15 Best Solar Companies in Oakland, CA (Dec 2022 Review)

The Cost and Benefits of Solar in Oakland

For lots of homeowners, whether or not you should invest in solar panels depends the most on the cost. There are quite a few factors you should take into consideration when trying to figure out the overall cost and how much you can save, including:

• Where your home is: This influences how much sunlight your roof receives, which helps determine how many panels you need.
• System size and type: Some models are more costly than others, so the one you choose can raise or lower your initial investment. Plus, the more solar panels you need to get, the more it'll cost.
• Your energy bills: This will impact your savings. In Oakland, the average homeowner can save about $1,100 a year on their electricity bills.
• Incentives: One thing that can save you money on your solar project is the solar investment tax credit (ITC), which is a tax credit that's equal to a percentage of the project cost. You can also save money on your energy bills, which can generate an average of $33,000 of savings over 20 years.

Thanks to solar panels decreasing in cost as well as various solar incentives, they are a solid investment for the majority of homeowners.

Solar Incentives in Oakland

There are lots of reasons why you should switch to solar. One of them includes some government incentives you can take advantage of. There are a lot of federal, state and local rebates and tax credits that may earn you anywhere from 30% to 50% of your money in return after paying for solar panels. In our article on solar incentives, you can find out about the incentives you qualify for in Oakland.

Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Oakland

Making the switch to solar power is a great way to do what you can for a more eco-friendly future. Many homeowners might be wondering how much exactly they can impact the environment by switching to solar in Oakland, though. A key thing to consider is your overall carbon footprint. For example, if your commute is very long, your footprint may be bigger, so switching to solar power for your home can help offset that. Because solar panels don't release greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere when producing electricity, they're a good trade for traditional energy sources. In fact, you could be looking at reducing your carbon dioxide emissions by about 50 pounds each year. If you want to do your part for the environment, you'll no doubt find that there are many good things about adopting solar power other than just saving money on bills. You can also help preserve the environment, which some would argue is priceless.