18 Best Solar Companies in Hayward, CA (Feb 2023 Review)

The Cost and Benefits of Solar in Hayward

For the majority of homeowners, the decision to invest in solar energy boils down to the cost. The installation cost is just one important factor you should take into account when looking into getting solar panels. How much it'll cost and how much you can save depend on things such as:

• Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit currently allows you to decrease your taxes by 30% of the project cost. Your state and city may also have incentives and rebates that you can use. Additionally, you can save about $33,000 over 20 years on your utility bills, before factoring in incentives.
• How much energy costs for you: If your local power rates are quite high, there's a better chance you'll see a higher return on your investment in solar panels. In Hayward, you can save an average of $88 a month on your electricity bills.
• Where your home is: This affects the average daily sunlight your roof gets, which helps determine how many panels you need.
• Your income and budget: This affects what model of solar panels you can purchase.

Even though a solar panel system costs a sizable chunk of money upfront, it can save you thousands of dollars in the long term. The question of how much, though, depends on several factors, like the size of your house and incentives.

Solar Incentives in Hayward

Since solar power is more sustainable than burning fossil fuels, there are several government incentives in place to encourage people to make the switch. There are quite a few federal, state and local rebates and tax credits that let you earn anywhere from 30% to 50% of your money in return after buying a qualifying system. For detailed information about incentives for homeowners in Hayward, see our our article on solar incentives.

Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Hayward

A lot of people want to do their part to help protect the planet, which often is the main motivation to install solar panels. A question many people might be asking themselves is how much can they really help save the environment by going solar anyway? In a place like Hayward where commute times can be very long, using solar power can help offset some of your carbon dioxide emissions from driving. Though solar panel production emits carbon dioxide, the panels make up for it by significantly decreasing the amount of CO2 you would have released if you still used traditional energy. In Hayward, you can reduce your carbon footprint by 50 pounds a year with solar panels. Since energy from the sun is abundant and generates electricity without CO2 emissions, installing solar panels is one easy step you can take to help preserve the environment.