Solar Panel Cost Guide in French Camp, CA (2024 Update)
- French Camp Solar Installation Cost: $7,350
- 25-Year Savings: $20,548
- Payback Period: 7.0 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in French Camp
Find out what the average cost of installing solar panels is in French Camp.
While the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in French Camp generally cost about 3.To cover the typical energy needs of the average home in French Camp, most homeowners require a 3.0-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs around $7,350, or $10,510 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
Keep in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of French Camp homeowners. The price of a solar system for your home may look different depending on factors unique to you, like your household energy use and solar contractor.Even with the large upfront cost, the average French Camp homeowner can save about $33,000 on their power bills over 20 years, which is one of the perks of solar.
Click the button below to get connected to a highly rated solar company in your area for a customized quote.
Solar savings over time in French Camp
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-5,812 |
| 3 years | $-2,737 |
| 5 years | $339 |
| 7 years | $3,415 |
| 9 years | $6,491 |
| 11 years | $9,567 |
| 13 years | $12,642 |
| 15 years | $15,718 |
| 17 years | $18,794 |
| 19 years | $21,870 |
| 21 years | $24,946 |
| 23 years | $28,021 |
| 25 years | $31,097 |
Top Solar Installers in French Camp
When making the switch to solar, many homeowners opt to hire a solar company since installing solar panels yourself can be a challenging project. The expertise that solar installers offer can be invaluable as well, especially if you don’t quite know what brand of solar equipment you need.
If you’d like to start using solar energy but still aren’t sure which solar panel installer to go with, here are our recommendations for providers in French Camp:
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 French Camp
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in French Camp
The cost of installing a solar system in French Camp can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is determined by several factors. The most significant one is your system size, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar installer you choose.
Solar Equipment
One of the most significant factors to consider when it comes to the cost of adopting solar energy is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more electricity your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay about $3,470 per kilowatt in French Camp.Some solar brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more costly upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like French Camp, where sunlight is abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Plus, if you have a small roof or you don’t have a lot of 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
Solar panels can save you money on power bills over many years, but they can also be a significant investment. That’s why many French Camp homeowners choose to finance their solar panel systems to make paying for solar more affordable.Though solar loans make adopting solar energy more accessible for French Camp homeowners, they can also add to 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
A final factor to consider when trying to evaluate the cost of solar for your home or business in French Camp is the company you choose to install your solar system. As with choosing a company to build a deck or pool, for instance, there’s no shortage of solar installers that provide a range of services at different price points.Companies that only sell high-efficiency and high-priced products — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally cost more. It’s best to do some research and choose a company that has the products, warranties and services you’re looking for and also fits within your budget.
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 | $37,051 | 7.3 years |
| 8 kW | $3.54 | $19,821 | $49,790 | 7.1 years |
| 10 kW | $3.47 | $24,290 | $62,724 | 7.0 years |
| 12 kW | $3.40 | $28,565 | $75,851 | 6.8 years |
| 14 kW | $3.33 | $32,646 | $89,173 | 6.7 years |
| 16 kW | $3.26 | $36,532 | $102,690 | 6.6 years |
| 18 kW | $3.19 | $40,224 | $116,401 | 6.4 years |
| 20 kW | $3.12 | $43,722 | $130,306 | 6.3 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar company you go with will impact not only your overall costs, but also the types of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you can get. When choosing a solar company, there are a few important things you should take into account, including:
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and type offers varying levels of quality, durability and efficiency. They will come at different prices as well. The company you choose affects which solar panel brands you have access to.
- Contract: Look through the contract terms thoroughly to make sure you understand the overall cost, project timeline incentives and warranties.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a solid reputation as a company and have demonstrated expertise in the field. Two 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 past customers.
- Warranty: A comprehensive, long-term warranty can help keep your solar panels running for a long time and save you money on repairs and maintenance.
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 French Camp, CA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in French Camp?
The average cost of solar panels in French Camp 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 such as the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Is cost the most important consideration when buying solar panels?
Cost is definitely one of the most important things to bear in mind when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.
Do solar panels increase the value of your home?
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 French Camp is currently $527,944, which means you can expect a value of about $21,646 more than houses without a solar system. The exact figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in French Camp is a fruitful investment.
How long do solar panels last in French Camp?
Though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they should be disposed of at that time. What this means is the amount of energy they produce 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.