Solar Panel Cost Guide in Millbrae, CA (2025 Update)

  • Millbrae Solar Installation Cost: $7,454
  • 25-Year Savings: $20,467
  • Payback Period: 7.1 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 Millbrae

See how much it might cost to go solar in Millbrae.

In Millbrae, solar panels cost about 3 per watt on average.To cover the typical energy needs of the average home in Millbrae, most homeowners require a 3.1-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs about $7,454, or $10,659 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.

How much you pay can go higher or lower than the average in Millbrae based on a variety of factors, such as the model of solar panels you choose and the solar installer you hire.For many homeowners, the upfront investment in solar panels is worth paying. On average homeowners in Millbrae see about $33,000 in savings on energy bills over 20 years.

To get a free estimate from a vetted solar installation company in Millbrae, you can click the button below.

Solar savings over time in Millbrae

YearReturn on Investment
1 years$-5,916
3 years$-2,840
5 years$236
7 years$3,312
9 years$6,388
11 years$9,463
13 years$12,539
15 years$15,615
17 years$18,691
19 years$21,767
21 years$24,842
23 years$27,918
25 years$30,994

Top Solar Installers in Millbrae

Many homeowners decide to hire a solar panel company since installing solar panels yourself can be hard. The expertise that solar companies provide can be useful as well, especially if you aren’t sure what kind of solar equipment you need.

There are a number of licensed solar professionals that can take care of your solar installation project. Here are our suggestions:

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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 Millbrae

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Millbrae

While the average cost of a solar system in Millbrae is $7,454, your actual cost may be above or below the average. There are several factors that can have a major impact on the cost of a solar system installation. Below are some of the more important things to keep in mind.

Solar Equipment

One of the most significant factors to consider when it comes to the cost of going solar is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more power your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend about $3,470 per kilowatt in Millbrae.The type of solar panels and equipment you get is another factor that will largely influence costs. Solar panels that are more efficient, like monocrystalline panels, tend to cost more. Plus, 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 searching for a solar system that falls within your budget.

Solar Financing Terms

Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Millbrae to be too steep, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, almost every solar installer in the area offers financing options. Solar loans drastically decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also lead to higher prices over time due to interest.Though solar loans make switching to solar energy more accessible for Millbrae homeowners, they can also raise the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate and how long you take to pay off the loan. 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 last key cost factor you should keep in mind is the installer you choose. Given the massive popularity of green energy solutions in Millbrae, you’ll have many 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 compete with them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have access to specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or extra services like electric vehicle 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$36,3287.4 years
8 kW$3.54$19,821$48,8267.2 years
10 kW$3.47$24,290$61,5187.1 years
12 kW$3.40$28,565$74,4046.9 years
14 kW$3.33$32,646$87,4856.8 years
16 kW$3.26$36,532$100,7606.7 years
18 kW$3.19$40,224$114,2306.5 years
20 kW$3.12$43,722$127,8946.4 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

Since the type 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:

  • Installation Process: Get details from your solar installer about the installation process and what to expect, including when the site survey will be done and how long it will take.
  • Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and kind has varying levels of quality, durability and energy efficiency. They will come at different price points as well. The company you choose plays a role in which solar panel brands you have access to.
  • Reputation: Make sure your solar company has a good reputation by verifying it has certifications and licenses, checking its number of years in business and reading reviews by previous customers and solar experts like EcoWatch.
  • Contract: It’s important to look over your solar installer’s contract carefully to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what you can expect about your solar system’s energy production.
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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 Millbrae, CA Solar Cost FAQs

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

The average cost of solar panels in Millbrae 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 certain factors like the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.

Is cost the most important consideration when buying solar panels?

The upfront cost is a crucial factor to consider, but whether it’s the most important for you depends on why you decided to go solar. In places where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can be more important than the cost. Other factors that are important to think about are the quality and durability of your solar panels.

Does Millbrae have a net metering program?

Each state has some kind of net metering programs except Tennessee, South Dakota and Alabama currently. Some states allow you to sell power back to the grid, but others just give you credit toward your future power bills.

How long do solar panels last in Millbrae?

On average, solar panels can last about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency goes down 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.