Solar Panel Cost Guide in Oceano, CA (2024 Update)
- Oceano Solar Installation Cost: $6,986
- 25-Year Savings: $20,835
- Payback Period: 6.6 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Oceano
Find out what the average cost of solar panels are in Oceano.
The average cost of a solar system in Oceano is 3 per watt.Since a 2.9-kW system is needed to cover the energy needs of a typical home in Oceano, the average price of going solar will be about $6,986 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 0.
The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of the cost of a solar panel system. The true cost of installing solar panels can vary quite a bit depending on several factors, such as how many panels you need, your energy usage and what installation company you go with.For many homeowners, the upfront cost of solar panels is worth paying. On average Oceano homeowners see about $35,000 in savings on utility bills over 20 years.
Click the button below to get connected to a vetted solar installer in your area for a custom quote.
Solar savings over time in Oceano
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-5,448 |
| 3 years | $-2,372 |
| 5 years | $704 |
| 7 years | $3,780 |
| 9 years | $6,855 |
| 11 years | $9,931 |
| 13 years | $13,007 |
| 15 years | $16,083 |
| 17 years | $19,159 |
| 19 years | $22,234 |
| 21 years | $25,310 |
| 23 years | $28,386 |
| 25 years | $31,462 |
Top Solar Installers in Oceano
Installing solar panels yourself can be a difficult project, which is why using a solar installation company is a good option for many homeowners. Another upside of using a solar company is that they can help you maximize your investment by bringing down your future costs of repairs and replacements with the help of warranties and informing you of local incentives you can take advantage of.
There are several licensed solar professionals that can take care of your solar installation project. 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 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 Oceano
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Oceano
There are a number of factors that can influence your installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that performs the installation.
Solar Equipment
One of the most important factors to consider when it comes to the cost of adopting solar energy is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more electricity your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend around $3,470 per kilowatt in Oceano.The kind of solar equipment you choose can increase or decrease your cost by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you get the most efficient solar panel brands, you’ll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. On the other hand, more efficient panels could save you more over time on your electric bills. Additionally, add-on products, such as solar batteries, can bump up your total well above the Oceano average.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Oceano 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 drastically decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also result in higher prices over time because of interest.Though solar loans make switching to solar energy more accessible for Oceano homeowners, they can also add to the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate and how long you take to pay off the loan. If you make a larger down payment, though, you can cut back on how much interest you have to pay.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar company you pick will affect your total cost to adopt solar energy. Different companies will bill different amounts for the equipment and labor.Larger national companies typically have lower costs, but some local companies undercut them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have access to specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or additional 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 | $39,777 | 6.9 years |
| 8 kW | $3.54 | $19,821 | $53,424 | 6.8 years |
| 10 kW | $3.47 | $24,290 | $67,266 | 6.6 years |
| 12 kW | $3.40 | $28,565 | $81,302 | 6.5 years |
| 14 kW | $3.33 | $32,646 | $95,533 | 6.4 years |
| 16 kW | $3.26 | $36,532 | $109,957 | 6.2 years |
| 18 kW | $3.19 | $40,224 | $124,576 | 6.1 years |
| 20 kW | $3.12 | $43,722 | $139,390 | 6.0 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are numerous companies to choose from in Oceano, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Picking the right company for you can be difficult, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Reputation: Make sure your solar installer has a good reputation by verifying it has certifications and licenses, checking its number of years in business and reading reviews by previous customers and solar experts like EcoWatch.
- Contract: When looking through your solar company’s contract, ask for clarification about any terms you’re not sure of and be sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system part breaking or the company going out of business.
- Installation Process: One of the most important things to understand when adopting solar power 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.
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and type offers varying levels of quality, durability and efficiency. They will come at different costs as well. The company you choose has an impact on which solar panel brands you have access to.
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 Oceano, CA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Oceano?
The average cost of solar panels in Oceano 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 certain factors such as the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Is cost the most important consideration when buying solar panels?
Cost is definitely one of the most important things to bear in mind when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.
How will solar panels impact my property value?
Installing solar panels on your home can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Oceano is currently $620,880, which means you could be looking at a value of about $25,456 more than houses without a solar system. The exact figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Oceano is a fruitful investment.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
On average, the lifespan of solar panels is about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency goes down by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a larger level of energy production.
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.