Solar Panel Cost Guide in Daly City, CA (2025 Update)
- Daly City Solar Installation Cost: $7,454
- 25-Year Savings: $19,981
- Payback Period: 7.2 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Daly City
Here’s how much it might cost to switch to solar power in Daly City.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Daly City, the average cost of a solar system is 3 per watt.Using this figure, a typical 3.1-kW system would cost about $7,454 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
Bear in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average Daly City homeowner. The cost of a solar system for your home may be different depending on factors unique to your situation, like your household energy use and solar contractor.For most homeowners, the upfront cost of solar panels is worth paying. On average you could be looking at about $32,000 in savings on electricity bills over 20 years.
You can click the button below to get connected with a pre-vetted solar installer in Daly City that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
Solar savings over time in Daly City
Year | Return on Investment |
---|---|
1 years | $-5,955 |
3 years | $-2,959 |
5 years | $37 |
7 years | $3,034 |
9 years | $6,030 |
11 years | $9,026 |
13 years | $12,023 |
15 years | $15,019 |
17 years | $18,015 |
19 years | $21,012 |
21 years | $24,008 |
23 years | $27,004 |
25 years | $30,001 |
Top Solar Installers in Daly City
When going solar, many homeowners prefer to hire a solar installation company since handling can be a difficult project. Plus, warranties and repairs from your solar panel company can protect your investment and reduce the cost of maintenance over time.
Working with a licensed solar installer can help your solar project go smoothly. Here are our recommendations:
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 Daly City
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Daly City
The cost of installing a solar system in Daly City can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is determined by several factors. The largest one is your system size, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
The cost of solar panels varies by thousands of dollars due to a few different factors. One of the main factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems that have higher efficiency or power generation need better technology and/or more equipment, both of which can increase costs. For each additional kilowatt you need, your cost can go up by about $3,470.Some solar brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more costly upfront but also tend to offer better efficiency. In a city like Daly City, where sunlight is abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Also, if you have a small roof or limited space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be a better option. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for a solar system out of pocket can be financially overwhelming. Solar loans are available from most installers in Daly City, which can reduce, or in some cases eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more affordable.You’ll have to consider the long-term cost of financing options, 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 more than the original 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 installer you hire to handle your switch to clean energy can have an effect on your total costs. There are about 3 solar installation companies in Daly City, and each can charge different amounts for labor and equipment.You may see national solar installers that have lower prices due to their larger brand name and access to bulk prices, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or specials to compete with those larger companies.
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 | $35,378 | 7.5 years |
8 kW | $3.54 | $19,821 | $47,560 | 7.4 years |
10 kW | $3.47 | $24,290 | $59,936 | 7.2 years |
12 kW | $3.40 | $28,565 | $72,506 | 7.1 years |
14 kW | $3.33 | $32,646 | $85,270 | 6.9 years |
16 kW | $3.26 | $36,532 | $98,229 | 6.8 years |
18 kW | $3.19 | $40,224 | $111,382 | 6.6 years |
20 kW | $3.12 | $43,722 | $124,730 | 6.5 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are many companies available in Daly City, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Choosing the right company for you can be challenging, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a good reputation as a company and have demonstrated 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 positive reviews from previous customers.
- Contract: It’s important to read through your solar installer’s contract carefully to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what you can expect about your solar system’s energy production.
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and kind offers varying levels of quality, longevity and efficiency. They will come at different price points as well. The company you choose has an impact on which solar panel brands you have access to.
- Warranty: Each company may offer different types of warranties that cover different things. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
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 Daly City, CA Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Daly City?
This is a tough question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Generally 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 additional solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy consumption. Conversely, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Daly City?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can’t pay upfront or get a solar loan, but since you don’t own the system, you don’t have access to many solar incentives. Also your home 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 financial benefits from going solar.
Can solar panels significantly reduce my electricity bills?
It is possible to eradicate your electricity bills with solar panels, but for most homeowners throughout Daly City, that will require at least a 10-kW system. Not all homes will have roofs that can accommodate that size system, so you’ll want to check with a local solar installer to see how many panels can fit on your roof.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
On average, solar panels can last about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency goes down by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a larger level of energy production.
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.