Solar Panel Cost Guide in Delano, CA (2024 Update)
- Delano Solar Installation Cost: $7,037
- 25-Year Savings: $17,014
- Payback Period: 7.8 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Delano
See how much it might cost to switch to solar power in Delano.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Delano it’s 3 per watt.To account for the typical energy usage of the average home in Delano, most homeowners require a 2.9-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs around $7,037, or $10,063 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
How much you pay can go higher or lower than the average in Delano based on several factors, such as the type of solar panels you choose and the solar contractor you hire.With average savings of about $30,000 on energy bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Delano find going solar has a decent ROI.
You can click the button below to get connected with a pre-vetted solar company in Delano for a quote for your home.
Solar savings over time in Delano
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-5,617 |
| 3 years | $-2,777 |
| 5 years | $64 |
| 7 years | $2,904 |
| 9 years | $5,744 |
| 11 years | $8,585 |
| 13 years | $11,425 |
| 15 years | $14,266 |
| 17 years | $17,106 |
| 19 years | $19,946 |
| 21 years | $22,787 |
| 23 years | $25,627 |
| 25 years | $28,467 |
Top Solar Installers in Delano
Many homeowners choose to hire a solar installer since trying to install solar panels yourself can be a lot of work. A solar installer can also help save you money over the lifespan of your system by providing warranties, repairs and part replacements.
If you’d like to start using solar energy but still aren’t sure which solar company to go with, here are our suggestions for providers nearby:
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 Delano
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Delano
There are a number of criteria that can play into your solar system installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that installs your solar panels.
Solar Equipment
Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that determines the overall cost of installing solar panels. That’s why it’s important to accurately gauge the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your typical energy use.The type of solar panels and equipment you choose is another factor that will substantially affect costs. Solar panels that are more efficient, like monocrystalline panels, tend to cost more. Furthermore, solar equipment consists of more than just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to decide on the kind of racks used to mount the panels, inverters, solar batteries, etc. It’s important to take all of this into consideration when researching a solar system that falls within your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar companies in Delano offer solar loans, which reduce your upfront costs of installing a solar system.When trying to figure out your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you go with a solar loan. Also, paying more on your down payment can reduce the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Finally, the company you opt for to install your solar panel system can influence the cost. Delano’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. Larger national companies generally have lower costs, but some local companies keep up with them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have access to specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or add-on services like electric car charger installation, they might be cheaper overall.
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 | $31,544 | 8.1 years |
| 8 kW | $3.54 | $19,821 | $42,447 | 8.0 years |
| 10 kW | $3.47 | $24,290 | $53,544 | 7.8 years |
| 12 kW | $3.40 | $28,565 | $64,836 | 7.6 years |
| 14 kW | $3.33 | $32,646 | $76,322 | 7.5 years |
| 16 kW | $3.26 | $36,532 | $88,003 | 7.3 years |
| 18 kW | $3.19 | $40,224 | $99,877 | 7.2 years |
| 20 kW | $3.12 | $43,722 | $111,947 | 7.0 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the type of solar panels and the installer you choose considerably influences your costs and your system’s durability and efficiency, it’s important to pick the right ones for you. Here are some things to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels based on their roof configurations and energy needs. While there are many options for which kind of solar panel you can get, not every company will have access to the exact one you may want or need, so make sure you peruse their list of options before making your decision.
- Reputation: Solar installers that have great reviews from their customers and that have been in business for many years most likely provide good-quality solar panel installation and expertise.
- Contract: It’s important to look over your solar installer’s contract fully to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about the project timeline.
- Installation Process: Make sure you’re aligned with the company in regard to how the installation process will go and what you need to do before your solar panels are installed, such as updating or replacing your electrical system or roof.
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 Delano, CA Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Delano?
This is a hard question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on many factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $17,350 for a 5-kW system and $34,700 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. You can expect to pay more if you want extra solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy usage. On the flip side, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
What other factors should I consider aside from cost when buying solar panels?
Cost is without a doubt one of the most important things to bear in mind when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.
Do solar panels increase how much your home is worth?
Installing solar panels on your home can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Delano is currently $313,119, so you could be looking at a value of about $12,838 more than houses without a solar system. The exact figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Delano is a worthwhile investment.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
On average, the lifespan of solar panels is about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency goes down by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a larger level 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.