Solar Panel Cost Guide in Emeryville, CA (2024 Update)

  • Emeryville Solar Installation Cost: $7,314
  • 25-Year Savings: $20,577
  • Payback Period: 6.9 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated February 03, 2024

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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Emeryville

Find out how much it might cost to go solar in Emeryville.

In Emeryville, solar panels cost about 3 per watt on average.To account for the typical energy usage of the average home in Emeryville, most homeowners require a 3.0-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs around $7,314, or $10,459 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.

The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of how much a solar panel system could cost. The actual cost of making the switch to solar can vary based on a few factors, such as how many panels you need, your energy consumption and what solar installer you go with.For many homeowners, the upfront cost of solar panels is worth paying. On average you could be looking at about $33,000 in savings on electricity bills over 20 years.

To receive a free quote from a vetted solar installer in Emeryville, you can click the button below.

Solar savings over time in Emeryville

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-5,776
3 years $-2,700
5 years $376
7 years $3,452
9 years $6,528
11 years $9,603
13 years $12,679
15 years $15,755
17 years $18,831
19 years $21,907
21 years $24,982
23 years $28,058
25 years $31,134

Top Solar Installers in Emeryville

Although you can install solar panels yourself, it involves extra labor and handiness. For that reason, most homeowners choose a solar panel installer. The expertise that solar installers offer can be helpful as well, particularly if you aren’t sure what kind of solar equipment would be right for your home.

You can work with a local solar installer to get a free quote on how much your investment in solar could cost for your home. Here are some nearby:

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.5

  • Great warranty coverage
  • Representatives are experts on local policies
  • Concierge service ensures steady communication
  • Slightly limited service offerings

Best for Leasing

Sunrun

★★★★★
4.0

  • 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 Emeryville

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Emeryville

Cost is often one of the most important factors for homeowners who are considering investing in solar. There are a few key factors that affect your total cost in Emeryville: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We’ll go over each of these briefly below.

Solar Equipment

Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that influences the overall cost of going solar. Because of that, it’s important to accurately ascertain the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your typical energy use.Some solar brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — cost more upfront but also tend to offer better efficiency. In a city like Emeryville, where sunlight is abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Plus, if you have a small roof or limited space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be more impactful. 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 out of reach, solar loans are a solid choice because they cut back your upfront costs and let you pay for your system over five to seven years on average.Even though solar loans make switching to solar energy more accessible for Emeryville homeowners, they can also raise the total you pay for your system due to interest. If you make 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 Emeryville, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from, but each comes at various price points for labor and equipment.You may notice national solar installers that have lower prices due to their larger brand name and access to bulk equipment pricing, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or specials to compete with those major players.

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 $37,313 7.2 years
8 kW $3.54 $19,821 $50,140 7.1 years
10 kW $3.47 $24,290 $63,161 6.9 years
12 kW $3.40 $28,565 $76,376 6.8 years
14 kW $3.33 $32,646 $89,785 6.7 years
16 kW $3.26 $36,532 $103,389 6.5 years
18 kW $3.19 $40,224 $117,187 6.4 years
20 kW $3.12 $43,722 $131,180 6.2 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

The solar installer you opt for will be a major factor in determining not only your total costs, but also the kinds of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you can get. When choosing a solar company, there are several important things you should take into account, such as:

  • Contract: Though reading through a contract can be tedious, it’s important to do it fully so you can be sure you understand what services your solar company will provide and how part repairs and replacements will be handled.
  • Installation Process: An important thing to understand when going solar is the installation process itself. Be sure to align on any details you need to know with your solar company, such as what permits you should secure and how long the project will take.
  • Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels based on their locations and energy needs. 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 make sure you take a look at their list of offerings before deciding.
  • Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a respected certification organization for sustainable energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it likely has a solid reputation and is qualified to install your solar system. Another way you can research your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.5

  • Great warranty coverage
  • Representatives are experts on local policies
  • Concierge service ensures steady communication
  • Slightly limited service offerings

Best for Leasing

Sunrun

★★★★★
4.0

  • Expansive service area
  • Many financing options
  • Some reported issues with customer service
  • Some reported issues with door-to-door sales

EcoWatch's Emeryville, CA Solar Cost FAQs

How much does it cost to install solar panels in Emeryville?

The average cost of solar panels in Emeryville 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 stuff such as the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.

Can you get solar panels for free in Emeryville?

Solar panels aren’t free in Emeryville, but there are some options that can make getting them more affordable, such as leasing solar panels or getting a solar loan. There may also be local programs or incentives that can further reduce the cost.

How will solar panels impact my property value?

Solar panels can increase your property’s value remarkably as long as you buy or finance your panels and don’t go for 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 many solar panels do I need to power my home?

To figure out how many solar panels you need, you need to know how much energy your home requires and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can typically produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average home will need 20 to 35 panels.

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.

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