Solar Panel Cost Guide in Duarte, CA (Mar 2023)
- Duarte Solar Installation Cost: $5,446
- 25-Year Savings: $13,468
- Payback Period: 7.2 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Duarte
Find out what the average cost of solar panel installation is in Duarte.
In Duarte, solar panels cost about 2.73 per watt on average. The average Duarte homeowner needs a 2.9-kilowatt system, which would cost about $5,446 with the federal tax credit, or $7,788 before the 30% tax credit is applied.
These figures are only estimates, and how much solar costs for you will look different based on factors unique to your home and what company you choose to go with. For many homeowners, the upfront cost of solar power is worth paying. On average Duarte homeowners see about $25,000 in savings on energy bills over 20 years.
Click the button below to get connected to a top solar installer in your area for a custom estimate.
Solar savings over time in Duarte
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-4,690 |
| 3 years | $-3,177 |
| 5 years | $-1,663 |
| 7 years | $-150 |
| 9 years | $1,363 |
| 11 years | $2,876 |
| 13 years | $4,389 |
| 15 years | $5,903 |
| 17 years | $7,416 |
| 19 years | $8,929 |
| 21 years | $10,442 |
| 23 years | $11,955 |
| 25 years | $13,468 |
Top Solar Installers in Duarte
When switching to solar energy, many homeowners opt to hire a solar installation company since putting up solar panels yourself can be a challenging project. Solar companies provide key benefits that can help you get the most out of your investment, like warranties, monitoring and free repairs.
You can get a free quote from a local solar installer on the cost of solar panels for your home. Here are some nearby:
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 Duarte
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Duarte
Cost is typically one of the most important factors for homeowners who want to invest in solar. There are a few key factors that will push your cost above or below the average in Duarte: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We'll cover each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar energy system you need, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most important cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, you can expect your total to increase by nearly $2,730. Some solar brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more expensive upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like Duarte, 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
If paying for solar panels in cash is difficult, solar loans are an affordable route because they decrease your upfront costs and allow you to pay for your system over five to seven years on average. Even though solar loans make adopting solar energy more accessible for Duarte homeowners, they can also raise the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate and how long you take to pay off the loan. If you put down a larger down payment, though, you can cut back on how much interest you have to pay.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The last major cost factor you should consider is the installer you choose. Given the massive popularity of sustainable energy solutions in Duarte, you'll have plenty of options to choose from, but each comes at various price points for labor and equipment. Larger national companies usually have lower costs, but some local companies undercut them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have access to specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or additional 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 | $2.84 | $11,925 | $27,909 | 7.5 years |
| 8 kW | $2.78 | $15,594 | $37,518 | 7.3 years |
| 10 kW | $2.73 | $19,110 | $47,280 | 7.2 years |
| 12 kW | $2.68 | $22,473 | $57,195 | 7.1 years |
| 14 kW | $2.62 | $25,684 | $67,262 | 6.9 years |
| 16 kW | $2.57 | $28,741 | $77,483 | 6.8 years |
| 18 kW | $2.51 | $31,646 | $87,856 | 6.6 years |
| 20 kW | $2.46 | $34,398 | $98,382 | 6.5 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are numerous companies available in Duarte, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Selecting the right company for you can be difficult, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Installation Process: Homeowners should make sure they understand how exactly the installation process will go, as well as important factors like the project timeline.
- Contract: When looking over your solar company's contract, ask for clarification about any terms you're not sure of and be sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system component breaking or if the company goes out of business.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar installer has a good reputation by verifying it has certifications and licenses, checking its work history and reading reviews by previous customers and solar experts like EcoWatch.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels depending on their locations and how much efficiency they need. Although 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 offerings before deciding.
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 Duarte, CA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Duarte?
This is a tough question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a variety of factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $13,650 for a 5-kW system and $27,300 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. You can expect to pay more if you want additional solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy usage. Conversely, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Duarte?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can't afford to 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.
How will installing solar panels impact my property 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 Duarte is currently $508,116, which means you can look forward to a value of about $20,833 more than houses without a solar system. The specific figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Duarte is a fruitful investment.
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 amount 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.