Top Hat Energy, Inc.
™
Northern California’s Headquarters for Solar Systems and Wood Stoves
Help our environment
Save on electricity
Go off-grid
Empowering the future of North State families with green energy.
We specialize in installing both utility-tied and off-grid solar systems, tailored to meet your needs.
Why choose Top Hat Energy, Inc.™?
Our History
We’ve been around for quite some time (since 1978) and unlike the other local solar companies, you can count on us- we’re not going anywhere.
(You can read more about our story here.)
Our Workmanship
Striving to source the highest quality components from manufacturers in the United States, we pride ourselves in installing systems that are customized to your needs and built to last.
Our Warranties
Our system components have manufacturer’s warranties ranging from ten to twenty-five years, while our workmanship is warrantied at ten years.
Plus , we handle all of our service calls in-house.
Schedule a FREE Site Check
Fill out the form and let’s meet to talk about your current usage rates, where you want your solar panels, and figure out if batteries or generators would be a good option for you.
Get a Customized Proposal
We’ll design a system proposal tailored to meet your specific needs, which you should receive within two business days.
Consider the Savings
Take a closer look at the Federal Tax Credit and potential savings on your energy bills , connect with one of our advisors to compare finance options, and discover how solar power can work for you.
Go solar in three easy steps.
We’ve been serving the people of Redding for over forty-five years.
Terry Hufft started Top Hat Chimney Sweep in 1978 in Burney, CA after leaving his position as a millwright at Publisher’s/Times Mirror Mill, now Sierra Pacific.
And in 2002, Top Hat Energy, Inc. was officially born, one of the first to provide solar systems to Northern California.
We take pride in caring for our neighbors, and in continuing to learn and educate the public in the ever-advancing world of alternative energy.
Stop paying utility companies to rent their rising infrastructure costs and hazardous power grids.
When you go solar with us, you own your energy system, which means you’re no longer dependent on the big companies for electricity.
Long-Term Savings: Solar power offers significant long-term savings on electricity bills by generating renewable energy from the sun.
Return on Investment: With declining manufacturer costs and a number of financial incentives, solar systems typically provide a high ROI over their lifespan.
Energy Independence: Solar allows you to produce your own electricity, reducing reliance on traditional utility providers and being subject to ever-increasing energy prices.
Environmental Benefits: Investing in solar contributes to a cleaner, greener environment by reducing carbon emissions and dependence on fossil fuels.
Increased Home Value: In today’s market, homes with solar systems often sell faster and at higher prices, making solar a valuable investment in property value.
It’s time to take the power back from corporate energy providers.
Find freedom today!
We sell, install, and service wood burning and pellet stoves. Since 1978.
There’s nothing like a warm fire in your living room when it’s cold outside, listening to the pop and crackle of the blaze, or watching its flames dance and sway.
Don’t just take our word for it! Here’s a sample of actual customer feedback from 100+ five-star reviews on Google (no, seriously).
Blair Hodgdon ★★★★★
“Awesome service and extremely fair pricing! They will help you get connected with a great lender. My payment is an average of what my PG&E bill was and I know it will never go up, unlike PG&E's rates.”
Matt Goss ★★★★★
“Top Hat was the most competitive, honest and transparent with their bid. The entire process from start to finish was a breeze.”
Mike LePere ★★★★★
“Top Hat’s customer service won us over. The entire staff was very receptive, professional and patient with our multitude of questions. The install crew was top notch. They were very communicative in addition to keeping and leaving our place very clean. A total recommend.”
Mary Ocasion ★★★★★
“After 12 years of shopping for a solar system, we found Top Hat Energy, at the recommendation of our neighbors. We now enjoy much lower PG & E bills and feel good that we are using energy from the sun to run our organic farm.”
John Rochfort ★★★★★
“The best word to describe Top Hat is honest! They were great to work with and I would recommend them to anyone and everyone. We've had our solar for almost two years now and have not had an energy bill since.”
We do service calls on solar systems.
Unlike other solar companies, we have our own service department.
What a concept, we know.
We’re also willing to diagnose systems that we haven’t installed, and in most cases can do the repairs.
Need help? We’re ready and able.
When it comes to solar,
you’ve got a lot
of options.
But you don’t need to feel overwhelmed!
We’re here to help you figure out the solar system that will work best for you.
See us in action.
We take pride in installing solar systems that are built to last.
FAQs
Why go solar?
Installing a solar system will reduce or nullify your electric bills, increase the value of your property, and can help keep your home running in the event of outages. Not to mention it remains one of the most effective ways to positively impact the environment.
Is solar energy free?
If you’ve been told about “free solar”, it’s likely a scam. The truth is that while the sun’s rays provide us a source of “free” energy, it will cost you to install a solar system that can convert this into electricity to be used in your home.
Ok, so what’s the cost of a solar system?
Unfortunately, we can’t provide blanket estimates. The cost of a solar system depends on many variables, including your usage rate, where the array is going to be installed, or whether or not you are interested in using battery to store your system’s surplus energy.
If I install solar on a utility-tied system, will my utilities bill go away?
Assuming your installer knows what they’re doing (which shouldn’t be assumed!), going solar will always significantly decrease your grid usage. However, there’s a possibility you will still receive a bill, whether monthly or annually.
We design our systems to offset (zero out) your current usage, though going forward your bill will continue to be subject to updated usage rates, and your system’s energy production is dependent on the sun’s exposure.
How do solar credits work?
Solar credits are what utility companies offer you in exchange for your system’s energy production being routed back to them. The rate of exchange depends on who your electricity provider is, but we can tell you this- it’s not favorable.
Under PG&E’s NEM 3.0, you’re given roughly 30% of the value you provide them. This is why we generally recommend considering battery storage as part of your system.
Is my roof good for solar?
Our main consideration when doing a roof mount is the sun exposure. Roofs that are shaded or face due north are not good candidates for solar. Certain roofs are easier to work with so this may factor into labor costs, but we can generally work with what you’ve got.
What is your contractor license number?
Top Hat Energy, Inc.’s CSLB License is a classified C10, #530588.
What steps will you take to ensure my roof won’t leak?
We currently use UNIRAC’s FLASHLOC. FLASHLOC’s patented triple seal technology preserves the roof and protects the penetration with a permanent pressure seal.
Are there warranties for the panels and inverters?
Yes. There are manufacturer’s warranties for each of the primary system components. Most of our panels come with a 25 year warranty, and warranties on the other components (inverters, batteries, etc.) are typically 10-15 years.
How do I go about making a warranty claim?
If we did the install, we’ll handle the claim with the manufacturer, as well as the remove and reinstall.
Are there warranties for labor/construction?
Yes, we stand by our work and offer a 10-year workmanship warranty.
Do you guys service systems that other companies installed?
We can troubleshoot your system and offer a diagnosis, and do certain repairs onsite, though we won’t deal with manufacturing claims on components installed by other companies. Service call fees start at $250, while cost of labor will range from $150-250/hr depending on your system’s repair needs.
If I install solar now, what happens if I want to sell my home in the future?
Adding a solar system to your home or property increases its total value. If you decide to sell in the future, you can figure half the cost of the system into the sale price.
Do you guys offer financing?
Yes. We don’t offer financing in-house, but we work closely with different third-party companies to present you with favorable solar loan options. We encourage all of our customers to do “due diligence” when it comes to considering financing.
In your expert opinion, when would be the best time for me to move forward with solar?
With utility companies continuing to dramatically increase their rates, as well decrease the value of the credit they offer to solar owners, the best time to move forward is truly now.
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