18 Best Solar Companies in El Cerrito, CA (Mar 2023 Review)

The Cost and Benefits of Solar in El Cerrito

For most homeowners, whether or not to invest in solar panels boils down to the cost. The installation cost is just one important factor you should keep in mind when looking into getting solar panels. How much it'll cost and how much you can save depend on things including:

• Incentives: Tax-paying citizens who purchase and install a solar system this year can save 30% of their total solar spend by using the federal solar investment tax credit. You can also save about $33,000 on your utility bills over 20 years without incentives.
• Your location: This affects the average daily sunlight your roof gets, which helps determine how many panels you need.
• The cost of electricity in your area: If your local electricity rates are quite high, there's a good chance you'll end up with a higher return on your investment in a solar system. In El Cerrito, you can save an average of $88 a month on your electricity bills.
• The kind of solar panels you want to get: More efficient panels have higher prices, so that will determine your budget for your solar project.

So is a solar panel system worth it? Whether you hope to reduce your electric bills, greenhouse gas emissions or both, solar panels are a worthwhile investment for many El Cerrito homeowners.

Solar Incentives in El Cerrito

To increase solar panel installation and usage, federal, state and local governments — and even some utility companies — offer incentives to help make switching to solar power more financially viable and accessible. In addition to the federal tax credit incentive, there are also some state- and city-level incentives, which in most cases, stack with the federal incentive, so you can save even more. For comprehensive information about incentives for homeowners in El Cerrito, check out our our article on solar incentives.

Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in El Cerrito

Installing solar panels can have a meaningful impact on the environment. You may be trying to figure out — how much does going solar help the planet anyway? One thing you should keep in mind is your overall carbon footprint. For example, if you spend lots of time commuting to work and have an electric vehicle, you can use solar energy for your home to power your EV and therefore help offset your carbon emissions. After you go solar, your carbon footprint can be lowered by about 50 pounds every year. For homeowners who are concerned about the environment, the upfront cost of solar is a small price to pay for offsetting your carbon emissions.