Solar Panel Cost Guide in North Auburn, CA (2024 Update)
- North Auburn Solar Installation Cost: $7,514
- 25-Year Savings: $20,419
- Payback Period: 7.1 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in North Auburn
We break down average solar pricing in North Auburn.
The average cost of a solar system in North Auburn is 3 per watt.The average North Auburn homeowner needs a 3.1-kilowatt system, which would cost about $7,514 with the federal tax credit, or $10,745 before the 0 tax credit is applied.
Keep in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of North Auburn homeowners. The price of a solar system for your home may look different depending on factors unique to your situation, like your household energy use and solar contractor.Many homeowners find adopting solar power is a fruitful investment. The average homeowner in North Auburn can save about $32,000 on their power bills over 20 years.
You can click the button below to get connected with a vetted solar company in North Auburn that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
Solar savings over time in North Auburn
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-5,976 |
| 3 years | $-2,900 |
| 5 years | $175 |
| 7 years | $3,251 |
| 9 years | $6,327 |
| 11 years | $9,403 |
| 13 years | $12,479 |
| 15 years | $15,554 |
| 17 years | $18,630 |
| 19 years | $21,706 |
| 21 years | $24,782 |
| 23 years | $27,858 |
| 25 years | $30,933 |
Top Solar Installers in North Auburn
Many homeowners opt for a solar installation company since trying to put up solar panels yourself can be time-consuming. Solar companies provide key benefits that can help you get the most out of your investment, like warranties, monitoring and free repairs.
If you're on the hunt for a solar installer in North Auburn, the EcoWatch team has put together a list of our top suggestions here:
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- 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 North Auburn
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in North Auburn
Cost is typically one of the most important factors for homeowners who want to invest in solar. There are a few major factors that will push your cost above or below the average in North Auburn: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We’ll go over each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar panel system you need to offset your energy usage, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most important cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, your total will most likely increase by about $3,470. There are several different solar panel brands and the one you pick also affects the cost. In many cases, the brands that have better efficiency tend to also be more expensive. In addition, the type of equipment you want to install can affect your total cost. If you only need panels, your system will be much less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar companies in North Auburn have solar loans, which reduce your upfront costs of installing a solar system.When estimating your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you go with a solar loan. Also, paying more on your down payment can lower the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar installer you hire to handle your switch to sustainable energy can have an effect on your total costs. There are about 3 solar panel companies operating in North Auburn, and each can charge different amounts for labor and equipment.Larger national companies generally have lower costs, but some local companies keep up with them by offering 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 size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $3.61 | $15,157 | $35,913 | 7.4 years |
| 8 kW | $3.54 | $19,821 | $48,273 | 7.3 years |
| 10 kW | $3.47 | $24,290 | $60,827 | 7.1 years |
| 12 kW | $3.40 | $28,565 | $73,575 | 7.0 years |
| 14 kW | $3.33 | $32,646 | $86,518 | 6.8 years |
| 16 kW | $3.26 | $36,532 | $99,655 | 6.7 years |
| 18 kW | $3.19 | $40,224 | $112,987 | 6.6 years |
| 20 kW | $3.12 | $43,722 | $126,512 | 6.4 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar installer you opt for will impact not only your overall costs, but also the types of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you can get. When choosing a solar company, there are some important things you should take into account, such as:
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a respected certification organization for sustainable energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it most likely has a solid reputation and is qualified to do the job well. Another way you can research your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
- Installation Process: When going solar, it’s necessary to maintain an open line of communication with your solar panel company. See to it that you understand how the installation process will go and the project timeline.
- Solar Panel Brands: The model of solar panel you want plays a part in which company you should opt for, since different companies provide different panels.
- Warranty: A quality company rises above other companies by offering the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- 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 North Auburn, CA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in North Auburn?
The average cost of solar panels in North Auburn 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 things like the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in North Auburn?
Leasing solar panels can be an attractive choice, because it often 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 tax rebates and credits and your home value won’t increase. Buying solar panels is a better way to go if you want to maximize your savings.
How will solar panels impact the value of my home?
Solar panels can increase your property’s value significantly as long as you buy or finance your panels and don’t opt for a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). According to research done by Zillow, the average home value increases by about 4.1% after installing solar panels."
How long do solar panels last in North Auburn?
Though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they should be disposed of 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.