Solar Panel Cost Guide in McKinleyville, CA (2024 Update)

  • McKinleyville Solar Installation Cost: $7,877
  • 25-Year Savings: $20,134
  • Payback Period: 7.5 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated February 03, 2024

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 McKinleyville

Find out what the average cost of solar panel installation is in McKinleyville.

Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in McKinleyville, the average cost of solar panels is 3 per watt.Because a 3.2-kW system is needed to cover the energy usage of a typical home in McKinleyville, the average price of going solar will be about $7,877 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 0.

Keep in mind that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll pay for solar may look quite different based on your household energy consumption, the type of solar panels you want to get, your solar contractor and more.Many homeowners find installing a solar panel system is a solid investment. The average homeowner in McKinleyville can save about $31,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years.

Click the button below to get connected to a reputable solar company in McKinleyville for a customized estimate.

Solar savings over time in McKinleyville

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-6,339
3 years $-3,263
5 years $-187
7 years $2,888
9 years $5,964
11 years $9,040
13 years $12,116
15 years $15,192
17 years $18,267
19 years $21,343
21 years $24,419
23 years $27,495
25 years $30,571

Top Solar Installers in McKinleyville

When going solar, many homeowners choose to go with a solar installation company since putting up solar panels yourself can be a difficult project. Some solar companies, especially local ones, can help you make the most of incentives in McKinleyville, optimizing your ROI.

If you're on the hunt for a solar company in McKinleyville, we've organized a list of our top suggestions here:

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • Most efficient panels on the market
  • National coverage
  • Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
  • Great warranty coverage
  • Expensive
  • Customer service varies by local dealer

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 McKinleyville

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in McKinleyville

There are many factors that can affect your total installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that does the installation.

Solar Equipment

One of the most significant factors to consider when it comes to the cost of adopting solar energy is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more electricity your household uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend about $3,470 per kilowatt in McKinleyville.The solar equipment you choose can increase or decrease your cost by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you opt for the most efficient solar panel brands, you’ll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. However, higher efficiency could save you more in the long run on your electric bills. Additionally, extra products, like solar batteries, can bump up your total well above the McKinleyville average.

Solar Financing Terms

If paying for solar panels out of pocket is too expensive, solar loans are an affordable choice because they cut back your upfront costs and let you pay for your system over a term of, on average, between five and seven years.While solar loans make adopting solar energy more accessible for McKinleyville homeowners, they can also add to the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate. If you put down a larger down payment, though, you can cut back on how much interest you have to pay.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The solar installer you go with to handle your switch to renewable energy can play a part in your total costs. There are about 3 solar installation companies in McKinleyville, and each can charge varying amounts for labor and equipment.Additionally, some companies in McKinleyville are more knowledgeable about local solar incentives and can help you take advantage of additional rebates or tax exemptions. Though, they may charge more for walking you through the whole process. Even if they cost more upfront, they could end up saving you more money in the long run.

Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size

System size Cost per system watt Solar system cost 25-Year savings Payback period
6 kW $3.61 $15,157 $33,561 7.8 years
8 kW $3.54 $19,821 $45,137 7.6 years
10 kW $3.47 $24,290 $56,907 7.5 years
12 kW $3.40 $28,565 $68,871 7.3 years
14 kW $3.33 $32,646 $81,030 7.2 years
16 kW $3.26 $36,532 $93,382 7.0 years
18 kW $3.19 $40,224 $105,930 6.9 years
20 kW $3.12 $43,722 $118,671 6.7 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

Since the type of solar panels and the installation company you choose greatly impacts your costs and your system’s durability and efficiency, it’s important to pick the right ones for you. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help with your decision:

  • 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.
  • Reputation: Your solar installer should have a sound 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 that hold a certification from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has good reviews from past customers.
  • Installation Process: Homeowners should make sure they understand how exactly the installation process will be carried out, as well as important factors like the completion timeline.
  • Solar Panel Brands: The model of solar panel you’d like plays a part in which installer you should choose, since different companies offer different panels.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • Most efficient panels on the market
  • National coverage
  • Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
  • Great warranty coverage
  • Expensive
  • Customer service varies by local dealer

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 McKinleyville, CA Solar Cost FAQs

How much does it cost to install solar panels in McKinleyville?

This is a difficult question to answer precisely, 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. You can expect to pay more if you want extra solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy usage. Conversely, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.

Is cost the most important consideration when buying solar panels?

Cost is certainly one of the most important things to keep in mind when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.

How much can I save on electricity bills after installing solar panels?

Solar panels can potentially eliminate your electricity bills depending on your location and the efficiency of your system. Even if it doesn’t get rid of them completely, you can save a lot of money on your bills, about $1,623.93 per year.

How many solar panels do I need to power my home?

The exact number of solar panels you need depends on your household energy consumption and how much sunlight your roof gets. You can take a look at your energy bills for the past year to get an idea of the solar system size you'll need. The average household has to buy between 20 and 35 panels to account for their typical energy usage.

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.

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