Solar Panel Cost Guide in Calimesa, CA (2024 Update)
- Calimesa Solar Installation Cost: $6,803
- 25-Year Savings: $13,417
- Payback Period: 9.1 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Calimesa
Here’s how much it might cost to install solar panels in Calimesa.
The average cost of a solar system in Calimesa is 3 per watt.Using this figure, a typical 2.8-kW system would cost about $6,803 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll pay for solar will differ based on your household energy needs, the type of equipment you choose, your solar contractor and more.But, once you've paid the initial cost of installation, the savings for most homeowners is usually good, with a net average savings of about $25,000 over 20 years on electricity bills.
For a customized quote from a local solar company that has been pre-vetted by EcoWatch, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Calimesa
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-5,619 |
| 3 years | $-3,249 |
| 5 years | $-880 |
| 7 years | $1,490 |
| 9 years | $3,859 |
| 11 years | $6,229 |
| 13 years | $8,598 |
| 15 years | $10,968 |
| 17 years | $13,337 |
| 19 years | $15,707 |
| 21 years | $18,076 |
| 23 years | $20,446 |
| 25 years | $22,815 |
Top Solar Installers in Calimesa
DIY solar panel installation is a possibility, but it's an undertaking that can be a pain. Taking advantage of an installer can make your switch to solar power much easier. Plus, if you’d like to maximize your investment in solar energy, opting for a solar company can help with that as well. Different providers can offer warranties, expertise on how to install solar panels and sometimes even information on local incentives.
There are several licensed solar professionals that can take care of your solar installation project. Here are our suggestions:
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 Calimesa
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Calimesa
The cost of installing a solar system in Calimesa can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is determined by several factors. The largest one is the size of the system you need, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar installer you choose.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar panel system you need to offset your energy usage, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most significant cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, you can expect your total to increase by about $3,470. The brand and type of equipment you want for your solar system can raise or lower the price quite significantly. If you prefer a trusted brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these often come at a higher price 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 will be looking at a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to greater savings over time. Also, if you want additional equipment 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 Calimesa to be too costly, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, nearly every solar installer in the area offers financing options. Solar loans remarkably decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also lead to a higher cost over time due to interest.However, the interest on solar loans also adds to your all-in costs, so it’s crucial to keep that in mind as well. You can always lower the total you pay in interest and in some cases even your APR by making a larger down payment.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The last significant cost factor you should consider is the installer you choose. Given the massive popularity of sustainable energy solutions in Calimesa, you’ll have a great number of options to choose from, but each comes at various price points for labor and equipment.You may notice national solar installers that have lower prices due to their bigger brand name and access to bulk equipment prices, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or specials to compete with those larger companies.
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 | $25,050 | 9.4 years |
| 8 kW | $3.54 | $19,821 | $33,789 | 9.2 years |
| 10 kW | $3.47 | $24,290 | $42,722 | 9.1 years |
| 12 kW | $3.40 | $28,565 | $51,849 | 8.9 years |
| 14 kW | $3.33 | $32,646 | $61,171 | 8.7 years |
| 16 kW | $3.26 | $36,532 | $70,686 | 8.5 years |
| 18 kW | $3.19 | $40,224 | $80,397 | 8.3 years |
| 20 kW | $3.12 | $43,722 | $90,301 | 8.2 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your system installation will affect the warranties and brands available to you, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Because selecting a company can be a challenge, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Solar Panel Brands: Different companies carry various brands and models of panels. If you know you want a specific brand, make sure the solar panel company you’re considering has it.
- Installation Process: When making the switch to solar power, it’s important to maintain an open line of communication with your solar installer. See to it that you understand how the installation process works and the completion timeline.
- Contract: When reading through your solar installer’s contract, ask for clarification about any terms you’re not sure of and make sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system component breaking or if the company goes out of business.
- Warranty: A high-quality company rises above other companies by providing the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
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 Calimesa, CA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Calimesa?
The average cost of solar panels in Calimesa is about $17,350 for a 5-kW system and $34,700 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on things like the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
What other factors should I consider in addition to cost when buying solar panels?
The upfront cost is a very important factor to consider, but whether it’s the most important for you depends on why you decided to go solar. In places where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can be more important than the cost. Other factors that are important to take into account are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
Does Calimesa have a net metering program?
The majority of states offer net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can either get paid for the extra power your system produces or or receive credits to put toward future utility bills. Currently there are just three states that don’t have any net metering laws: Alabama, Tennessee and South Dakota.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
Although the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they stop working completely at that time. What this means is their energy production will have decreased significantly after that point. You can replace them after having them for that long or you can continue to use them at a lower efficiency.
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.