Solar Panel Cost Guide in Los Osos, CA (2025 Update)

  • Los Osos Solar Installation Cost: $6,986
  • 25-Year Savings: $20,835
  • Payback Period: 6.6 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated January 24, 2025

Why you can trust EcoWatch

We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

Average Cost of Solar Panels in Los Osos

Find out how much it might cost to install solar panels in Los Osos.

While the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Los Osos generally cost around 3.To account for the typical energy needs of the average home in Los Osos, most homeowners require a 2.9-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs around $6,986, or $9,990 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.

These figures are only averages, and your own solar costs will differ based on your specific situation and what company you go with.But, after you've paid the initial cost of installation, the savings for most homeowners is quite good, with a net average savings of about $35,000 over 20 years on electricity bills.

You can click the button below to get connected with a pre-vetted solar installer in Los Osos that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.

Solar savings over time in Los Osos

YearReturn on Investment
1 years$-5,448
3 years$-2,372
5 years$704
7 years$3,780
9 years$6,855
11 years$9,931
13 years$13,007
15 years$16,083
17 years$19,159
19 years$22,234
21 years$25,310
23 years$28,386
25 years$31,462

Top Solar Installers in Los Osos

DIY solar panel installation is a way to cut costs, but it's an undertaking that can be a pain. Going with a solar company can make your switch to solar power much easier. The expertise that solar installers provide can be valuable as well, especially if you aren’t sure what brand of solar equipment would be right for your home.

If you’d like to make the switch to solar but still aren’t sure which solar panel company to go with, here are our suggestions for providers near you:

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Best Regional Coverage

Momentum Solar

★★★★★
4.5
  • Great warranty coverage
  • Representatives are experts on local policies
  • Concierge service ensures steady communication
  • Slightly limited service offerings

Best for Leasing

Sunrun

★★★★★
4.0
  • Expansive service area
  • Many financing options
  • Some reported issues with customer service
  • Some reported issues with door-to-door sales

See all of the solar companies in Los Osos

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Los Osos

For many Los Osos homeowners, the decision to install a solar energy system comes down to cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Los Osos, 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 cost of solar panel systems varies by thousands of dollars due to some different factors. One of the major factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems that have greater efficiency or power production use better technology and/or more equipment, both of which can increase costs. For each additional kilowatt you need, your cost can go up by about $3,470.There are several different solar panel brands and the one you choose also affects the cost. Generally, 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 only 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 Los Osos provide solar loans, which reduce the initial cost of installing solar.You’ll have to consider the long-term cost of financing options, including the total interest you’ll pay over the length of the loan. If you’re only able to get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars more than the principal cost. Making a larger down payment or getting a solar loan with a low interest rate could reduce your costs significantly.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The final significant cost factor you should keep in mind is the installer you choose. Given the massive popularity of renewable energy solutions in Los Osos, you’ll have a great number of options to choose from, but each comes at various price points for labor and equipment.Companies that only sell high-efficiency and high-priced products — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally cost more. It’s best to do some research and find a company that offers the products, warranties and services you want and also is 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$39,7776.9 years
8 kW$3.54$19,821$53,4246.8 years
10 kW$3.47$24,290$67,2666.6 years
12 kW$3.40$28,565$81,3026.5 years
14 kW$3.33$32,646$95,5336.4 years
16 kW$3.26$36,532$109,9576.2 years
18 kW$3.19$40,224$124,5766.1 years
20 kW$3.12$43,722$139,3906.0 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

There are a large number of companies available in Los Osos, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Picking the right company for you can be challenging, so here are some tips to help you decide:

  • Reputation: Make sure your solar installer has a good reputation by verifying it has certifications and licenses, checking its number of years in business and reading reviews by past customers and solar experts like the EcoWatch team.
  • Solar Panel Brands: The model of solar panel you need to get plays a role in which company you should go with, since different companies have different panels.
  • Warranty: A quality company stands out from other companies by offering the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
  • Contract: When reading through your solar company’s contract, ask for clarification about any terms you’re not sure of and make sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system component breaking or the company going out of business.
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Best Regional Coverage

Momentum Solar

★★★★★
4.5
  • Great warranty coverage
  • Representatives are experts on local policies
  • Concierge service ensures steady communication
  • Slightly limited service offerings

Best for Leasing

Sunrun

★★★★★
4.0
  • Expansive service area
  • Many financing options
  • Some reported issues with customer service
  • Some reported issues with door-to-door sales

EcoWatch's Los Osos, CA Solar Cost FAQs

How much does it cost to install solar panels in Los Osos?

This is a difficult question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $17,350 for a 5-kW system and $34,700 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will cost more if you want extra solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy usage. Conversely, you can spend less if you choose a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.

What other factors should I consider apart from cost when buying solar panels?

Cost is a key factor to consider, but whether it’s the most important for you depends on your reasons for going solar. In cities where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can trump the cost. Other factors that are important to be mindful of are the quality and durability of your solar panels.

Can solar panels eliminate my energy bills?

It is possible to erase your electricity bills with solar panels, but for most homeowners in Los Osos, that will require at least a 10-kW system. Not all homes can accommodate that size system, so you’ll want to check with a local solar installer to see how many panels can fit on your roof.

How often do you have to replace solar panels?

Though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they stop working completely at that time. What this means is their energy production will have decreased significantly after that point. You can decide to replace them after having them for that long or you can keep using 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.