Solar Panel Cost Guide in Mountain House, CA (Mar 2023)

  • Mountain House Solar Installation Cost: $5,790
  • 25-Year Savings: $20,486
  • 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 March 14, 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 Mountain House

Find out what the average cost of solar panels are in Mountain House.

While the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Mountain House typically cost around 2.73. To cover the typical energy needs of the average home in Mountain House, most homeowners require a 3.0-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs around $5,790, or $8,280 before the federal solar tax credit of 30% is applied.

These figures are just averages, and the cost of going solar for you will differ based on your energy needs and what company you want to go with. Many homeowners find installing solar panels is a sound investment. The average homeowner in Mountain House can save about $33,000 on their power bills over 20 years.

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

Solar savings over time in Mountain House

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-4,739
3 years $-2,637
5 years $-535
7 years $1,567
9 years $3,669
11 years $5,771
13 years $7,873
15 years $9,976
17 years $12,078
19 years $14,180
21 years $16,282
23 years $18,384
25 years $20,486

Top Solar Installers in Mountain House

Do-it-yourself solar panel installation is a possibility, but it's an undertaking that can be a headache. Using a solar company can make switching to solar power much easier. Companies can also provide access to a large variety of the best solar panels and help you choose which one will be right for you.

If you'd like to start using solar energy but still aren't sure which solar system installer to go with, here are our recommendations for providers nearby:

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 Technology

Tesla Energy

★★★★★
4.5

  • Price-match guarantee
  • Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
  • Best solar battery on the market
  • Some reported issues with customer service
  • Customer service varies by local dealer

See all of the solar companies in Mountain House

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Mountain House

The cost of installing a solar system in Mountain House can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost depends on several factors. The most significant one is the size of the system your household needs, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar company you choose.

Solar Equipment

Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that affects the overall cost of going solar. That's why it's important to accurately assess the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your typical energy use. Some solar brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more costly upfront but also tend to offer better efficiency. In a city like Mountain House, where sunlight is abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Also, if you have a small roof or you don't have a lot of space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be a better option. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.

Solar Financing Terms

Solar panels can save you money on energy bills over many years, but they can also be a significant investment. That's why many Mountain House homeowners choose to finance their solar panel systems to offset upfront costs. Even though solar loans make switching to solar energy more accessible for Mountain House homeowners, they can also raise the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate. If you make a larger down payment, though, you can avoid paying as much in interest.

Solar Panel Installation Company

Finally, the company you hire to install your solar panel system can influence your pricing. Mountain House's solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. Additionally, some companies in Mountain House are more knowledgeable about local solar incentives and can help you make good use of additional rebates or tax exemptions. Though, they may charge more for that service. 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 $2.84 $11,925 $40,176 5.7 years
8 kW $2.78 $15,594 $53,873 5.6 years
10 kW $2.73 $19,110 $67,724 5.5 years
12 kW $2.68 $22,473 $81,727 5.4 years
14 kW $2.62 $25,684 $95,883 5.3 years
16 kW $2.57 $28,741 $110,193 5.2 years
18 kW $2.51 $31,646 $124,655 5.1 years
20 kW $2.46 $34,398 $139,270 5.0 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

The company that does your solar panel installation will affect the warranties and brands you have access to, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Since picking a company can be difficult, we have some tips to help you, such as:

  • Warranty: An all-inclusive, 25-year warranty can help keep your solar system running for a long time and save you money on part replacement and repairs.
  • Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels depending on their roof configurations and energy needs. Even though there are many options for which model of solar panel you can get, not every company will have access to the exact one you may want or need, so make sure you peruse their list of options before making your decision.
  • Contract: Read the contract terms thoroughly to make sure you understand the overall cost, completion timeline incentives and warranties.
  • Reputation: Solar system installers that have great reviews from their customers and that have been operating for many years in most cases provide high-quality solar panel installation and expertise.

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 Technology

Tesla Energy

★★★★★
4.5

  • Price-match guarantee
  • Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
  • Best solar battery on the market
  • Some reported issues with customer service
  • Customer service varies by local dealer

EcoWatch's Mountain House, CA Solar Cost FAQs

How much does it cost to install solar panels in Mountain House?

This is a hard question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a variety of 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 above-average energy consumption. On the flip side, you can spend less if you choose a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.

Are solar panels free in Mountain House?

You can't get solar panels for free in Mountain House. However, you may still be able to get them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you want to own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.

Do solar panels increase how much your home is worth?

Solar panels can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Mountain House is currently $587,401, which means you could be looking at a value of about $24,083 more than houses without a solar system. The specific figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Mountain House is a rewarding investment.

How long do solar panels last in Mountain House?

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 how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can decide to replace them once you've had them for that long or you can continue to use 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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