Solar Panel Cost Guide in Guerneville, CA (2023 Update)
- Guerneville Solar Installation Cost: $5,897
- 25-Year Savings: $20,434
- Payback Period: 5.6 Years
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Updated September 15, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Guerneville
Let's take a look at the average cost of solar in Guerneville.
In Guerneville, solar panels cost about 2.73 per watt on average. The average solar panel system size in Guerneville is around 3.1 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $5,905 for a solar installation, or $8,444 before the 30% federal solar tax credit is applied.
These figures are only averages, and how much solar costs for you will differ based on the amount of energy your home requires and what company you want to go with. With average savings of about $32,000 on utility bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Guerneville find installing solar panels can pay off big.
To see your potential ROI and connect with a local solar installer, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Guerneville
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-4,359 |
| 3 years | $-1,284 |
| 5 years | $1,792 |
| 7 years | $4,868 |
| 9 years | $7,944 |
| 11 years | $11,020 |
| 13 years | $14,095 |
| 15 years | $17,171 |
| 17 years | $20,247 |
| 19 years | $23,323 |
| 21 years | $26,398 |
| 23 years | $29,474 |
| 25 years | $32,550 |
Top Solar Installers in Guerneville
Although you can install solar panels yourself, it requires extra energy and handiness. That's one of the reasons the majority of homeowners choose to go with a solar panel installer. The expertise that solar installers offer can be helpful as well, particularly if you don't quite know what kind of solar equipment you need.
Working with a professional solar company can help you make the most of your investment in solar. Here are our recommendations:
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
See all of the solar companies in Guerneville
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Guerneville
There are several criteria that can determine your solar panel 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
The size of the solar system you need for your home, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most significant cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, you can expect your total to increase by around $2,730. The brand and kind of equipment you choose for your solar system can increase or decrease the price quite significantly. If you prefer a trusted brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these often have a higher price tag than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you're opting for high efficiency because you have limited roof space or just want maximum energy production, you will be looking at a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to greater savings over time. Also, if you want additional equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for a solar system out of pocket can be financially overwhelming. Solar loans are provided by most installers in Guerneville, which can bring down, or in some cases totally eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible. However, the interest on solar loans also increases your total costs, so it's vital to include that in your estimate as well. You can always lower the total you pay in interest and in some cases even your APR by putting more money down.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Lastly, the company you choose to install your solar panels can play a part in determining your pricing. Guerneville's solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. Larger national companies generally have lower costs, but some local companies compete with them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or additional services like electric vehicle charger installation, they might be cheaper overall.
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 | $39,269 | 5.8 years |
| 8 kW | $2.78 | $15,594 | $52,664 | 5.7 years |
| 10 kW | $2.73 | $19,110 | $66,213 | 5.6 years |
| 12 kW | $2.68 | $22,473 | $79,914 | 5.5 years |
| 14 kW | $2.62 | $25,684 | $93,768 | 5.4 years |
| 16 kW | $2.57 | $28,741 | $107,775 | 5.3 years |
| 18 kW | $2.51 | $31,646 | $121,935 | 5.2 years |
| 20 kW | $2.46 | $34,398 | $136,248 | 5.0 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your system installation will affect the warranties and brands you have access to, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Since choosing a company can be a tough decision, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Solar Panel Brands: Different companies have different brands and models of panels. If you know you want a specific brand, make sure the solar panel installer you're considering has it.
- Contract: When reading through your solar installer's contract, ask questions about any terms you're not sure of and make sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system part breaking or the company going out of business.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a good reputation as a company and have verifiable expertise in the field. A couple of ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has positive reviews from previous customers.
- Installation Process: Homeowners should make sure they know how exactly the installation process will be carried out, as well as important factors like the project completion timeline.
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
EcoWatch's Guerneville, CA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Guerneville?
The average cost of solar panels in Guerneville 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 certain factors like the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
What other factors should I consider aside from cost when buying solar panels?
The initial cost is a key factor to consider, but whether it's the most important for you depends on why you decided to go solar. In cities where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can be more important than the cost. Other factors that are important to think about are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
How will having solar panels impact the value of my home?
Solar panels can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Guerneville is currently $424,890, which means you can look forward to a value of about $17,420 more than houses without a solar system. The exact figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Guerneville is a rewarding investment.
How many solar panels should I get to power my home?
To figure out how many solar panels you need, you should find out how much energy your home requires and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can usually 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.