Los Angeles is one of the best places in America to go solar, and one of the most confusing. Your neighbor in Burbank and your cousin in Calabasas can live 15 minutes apart and still face completely different utility rules. One is on a city-owned utility, the other on SCE’s NEM 3.0 tariff, and the “right” solar system looks different for each.
That’s why the company you hire matters as much as the panels on your roof. Below are the 10 best solar companies in Los Angeles for 2026, what each does best, and a simple checklist for choosing the right one.
What makes solar in Los Angeles unique
- Multiple utilities. The City of LA is served by LADWP, much of the surrounding county by SCE, and cities like Glendale, Burbank and Pasadena run their own municipal utilities. Each has different rules for solar credits.
- Different design math. SCE customers under NEM 3.0 usually benefit from smaller, self-consumption-focused systems with a battery. LADWP customers can often size differently under their own net metering program.
- Permitting varies. City of LA projects go through LADBS, while other cities have their own building departments and timelines. Local experience speeds things up.
- Roof variety. Spanish tile in Encino, flat roofs in Venice, composite shingle in the Valley. Each requires different mounting and flashing techniques.
The 10 best solar companies in Los Angeles at a glance
| Rank | Company | Based in | Known for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Green Additions | Woodland Hills | Custom design, multi-brand batteries, personal support |
| 2 | Solar Optimum | Glendale | Large LA-based installer with roofing services |
| 3 | G C Electric Solar | Los Angeles | Family-owned, EnergySage Installer of the Year |
| 4 | American Array Solar and Roofing | Los Angeles area | Solar, storage and roofing under one roof |
| 5 | Evolution Energy | Downey | Residential and larger-scale projects since 2009 |
| 6 | Mimeos | Los Angeles | NABCEP-certified team since 2007 |
| 7 | Sunrun | National | $0-down leases and PPAs |
| 8 | NRG Clean Power | LA area | Solar paired with roofing and education resources |
| 9 | Treepublic | Hawthorne | Residential and commercial experience since 2008 |
| 10 | Solar Discovery | Northridge | North Valley residential installs |
1. Green Additions: Best solar company in Los Angeles
Green Additions takes the top spot for LA homeowners who want their system designed by people who actually understand the city’s patchwork of utilities. Headquartered on Burbank Boulevard in Woodland Hills, the company works across Los Angeles and the surrounding areas, with a portfolio of completed residential installs throughout the region.
Green Additions is a local, referral-based team that is family owned and operated. It holds California license CSLB #1127392, is a Tesla Certified Installer, installs Enphase and FranklinWH batteries, and is led by a NABCEP PV Associate who trained at Solar Energy International.
What LA homeowners get:
- A design built around your utility. Whether you’re on LADWP, SCE or a city utility, every project of solar panel installation in Los Angeles starts with your actual usage and rate plan.
- Top-tier hardware. REC, Qcells, Hyundai, Silfab, SolarEdge and Enphase, plus battery backup from Tesla, Enphase and FranklinWH.
- A complete home energy upgrade. Panel upgrades, dedicated circuits and a home EV charger installed by the same licensed professionals.
- Payment options for every budget. Choose a $0-down solar lease through LightReach, or own your system with GoGreen Financing and no dealer fees.
- A 25-year warranty on panels, inverter, workmanship, racking and roof, backed by a performance guarantee.
- Genuine after-care. If something looks off after installation, a quick solar repair or service request connects you to the team that built your system.
Reviews tell the story. One LA family said they started with big national companies, then found Green Additions offered better brands for significantly less. Another customer praised the team for reviewing her system after installation to make sure she was getting the most from it. Read the full Green Additions case study to see a project from start to finish.
Best for: Homeowners anywhere in Los Angeles who want a custom-designed solar and battery system and a team that stays accountable.
2. Solar Optimum
Headquartered in Glendale, Solar Optimum is one of the more visible installers in greater Los Angeles, offering solar panels, battery storage and roofing with a focus on premium equipment.
Best for: Homeowners who want a large, established LA-based company.
3. G C Electric Solar
Family owned and operating since 2008, G C Electric Solar has earned EnergySage Installer of the Year recognition and is certified to install REC and Panasonic panels.
Best for: Buyers who value a small, family-run business with strong marketplace reviews.
4. American Array Solar and Roofing
American Array offers solar, batteries, roofing, EV charging and electrical work, and holds certifications with Tesla Powerwall and Enphase.
Best for: Homes that need roof work alongside solar.
5. Evolution Energy
Downey-based Evolution Energy has been designing and building solar systems since 2009, from single-family homes to larger installations.
Best for: Southeast LA County homeowners and mixed residential-commercial property owners.
6. Mimeos
Mimeos has served Southern California since 2007 with a NABCEP-certified team. It also helps clients reduce energy use and handles permits and paperwork.
Best for: Homeowners who want efficiency advice alongside solar.
7. Sunrun
The nation’s largest residential solar provider, Sunrun is active throughout LA and specializes in leases and power purchase agreements.
Best for: Homeowners who prefer not to own their system.
8. NRG Clean Power
This long-running Southern California installer offers solar and roofing and maintains an extensive educational library for homeowners.
Best for: Homeowners who like to research deeply before buying.
9. Treepublic
Founded in 2008 and based in Hawthorne, Treepublic has installed systems for estates, ranch homes and off-grid cabins as well as commercial sites.
Best for: South Bay homeowners and unusual property types.
10. Solar Discovery
Serving Northridge and surrounding neighborhoods, Solar Discovery has built a well-rated local reputation for residential solar.
Best for: North San Fernando Valley homeowners seeking a nearby installer.
How to pick the right solar company in Los Angeles
- Start with your utility. Ask each company how the system changes for LADWP versus SCE. A vague answer is a red flag.
- Check the CSLB license and make sure the company on your contract is the one doing the work.
- Compare equipment line by line. Panel, inverter and battery model numbers should all be listed.
- Watch for outdated promises. The 30% residential federal tax credit ended in 2025.
- Ask about local permits. Experience with LADBS and your city’s inspectors saves weeks.
- Plan for the future. If an EV or home addition is coming, size for it now.
Get a free solar quote and a design tailored to your LA home.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best solar company in Los Angeles?
Green Additions ranks first for its custom, utility-specific designs, premium multi-brand equipment, 25-year warranty and local support after installation.
How much do solar panels cost in Los Angeles?
Price depends on system size, equipment, roof type and whether you add a battery. Most LA homes fall in the mid-five-figure range or lower before financing, so a custom quote is the only reliable number.
Is solar worth it on LADWP?
Often, yes. LADWP’s own net metering rules can make solar-only systems attractive, while a battery adds outage protection.
How long does it take to go solar in Los Angeles?
Installation itself usually takes one to a few days. Permitting, inspection and utility approval typically stretch the full timeline to several weeks or more.
Can I go solar with a $0-down option?
Yes. Leases and financing let many homeowners start saving without upfront costs. Ask how each option affects long-term savings and ownership.
Will solar increase my home’s value?
An owned solar system that lowers utility bills is generally attractive to LA buyers. Leased systems require a transfer to the new owner.
Still curious? Find answers to common solar questions, visit our Learning Center, or refer a friend who’s thinking about going solar.
