Solar Panel Cost Guide in Bishop, CA (Mar 2023)
- Bishop Solar Installation Cost: $5,580
- 25-Year Savings: $16,712
- Payback Period: 6.3 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Bishop
We break down average solar pricing in Bishop.
The average cost of a solar panel system in Bishop is 2.73 per watt. Since a 2.9-kW system is needed to cover the energy costs of a typical home in Bishop, the average price of going solar will be about $5,580 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 30%.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you'll end up paying for solar may look quite different based on your household energy consumption, the type of solar panels you choose, your solar contractor and more. Many homeowners find going solar is a fruitful investment. The average homeowner in Bishop can save about $29,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years.
To calculate your potential ROI and connect with a local solar expert, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Bishop
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-4,688 |
| 3 years | $-2,905 |
| 5 years | $-1,122 |
| 7 years | $662 |
| 9 years | $2,445 |
| 11 years | $4,228 |
| 13 years | $6,012 |
| 15 years | $7,795 |
| 17 years | $9,578 |
| 19 years | $11,362 |
| 21 years | $13,145 |
| 23 years | $14,928 |
| 25 years | $16,712 |
Top Solar Installers in Bishop
Many homeowners decide to use a solar panel installer since installing solar panels by yourself can be a lot of work. The expertise that solar companies offer can be helpful as well, especially if you don't quite know what type of solar equipment you need.
There are various licensed solar professionals that can help you install your solar panels. Here are our suggestions:
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
See all of the solar companies in Bishop
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Bishop
While the average cost of a solar system in Bishop is $5,580, your final cost may be higher or lower than that. There are several factors that can have a major impact on the cost of a residential solar panel installation. Below are some of the more crucial things to consider.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the price of a solar system in Bishop, one of the most crucial factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are chiefly based on your home's energy usage, which you can figure out by looking at past energy bills. Your overall cost can increase by about $2,730 for each additional kilowatt you need. The solar equipment you choose can increase or decrease your cost by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you choose the most efficient solar panel brands, you'll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. However, higher efficiency could save you more over time on your energy bills. Additionally, add-on products, such as solar batteries, can bring your total well above the Bishop average.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar installers in Bishop offer solar loans, which reduce your upfront costs of installing a solar system. You'll have to consider the long-term cost of loans, including the total interest you'll pay over the length of the loan. If you can only get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars above the equipment and labor cost. Making a larger down payment or finding a solar loan with a low interest rate could reduce your costs significantly.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar installation company you pick will impact your total cost to adopt solar energy. Different companies will charge different amounts for the equipment and labor. The size of the company sometimes plays the most considerable role in the installation costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower prices because they have access to greater resources and better pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they can sometimes have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or discount can bring their pricing lower to compete with bigger companies.
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 | $33,910 | 6.5 years |
| 8 kW | $2.78 | $15,594 | $45,519 | 6.4 years |
| 10 kW | $2.73 | $19,110 | $57,281 | 6.3 years |
| 12 kW | $2.68 | $22,473 | $69,195 | 6.1 years |
| 14 kW | $2.62 | $25,684 | $81,263 | 6.0 years |
| 16 kW | $2.57 | $28,741 | $93,484 | 5.9 years |
| 18 kW | $2.51 | $31,646 | $105,857 | 5.8 years |
| 20 kW | $2.46 | $34,398 | $118,383 | 5.6 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the brand of solar panels and the installer you choose has an impact on your costs and your system's efficiency, production, and durability, it's important to pick the right ones for you. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Warranty: Each company may offer different types of warranties that provide different kinds of coverage. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels based on their roof configurations and how much efficiency they need. While there are many options for which type of solar panel you can get, not every company will have the exact one you may want or need, so make sure you peruse their list of offerings before deciding.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a good reputation as a company and have verifiable expertise in the field. A couple of ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians that hold a certification from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has good reviews from previous customers.
- Contract: It's important to read your solar installer's contract thoroughly to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about the installation process.
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
EcoWatch's Bishop, CA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Bishop?
The average cost of solar panels in Bishop is about $13,650 for a 5-kW system and $27,300 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on things like the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
What other factors should I consider apart from cost when buying solar panels?
Cost is without a doubt one of the most important things to bear in mind when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.
Is going solar worth it?
Solar panels can be a beneficial investment for lots of homeowners, but they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get enough sunlight and/or your energy bills are already fairly low, solar panels might not be for you.
How long do solar panels last in Bishop?
Even though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they are completely unusable at that time. What this means is their energy production will have decreased significantly after that point. You can 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.