Solar Panel Cost Guide in Mono Vista, CA (2023 Update)

  • Mono Vista Solar Installation Cost: $5,771
  • 25-Year Savings: $20,560
  • Payback Period: 5.5 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated May 04, 2023

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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 Mono Vista

Let's have a look at the average cost of solar panels in Mono Vista.

Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Mono Vista, the average cost of solar panels is 2.73 per watt. Using this figure, a typical 3.0-kW system would cost about $5,771 before the 30% federal solar tax credit is applied.

These figures are only averages, and how much solar costs for you may look different based on the amount of energy your home requires and what company you want to go with. For most homeowners, the upfront investment in solar power is worth paying. On average Mono Vista homeowners see about $33,000 in savings on electricity bills over 20 years.

Click the button below to get connected to a vetted solar company in Mono Vista for a customized estimate.

Solar savings over time in Mono Vista

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-4,718
3 years $-2,612
5 years $-505
7 years $1,601
9 years $3,708
11 years $5,814
13 years $7,921
15 years $10,027
17 years $12,134
19 years $14,240
21 years $16,347
23 years $18,453
25 years $20,560

Top Solar Installers in Mono Vista

Many homeowners choose to use a solar panel company since installing solar panels by yourself can be a labor-intensive endeavor. Also, companies with a good reputation that are more expensive upfront could actually save you money in the long run due to their warranties, repair services and expert design.

Working with a vetted solar installer can help your solar project go smoothly. Here are our recommendations:

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 Warranty Coverage

Sunpro Solar

★★★★★
4.0

  • Industry-leading warranty coverage
  • Expansive service area
  • Some reported communication issues
  • No leases or PPAs

See all of the solar companies in Mono Vista

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Mono Vista

The cost of installing a solar system in Mono Vista can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is dependent on several factors. The largest one is the size of the system you need, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar company you choose.

Solar Equipment

System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that influences the overall cost of going solar. For that reason, it's crucial to accurately assess the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your average energy use. The type of solar panels and equipment you choose is another factor that will significantly affect costs. Solar panels that have higher efficiency, like monocrystalline panels, tend to come at a higher price. Moreover, solar equipment consists of more than just the solar panels themselves. You'll also need to decide on 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

Solar panels can save you money on utility bills over time, but they can also be a significant investment. That's why many Mono Vista homeowners decide to finance their solar panel systems to offset upfront costs. While solar loans make adopting solar energy more accessible for Mono Vista homeowners, they can also increase the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate and how long you take to pay off the loan. If you make a larger down payment, though, you can cut back on how much interest you have to pay.

Solar Panel Installation Company

A final factor to keep in mind when trying to estimate the cost of solar for your home or business in Mono Vista is the company you choose to install your solar panel system. Similar to choosing a company to build a deck or pool, for example, there's no shortage of solar installers that offer a range of services at different price points. Companies that 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 at a higher cost. It's best to do some research and go with the company that offers the products, warranties and services you're looking for and also fits within your budget.

Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size

System size Cost per system watt Solar system cost 25-Year savings Payback period
6 kW $2.84 $11,925 $40,424 5.7 years
8 kW $2.78 $15,594 $54,205 5.6 years
10 kW $2.73 $19,110 $68,138 5.5 years
12 kW $2.68 $22,473 $82,224 5.4 years
14 kW $2.62 $25,684 $96,463 5.3 years
16 kW $2.57 $28,741 $110,855 5.1 years
18 kW $2.51 $31,646 $125,400 5.0 years
20 kW $2.46 $34,398 $140,098 4.9 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

Since the brand of solar panels and the installation company you choose considerably influences your costs and your system's durability and efficiency, it's important to select the right ones for you. Here are some things to keep in mind to help with your decision:

  • Contract: Before you sign a contract with a solar installer, make sure you read it through completely so you understand the terms. Also, ask questions if you aren't sure about some of the terms, such as what to do if a component breaks or malfunctions and what services you can expect from them.
  • Solar Panel Brands: The brand of solar panel you'd like plays a part in which company you should go with, since different companies have access to different panels.
  • Warranty: Warranties that provide coverage for replacement parts and repairs over around 25 years are the gold standard in the business, and offering such a warranty is one sign of a good company.
  • 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 positive reviews from past customers.

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 Warranty Coverage

Sunpro Solar

★★★★★
4.0

  • Industry-leading warranty coverage
  • Expansive service area
  • Some reported communication issues
  • No leases or PPAs

EcoWatch's Mono Vista, CA Solar Cost FAQs

How much does it cost to install solar panels in Mono Vista?

This is a hard question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $13,650 for a 5-kW system and $27,300 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will be more expensive if you want other solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy consumption. On the other hand, you can spend less if you choose a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.

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

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

Do solar panels increase the value of your home?

Buying or financing solar panels for your home can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Mono Vista is currently $291,100, which means you can expect a value of about $11,935 more than houses without a solar system. The specific figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Mono Vista is a worthwhile investment.

How long do solar panels last in Mono Vista?

Though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they are completely unusable at that time. What this means is the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can choose to replace them once you've had 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.

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