Solar Panel Cost Guide in Newport Beach, CA (2025 Update)

  • Newport Beach Solar Installation Cost: $7,006
  • 25-Year Savings: $13,791
  • Payback Period: 9.1 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 Newport Beach

Find out what the average cost of solar panels are in Newport Beach.

The average cost of a solar panel system in Newport Beach is 3 per watt.Because a 2.9-kW system is needed to cover the energy needs of a typical home in Newport Beach, the average price of going solar will be about $7,006 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 0.

These figures are only averages, and how much solar costs for you will differ based on the amount of energy your home requires and what company you want to go with.But, once you've paid the upfront cost of installation, the savings for most homeowners is usually good, with a net average savings of about $25,000 over 20 years on utility bills.

To see your potential ROI and connect with a local solar company, click the button below.

Solar savings over time in Newport Beach

YearReturn on Investment
1 years$-5,768
3 years$-3,293
5 years$-818
7 years$1,656
9 years$4,131
11 years$6,606
13 years$9,081
15 years$11,556
17 years$14,031
19 years$16,506
21 years$18,981
23 years$21,456
25 years$23,931

Top Solar Installers in Newport Beach

Installing solar panels by yourself can be a stressful task, which is why using a solar installation company is a good option for many homeowners. Some solar companies, especially local ones, can help you better understand incentives in Newport Beach, optimizing your ROI.

There are various 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 Newport Beach

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Newport Beach

While the average cost of a solar system in Newport Beach is $7,006, your final cost may be above or below the average. There are several factors that can have a major impact on the cost of a residential solar panel installation. Below are some of the more important things to keep in mind.

Solar Equipment

System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that influences the overall cost of installing solar panels. That’s why it’s important to accurately gauge the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your typical energy use.The type of solar panels and equipment you get is another factor that will greatly influence 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 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 into a solar system that’s in your budget.

Solar Financing Terms

Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Newport Beach to be prohibitively expensive, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, almost every solar installer in the area offers financing options. Solar loans greatly decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also result in a higher cost over time due to interest.Although solar loans make going solar more accessible for Newport Beach homeowners, they can also increase the total you pay for your system due to interest. If you make a larger down payment, though, you can cut back on how much interest you have to pay.

Solar Panel Installation Company

Lastly, the company you hire to install your solar panel system can play a part in determining the cost. Newport Beach’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. The company’s size sometimes plays the most significant role in the installation costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower pricing because they have greater resources and bulk pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they can sometimes have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or discount can bring their pricing lower to compete with bigger names.

Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size

System sizeCost per system wattSolar system cost25-Year savingsPayback period
6 kW$3.61$15,157$24,9999.4 years
8 kW$3.54$19,821$33,7209.3 years
10 kW$3.47$24,290$42,6369.1 years
12 kW$3.40$28,565$51,7468.9 years
14 kW$3.33$32,646$61,0518.7 years
16 kW$3.26$36,532$70,5508.5 years
18 kW$3.19$40,224$80,2438.3 years
20 kW$3.12$43,722$90,1308.2 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

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

  • Installation Process: One of the most important things to understand when adopting solar energy is the installation process itself. Be sure to align on any details you should know with your solar company, such as what permits you should secure and how long the project will take.
  • Contract: Though reading through a contract can take a lot of time, it’s important to do it thoroughly so you can be sure you understand what services your solar company will provide and how part repairs and replacements will be handled.
  • Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels depending on their roof configurations and how much efficiency they need. While there are many options for which brand of solar panel you can get, not every company will have the exact one you may want or need, so be sure to take a look at their list of offerings before deciding.
  • Warranty: A quality company stands out from other companies by providing the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
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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 Newport Beach, CA Solar Cost FAQs

What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Newport Beach?

This is a hard question to answer exactly, 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 cost more if you want additional solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy needs. On the flip side, you can spend less if you choose a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.

Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Newport Beach?

Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can’t pay upfront or secure a solar loan, but since you don’t own the system, you can’t take advantage of many solar incentives. Also your property value won’t increase, so you’ll have less savings over time. If you can afford to buy a solar system upfront, then buying is the better option if you want the most financial benefits from going solar.

Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Newport Beach?

The majority of states have net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can get paid for the extra power your system produces or or receive credits to put toward future energy bills. Currently there are just three states that don’t have any net metering laws: Alabama, Tennessee and South Dakota.

How long do solar panels last in Newport Beach?

Even 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 their energy production will have decreased significantly after that point. You can replace them after having 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.