Solar Panel Cost Guide in Alamo, CA (2024 Update)

  • Alamo Solar Installation Cost: $7,395
  • 25-Year Savings: $20,513
  • Payback Period: 7.0 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated February 03, 2024

Why you can trust EcoWatch

We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

Average Cost of Solar Panels in Alamo

Let’s have a look at the average cost of solar panels in Alamo.

While the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Alamo typically cost around 3.To cover the typical energy usage of the average home in Alamo, most homeowners require a 3.0-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs around $7,395, or $10,575 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.

How much you pay can go above or below the average in Alamo depending on a few factors, such as the brand of solar panels you choose and the solar company you hire.For most homeowners, the upfront cost of solar power is worth paying. On average you could be looking at about $33,000 in savings on energy bills over 20 years.

You can click the button below to get connected with a pre-vetted solar installer in Alamo that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.

Solar savings over time in Alamo

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-5,857
3 years $-2,781
5 years $295
7 years $3,371
9 years $6,446
11 years $9,522
13 years $12,598
15 years $15,674
17 years $18,750
19 years $21,825
21 years $24,901
23 years $27,977
25 years $31,053

Top Solar Installers in Alamo

Installing solar panels by yourself can be a time-consuming project, which is why getting a solar installer is a good option for many homeowners. Plus, if you aren’t sure what brand of solar panels and equipment you need, a solar company can help you find the right equipment for you after a site survey and consultation.

If you’d like to make the switch to solar but still aren’t certain which solar system installer to go with, here are our recommendations for providers near you:

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • Most efficient panels on the market
  • National coverage
  • Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
  • Great warranty coverage
  • Expensive
  • Customer service varies by local dealer

Best Regional Coverage

Momentum Solar

★★★★★
4.5

  • Great warranty coverage
  • Representatives are experts on local policies
  • Concierge service ensures steady communication
  • Slightly limited service offerings

Best for Leasing

Sunrun

★★★★★
4.0

  • 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 Alamo

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Alamo

Cost is often one of the most important factors for homeowners considering investing in solar. There are a few key factors that determine your overall cost in Alamo: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We’ll go over each of these briefly below.

Solar Equipment

Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that affects the overall cost of installing solar panels. Because of that, it’s a priority to accurately ascertain the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your typical energy use.The model of solar panels and equipment you want is another factor that will significantly influence costs. Solar panels that have higher efficiency, like monocrystalline panels, tend to be more expensive. Further, solar equipment is more than just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to decide on the kind of racks used to mount the panels, inverters, solar batteries, etc. It’s important to take all of this into consideration when looking into a solar system that’s in your budget.

Solar Financing Terms

For some homeowners, paying for solar out of pocket can be challenging. Solar loans are available from most installers in Alamo, which can bring down, or in some cases completely eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible.Though solar loans make adopting solar energy more accessible for Alamo homeowners, they can also add to the total you pay for your system due to interest. If you put down a larger down payment, though, you can avoid paying as much in interest.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The remaining key cost factor you should consider is the installer you choose. Given the massive popularity of green energy solutions in Alamo, you’ll have many options to choose from, but each comes at different price points 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 add-on services like electric vehicle 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 $3.61 $15,157 $36,738 7.3 years
8 kW $3.54 $19,821 $49,373 7.2 years
10 kW $3.47 $24,290 $62,202 7.0 years
12 kW $3.40 $28,565 $75,225 6.9 years
14 kW $3.33 $32,646 $88,443 6.7 years
16 kW $3.26 $36,532 $101,855 6.6 years
18 kW $3.19 $40,224 $115,461 6.5 years
20 kW $3.12 $43,722 $129,262 6.3 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

Since the model of solar panels and the installer you choose has an impact on your costs and your system’s durability and efficiency, it’s important to pick the right ones for you. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help with your decision:

  • Contract: Read the contract terms carefully to make sure you understand how much it will cost, completion timeline rebates and warranties.
  • Installation Process: Make sure you’re aligned with the company in regard to how the installation process will go and what needs to be done before your solar panels are installed, such as repairing your electrical system or roof.
  • Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a respected certification organization for sustainable energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it likely has a good reputation and is qualified to install your solar system. Another way you can verify your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
  • Warranty: A quality company stands out from other companies by providing the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • Most efficient panels on the market
  • National coverage
  • Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
  • Great warranty coverage
  • Expensive
  • Customer service varies by local dealer

Best Regional Coverage

Momentum Solar

★★★★★
4.5

  • Great warranty coverage
  • Representatives are experts on local policies
  • Concierge service ensures steady communication
  • Slightly limited service offerings

Best for Leasing

Sunrun

★★★★★
4.0

  • Expansive service area
  • Many financing options
  • Some reported issues with customer service
  • Some reported issues with door-to-door sales

EcoWatch's Alamo, CA Solar Cost FAQs

What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Alamo?

This is a hard question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $17,350 for a 5-kW system and $34,700 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. You can expect to pay more if you want extra solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy usage. On the other hand, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.

Are solar panels free in Alamo?

Solar panels aren’t free in Alamo, but there are some options that can make getting them more viable, such as leasing solar panels or getting a solar loan. There may also be local programs or incentives that can help lower the cost.

Is it worth going solar in Alamo?

Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on some different factors like local electricity rates and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.

How many solar panels should I get to power my home?

To figure out how many solar panels you need, you need to know how much energy your home requires and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can typically produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average household will need 20 to 35 panels.

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.

Follow us