Solar Companies in Concord, CA: Who Installed the Most Systems in 2025

Installers who connected the most home solar systems in Concord in 2025

Counts from utility records, not a ranking or endorsement. Check each license's status and complaint history on the CSLB's Check a License page (checked Sept. 24, 2026).

Source: California Distributed Generation Statistics (CPUC), Interconnected Project Sites data set, data through May 31, 2026 (checked Sept. 24, 2026).

Home solar in Concord by the numbers

PG&E approved 557 home solar systems in Concord in 2025, from 86 installers; the top three were named on 42% of them. The busiest year since 2021 was 2022, with 936 (2025: -40%). Another 177 were approved from January through May 2026.

2025 mix: 48% leased or on a power purchase agreement, 52% owned by the household; 60% with a battery; median size 6.58 kW DC. Contra Costa County: 43% leased or PPA, 58% with a battery, median 6.48 kW.

Hiring a solar company in Concord

A solar company installing in Concord, California files the permit through the City's Virtual Permit Center, using SolarAPP+, one of four City standardized configurations, or full drawings, and connects the system to PG&E. MCE supplies generation for Concord and pays extra for year-end surplus, so its rules belong in every savings estimate. Compare at least three written bids built on your own MCE and PG&E bill.

Start with your Concord electricity bill

Concord homes get delivery from PG&E and, by default, generation from MCE, the community choice provider that lists Concord among its 16 Contra Costa member communities. PG&E charges for delivery and MCE's generation charges are settled on the same monthly statement. A solar proposal for a Concord home should model both companies, and your own enrollment, not a PG&E-only account.

How MCE treats a Concord solar home

MCE splits its solar customers by application date. Systems whose applications were filed before April 14, 2023 stay on net energy metering; applications after that date, and older NEM 1 systems whose 20-year legacy period has run out, are on the Solar Billing Plan. PG&E keeps charging for all delivery, and MCE's generation charges are settled on the monthly bill.

The difference from a PG&E-only account shows up at year end. MCE's annual cash-out cycle runs April through March, and it pays surplus at the Net Surplus Compensation rate plus $0.02 per kWh, up to $5,000 a year. Customers who choose MCE's Deep Green 100% renewable option earn another $0.01 per kWh in credits for excess energy. Amounts of $200 or less land as a bill credit; larger ones are paid by check.

A system sized to your own usage should not leave a large yearly surplus, so treat that payment as a detail to check rather than a reason to oversize. What matters more is that each bidder models your MCE plan and PG&E delivery charges correctly.

Concord's three permit routes

Concord's Building Division gives contractors three ways to submit a home solar permit. SolarAPP+ checks a standard rooftop design automatically and issues a pre-approval that goes into the City's application. The City's four standardized configurations let a contractor fill out a pre-drawn plan set instead of producing custom drawings. Anything else needs a complete set of professional drawings. All three are filed through the Virtual Permit Center.

The route changes how fast a permit comes back and how much drafting the contractor has to do, which can show up in the price. Ask each bidder which route its design uses, and if it needs custom drawings, why a standard route does not fit your roof.

What a Concord quote needs to explain

A comparison to ask for

Two Concord bids can show different savings for the same array because one counts MCE's surplus payment and one does not. Ask both to model your MCE and PG&E account on the Solar Billing Plan, show what a year-end surplus would be worth under MCE's rules, and price any battery on its own line.

Verify the company behind the Concord quote

Match the business name and license number on each Concord proposal to the CSLB record, then use our contractor verification steps, the quote comparison guide and the PPA, loan, lease and cash comparison.

Permit fees and the filing route are on the Concord solar cost and permit page.

Concord solar quote questions