Solar Panel Cost Guide in Lake Arrowhead, CA (2025 Update)

  • Lake Arrowhead Solar Installation Cost: $6,973
  • 25-Year Savings: $13,283
  • Payback Period: 9.3 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Updated January 24, 2025

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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Lake Arrowhead

Let’s take a look at the average cost of solar panels in Lake Arrowhead.

In Lake Arrowhead, solar panels cost about 3 per watt on average.Using this figure, a typical 2.9-kW system would cost about $6,973 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.

Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll end up paying for solar may look quite different based on your household energy consumption, the type of solar system you want, your solar contractor and more.For many homeowners, the upfront cost of solar panels is worth paying. On average Lake Arrowhead homeowners see about $25,000 in savings on energy bills over 20 years.

To calculate your potential ROI and connect with a local solar expert, click the button below.

Solar savings over time in Lake Arrowhead

YearReturn on Investment
1 years$-5,788
3 years$-3,419
5 years$-1,049
7 years$1,320
9 years$3,690
11 years$6,059
13 years$8,429
15 years$10,798
17 years$13,168
19 years$15,537
21 years$17,907
23 years$20,276
25 years$22,646

Top Solar Installers in Lake Arrowhead

Many homeowners opt for a solar panel installer since trying to put up solar panels yourself can be a lot of work. Local solar installers can also help you optimize your return on investment by assisting with any local incentives you can benefit from and by offering warranties and repairs.

If you’d like to make the switch to solar but still aren’t certain which solar company to go with, here are our recommendations for providers nearby:

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See all of the solar companies in Lake Arrowhead

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Lake Arrowhead

Although the average cost of a solar system in Lake Arrowhead is $6,973, your final cost may be above or below the average. There are many factors that can have a significant impact on the cost of a solar panel installation. Below are some of the more important things to keep in mind.

Solar Equipment

Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that determines the overall cost of installing solar panels. That’s why it’s a priority to accurately ascertain the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your average energy use.Some solar panel brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more expensive upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like Lake Arrowhead, where sunlight is abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Also, if you have a small roof or limited space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be more impactful. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.

Solar Financing Terms

Most solar companies in Lake Arrowhead have solar loans, which reduce the initial cost of installing solar.It’s wise to include the interest you’ll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to pay a larger 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 last major cost factor you should take into consideration is the installer you choose. Given the massive popularity of renewable energy solutions in Lake Arrowhead, you’ll have lots of options to choose from, but each comes at different price points for labor and equipment.Some companies only sell products with high efficiency and therefore a higher price point — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally come with an above-average cost. It’s best to do some research and decide on the company that has the products, warranties and services you want and also fits within your budget.

Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size

System sizeCost per system wattSolar system cost25-Year savingsPayback period
6 kW$3.61$15,157$24,0719.7 years
8 kW$3.54$19,821$32,4839.5 years
10 kW$3.47$24,290$41,0909.3 years
12 kW$3.40$28,565$49,8919.1 years
14 kW$3.33$32,646$58,8868.9 years
16 kW$3.26$36,532$68,0768.7 years
18 kW$3.19$40,224$77,4598.5 years
20 kW$3.12$43,722$87,0388.4 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

The company that does your 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 tough decision, we have some tips to help you, such as:

  • Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels based on their locations and how much efficiency they need. Even though there are many options for which brand of solar panel you can get, not every company will have access to the exact one you may want or need, so make sure you ask for their list of offerings before deciding.
  • 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 likely has a solid reputation and is qualified to do the job well. Another way you can verify your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
  • Warranty: If you care about the endurance of your solar system, verifying that your installer offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can help put you at ease.
  • Contract: Read the contract terms closely to make sure you understand the total cost, project completion timeline incentives and warranties.
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EcoWatch's Lake Arrowhead, CA Solar Cost FAQs

What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Lake Arrowhead?

The average cost of solar panels in Lake Arrowhead is about $17,350 for a 5-kW system and $34,700 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on stuff like the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.

Is cost the most important thing to consider when buying solar panels?

Cost is certainly one of the most important factors you should consider when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.

How will solar panels impact my home value?

Solar panels can increase your property’s value considerably as long as you buy or finance your panels and don’t choose a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). According to research done by Zillow, the average home value increases by about 4.1% after installing a solar system."

What solar power system size is right for my home?

To figure out how many solar panels you need, you should find out how much energy your home uses and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can generally 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.