Solar Panel Cost Guide in Burney, CA (2024 Update)
- Burney Solar Installation Cost: $7,744
- 25-Year Savings: $18,231
- Payback Period: 8.0 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Burney
See how much it might cost to make the switch to solar in Burney.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Burney it’s 3 per watt.The average Burney homeowner needs a 3.2-kilowatt system, which would cost about $7,744 with the federal tax credit, or $11,074 before the 0 tax credit is applied.
Keep in mind 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 use, the type of solar panels you want to get, your solar contractor and more.For most homeowners, the upfront investment in solar panels is worth paying. On average homeowners in Burney see about $29,000 in savings on electricity bills over 20 years.
To get a free estimate from a pre-vetted solar installer in Burney, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Burney
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-6,206 |
| 3 years | $-3,130 |
| 5 years | $-54 |
| 7 years | $3,022 |
| 9 years | $6,097 |
| 11 years | $9,173 |
| 13 years | $12,249 |
| 15 years | $15,325 |
| 17 years | $18,401 |
| 19 years | $21,476 |
| 21 years | $24,552 |
| 23 years | $27,628 |
| 25 years | $30,704 |
Top Solar Installers in Burney
When switching to solar energy, many homeowners decide to hire a solar installer since overseeing your solar installation yourself can be a challenging project. The payback period on a solar system will vary based on factors like your location and energy use, but working with a solar company can shorten that period. Your provider will be able to help you apply for incentives available in your area.
If you're looking for a solar installer in Burney, the EcoWatch team has put together a list of our top suggestions here:
Best National Provider
SunPower
- 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
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- 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 Burney
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Burney
For many Burney homeowners, the decision to adopt solar energy comes down to cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Burney, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are numerous factors that greatly influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
One of the most important factors to consider when it comes to the cost of going solar is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more power your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend about $3,470 per kilowatt in Burney.The brand of solar panels and equipment you get is another factor that will substantially influence costs. Solar panels that are more efficient, like monocrystalline panels, tend to be more expensive. Plus, solar equipment consists of more than just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to think about 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 for a solar system that’s in your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
Solar panels can save you money on energy bills over many years, but they can also be a significant investment. That’s why many Burney homeowners opt to finance their solar panel systems to make going solar more affordable.You’ll have to consider the long-term cost of loans, including the amount of 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
A final consideration when trying to evaluate the cost of solar for your home or business in Burney is the company you choose to install your solar panel system. Similar to choosing a company to build a deck or pool, for instance, you’ll have no shortage of solar installers that provide a range of services at different price points.The size of the company sometimes plays the most considerable role in the cost of installation. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower prices because of 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 promotion can bring their pricing down to compete with bigger names.
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 | $30,621 | 8.3 years |
| 8 kW | $3.54 | $19,821 | $41,216 | 8.1 years |
| 10 kW | $3.47 | $24,290 | $52,006 | 8.0 years |
| 12 kW | $3.40 | $28,565 | $62,990 | 7.8 years |
| 14 kW | $3.33 | $32,646 | $74,169 | 7.6 years |
| 16 kW | $3.26 | $36,532 | $85,542 | 7.5 years |
| 18 kW | $3.19 | $40,224 | $97,109 | 7.3 years |
| 20 kW | $3.12 | $43,722 | $108,870 | 7.2 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your solar 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 tough decision, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Installation Process: Make sure you’re on the same page with the installer with regard to how the installation process will go and what needs to be done before your solar panel system is installed, such as repairing your electrical system or roof.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels depending on their locations and how much efficiency they need. Even though there are many options for which type 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 peruse their list of offerings before making your decision.
- Contract: When reading over your solar installer’s contract, ask for clarification about any terms you’re not sure of and make sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system component breaking or if the company goes out of business.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a solid reputation as a company and have verifiable expertise in the field. Two ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has satisfied reviews from past customers.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- 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
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
EcoWatch's Burney, CA Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Burney?
The average cost of solar panels in Burney is about $17,350 for a 5-kW system and $34,700 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on certain factors like the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Is cost the most important thing to think about when buying solar panels?
The upfront cost is a key factor to consider, but whether it’s the most important for you depends on your goals for going solar. In places where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can trump the cost. Other factors that are important to be mindful of are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
Do solar panels increase your property value?
Solar panels can increase your property’s value considerably as long as you buy or finance your panels and don’t choose a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). According to research done by Zillow, the average home value increases by about 4.1% after installing a solar system."
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
Although 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 opt to replace them after having them for that long or you can continue to use 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.