Find Trusted Solar Installers in Los Angeles 2026
- The LADWP vs SCE Guide Every LA Homeowner Needs
Los Angeles gets over 280 sunny days a year — and with electricity rates now at 31.9¢ per kWh, nearly double the national average, the case for solar has never been stronger. Yet choosing the wrong installer can cost you thousands and years of frustration.
That’s why Living with Solar does the vetting for you.
We’ve spent years building a network of licensed, insured, and thoroughly reviewed solar professionals across Los Angeles County. Whether you’re in the San Fernando Valley, West LA, or Long Beach, Living with Solar connects you with certified local experts who know California’s permitting process, NEM 3.0 net metering rules, and LADWP incentive programs inside and out — so your installation is done right, the first time.
At Living with Solar, we believe going solar should feel empowering, not overwhelming. That’s why thousands of LA homeowners have trusted us to guide them from their first quote to their final inspection.
With systems paying for themselves in as little as 6–8 years and a 30% federal tax credit still on the table, the only question left is who you trust to install it.
Living with Solar — your local guide to cleaner energy and smarter savings.
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The Most Important Question — LADWP or SCE?
Before you look at a single installer, confirm which utility serves your home. This changes your solar economics, your battery recommendation, and the expertise you need from your installer.
LADWP — City of Los Angeles
Serves the City of Los Angeles proper. Also: parts of West Hollywood, Culver City, South Pasadena.
- Traditional 1:1 net metering — full retail credit ~$0.23–$0.28/kWh for every exported kWh
- Credits roll over indefinitely
- Battery storage is optional — the grid already acts as a free battery
- Solar-only payback: 6–8 years
SCE — Southern California Edison
Serves most of LA County outside city limits: Pasadena, Burbank, Glendale, Santa Monica, South Bay, Long Beach, East LA, San Gabriel Valley.
- NEM 3.0 Net Billing Tariff — avoided-cost exports ~$0.05–$0.08/kWh (75% less than old NEM 2.0)
- Battery storage is financially essential for good payback
- Solar + battery payback: 8–11 years with SGIP rebates
How This Changes Your Solar Economics
If you’re on LADWP:
- Export credits are so low that oversizing your system is wasteful — you want to size to consumption, not to maximize production
- Battery storage is more about self-consumption and backup than arbitrage
- The slow interconnection timeline needs to be baked into your project schedule
- Your installer must know LADWP’s specific paperwork and portal — many don’t
If you’re on SCE (NEM 3.0):
- Time-of-use rates create a strong incentive to pair solar with a battery (export at peak, store cheap overnight power)
- A battery isn’t optional — it’s often central to the financial case
- SGIP rebates can meaningfully reduce battery cost, but require a knowledgeable installer to apply
- System sizing logic is more complex because when you export matters as much as how much
Best Solar Installers in Los Angeles 2026
None of these companies pay to appear here. This list is based on verified customer reviews across Google, Yelp, and EnergySage, CSLB licence status, utility territory experience, and public company information. Get at least 3 quotes — including at least one local company and one national company — before signing anything.
AMECO Solar
60+ years of Southern California experience. The longest-running solar company in California. Ideal for homeowners who need roof replacement alongside solar installation.
NRG Clean Power
SCE customers who want a properly sized NEM 3.0 system with battery storage optimised for TOU rate discharge. SunPower premium panels.
AWS Solar
18+ years and 5,000+ Southern California installations. Strong for EV charging integration alongside solar. Consistently positive Google reviews for post-install responsiveness.
Sunrun
SCE customers who want a $0-down lease or PPA. Strong battery storage programme (Brightbox) designed specifically for NEM 3.0 TOU optimisation.
Aikyum Solar
SCE homeowners in eastern San Gabriel Valley and Pasadena area. Consistently strong Yelp reviews specifically for battery work and customer communication.
LA Solar Group
LADWP customers in the City of Los Angeles who want a local company with an established LA track record. Reviews going back 8+ years.
How Living With Solar Works
In Los Angeles, every legitimate solar contractor must hold a C-46 Solar Contractor license issued by the CSLB — and all installations must be permitted through the LA Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) and approved by either LADWP or Southern California Edison.
Share Your Home & Energy Details
We start by learning a few basics:
- Are you a homeowner?
- What ZIP code is your home in?
- What is your average monthly electric bill?
This allows us to determine solar eligibility and savings potential.
Get Matched With Local Solar Installers
We look for:
- Active licensing and compliance
- Strong install history in your region
- Good equipment options (panels, inverters, batteries)
- Solid reviews and support
Compare Solar Quotes & Options
Installers provide quotes that can include:
- Recommended system size (kW)
- Estimated yearly output (kWh)
- Estimated bill reduction
- Battery options (and why it matters in CA)
- $0-down loans, solar loans, or cash pricing
- Warranty details
Move Forward With Installation
Once you choose an installer:
- Site survey is scheduled
- Final design is created
- Permits and utility paperwork are filed
- Install date is confirmed
- Utility PTO (permission to operate) is requested
LADWP vs SCE — Full Comparison
Understanding the difference between these two utilities is the single most important factor in your LA solar decision. Here is the complete side-by-side breakdown.
| Factor | LADWP | SCE |
|---|---|---|
| Solar billing | 1:1 net metering (full retail) | NEM 3.0 (~$0.05–$0.08/kWh) |
| Battery storage | Optional | Financially essential |
| Solar-only payback | 6–8 years | 10–14 years without battery |
| Solar + battery payback | 7–10 years | 8–11 years with SGIP |
| SGIP eligible | Yes | Yes |
| System size approach | 100% of annual usage | 110–120% of annual usage |
How Much Do Solar Panel Cost in LA 2026
At $2.36 per watt, Los Angeles is one of the most competitive solar markets in the United States. With year-round sun, rising electricity rates, and one of the strongest battery rebate programmes in the country, the financial case for solar in LA remains compelling — even after the federal landscape shifted in 2026.
What Does a Solar System Actually Cost in LA?
The average installed cost in Los Angeles is $2.36/W (EnergySage / NRG Clean Power, Q1 2026). That figure covers panels, inverter, labour, permitting through LADBS, and utility interconnection with either LADWP or SCE.
Your actual cost depends on three things: your system size, your installer, and your roof. In LA, the same 10 kW system can vary by $5,000–$8,000 between quotes — which is exactly why getting at least three is non-negotiable.
System Size & Cost Estimates
Most LA homeowners land between 10–12 kW. If you drive an EV or run central air conditioning year-round, size up. If you’re an SCE customer, your installer should be sizing to 110–120% of annual usage to account for NEM 3.0’s reduced export credits.
| System Size | Cost | Monthly Bill Covered |
|---|---|---|
| 8 kW | $18,880 | $150–$225/month |
| 10 kW | $23,600 | $225–$300/month |
| 12 kW | $28,320 | $300–$400/month |
| 14 kW | $33,040 | $350+ / large home + EV |
SGIP Battery Rebates 2026
All LA customers — standard SGIP rebate
CARE / FERA enrolled — saves ~$11,475 on 13.5kWh battery
High Fire Threat District — saves ~$13,500 on 13.5kWh battery
Who should prioritise battery storage in LA?
SCE customers should treat a battery as near-essential. Under NEM 3.0, solar-only systems export excess power at roughly $0.05–$0.08/kWh — a fraction of what you pay to import at peak. A battery keeps that generation working for you instead of gifting it to the grid at a loss.
LADWP customers still benefit from batteries for resilience — LA’s wildfire-related outages are increasing — but the financial urgency is lower since LADWP’s full retail 1:1 net metering still applies.
If you are CARE or FERA enrolled, the $850/kWh rebate tier reduces a 13.5 kWh Tesla Powerwall from approximately $11,000 installed to under $2,000 net. That is one of the strongest battery incentives in the country and should be confirmed before choosing between lease and ownership.
If you live in a High Fire Threat District — much of the foothills, hillside neighbourhoods, and parts of the San Fernando Valley — the $1,000/kWh tier reduces that same battery to near zero net cost after rebate.
Before You Call Any LA Solar Installer, Do These 4 Things
Follow these four steps before contacting any installer or signing any contract.
Verify every CSLB licence before contacting
Go to cslb.ca.gov → Licence Check. Takes 2 minutes. Non-negotiable. A valid C-10 licence is the minimum requirement for any solar installer in California.
Match to your utility first
LADWP customers and SCE customers have fundamentally different needs. Not all companies excel at both. Confirm your utility before requesting any quote.
Get 3+ quotes always
LA pricing ranges $2.04–$2.73/W. The same system can vary by $5,000–$12,000 between companies. Always include at least one local and one national company.
Ask about SGIP before signing anything
If you're CARE/FERA eligible, your rebate tier ($850/kWh) must be confirmed BEFORE you choose lease vs. ownership. A lease can cost you $8,500–$11,000 in lost rebates.
Get Matched with Verified LA Installers
We verify every installer in our LA network for CSLB C-10 licence status, SGIP programme registration, LADWP or SCE territory expertise, and post-install service capability.
What We Verify for Every Installer
CSLB C-10 Licence Status
Active licence confirmed at cslb.ca.gov before any installer joins our network.
SGIP Programme Registration
Confirmed ability to file SGIP rebate applications on your behalf.
Utility Territory Expertise
LADWP or SCE NEM 3.0 — we match you to installers who know your specific utility.
Post-Install Service Capability
Local LA team confirmed — not just a national call centre for warranty support.
Tell Us About Your Home
Determines your utility, sun hours, fire risk tier, and available incentives.
LADWP / SCE / Not sure — the single most important factor in your solar decision.
Used to right-size your system and calculate your payback period accurately.
Helps us match you to installers with the right storage expertise for your needs.
About This Guide
Sophia Green — Founder, Living With Solar
I started Living With Solar in 2021 because every solar website I found was owned by someone trying to sell me something. The companies listed on this page do not pay to be here. The list is built from verified public reviews, CSLB licence checks, and understanding which companies genuinely know the LA market — both LADWP and SCE territory.
If that changes, I'll update the list. If you have had a genuinely good or bad experience with any LA installer, I'd like to know.