18 Best Solar Companies in Los Altos, CA (Mar 2023 Review)

The Cost and Benefits of Solar in Los Altos

Solar panels are powered by a free energy source — the sun — but to take advantage of this you will need to pay to set up your system. There are several factors you should take into consideration when trying to determine the overall cost and how much you can save, including:

• The amount of sunlight your roof gets: If your roof gets limited direct sunlight, your solar system won't be able to produce as much energy, which will leave you with lower savings on energy bills than a roof that gets plenty of sunlight.
• The cost of energy for you: If your local electricity rates are quite high, there's a better chance you'll end up with a higher return on your investment in a solar panel system. In Los Altos, you can save an average of $84 a month on your electricity bills.
• Incentives: Those who buy 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 $32,000 on your energy bills over 20 years not including incentives.
• System size and type: Some models are more pricy than others, so the one you get can raise or lower your initial investment. Plus, the more solar panels you need, the more it'll cost.

So is installing solar panels worth it? Whether you hope to reduce your electricity costs, greenhouse gas emissions or both, solar panels are a good investment for many Los Altos homeowners.

Solar Incentives in Los Altos

Although a solar power system is typically a large investment, it can save you a considerable amount of money over several years because of reduced power bills and government incentives. When you install a solar panel system, you can take advatage of the federal tax credit, or ITC. This credit currently lets you reduce your tax bill by 30% of the cost of your solar panels. Plus, there may often be some regional incentives that you can take advantage of to further save. Check out our article on solar incentives to find out what incentives you can benefit from.

Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Los Altos

One of the best reasons to embrace solar energy is to cut your dependence on traditional energy sources like burning fossil fuels, which are harmful for the environment. Many homeowners might be wondering how much exactly they can impact the environment by switching to solar in Los Altos, though. One thing you should consider is your overall carbon footprint. For example, if you spend lots of time commuting to work and have an electric vehicle, you can install solar panels on your home to power your EV and therefore help offset your carbon emissions. In fact, if you adopt solar power, you could expect to reduce your carbon dioxide emissions by about 50 pounds each year. If you want to do your part for the environment, you'll likely find that there are many benefits of adopting solar energy other than just saving money on electricity. You can also help protect the environment, which some would argue is invaluable.