Solar Panel Cost Guide in Grand Terrace, CA (Mar 2023)
- Grand Terrace Solar Installation Cost: $5,485
- 25-Year Savings: $16,422
- Payback Period: 6.3 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Grand Terrace
Find out how much it might cost to go solar in Grand Terrace.
In Grand Terrace, solar panels cost about 2.73 per watt on average. The average Grand Terrace homeowner needs a 2.9-kilowatt system, which would cost about $5,485 with the federal tax credit, or $7,844 before the 30% tax credit is applied.
Bear in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average Grand Terrace homeowner. 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. But, once you've paid the upfront cost of installation, the payback for most homeowners is usually rewarding, with a net average savings of about $29,000 over 20 years on utility bills.
You can click the button below to get connected with a top solar company in Grand Terrace for a quote for your home.
Solar savings over time in Grand Terrace
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-4,608 |
| 3 years | $-2,856 |
| 5 years | $-1,103 |
| 7 years | $649 |
| 9 years | $2,402 |
| 11 years | $4,155 |
| 13 years | $5,907 |
| 15 years | $7,660 |
| 17 years | $9,412 |
| 19 years | $11,165 |
| 21 years | $12,917 |
| 23 years | $14,670 |
| 25 years | $16,422 |
Top Solar Installers in Grand Terrace
When going solar, many homeowners opt to use a solar installer since overseeing your solar installation yourself can be a challenging project. In addition, if you'd like to maximize your investment in solar energy, using a solar company can help with that too. Different providers can offer warranties, expertise on how to install solar panels and sometimes even information on local incentives, rebates and net metering programs.
If you're looking for a solar company in Grand Terrace, we've organized a list of our top suggestions here:
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 Grand Terrace
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Grand Terrace
The cost of installing a solar system in Grand Terrace can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is determined by several factors. The largest one is your system size, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that determines the overall cost of going solar. That's why it's a priority to accurately gauge the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your typical energy use. There are several different solar panel brands and the one you choose also affects the cost. In many cases, the brands that are more efficient tend to also be more expensive. Plus, the type of equipment you're looking to install can affect your total cost. If you just need panels, your system will be far less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar companies in Grand Terrace have solar loans, which reduce your upfront costs of installing solar. 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 APR could reduce your costs considerably.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar company you pick will impact your total cost to make the switch to solar . Different companies will bill different amounts for the equipment and labor. You may see national solar installers that have lower prices due to their bigger brand name and access to bulk prices, 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 | $2.84 | $11,925 | $33,861 | 6.5 years |
| 8 kW | $2.78 | $15,594 | $45,454 | 6.4 years |
| 10 kW | $2.73 | $19,110 | $57,200 | 6.3 years |
| 12 kW | $2.68 | $22,473 | $69,099 | 6.1 years |
| 14 kW | $2.62 | $25,684 | $81,150 | 6.0 years |
| 16 kW | $2.57 | $28,741 | $93,355 | 5.9 years |
| 18 kW | $2.51 | $31,646 | $105,712 | 5.8 years |
| 20 kW | $2.46 | $34,398 | $118,222 | 5.6 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a lot of solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel brands and price points. To help you decide on the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Contract: Before signing a contract with a solar company, make sure to look it over completely so you understand the terms. Also, ask questions if you're not sure about some of the terms, such as what the warranty covers and what services you can expect from them.
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and kind offers varying levels of quality, longevity and energy efficiency. They will come at different price points as well. The company you choose has an impact on which solar panel brands you have access to.
- Warranty: A high-quality company rises above other companies by offering the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a well-established certification organization for clean energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it most likely has a solid reputation and is qualified to do the job well. Another way you can check your installer's reputation is by reading reviews.
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 Grand Terrace, CA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Grand Terrace?
The average cost of solar panels in Grand Terrace is about $13,650 for a 5-kW system and $27,300 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on stuff like the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Is cost the most important consideration when buying solar panels?
Cost is without a doubt one of the most important things to keep in mind when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.
How will installing solar panels impact my property value?
Solar panels can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Grand Terrace is currently $275,677, so you could be looking at a value of about $11,303 more than houses without a solar system. The exact figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Grand Terrace is a worthwhile investment.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
Although the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they are completely unusable at that time. What this means is the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can opt to replace them once you've had them for that long or you can continue to use 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.