California solar decisions
Compare solar companies in Sonoma, California
A useful Sonoma County quote starts with the actual property, electric bill and scope of work. Compare the same system. Then compare the contract.
Updated September 12, 2026 · California Rate Relief is a private solar referral service.
Verify the company behind each Sonoma quote
This page does not rank or confirm local companies. Ask each bidder for the legal business name, license number, written address coverage and the person responsible for installation and later service. Check the current record through the CSLB license lookup before signing.
Start with your Sonoma electricity bill
Start with the electricity and generation providers printed on the actual account. A proposal should use the confirmed rate plan, solar-billing enrollment and full usage history for the address. A citywide price or a neighbor's bill is not a substitute for that record.
Local permit and project checks
Permit Sonoma publishes a City of Sonoma solar-PV standard plan that refers to current California building standards and local amendments. Ask the bidder to identify the permit route, the submitted system design, inspection responsibility and any roof or electrical work outside the solar price.
What a Sonoma quote needs to explain
| Check | Ask each bidder |
|---|---|
| Account details | Use the rate plan, generation provider and solar enrollment on the current bill; list remaining charges and assumptions separately. |
| Permit design | Ask for the submitted design, permit responsibility and any city or utility step that is excluded from the signed scope. |
| Roof and electrical work | Separate roof repair, service-panel work, storage and backup-circuit work from the core solar price. |
Put the quotes on the same basis
A smaller monthly payment can hide a longer contract, less equipment or a larger remaining electric bill. Ask each bidder to fill the same gaps.
| Compare | Get it in writing |
|---|---|
| System and output | Same DC system size, module/inverter models and roof layout; monthly production with shading and losses shown. |
| Battery and backup | Usable kWh, continuous output, backed-up circuits, reserve setting and expected replacement costs. |
| Price and scope | Separate solar, battery, roof, panel upgrade, permits and interconnection. Compare cash prices before financing. |
| Utility bill | Same usage history and tariff; separate onsite use, grid imports, export credits and remaining fixed/delivery charges. |
| Contract and service | Who installs and who services it; written coverage by address, insurance, license record, exclusions and warranty claim process. |
| Payment and transfer | Cash, loan, lease or PPA; upfront costs, APR or escalator, total payments, home-sale and end-of-term terms. |
A comparison to ask for
Give each bidder the same year of bill history and roof layout. Then compare the system design, roof work, electrical work, permit scope, contract total and remaining utility-bill assumptions side by side. A lower monthly payment does not show the full agreement.
Verify the company behind the quote
Ask for the legal business name, installer license number, written address coverage and the company responsible for repairs. Match the proposal to the CSLB license record. A brand appearing in search results is not proof that it currently serves your home.
No company list establishes acceptance of your address. Use the checklist to compare the bids you receive; ask for project references you can check directly.
Next: work through the bill and system assumptions
Use the bill and quote calculator to compare your own inputs.
Sonoma solar quote questions
Does a Sonoma solar proposal use one standard utility assumption?
No. Use the rate plan, providers and solar enrollment shown on the actual account. Ask the bidder to show the assumptions behind the remaining-bill estimate.
Does the permit plan cover roof and electrical work automatically?
Only the written project scope can answer that. Have the bidder identify the permit route, submitted design, roof work, electrical work and exclusions before comparing totals.
Want to discuss your solar options?
Send your project details to California Rate Relief. We collect the information for a solar referral; the provider confirms availability, design and price. The calculator and checklist are yours to use without submitting.