Mr. Solar Clean has been a fixture in the Southern California solar market for three decades, operating from their base in Carson and serving homeowners and businesses across the greater Los Angeles area. What makes this company unusual in our rankings is their origin story: they started as a solar panel cleaning and maintenance company before expanding into full system design and installation. That background gives them an uncommon perspective on how panels degrade over time and how installation decisions made on day one, from panel tilt angles to wiring management, directly affect long-term energy production and maintenance accessibility.
The company holds NABCEP certification, which places them among a relatively small group of installers in California who have met the industry's highest standard for technical competency. Their installation teams handle both residential and commercial projects throughout Los Angeles, Orange County, and the Inland Empire. The fact that they perform their own installations rather than subcontracting gives them direct quality control over every project, a distinction that matters significantly in a market as large and competitive as Southern California.
Mr. Solar Clean works with Tier 1 panel manufacturers and pairs systems with Enphase microinverters and battery storage solutions for homeowners interested in backup power and self-consumption optimization. Their equipment recommendations tend to prioritize long-term reliability and production consistency over the lowest upfront cost, which aligns with their maintenance-first philosophy.
Their perfect 5.0-star Google rating across 376 reviews is a standout metric in a state where even strong installers typically settle in the 4.5 to 4.8 range. Customer feedback consistently highlights responsive communication, clean jobsite practices, and thorough post-installation walkthroughs. Their zero BBB complaints over the past three years reinforces a pattern of customer satisfaction that goes beyond the review platforms.
With a composite score of 92.3 out of 100, Mr. Solar Clean earns the top-ranked position in California for 2026. Their combination of three decades of hands-on solar experience, a maintenance-informed approach to installation quality, and an unblemished customer satisfaction record sets them apart in the nation's largest and most competitive solar market.
“Fast and friendly service. I had not had my panels cleaned in a while, it definitely increased efficiency. Christian was great to work with. Competitive pricing.”
Sarah S.
“I’m based in Long Beach and needed someone to clean my solar panels. I requested 3 quotes from 3 different companies. Not only did Mr. Solar Clean send me a proposal within an hour but he was the...”
marytza n.
“I had my solar panels cleaned today and I’m really impressed. The team was professional, punctual, and thorough — they even sent before and after photos. My panels hadn’t been cleaned in over a year,...”
Monica D.
“They did an excellent job on the solar panels. They look brand new now! Christian was professional, on time, and very thorough with his work. Highly recommend!”
Ernie
“After owning solar panels for a year, I noticed that there were filthy. I had construction going on that made the matter worse. I hired Mr. Solar Clean to perform the service of cleaning my panels....”
Daniel S.
“They did an excellent job on my solar panels. They look brand new and are working more efficiently already. He was professional, on time, and very thorough with his work. Highly recommend!”
Adi P.
“very quick to respond, excellent communication! Did a fantastic job cleaning my solar panels and cleaning my gutters. Recommended to a close friend and they went over to her house right after they...”
karma f.
“We have a home in Long Beach and had solar added a few years ago. I was unaware that regular cleanings should be performed and is helpful to the panel’s efficiency. I found Mr Solar Clean online...”
Five Star Solar has been serving Sacramento and the surrounding Northern California region for 20 years, building one of the most consistent track records among independent solar installers in the state. Operating as a DBA of Capital Remodel & Design, Inc. and based in Elk Grove, the company serves homeowners across the Central Valley, the Sierra foothills, and parts of the Sacramento metropolitan area. Their California contractor license (#873535) covers both general building and solar-specific (C-46) classifications, and their BuildZoom ranking places them in the top 2% of all licensed contractors in California.
The company holds NABCEP certification and is a member of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). What distinguishes Five Star Solar's equipment approach is their position as a certified Panasonic installer, which has historically been a key differentiator in their market. They pair solar arrays with Enphase microinverters and SolarEdge string inverters depending on the system design, and offer Tesla Powerwall battery storage for homeowners seeking backup power and self-consumption optimization. Their willingness to work with both microinverter and string inverter platforms reflects a design philosophy that matches equipment to the specific characteristics of each roof and usage profile.
Five Star Solar performs all installations with their own in-house crews and maintains a stated policy of not using subcontractors. That direct labor model gives them quality control over every phase of a project, from initial site assessment through final inspection and utility interconnection. Their familiarity with both SMUD and PG&E interconnection processes is a practical advantage in a region where utility-specific requirements can add weeks to a project when handled by less experienced companies. The company offers financing through multiple channels, including solar step-down loans and PACE financing through Ygrene, in addition to cash purchase options.
Their warranty package stands out in the market: a 25-year workmanship and production warranty with a lifetime racking warranty, which they brand as the "Five Star Warranty." Their 4.9-star Google rating from 340 reviews reflects a company that delivers consistently across hundreds of installations. Customer feedback frequently highlights accurate production estimates, competitive pricing that matches initial quotes, professional crews who leave jobsites clean, and responsive post-installation support, with owner Dustin Carey personally involved in resolving customer concerns.
With a composite score of 90.1 out of 100, Five Star Solar holds the second-ranked position in California for 2026. In a state where homeowners have hundreds of solar installers to choose from, two decades of consistent quality, in-house installation crews, and near-perfect customer satisfaction distinguish Five Star Solar as one of Northern California's most dependable options.
“We were preparing and researching for solar for a few years. Our situation required special attention. I received proposals from over a dozen solar companies over three years. When I spoke with...”
Austin C.
“In October 2025, I saw an ad about installing solar panels. I called my company, and they filed for bankruptcy. I called other companies, and they told me that they won't finish by December deadline...”
Gary O.
“Purchase solar and battery back up to my specifications. Had some design differences but my wishes were followed. I'm a home inspector and very meticulous. With all construction there were some bugs...”
bbquewizard
“Very happy with Five Star Solar!
System has worked for 5 months without one issue.
I was quoted a great price and that is exactly what I paid.
Five Star was fair and honest throught the process.
No...”
Terra L.
“We're very happy with Five Star Solar. They did an amazing job. Excellent quality construction and kept us informed throughout the progress. The installers were quick and efficient and everything was...”
Sarah P.
“All in all it has been a great experience with 5 star solar. They were very responsive up front getting us a quote and getting the whole process initiated and all the questions answered that I...”
Julie W.
“The folks at Five Star Solar were professional, experienced, fast, organized, and available for questions and communication. My solar system has been working flawlessly since they installed it. I had...”
Jorge F.
“I did not have the best experience with Dustin and Evelyn. Lack of communication were my main issue with their team. Field installers were great and very knowledgeable of the systems they install but...”
SunPower is one of the most recognized names in the solar industry worldwide, and their presence in California's rankings reflects over four decades of innovation that started right here in the Golden State. Founded in 1985 in San Jose, the company has been developing high-efficiency solar cells since before most of today's solar companies existed. Their Richmond, California operations continue to anchor a brand that has shaped how the industry thinks about panel efficiency and integrated system design.
What separates SunPower in our California rankings is the depth of their technology investment. They design and manufacture their own Maxeon solar cells, which consistently test among the highest-efficiency residential panels available, regularly exceeding 22% conversion efficiency. That vertical integration, from cell research to finished installation, gives SunPower a level of quality control that companies relying entirely on third-party equipment cannot replicate. Their panel lineup, which includes both the premium Maxeon series and the more accessible M-Series, gives homeowners options at different price points without sacrificing the engineering standards SunPower is known for.
The company carries NABCEP certification across their installer network and offers both REC and SunPower-branded panels depending on the application. Systems are paired with Tesla inverters and Tesla Powerwall battery storage, enabling whole-home backup capability. Their Equinox system packages combine proprietary panels with integrated monitoring under a comprehensive 25-year warranty that covers panels, inverters, and system performance under a single agreement. That single-source warranty eliminates the finger-pointing that can occur when panels come from one manufacturer and inverters from another.
SunPower's 4.5-star Google rating across 1,575 reviews reflects the reality of operating at massive scale. With thousands of installations in California alone, they face the statistical challenge that every large company does, where even a small percentage of imperfect experiences accumulates into visible feedback. What matters is that the vast majority of customers report satisfaction with system performance and energy production. Their zero BBB complaints across this volume of work is particularly notable and suggests strong internal quality controls and dispute resolution processes.
With 41 years of continuous operation, proprietary technology, and a clean compliance record, SunPower earns a composite score of 85.2 out of 100 and the third-ranked position in California for 2026. For homeowners who prioritize proven technology, brand stability, and a single-source warranty backed by one of the industry's most established names, SunPower remains a compelling choice in the California market.
“The lady driving this little truck on 880 os going yo hit someone weaving in traffic and cutting people. Male passenger with her too.”
Robb T.
“Sales representative (Ryan Meryhew)said things he would do for me during the initial visit. I had been in contact through the install and he kept telling me he was setting up my critter guard and...”
dk A.
“Worst experience ever! I paid $46k for a 10kw system and then they screwed the install so bad that I have around $50,000 of out of pocket post project costs to fix what they broke, threw away, burned...”
Mingzhi X.
“Installed the panel and we noticed how bad they sealed the everything on my roof. Requested someone to come half a year ago and no one showed up. Now California is under storm season and we are...”
Marshall M.
“Here's the highlights, hopefully our experience improves with time:
- Initial quote to final completion: 11 months. Based on the initial quote we believed our solar might be up and running in 3-5...”
Erick F.
“I had two SunPower solar systems installed on this house. One was a prepaid lease and the other was a cash purchase. Each of them was around 3.3kWs. You can barely even see them on the roof and they...”
Chris F.
“Thanks once again to Sun Power for their end to end product support. I had the privilege of working with Ms. Chie who cleared up a false fault warning yesterday.
24/7 support from Sun Power is what...”
Joon K.
“Update after 2 weeks SunPower replied to this reivew.
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They asked me about the case number so that they...”
Net billing (NEM 3.0) with time-of-use rates|Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP) for batteries|Property tax exclusion for solar systems|PACE financing available|DAC-SASH program for low-income households
Under NEM tariffs, participating customers receive bill credits for excess generation that is exported to the electric grid during times when it is not serving ...
NEM 3.0 is California's newest net metering policy, used to dictate the prices that utilities pay for the solar energy produced by homes and businesses.
Navigate through the California Solar Mandate with EnergySage. Make your property compliant and eco-friendly. Start your solar journey now!
*Companies displaying 15 or more years in business are typically established electrical, roofing, or general contracting firms that expanded into solar installation in more recent years. The years shown may reflect the age of the parent organization or a strategic partner, not necessarily the solar division itself. This distinction is worth considering when comparing to dedicated solar installers, as purpose-built solar companies may offer more specialized expertise despite a shorter operating history.
