Option One Solar

Option One Solar is rooted in over five decades of California family electrical expertise. The Thomas family business was founded in 1970 by Jerry Thomas, whose career included work on NASA's Apollo program and advancements in electrical safety. It is today a third-generation operation led by Scott Thomas (CEO) and Trever Thomas (VP), with Allisun and Emily Thomas in operations. Headquartered at 13581 John Glenn Rd in Apple Valley, the company serves all of Southern California, and their solar arm has completed more than 5,000 residential installations to date.

What distinguishes Option One Solar in our California rankings is the depth of their in-house operation. They handle every phase of every project themselves: design, engineering, procurement, permitting, construction, and interconnection. The company does not subcontract portions out. Their crews carry both a C-10 electrical contractor license and a C-46 solar contractor license under CSLB #985340, and the company has a NABCEP-certified team. Installations are backed by a 25-year warranty covering components, labor, and roof integrity, which is unusually broad coverage in the residential solar industry, where many warranties stop at the panels themselves.

Customer reception in their service area has been remarkably consistent. Option One Solar holds a 4.9-star Google rating across 347 reviews, has been voted "Best of the Desert" for eight consecutive years from 2017 through 2024, and carries zero BBB complaints over the rating period. Their offering includes Tesla Powerwall integration for homeowners adding battery storage, and their multi-generational tenure means systems they install in 2026 will be supported by the same family business that has been wiring Southern California homes since the 1970s. With a composite score of 92.5, Option One Solar earns the top-ranked position in California for 2026.