Solar Panel Cost Guide in Indio, CA (Mar 2023)
- Indio Solar Installation Cost: $5,351
- 25-Year Savings: $13,476
- Payback Period: 7.1 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Indio
Here's how much it might cost to go solar in Indio.
Although the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Indio generally cost about 2.73. The average solar panel system size in Indio is around 2.8 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $5,351 for a solar installation, or $7,652 before the 30% federal solar tax credit is applied.
These figures are just estimates, and your own solar costs will vary based on the amount of energy your home requires and what company you choose to go with. But, once you've paid the initial cost of installation, the savings for most homeowners is usually rewarding, with a net average savings of about $26,000 over 20 years on utility bills.
To receive a free quote from a pre-vetted solar installation company in Indio, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Indio
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-4,598 |
| 3 years | $-3,092 |
| 5 years | $-1,585 |
| 7 years | $-79 |
| 9 years | $1,427 |
| 11 years | $2,933 |
| 13 years | $4,439 |
| 15 years | $5,945 |
| 17 years | $7,451 |
| 19 years | $8,958 |
| 21 years | $10,464 |
| 23 years | $11,970 |
| 25 years | $13,476 |
Top Solar Installers in Indio
Although you can install solar panels yourself, it involves extra labor and know-how. That's one of the reasons most homeowners choose to hire a solar panel installer. The expertise that solar installers offer can be invaluable as well, especially if you don't quite know what type of solar equipment would be right for your home.
If you're on the hunt for a solar installer in Indio, we've compiled 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 Indio
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Indio
For many Indio homeowners, the decision to go solar depends on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Indio, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are a number of factors that considerably influence the price you'll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar system you need for your home, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most important cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, you can expect your total to increase by nearly $2,730. Some solar brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — cost more upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like Indio, where sunlight is abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Plus, 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
Most solar installers in Indio provide solar loans, which reduce the initial cost of installing solar panels. It's wise to factor the interest you'll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to pay a higher down payment, you can reduce your total costs and the amount of time it'll take to pay back the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The final significant cost factor you should take into consideration is the installer you choose. Given the massive popularity of clean energy solutions in Indio, you'll have plenty of options to choose from, but each comes at varying price points for labor and equipment. Larger national companies typically have lower costs, but some local companies undercut them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or extra services like electric car 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 | $28,406 | 7.4 years |
| 8 kW | $2.78 | $15,594 | $38,181 | 7.2 years |
| 10 kW | $2.73 | $19,110 | $48,108 | 7.1 years |
| 12 kW | $2.68 | $22,473 | $58,188 | 7.0 years |
| 14 kW | $2.62 | $25,684 | $68,421 | 6.8 years |
| 16 kW | $2.57 | $28,741 | $78,807 | 6.7 years |
| 18 kW | $2.51 | $31,646 | $89,346 | 6.5 years |
| 20 kW | $2.46 | $34,398 | $100,038 | 6.4 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are many solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel models and price points. To help you select the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and model offers varying levels of quality, durability and efficiency. They will come at different costs as well. The company you choose affects which solar panel brands you have access to.
- Contract: Even though reading through a contract can take a lot of time, it's important to do it fully so you can make sure you understand how much the equipment and services will cost and how part repairs and replacements will be handled.
- Warranty: An all-inclusive, long-term warranty can help keep your solar system running for years to come and save you money on repairs and maintenance.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a good reputation as a company and have demonstrated 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 good reviews from previous customers.
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 Indio, CA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Indio?
This is a hard question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a variety of 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 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.
Is cost the most important thing to think about when buying solar panels?
Cost is a key factor to consider, but whether it's the most important for you depends on your goals for going solar. In areas where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can be more important than the cost. Other factors that are important to consider are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Indio?
Most states have net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can get paid for the extra power your system produces or or receive credits to put toward future electricity bills. Currently there are just three states that don't have any net metering laws: Alabama, Tennessee and South Dakota.
How long do solar panels last in Indio?
On average, solar panels can last about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency decreases by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a larger amount 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.