Solar Panel Cost Guide in San Diego, TX (2024 Update)
- San Diego Solar Installation Cost: $16,852
- 25-Year Savings: $23,809
- Payback Period: 11.3 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in San Diego
Let’s take a look at the average cost of solar in San Diego.
Although the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in San Diego typically cost around 3.To account for the typical energy needs of the average home in San Diego, most homeowners require a 7.2-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs around $16,852, or $24,098 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
How much you pay can be higher or lower than the average in San Diego depending on a few factors, such as the model of solar panels you choose and the solar company you hire.But, after you've paid the upfront cost of installation, the payback for most homeowners is quite rewarding, with a net average savings of about $20,000 over 20 years on energy bills.
To calculate your potential ROI and connect with a local solar expert, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in San Diego
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-15,119 |
| 3 years | $-11,654 |
| 5 years | $-8,189 |
| 7 years | $-4,724 |
| 9 years | $-1,259 |
| 11 years | $2,206 |
| 13 years | $5,671 |
| 15 years | $9,137 |
| 17 years | $12,602 |
| 19 years | $16,067 |
| 21 years | $19,532 |
| 23 years | $22,997 |
| 25 years | $26,462 |
Top Solar Installers in San Diego
DIY solar panel installation is a way to cut costs, but it's an undertaking that can use up a lot of your time and energy. Using an installer can make converting to solar power much easier. Local solar installers can also help you maximize your return on investment by assisting with any local incentives and by offering warranties and repairs.
You can work with a local solar installer to get a free estimate on the cost of solar panels for your home. Here are some in San Diego:
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
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
See all of the solar companies in San Diego
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in San Diego
There are many factors that can play into your 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
System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that affects the overall cost of going solar. Because of that, it’s crucial to accurately ascertain the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your energy needs.The brand and kind of equipment you choose for your solar system can increase or decrease 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 limited roof space 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 increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for solar panels out of pocket can be financially overwhelming. Solar loans are provided by most installers in San Diego, which can bring down, or in some cases totally eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible.However, the interest on solar loans also increases your total 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 putting more money down.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar company you go with to handle your switch to sustainable energy can have an effect on your total costs. There are about 3 solar panel companies in San Diego, and each can charge varying amounts for labor and equipment.Larger national companies usually have lower costs, but some local companies compete with them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have access to specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or additional 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 | $3.46 | $14,545 | $16,513 | 11.7 years |
| 8 kW | $3.40 | $19,021 | $22,390 | 11.5 years |
| 10 kW | $3.33 | $23,310 | $28,454 | 11.3 years |
| 12 kW | $3.26 | $27,413 | $34,704 | 11.0 years |
| 14 kW | $3.20 | $31,329 | $41,141 | 10.8 years |
| 16 kW | $3.13 | $35,058 | $47,764 | 10.6 years |
| 18 kW | $3.06 | $38,601 | $54,573 | 10.4 years |
| 20 kW | $3.00 | $41,958 | $61,570 | 10.1 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a large number of companies available in San Diego, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Picking the right company for you can be tough, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a well-established certification organization for renewable energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it likely has a solid reputation and is qualified to install your solar system. Another way you can research your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
- Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar installers offer the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a considerable role in the company you choose.
- Warranty: Warranties that provide coverage for defective panels and repairs over a long period of time such as 25 years are the gold standard in the business, and offering such a warranty is one sign of a good company.
- Contract: Even though reading through a contract can take a lot of time, it’s important to do it thoroughly so you can be sure you understand what services your solar company will provide and how part repairs and replacements will be handled.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
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
EcoWatch's San Diego, TX Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in San Diego?
The average cost of solar panels in San Diego is about $16,650 for a 5-kW system and $33,300 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on stuff such as the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in San Diego?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can’t afford to pay upfront or secure a solar loan, but since you don’t own the system, you don’t have access to 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 it worth going solar in San Diego?
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.
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 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.