Solar Panel Cost Guide in Lincoln, CA (2024 Update)
- Lincoln Solar Installation Cost: $7,514
- 25-Year Savings: $20,419
- Payback Period: 7.1 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Lincoln
We break down average solar pricing in Lincoln.
In Lincoln, solar panels cost about 3 per watt on average.To cover the typical energy needs of the average home in Lincoln, most homeowners require a 3.1-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs around $7,514, or $10,745 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
These figures are only averages, and your own solar costs will most likely vary based on factors unique to your home and what company you go with.With average savings of about $32,000 on electricity bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Lincoln find installing solar panels can be quite rewarding.
For a customized quote from a local solar installer that has been pre-vetted by EcoWatch, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Lincoln
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-5,976 |
| 3 years | $-2,900 |
| 5 years | $175 |
| 7 years | $3,251 |
| 9 years | $6,327 |
| 11 years | $9,403 |
| 13 years | $12,479 |
| 15 years | $15,554 |
| 17 years | $18,630 |
| 19 years | $21,706 |
| 21 years | $24,782 |
| 23 years | $27,858 |
| 25 years | $30,933 |
Top Solar Installers in Lincoln
Trying to put up solar panels on your own can be a time-consuming undertaking, which is why using a solar installer is a good option for many homeowners. In addition, if you’d like to maximize your investment in solar power, using a solar installer can help with that as well. Different providers can offer warranties, expertise on solar panel installation and sometimes even information on local incentives, rebates and net metering programs.
If you’d like to switch to solar energy but still aren’t sure which solar panel installer to go with, here are our recommendations for providers 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 Lincoln
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Lincoln
There are several factors that can influence your solar system installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that does the installation.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar energy system you need to offset your energy usage, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most important cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, your total will most likely increase by about $3,470. Some solar panel brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more expensive upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like Lincoln, where sunlight is abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Also, if you have a small roof or limited space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be more impactful. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for solar panels in cash is difficult, solar loans are an affordable option because they decrease your upfront costs and let you pay for your system over five to seven years on average.It’s wise to factor the interest you’ll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to put more money down upfront, you can reduce your total costs and the amount of time it’ll take to pay back the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar panel installer you choose will impact your total cost to make the switch to solar energy. Different companies will charge different amounts for the equipment and labor.The company’s size can sometimes play the most considerable role in the cost. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower prices because they have more resources and better pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they can sometimes have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or promotion can bring their pricing lower to compete with bigger names.
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 | $35,913 | 7.4 years |
| 8 kW | $3.54 | $19,821 | $48,273 | 7.3 years |
| 10 kW | $3.47 | $24,290 | $60,827 | 7.1 years |
| 12 kW | $3.40 | $28,565 | $73,575 | 7.0 years |
| 14 kW | $3.33 | $32,646 | $86,518 | 6.8 years |
| 16 kW | $3.26 | $36,532 | $99,655 | 6.7 years |
| 18 kW | $3.19 | $40,224 | $112,987 | 6.6 years |
| 20 kW | $3.12 | $43,722 | $126,512 | 6.4 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a lot of solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel brands and price points. To help you decide on the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Contract: Review the contract terms carefully to make sure you understand how much it will cost, project completion timeline rebates and warranties.
- Installation Process: Make sure you’re aligned with the installer regarding 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.
- Warranty: Warranties that provide coverage for replacement parts and repairs over around 25 years are the best you can get in the business, and offering such a warranty is one indication of a good company.
- Solar Panel Brands: The brand of solar panel you want to install plays a role in which company you should go with, since different companies have 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 Lincoln, CA Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Lincoln?
The average cost of solar panels in Lincoln 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 certain factors like the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Lincoln?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can’t 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 financial benefits from going solar.
Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Lincoln?
Most states have net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can get paid for the extra power your system produces or or receive credits to put toward future energy 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?
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 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.