Solar Panel Cost Guide in Garden Grove, CA (2023 Update)
- Garden Grove Solar Installation Cost: $5,504
- 25-Year Savings: $14,248
- Payback Period: 7.0 Years
See cost of a solar system near you:
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Updated May 04, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Average Cost of Solar Panels in Garden Grove
Let's take a look at the average cost of solar in Garden Grove.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Garden Grove, the average cost of solar panels is 2.73 per watt. Since a 2.9-kW system is needed to cover the energy needs of a typical home in Garden Grove, the average price of going solar will be about $5,504 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 30%.
The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of the cost of a solar energy system. The actual cost of going solar can vary depending on multiple factors, such as how many panels you need, your energy usage and what installation company you go with. With typical savings of about $26,000 on electricity bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Garden Grove find investing in solar can pay off big.
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 Garden Grove
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-4,714 |
| 3 years | $-3,133 |
| 5 years | $-1,553 |
| 7 years | $27 |
| 9 years | $1,607 |
| 11 years | $3,187 |
| 13 years | $4,767 |
| 15 years | $6,348 |
| 17 years | $7,928 |
| 19 years | $9,508 |
| 21 years | $11,088 |
| 23 years | $12,668 |
| 25 years | $14,248 |
Top Solar Installers in Garden Grove
Many homeowners opt for a solar installer since trying to put up solar panels yourself can be challenging. The expertise that solar installers provide can be invaluable as well, particularly if you don't quite know what type of solar equipment you need.
There are various licensed solar professionals that can take care of your solar installation project. Here are our suggestions:
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Best Warranty Coverage
Sunpro Solar
- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
See all of the solar companies in Garden Grove
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Garden Grove
There are many factors that can determine your total installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that installs your solar system.
Solar Equipment
One of the most significant factors to consider when it comes to the cost of going solar is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more power your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay about $2,730 per kilowatt in Garden Grove. Some solar panel brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more costly upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like Garden Grove, where sunlight is abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. In addition, 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
Solar panels can save you money on utility bills over time, but they can also be a big investment. That's why many Garden Grove homeowners opt to finance their solar panel systems to make going solar more affordable. You'll have to consider the long-term cost of loans, 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
Finally, the company you choose to install your solar panels can affect the cost. Garden Grove's solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. The company's size sometimes plays the most significant role in the installation costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower pricing due to access to greater resources and better pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they can sometimes 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 | $2.84 | $11,925 | $29,165 | 7.3 years |
| 8 kW | $2.78 | $15,594 | $39,193 | 7.1 years |
| 10 kW | $2.73 | $19,110 | $49,373 | 7.0 years |
| 12 kW | $2.68 | $22,473 | $59,706 | 6.8 years |
| 14 kW | $2.62 | $25,684 | $70,193 | 6.7 years |
| 16 kW | $2.57 | $28,741 | $80,832 | 6.6 years |
| 18 kW | $2.51 | $31,646 | $91,624 | 6.4 years |
| 20 kW | $2.46 | $34,398 | $102,568 | 6.3 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your solar panel installation will affect the warranties and brands you have access to, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Since selecting a company can be a tough decision, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Warranty: If you're concerned about the durability of your solar panels, checking if your installer offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can help put you at ease.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels depending on their roof configurations 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 access to the exact one you may want or need, so be sure to peruse their list of options before making your decision.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a sound reputation as a company and have verifiable 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.
- Contract: When looking over your solar installer's contract, ask questions about any terms you're not sure of and be sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system component breaking or the company going out of business.
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Best Warranty Coverage
Sunpro Solar
- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
EcoWatch's Garden Grove, CA Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Garden Grove?
This is a tough question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on many 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. It will cost more if you want additional solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have above-average energy usage. Conversely, you can spend less if you choose a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Garden Grove?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can't pay upfront or secure 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.
Do solar panels increase the value of your home?
Installing solar panels on your home can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Garden Grove is currently $528,749, which means you can look forward to a value of about $21,679 more than houses without a solar system. The exact figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Garden Grove is a worthwhile investment.
How many solar panels do I need to power my home?
To figure out what solar panel system size you need, you need to know how much energy your home needs 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 household 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.