Solar Panel Cost Guide in Avenal, CA (2023 Update)
- Avenal Solar Installation Cost: $5,617
- 25-Year Savings: $20,714
- Payback Period: 5.3 Years
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Updated September 15, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Avenal
Find out what the average cost of solar panel installation is in Avenal.
The average cost of a solar system in Avenal is 2.73 per watt. Since a 2.9-kW system is needed to cover the energy consumption of a typical home in Avenal, the average price of going solar will be about $5,618 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 30%.
These figures are only estimates, and how much solar costs for you will most likely look different based on factors unique to your home and what company you go with. Many homeowners find installing a solar panel system is a rewarding investment. The average homeowner in Avenal can save around $34,000 on their power bills over 20 years.
Click the button below to get connected to a highly rated solar installer in your area for a personalized quote.
Solar savings over time in Avenal
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-5,529 |
| 3 years | $-5,353 |
| 5 years | $-5,178 |
| 7 years | $-5,002 |
| 9 years | $-4,827 |
| 11 years | $-4,651 |
| 13 years | $-4,476 |
| 15 years | $-4,300 |
| 17 years | $-4,124 |
| 19 years | $-3,949 |
| 21 years | $-3,773 |
| 23 years | $-3,598 |
| 25 years | $-3,422 |
Top Solar Installers in Avenal
Many homeowners decide to use a solar installer since trying to put up solar panels yourself can be a lot of work. Some solar installers, particularly local ones, can help you better understand incentives in Avenal, optimizing your ROI.
You can work with a local solar installer to get a free quote on how much solar panels could cost for your home. Here are some in Avenal:
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
See all of the solar companies in Avenal
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Avenal
The cost of installing a solar system in Avenal can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is dependent on several factors. The largest one is your system size, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the price of solar panels in Avenal, one of the most crucial factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are primarily based on your home's energy usage, which you can gauge by looking at past power bills. Your overall cost can increase by around $2,730 for each additional kilowatt you need. The kind of solar equipment you choose can bring your price up or down by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you opt for the most efficient solar panel brands, you'll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. On the other hand, more efficient panels could save you more in the long run on your electric bills. Additionally, extra products, like solar batteries, can bring your total well above the Avenal average.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for a solar system out of pocket can be a challenge. Solar loans are offered by most installers in Avenal, which can lower, or in some cases completely eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible. Though solar loans make going solar more accessible for Avenal homeowners, they can also raise the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate. If you put down a larger down payment, though, you can avoid paying as much in interest.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Finally, the company you hire to install your solar system can impact how much it costs. Avenal's solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. Additionally, some companies in Avenal are more knowledgeable about local solar incentives and can help you make good use of additional rebates or tax exemptions. However, they may charge more for walking you through the whole process. Even if they cost more upfront, they could help you save more money in the long run.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
| System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $2.84 | $11,925 | $41,829 | 5.5 years |
| 8 kW | $2.78 | $15,594 | $56,078 | 5.4 years |
| 10 kW | $2.73 | $19,110 | $70,479 | 5.3 years |
| 12 kW | $2.68 | $22,473 | $85,034 | 5.2 years |
| 14 kW | $2.62 | $25,684 | $99,741 | 5.1 years |
| 16 kW | $2.57 | $28,741 | $114,602 | 5.0 years |
| 18 kW | $2.51 | $31,646 | $129,615 | 4.9 years |
| 20 kW | $2.46 | $34,398 | $144,781 | 4.8 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your system installation will affect the warranties and brands you have access to, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Since selecting a company can be a challenge, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Contract: Before you sign a contract with a solar company, be sure to look it over fully so you understand the terms. Also, ask questions if you're not certain about some of the terms, such as what the warranty covers and if there are any guarantees about energy production.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels depending on their locations and energy needs. Even though there are many options for which brand of solar panel you can get, not every company will have access to the exact one you may want or need, so be sure to take a look at their list of options before making your decision.
- Reputation: Solar system installers that have great reviews from their customers and that have been operating for many years in most cases offer good-quality solar panel installation and expertise.
- Warranty: If you care about the longevity of your solar system, ensuring your company offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can give you some peace of mind.
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
EcoWatch's Avenal, CA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Avenal?
This is a tough question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a variety of factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $13,650 for a 5-kW system and $27,300 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will cost more if you want additional solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have above-average energy needs. On the other hand, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Avenal?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you are unable to pay upfront or secure a solar loan, but since you don't own the system, you can't take advantage of many solar incentives. Also your property value won't increase, so you'll have less savings over time. If you can afford to buy a solar system upfront, then buying is the better option if you want the most savings from going solar.
Do solar panels increase your home value?
Buying or financing solar panels for your home can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Avenal is currently $139,125, so you can expect a value of about $5,704 more than houses without a solar system. The exact figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Avenal is a fruitful investment.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
Though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they stop working completely at that time. What this means is how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can opt to replace them after having them for that long or you can keep using them at a lower efficiency.
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.