Solar Panel Cost Guide in California City, CA (2024 Update)
- California City Solar Installation Cost: $7,037
- 25-Year Savings: $13,233
- Payback Period: 9.4 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in California City
Find out what the average cost of a solar system is in California City.
While the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in California City typically cost around 3.The average California City homeowner needs a 2.9-kilowatt system, which would cost about $7,037 with the federal tax credit, or $10,063 before the 0 tax credit is applied.
These figures are just estimates, and how much solar costs for you will most likely look different based on your specific situation and what company you go with.Many homeowners find adopting solar power is a sound investment. The average homeowner in California City can save about $25,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years.
For a free quote from a local solar company that has been pre-vetted by EcoWatch, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in California City
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-5,852 |
| 3 years | $-3,483 |
| 5 years | $-1,113 |
| 7 years | $1,256 |
| 9 years | $3,626 |
| 11 years | $5,995 |
| 13 years | $8,365 |
| 15 years | $10,734 |
| 17 years | $13,104 |
| 19 years | $15,473 |
| 21 years | $17,843 |
| 23 years | $20,212 |
| 25 years | $22,582 |
Top Solar Installers in California City
When switching to solar energy, many homeowners choose to go with a solar company since overseeing your solar installation yourself can be a challenging project. Plus, if you aren’t sure what kind of solar panels and equipment you want, a solar expert can help you figure that out after a site survey and consultation.
You can get a free estimate from a local solar installer on how much solar panels could cost for your home. Here are some near you:
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
See all of the solar companies in California City
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in California City
The cost of installing a solar system in California City can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is dependent on several factors. The biggest one is your system size, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that affects the overall cost of installing solar panels. For that reason, it’s important to accurately ascertain the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your typical energy use.The brand and kind of equipment you choose for your solar system can raise or lower the price quite significantly. If you prefer a brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these are often more expensive than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you’re opting for high efficiency because you have a small roof or just want maximum energy production, you can expect a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to more savings over time. Plus, if you want add-ons like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also raise the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in California City to be too steep, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, almost every solar installer in the area provides financing options. Solar loans drastically decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also lead to higher prices over time due to interest.You’ll have to consider the long-term cost of loans, including the total interest you’ll pay over the length of the loan. If you’re only able to get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars more than the original cost. Making a larger down payment or getting a solar loan with a low APR could reduce your costs considerably.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The remaining key cost factor you should take into consideration is the installer you choose. Given the massive popularity of green energy solutions in California City, you’ll have many options to choose from, but each comes at various price points for labor and equipment.Additionally, some companies in California City have more knowledge about local solar incentives and can help you take advantage of additional rebates or tax exemptions. Though, they may charge more for that service. Even if they cost more upfront, they could help you save more money in the long run.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
| System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $3.61 | $15,157 | $23,713 | 9.7 years |
| 8 kW | $3.54 | $19,821 | $32,006 | 9.6 years |
| 10 kW | $3.47 | $24,290 | $40,494 | 9.4 years |
| 12 kW | $3.40 | $28,565 | $49,176 | 9.2 years |
| 14 kW | $3.33 | $32,646 | $58,052 | 9.0 years |
| 16 kW | $3.26 | $36,532 | $67,122 | 8.8 years |
| 18 kW | $3.19 | $40,224 | $76,387 | 8.6 years |
| 20 kW | $3.12 | $43,722 | $85,846 | 8.4 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the model of solar panels and the installation company you choose greatly impacts your costs and your system’s durability and efficiency, it’s important to pick the right ones for you. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a respected certification organization for clean energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it most likely has a solid reputation and is qualified to get the job done well. Another way you can research your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
- Contract: Look through the contract terms closely to make sure you understand the total cost, project completion timeline rebates and warranties.
- Installation Process: Get detailed information from your solar company about the installation process and what to expect, such as when the site survey will be completed and how long it will take.
- Solar Panel Brands: The model of solar panel you need plays a role in which company you should opt for, since different companies have access to different panels.
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
EcoWatch's California City, CA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in California City?
The average cost of solar panels in California City is about $17,350 for a 5-kW system and $34,700 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on things like the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in California City?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you are unable to pay upfront or get a solar loan, but since you don’t own the system, you can’t take advantage of many solar incentives. Also your property value won’t increase, so you’ll have less savings over time. If you can afford to buy a solar system upfront, then buying is the better option if you want the most savings from going solar.
Is going solar worth it?
Solar panels can be a fruitful investment for most homeowners, but they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get a lot of direct sunlight and/or your power bills are already fairly low, solar panels might not be for you.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
On average, solar panels can last about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency decreases by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a higher amount of energy production.
Our goal is to reach as many people as we can with sensible solutions like solar energy. Our team of full-time local researchers collects solar price and installation data for every city in America then compiles it to create these digestible city guides. If you want to read our solar expert's opinion on the top solar companies featured here, follow this link.
Company research was conducted by Melissa Smith and Karsten Neumeister. Local data analysis was conducted by James Savino. See something we missed or could do better? Email the editor.