Solar Panel Cost Guide in Oak View, CA (Mar 2023)
- Oak View Solar Installation Cost: $5,465
- 25-Year Savings: $13,304
- Payback Period: 7.3 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Oak View
Find out what the average cost of solar panel installation is in Oak View.
While the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Oak View generally cost about 2.73. The average Oak View homeowner needs a 2.9-kilowatt system, which would cost about $5,465 with the federal tax credit, or $7,815 before the 30% tax credit is applied.
Bear in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average Oak View homeowner. The cost of a solar system for your home may be different depending on factors unique to your situation, like your household energy use and solar contractor. Even with the significant initial cost, the average Oak View homeowner can save about $25,000 on their power bills over 20 years, which is one of the perks of solar.
To calculate your potential ROI and connect with a local solar expert, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Oak View
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-4,715 |
| 3 years | $-3,213 |
| 5 years | $-1,712 |
| 7 years | $-210 |
| 9 years | $1,291 |
| 11 years | $2,793 |
| 13 years | $4,294 |
| 15 years | $5,796 |
| 17 years | $7,297 |
| 19 years | $8,799 |
| 21 years | $10,300 |
| 23 years | $11,802 |
| 25 years | $13,304 |
Top Solar Installers in Oak View
Trying to put up solar panels on your own can be a challenging task, which is why hiring a solar installation company is a good option for many homeowners. The payback period on a solar system will vary depending on factors like your location and energy use, but working with a solar company can help you reach a break-even point sooner. Your provider will be able to help you get the most out of incentives available in your area.
There are various licensed solar professionals that can help you install your solar system. Here are our suggestions:
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
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 Oak View
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Oak View
Cost is typically one of the most important factors for homeowners who are considering investing in solar. There are a few primary factors that determine your overall cost in Oak View: 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
System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that affects the overall cost of installing solar panels. That's why it's a priority to accurately ascertain the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your energy needs. The brand and kind of equipment you choose for your solar system can raise or lower the price quite significantly. If you prefer a trusted brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these often come at a higher price than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you're opting for high efficiency because you have a small roof or just want maximum energy production, you can expect a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to greater savings over time. Also, if you want additional equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also raise the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for solar out of pocket can be financially overwhelming. Solar loans are offered by most installers in Oak View, which can bring down, or in some cases completely eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible. Even though solar loans make adopting solar energy more accessible for Oak View homeowners, they can also raise the total you pay for your system due to interest. If you put down a larger down payment, though, you can avoid paying as much in interest.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The final key cost factor you should keep in mind is the installer you choose. Given the massive popularity of clean energy solutions in Oak View, you'll have many options to choose from, but each comes at varying price points for labor and equipment. Some companies 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 cost more. It's best to do some research and decide on the company that has 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 | $27,391 | 7.6 years |
| 8 kW | $2.78 | $15,594 | $36,827 | 7.4 years |
| 10 kW | $2.73 | $19,110 | $46,416 | 7.3 years |
| 12 kW | $2.68 | $22,473 | $56,157 | 7.1 years |
| 14 kW | $2.62 | $25,684 | $66,052 | 7.0 years |
| 16 kW | $2.57 | $28,741 | $76,100 | 6.9 years |
| 18 kW | $2.51 | $31,646 | $86,300 | 6.7 years |
| 20 kW | $2.46 | $34,398 | $96,653 | 6.6 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar panel company you go with will influence not only your overall costs, but also the kinds of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you have access to. When choosing a solar company, there are a few important things you should consider, including:
- Warranty: Many companies offer different types of warranties that cover different things. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a respected certification organization for clean energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it likely has a good reputation and is qualified to get the job done well. Another way you can research your installer's reputation is by reading reviews.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels based on their locations and how much efficiency they need. Although there are many options for which type of solar panel you can get, not every company will have the exact one you may want or need, so be sure to ask for their list of options before deciding.
- Contract: Even 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 how much the equipment and services will cost and the terms of the warranty.
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
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 Oak View, CA Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Oak View?
The average cost of solar panels in Oak View is about $13,650 for a 5-kW system and $27,300 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on stuff such as the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Oak View?
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 don't have access to many solar incentives. Also your home 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.
Is going solar worth it?
Solar panels can be a beneficial investment for many homeowners, but they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get enough sunlight and/or your energy bills are already reasonably low, solar panels might not be for you.
How long do solar panels last in Oak View?
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 how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can choose to replace them after having 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.