Solar Panel Cost Guide in Meiners Oaks, CA (2024 Update)

  • Meiners Oaks Solar Installation Cost: $6,958
  • 25-Year Savings: $13,295
  • Payback Period: 9.3 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

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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 Meiners Oaks

See how much it might cost to switch to solar power in Meiners Oaks.

The average cost of a solar system in Meiners Oaks is 3 per watt.Because a 2.9-kW system is needed to cover the energy consumption of a typical home in Meiners Oaks, the average price of going solar will be about $6,958 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 0.

Bear in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average Meiners Oaks homeowner. The cost of a solar system for your home may be different depending on factors unique to your situation, like your household energy use and solar contractor.But, after you've paid the upfront cost of installation, the ROI for most homeowners is usually good, with a net average savings of about $25,000 over 20 years on electricity bills.

Click the button below to get connected to a reputable solar installer in your area for a customized quote.

Solar savings over time in Meiners Oaks

YearReturn on Investment
1 years$-5,773
3 years$-3,403
5 years$-1,034
7 years$1,336
9 years$3,705
11 years$6,075
13 years$8,444
15 years$10,814
17 years$13,183
19 years$15,553
21 years$17,922
23 years$20,292
25 years$22,661

Top Solar Installers in Meiners Oaks

Many homeowners choose to hire a solar panel company since figuring out how to install solar panels on your own can be a labor-intensive endeavor. In addition, if you’d like to maximize your investment in solar energy, opting for a solar company can help with that too. Different providers can offer repairs, expertise on solar panel installation and sometimes even information on local incentives, rebates and net metering programs.

If you’d like to go solar but still aren’t sure which solar system installer to go with, here are our recommendations 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 Meiners Oaks

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Meiners Oaks

Cost is typically one of the most important factors for homeowners wanting to invest in solar. There are a few major factors that affect your total cost in Meiners Oaks: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We’ll cover each of these briefly below.

Solar Equipment

One of the most important 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 around $3,470 per kilowatt in Meiners Oaks.The brand of solar panels and equipment you choose is another factor that will significantly impact costs. Solar panels that have higher efficiency, like monocrystalline panels, tend to come at a higher price. Moreover, solar equipment goes beyond just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to think about the kind of racks used to mount the panels, inverters, solar batteries, etc. It’s important to take all of this into consideration when looking for a solar system that falls within your budget.

Solar Financing Terms

Most solar companies in Meiners Oaks offer solar loans, which reduce the initial cost of installing solar.You’ll have to consider the long-term cost of loans, including the amount of interest you’ll pay over the length of the loan. If you can only get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars above the equipment and labor cost. Making a larger down payment or finding a solar loan with a low interest rate could reduce your costs remarkably.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The final significant cost factor you should consider is the installer you choose. Given the massive popularity of clean energy solutions in Meiners Oaks, you’ll have lots of options to choose from, but each comes at various price points for labor and equipment.Larger national companies generally have lower costs, but some local companies undercut them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have access to specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or add-on services like electric car charger installation, they might be cheaper overall.

Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size

System sizeCost per system wattSolar system cost25-Year savingsPayback period
6 kW$3.61$15,157$24,1589.6 years
8 kW$3.54$19,821$32,6009.5 years
10 kW$3.47$24,290$41,2369.3 years
12 kW$3.40$28,565$50,0669.1 years
14 kW$3.33$32,646$59,0908.9 years
16 kW$3.26$36,532$68,3098.7 years
18 kW$3.19$40,224$77,7228.5 years
20 kW$3.12$43,722$87,3298.3 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

Since the model of solar panels and the company you choose has an impact on your costs and your system’s efficiency, production, and durability, it’s important to select the right ones for you. Here are some things to keep in mind to help with your decision:

  • Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar companies carry the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a big role in the company you hire.
  • 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 good reputation and is qualified to do the job well. Another way you can verify your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
  • Warranty: A comprehensive, long-term warranty can help keep your solar panel system running smoothly and save you money on repairs and maintenance.
  • Contract: When reading through your solar installer’s contract, ask for clarification about any terms you’re not sure of and be sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system part breaking or if the company goes 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 Meiners Oaks, CA Solar Cost FAQs

What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Meiners Oaks?

This is a difficult question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on many factors. Generally 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 be more expensive if you want extra solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy usage. On the other hand, you can spend less if you choose a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.

Should I lease or buy solar panels in Meiners Oaks?

Leasing solar panels can be an attractive choice, as it typically comes with low or $0 upfront payments. The drawback is that you won’t be able to save as much. If you lease, you don’t own the system, so you can’t claim any incentives and your home value won’t increase. Buying solar panels is a better way to go if you want to maximize your savings.

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

It is possible to eliminate your electricity bills with solar panels, but for most homeowners throughout Meiners Oaks, that will require at least a 10-kW system. Not all homes will have roofs that can accommodate that size system, so you’ll want to contact 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 how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can choose 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.