Solar Panel Cost Guide in Garden Acres, CA (2024 Update)

  • Garden Acres Solar Installation Cost: $7,350
  • 25-Year Savings: $20,457
  • Payback Period: 7.0 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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We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

Average Cost of Solar Panels in Garden Acres

Let’s have a look at the average cost of solar in Garden Acres.

Although the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Garden Acres generally cost around 3.To account for the typical energy needs of the average home in Garden Acres, most homeowners require a 3.0-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs around $7,350, or $10,510 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.

The true price you pay can be higher or lower than the average in Garden Acres based on a few factors, such as the brand of solar panels you choose and the solar contractor you hire.With average savings of about $33,000 on energy bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Garden Acres find installing solar panels can be quite rewarding.

To get a free estimate from a highly rated solar company in Garden Acres, you can click the button below.

Solar savings over time in Garden Acres

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 Garden Acres

When switching to solar energy, many homeowners prefer to go with a solar installer since putting up solar panels yourself can be a challenging project. Also, companies with a good reputation that cost more upfront could actually save you money in the long term due to their warranties, repair services and expert design.

There are various licensed solar professionals that can install solar panels for you. Here are our suggestions:

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 Garden Acres

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Garden Acres

Though the average cost of a solar system in Garden Acres is $7,350, your actual cost may be above or below the average. There are quite a few factors that can have a significant impact on the cost of a residential solar panel installation. Below are some of the more crucial things to consider.

Solar Equipment

One of the most important 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 around $3,470 per kilowatt in Garden Acres.The brand and type of equipment you want for your solar system can increase or decrease the price quite significantly. If you prefer a brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these are often more expensive than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you’re opting for high efficiency because you have a small roof or just want maximum energy production, you can expect a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to greater savings over time. Also, if you want extra equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also increase the cost.

Solar Financing Terms

Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Garden Acres to be too steep, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, almost every solar installer in the area provides access to financing options. Solar loans remarkably decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also lead to paying more over time due to interest.However, the interest on solar loans also adds to your overall costs, so it’s crucial to consider that as well. You can always bring down the total you pay in interest and in some cases even your APR by putting more money down.

Solar Panel Installation Company

A final consideration when trying to figure out the cost of solar for your home or business in Garden Acres is the company you hire to install your PV system. As with choosing a company to renovate your kitchen, for instance, you’ll have many options for solar installers that provide a range of services for different budgets.The size of the company sometimes plays the most significant role in your total costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower pricing because they have greater resources and bulk pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they generally have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or promotion can bring their pricing lower 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 $36,871 7.3 years
8 kW $3.54 $19,821 $49,550 7.1 years
10 kW $3.47 $24,290 $62,424 7.0 years
12 kW $3.40 $28,565 $75,491 6.9 years
14 kW $3.33 $32,646 $88,753 6.7 years
16 kW $3.26 $36,532 $102,210 6.6 years
18 kW $3.19 $40,224 $115,861 6.4 years
20 kW $3.12 $43,722 $129,706 6.3 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

The company that does your solar system installation will affect the warranties and brands available to you, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Since picking a company can be a challenge, we have some tips to help you, such as:

  • Warranty: An all-inclusive, 25-year warranty can help keep your solar panels running smoothly and save you money on repairs and maintenance.
  • Reputation: Long-running companies likely have a good reputation. This is important because it ensures that it will not only see your solar installation through, but will also provide adequate aftercare and customer service, such as part repairs and replacements.
  • Installation Process: An important thing to understand when adopting solar power is the installation process itself. Be sure to clarify any details you need to know with your solar company, such as what permits you should acquire and what the project timeline is.
  • Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels based on their locations and how much efficiency they need. While there are many options for which kind of solar panel you can get, not every company will have the exact one you may want or need, so be sure to ask for their list of options before deciding.

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 Garden Acres, CA Solar Cost FAQs

How much does it cost to install solar panels in Garden Acres?

This is a tough question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on many factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $17,350 for a 5-kW system and $34,700 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will be more expensive if you want extra solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy usage. On the flip side, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.

Should I lease or buy solar panels in Garden Acres?

Leasing solar panels can be an option if you are unable to pay upfront or get a solar loan, but since you don’t own the system, you can’t take advantage of many solar incentives. Also your property 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 bang for your buck from going solar.

Is it worth going solar in Garden Acres?

Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on some different factors like local electricity rates and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.

How often do you have to replace solar panels?

On average, the lifespan of solar panels is 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.

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