Solar Panel Cost Guide in Oakdale, CA (2025 Update)
- Oakdale Solar Installation Cost: $7,258
- 25-Year Savings: $20,530
- Payback Period: 6.9 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Oakdale
See how much it might cost to make the switch to solar in Oakdale.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Oakdale it’s 3 per watt.Because a 3.0-kW system is needed to cover the energy needs of a typical home in Oakdale, the average price of going solar will be about $7,258 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 0.
Bear in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of Oakdale homeowners. The cost of a solar system for your home may look different depending on factors unique to you, like your household energy use and solar contractor.For many homeowners, the upfront cost of solar panels is worth paying. On average Oakdale homeowners see about $33,000 in savings on energy bills over 20 years.
For a free quote from a local solar company that has been pre-vetted by the EcoWatch team, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Oakdale
Year | Return on Investment |
---|---|
1 years | $-5,720 |
3 years | $-2,644 |
5 years | $432 |
7 years | $3,508 |
9 years | $6,583 |
11 years | $9,659 |
13 years | $12,735 |
15 years | $15,811 |
17 years | $18,887 |
19 years | $21,962 |
21 years | $25,038 |
23 years | $28,114 |
25 years | $31,190 |
Top Solar Installers in Oakdale
DIY solar panel installation is a possibility, but it's an undertaking that can be a pain. Going with an installer can make swapping over to solar power much easier. Solar warranties and repairs are ordinarily included in the cost of installation when you go with a solar company as well, which can save you more money after your initial investment.
Working with a licensed solar company can help your solar project go smoothly. Here are our recommendations:
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
See all of the solar companies in Oakdale
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Oakdale
There are several criteria that can influence your solar panel installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that installs your solar panels.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the cost of a solar energy system in Oakdale, one of the most crucial factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are mainly based on your home’s energy usage, which you can figure out by looking at past electricity bills. Your overall cost can increase by around $3,470 for each additional kilowatt you need.The brand of solar panels and equipment you want is another factor that will largely affect costs. Solar panels that are more efficient, like monocrystalline panels, tend to cost more. Further, 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 researching a solar system that’s in your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for solar panels out of pocket is out of reach, solar loans are an affordable choice because they lower your upfront costs and let you pay for your system over five to seven years on average.Even though solar loans make going solar more accessible for Oakdale homeowners, they can also add to the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate. If you put down a larger down payment, though, you can avoid paying as much in interest.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar installer you hire to handle your switch to green energy can play a part in your total costs. There are about 3 solar installation companies operating throughout Oakdale, and each can charge varying amounts for labor and equipment.You may come across national solar installers that have lower prices because of their bigger brand name and access to bulk prices, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or promotions to compete with those major players.
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 | $37,535 | 7.2 years |
8 kW | $3.54 | $19,821 | $50,435 | 7.1 years |
10 kW | $3.47 | $24,290 | $63,529 | 6.9 years |
12 kW | $3.40 | $28,565 | $76,818 | 6.8 years |
14 kW | $3.33 | $32,646 | $90,301 | 6.6 years |
16 kW | $3.26 | $36,532 | $103,979 | 6.5 years |
18 kW | $3.19 | $40,224 | $117,851 | 6.4 years |
20 kW | $3.12 | $43,722 | $131,917 | 6.2 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 selecting 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 smoothly and save you money on part replacement and repairs.
- Installation Process: An important thing to understand when going solar 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 what the project timeline is.
- Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar installers carry the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a large role in the company you hire.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar panel installer has a good reputation by verifying it has certifications and licenses, checking its work history and reading reviews by previous customers and solar experts like the EcoWatch team.
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
EcoWatch's Oakdale, CA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Oakdale?
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 extra solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy usage. On the other hand, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
Is cost the most important thing to think about when buying solar panels?
The upfront cost is a key factor to consider, but whether it’s the most important for you depends on your reasons for going solar. In places where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can trump the cost. Other factors that are important to consider are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
How will installing solar panels impact my home value?
Solar panels can increase your home value remarkably as long as you buy or finance your panels and don’t choose a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). According to research done by Zillow, the average home value increases by about 4.1% with a solar installation."
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
Although 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 the amount of 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 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.