Merced Solar Company
Your Trusted Merced Solar Company
SunMade® is the only Diamond Certified® solar company in the Central Valley, trusted by thousands of homeowners for delivering top-tier solar installations. With certified customer satisfaction, fully licensed in-house crews, and a reputation for reliability, SunMade® is the local name Merced residents turn to for quality solar solutions. We have served Merced since our founder began installing solar in 2008, and we have completed more than 5,000 projects across Central California. Speak to a local solar expert today.
Speak to a local solar expert today.
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WHY CHOOSE SUNMADE®
Why Merced Homeowners Choose Our Merced Solar Company
Choosing solar is a smart, future-focused investment. It helps lower monthly utility bills, raises your home’s value, and delivers lasting savings year after year. SunMade® simplifies your transition to clean energy by handling every step in-house, from custom system design and permitting to expert installation and reliable support. We are triple certified with the CSLB, holding solar (C-46), roofing (C-39), and electrical (C-10) contractor’s licenses, so one licensed company covers every part of your project. As the only Diamond Certified® solar company in the region, and the only one to hold that certification five years running, SunMade® is known for delivering dependable results and unmatched service. We prioritize your savings and satisfaction, every step of the way.
Why Go Solar With Our Merced Solar Company
Solar Shield Warranty
Our exclusive 25-year solar shield warranty covers all workmanship and solar penetrations for 25 years—so you’re protected for the long haul.
Fully In-House Team
No subcontractors—just licensed SunMade® pros handling your solar, roofing, and electrical with precision and care.
Only Local Diamond Certified
As the only Diamond Certified® solar contractor based in the Central Valley, SunMade® brings unmatched trust, service, and community-focused expertise to every project.
$0 Down Financing
Affordable solar is within reach with flexible financing plans that require zero upfront payment.
OUR CUSTOMERS
Recent Installs From Your Local Merced Solar Company
SOLAR INSTALLATION
How Our Merced Solar Company Can Help You
SunMade® makes going solar in Merced easy and worry-free. Our local, licensed crews handle all aspects of your project, ensuring your system is perfectly tailored to your home’s energy needs and designed to deliver maximum performance. Merced is one of the few cities in the Valley served by two different electric utilities, and which one serves your address changes the math completely. PG&E customers fall under the state’s Net Billing Tariff, while Merced Irrigation District is a locally owned public utility that sets its own rates and its own net metering rules. Local companies like SunMade® understand Merced’s permitting requirements, utility policies, and climate conditions, which is why we confirm your utility before we size or price anything. You can feel confident knowing your solar system is backed by SunMade®‘s solid warranties and exceptional customer care.
Why Choose Our Merced Solar Company
Before moving forward with your solar installation , here are a few key factors to consider to ensure your home is a great fit for solar energy.
Sun Exposure Matters
Merced enjoys abundant sunshine, making it an ideal place for solar energy, and we install systems designed to perform efficiently in both heat and seasonal weather changes. Shade from trees or nearby structures can affect performance, but our team will design the optimal solar panel layout for your home.
Know Your Utility First
Merced is served by both PG&E and Merced Irrigation District, and MID also serves Atwater, Livingston, and Winton. Because MID is a publicly owned utility rather than a CPUC-regulated one, its net metering rules and rate structure are its own. Your utility determines your export credit, your rate plan, and your ideal system size.
Roof Condition & Orientation
Your roof should be in good condition. South-facing slopes at a 15 to 40 degree pitch maximize production in the Central Valley, though we can install high-performing systems on a variety of roof types and slopes. Asphalt shingle, metal, and concrete tile all work well; wood shake and certain flat roofs need extra evaluation.
Check Your Electrical Panel
Many older homes in the area have 100-amp panels that need upgrading to 200 amps before solar can be safely installed, since the National Electrical Code requires solar to connect through a dedicated circuit. We assess this during your consultation so there are no surprises later.
Long-Term Solar Savings
Solar panels offer the best return when you plan to stay in your home for at least two years. The longer you stay, the more you save on electricity bills.
Certified & Accredited
SunMade® is the Central Valley's first and only Diamond Certified roofing, solar, and electrical contractor, five years running, with a 98% Customer Loyalty and 100% Helpful Expertise rating. We are also CSLB triple certified, a Tesla Energy certified installer, GAF and Owens Corning certified, a FranklinWH certified installer, a member of the National Roofing Contractors Association, BBB accredited, and Forbes recommended.
OUR SERVICES
Everything Our Merced Solar Company Does for Your Home
Solar Installation
Lower your monthly utility bills, raise your home's value, and secure lasting savings year after year. We tailor every system to your Merced home's energy needs, then handle each step in-house from custom design and permitting through expert installation and reliable support. Most systems are installed and running within four to eight weeks depending on permitting and inspections, and every install is covered by our 25-year Solar Shield Warranty.
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Home Battery Backup
Storing your own power is increasingly where the savings live, particularly for PG&E customers under California's NEM 3.0 policy, where the value of exported solar dropped significantly. Charge your battery during the day, then use that energy during peak rate hours instead of buying it back from the utility. You also stay powered through outages automatically. We are a certified installer for Tesla Powerwall 3, Enphase IQ Batteries, and FranklinWH whole-home backup.
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Roofing
Your roof protects everything underneath it, so a replacement should give you decades of confidence, not just new shingles. Tile and metal roofs offer the longest lifespan for Central Valley homes, with architectural shingles a strong, more affordable option in our dry climate. Our certifications with Owens Corning and GAF let us offer extended manufacturer warranties covering materials and labor for up to 50 years, and we handle the work start to finish with our own crews.
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Maintenance & Repairs
Protect the investment you have already made. We provide expert solar repair across Merced and the Central Valley, whether we installed your system or not, and our certified technicians service all major brands including Enphase, SolarEdge, and Tesla. Dust, pollen, bird droppings, and Central Valley air pollution can reduce panel efficiency by up to 25%, so we clean panels using safe, non-abrasive methods and spot-free deionized water.
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TESTIMONIALS
What Our Clients Say About Us
FAQ
Have Any Questions?
Why choose a local Merced solar contractor?
Local companies like SunMade® understand Merced’s permitting requirements, utility policies, and climate conditions, ensuring your installation is seamless and your system operates at peak efficiency. That local knowledge matters more here than most places, because Merced is served by two different electric utilities. We are the only Diamond Certified® solar contractor based in the Central Valley, our crews are 100% in-house, and we have completed more than 5,000 projects across the region.
Is my home served by PG&E or Merced Irrigation District?
It depends on your address. MID provides retail electric service to customers in Merced, Atwater, Livingston, and Winton, while PG&E serves much of the surrounding area. Because MID is a locally owned public utility rather than a CPUC-regulated one, it sets its own rates and its own net metering rules. We confirm which utility serves you before designing your system so your savings projection reflects your actual rates.
What's the cost to install solar in Merced?
Costs depend on your energy usage and home setup. SunMade® offers free, no-obligation quotes to help you get started, along with flexible financing including $0 down plans. We will also walk you through which incentives currently apply, since the federal picture changed on January 1, 2026.
How long does it take to complete a solar installation?
Most systems are installed and running within four to eight weeks, depending on the permitting process and inspections. SunMade® manages the entire project timeline to keep things running smoothly.
Does solar perform well in Merced's climate?
Yes. Merced enjoys abundant sunshine, making it an ideal place for solar energy. SunMade® installs systems designed to perform efficiently in both heat and seasonal weather changes.
Is the 30% federal solar tax credit still available?
Not for homeowners who purchase their own system. The federal Residential Clean Energy Credit under Section 25D cannot be claimed for expenditures made after December 31, 2025. The IRS treats an expenditure as made when the original installation is completed, so a system finished in 2026 does not qualify even if the contract was signed earlier. A separate federal credit still applies to third-party owned systems such as leases and PPAs, where the system owner claims it rather than the homeowner. Talk to your tax professional, and ask us how it affects the financing option you are considering.
Will going solar increase my property taxes in California?
Not if your system qualifies in time. California excludes an active solar energy system from property tax reassessment, and that exclusion becomes inoperative on January 1, 2027. Under SB 710, signed in October 2025, systems that qualify before that date keep the exclusion until the home changes ownership. This applies statewide regardless of which utility serves you. Because permitting and interconnection take time, a Merced project needs to start well ahead of the deadline.
Does NEM 3.0 apply to me in Merced?
Only if PG&E serves your address. The Net Billing Tariff, commonly called NEM 3.0, was approved by the California Public Utilities Commission and applies to customers of PG&E, SCE, and SDG&E, crediting exported power at avoided cost rather than the retail rate. Merced Irrigation District is a publicly owned utility and is not governed by that tariff, so its net metering terms are set locally. We review the current rules for whichever utility serves you.
Are there financing options available?
Yes. SunMade® provides several financing options, including $0 down plans, low-interest solar loans, cash purchase, and lease and PPA programs, making solar a practical choice for most homeowners.
Will my electrical panel need an upgrade before solar?
Possibly. The National Electrical Code requires solar installations to connect through a dedicated circuit, and many older homes in the area have 100-amp panels that need upgrading to 200 amps first. We check this during your site assessment.
FINANCING
Flexible Financing From Your Merced Solar Company
At SunMade®, we make solar energy affordable with flexible financing options tailored to your needs. Choose from $0 down solar plans, low-interest solar loans, or hassle-free solar lease programs. Our goal is to help Central California homeowners make the switch to solar without upfront costs or financial pressure.
Cash
Loan
Leasing & PPAs
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