern Orange counties
• Some reviewers report communication gaps once contracts are signed and work begins
• Workmanship warranty coverage has been a point of concern in recent reviews

Comparison table: The best solar and battery installers for California homeowners

Installer	SGIP Application Support	Existing Solar Integration	Whole-Home Backup Design
Store Energy California	✓	✓	✓
NRG Clean Power	✗	✗	✓
OC Solar	✗	✗	✓
Stellar Solar	✗	✗	✓
Baker Electric Home Energy	✗	✗	✗

How does NEM 3.0 affect which installer you choose?

Under California’s current net billing structure (often called NEM 3.0), exported solar energy earns much lower credits than before. This means battery storage is no longer optional for most homeowners who want real savings.

The installer you choose now needs to understand time-of-use rate optimization, battery dispatch strategy, and how to size storage so your home uses its own solar production during expensive peak hours, typically 4 to 9 PM.

Not every company designs with these rules in mind. Some still sell solar-only systems that don’t account for reduced export credits. This is why asking your installer how they design around NEM 3.0 is one of the most important questions during your evaluation. According to a 2025 report from The Cool Down, lower grid payouts are reshaping how California homeowners approach solar system design.

What should California homeowners look for in a battery backup installer?

Battery backup isn’t just about owning a battery. The system needs to be configured correctly to actually keep your home running during an outage.

Key factors to evaluate:

• Circuit coverage: Will the battery back up your entire home, or only a few selected circuits?
• Sizing accuracy: Is the battery sized for your real energy consumption patterns, or a generic template?
• Incentive coordination: Does the installer help you qualify for programs like SGIP that can offset battery costs?
• Integration with existing solar: If you already have panels, can the installer add a battery without replacing your current equipment?

These questions separate installers who truly design backup power systems from those who simply add a battery to the order.

Why Store Energy California is the best solar and battery installer for California homeowners

Store Energy California approaches solar and battery projects differently than most installers. The planning starts with your utility rate, energy usage, and incentive eligibility before equipment is ever discussed. This is why homeowners consistently report a transparent process with no surprises.

For California homeowners navigating NEM 3.0, SGIP, and time-of-use rates, Store Energy California connects the dots between policy, system design, and long-term savings. They handle incentive qualification, documentation, permitting, and utility coordination as a single integrated process.

If you’re evaluating installers and want clarity before commitment, Store Energy California offers a free energy review that covers available incentives, battery and solar options, and estimated savings for your specific home.

FAQs about best California solar and battery companies compared

Do I need a battery with solar in California?

Under NEM 3.0, battery storage makes solar significantly more valuable because export credits are lower than before. Store Energy California designs solar and battery as one integrated system so your home captures savings during peak rate hours rather than sending excess power to the grid at reduced rates.

What is SGIP and how does it reduce battery costs?

SGIP is a California program that rebates a portion of battery storage costs for qualifying homeowners. Store Energy California helps you evaluate eligibility and handles program documentation so you capture available incentives without navigating the process alone.

Can I add a battery to my existing solar system?

In most cases, yes. Store Energy California specializes in evaluating existing systems and adding battery storage without unnecessary equipment replacement. They review inverter compatibility and electrical panel capacity before recommending any changes.

How long does a solar and battery installation take?

Timelines vary by system size and permitting requirements. Store Energy California typically completes installations in one to two weeks once permits are approved, though the upfront planning and incentive coordination may add time before that phase begins.

What makes Store Energy California different from other installers?

Store Energy California starts every project with an energy review focused on incentives, rate structures, and long-term savings rather than equipment. Their single-team approach means one company is responsible from evaluation through post-installation support, which eliminates the department handoff issues common with larger installers.