Solar Panel Cost Guide in Los Altos, CA (2024 Update)
- Los Altos Solar Installation Cost: $7,249
- 25-Year Savings: $19,541
- Payback Period: 7.2 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Los Altos
Find out what the average cost of solar panels are in Los Altos.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Los Altos it’s 3 per watt.The average solar panel system size in Los Altos is around 3.0 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $7,249 for a solar installation, or $10,366 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
How much you pay can be higher or lower than the average in Los Altos based on a few factors, such as the type of solar panels you choose and the solar contractor you hire.Many homeowners find adopting solar power is a fruitful investment. The average homeowner in Los Altos can save around $32,000 on their power bills over 20 years.
You can click the button below to get connected with a pre-vetted solar company in Los Altos that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
Solar savings over time in Los Altos
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-5,711 |
| 3 years | $-2,635 |
| 5 years | $441 |
| 7 years | $3,517 |
| 9 years | $6,592 |
| 11 years | $9,668 |
| 13 years | $12,744 |
| 15 years | $15,820 |
| 17 years | $18,896 |
| 19 years | $21,971 |
| 21 years | $25,047 |
| 23 years | $28,123 |
| 25 years | $31,199 |
Top Solar Installers in Los Altos
When going solar, many homeowners opt to hire a solar company since installing a solar system yourself can be a difficult project. In addition, if you’d like to maximize your investment in solar, using a solar company can help with that too. Different providers can offer warranties, expertise on installation and sometimes even information on local incentives, rebates and net metering programs.
If you’d like to make the switch to solar but still aren’t certain which solar system installer to go with, here are our recommendations 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 Los Altos
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Los Altos
There are several criteria that can affect 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 system.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar energy system you need for your household, 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 around $3,470. Some solar panel brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — cost more upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like Los Altos, where sunlight is abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. In addition, if you have a small roof or you don’t have a lot of 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
Most solar companies in Los Altos have solar loans, which reduce the initial cost of installing solar.However, the interest on solar loans also increases your overall costs, so it’s vital to take that into consideration as well. You can always lower the total you pay in interest and possibly even your APR by putting more money down.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar installer you choose will play a role in your total cost to adopt solar energy. Different companies will charge different amounts for the equipment and labor.The size of the company can sometimes play the most considerable role in your total costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower prices because they have access to 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 down 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 | $35,597 | 7.5 years |
| 8 kW | $3.54 | $19,821 | $47,851 | 7.3 years |
| 10 kW | $3.47 | $24,290 | $60,299 | 7.2 years |
| 12 kW | $3.40 | $28,565 | $72,942 | 7.0 years |
| 14 kW | $3.33 | $32,646 | $85,779 | 6.9 years |
| 16 kW | $3.26 | $36,532 | $98,810 | 6.7 years |
| 18 kW | $3.19 | $40,224 | $112,036 | 6.6 years |
| 20 kW | $3.12 | $43,722 | $125,456 | 6.5 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 thoroughly to make sure you understand the cost breakdown, completion timeline rebates and warranties.
- Installation Process: Get details from your solar company about the installation process and what to expect, including when the site survey will be done and how long it will take.
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and kind has varying levels of quality, durability and energy efficiency. They will come at different price points as well. The company you choose impacts which solar panel brands you have access to.
- 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 Los Altos, CA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Los Altos?
The average cost of solar panels in Los Altos 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 such as the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Los Altos?
Leasing solar panels can be an attractive choice, because it often comes with low or $0 upfront payments. The downside is that you won’t be able to save as much. If you lease, you don’t own the system, so you can’t claim any incentives and your home value won’t increase. Buying solar panels is a better way to go if you want to get the most savings.
Is making the switch to solar worth it?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a variety of factors like the cost of electricity near you and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.
What solar power system size is right for my home?
The exact number of solar panels you need depends on your household energy consumption and how much sunlight your roof gets. You can take a look at your energy bills for the past year to get an idea of the solar system size you'll need. The average household has to buy between 20 and 35 panels to account for their typical energy usage.
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.