Solar Panel Cost Guide in Oildale, CA (2024 Update)

  • Oildale Solar Installation Cost: $7,037
  • 25-Year Savings: $17,014
  • Payback Period: 7.8 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated February 03, 2024

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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 Oildale

We break down average solar pricing in Oildale.

The average cost of a solar panel system in Oildale is 3 per watt.The average solar panel system size in Oildale is around 2.9 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $7,037 for a solar installation, or $10,063 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.

Keep in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of Oildale homeowners. The cost 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.With typical savings of about $30,000 on utility bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Oildale find going solar has a decent ROI.

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

Solar savings over time in Oildale

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-5,499
3 years $-2,424
5 years $652
7 years $3,728
9 years $6,804
11 years $9,880
13 years $12,955
15 years $16,031
17 years $19,107
19 years $22,183
21 years $25,259
23 years $28,334
25 years $31,410

Top Solar Installers in Oildale

Although it's possible to install solar panels yourself, it requires extra time and handiness. That's one of the reasons most people choose a solar panel installer. Solar installers offer key benefits that can help you get the most out of your investment, like warranties, monitoring and free repairs.

If you’d like to go solar but still aren’t certain which solar company to go with, here are our recommendations for providers in Oildale:

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • Most efficient panels on the market
  • National coverage
  • Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
  • Great warranty coverage
  • Expensive
  • Customer service varies by local dealer

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 Oildale

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Oildale

For many Oildale homeowners, the decision to install a solar energy system rests on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Oildale, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are various factors that significantly influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.

Solar Equipment

Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that affects the overall cost of going solar. Because of that, it’s crucial to accurately assess the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your average energy use.There are several different solar panel brands and the one you pick also affects the cost. Generally speaking, the brands that have better efficiency tend to also cost more. Additionally, the type of equipment you choose can affect your total cost. If you just need panels, your system will be much less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.

Solar Financing Terms

Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Oildale to be prohibitively steep, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, almost every solar company in the area provides financing options. Solar loans greatly decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also lead to higher prices over time due to interest.While solar loans make switching to solar energy more accessible for Oildale 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 cut back on how much interest you have to pay.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The solar panel installation company you choose will affect your total cost to adopt solar energy. Different companies will charge 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 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 $31,544 8.1 years
8 kW $3.54 $19,821 $42,447 8.0 years
10 kW $3.47 $24,290 $53,544 7.8 years
12 kW $3.40 $28,565 $64,836 7.6 years
14 kW $3.33 $32,646 $76,322 7.5 years
16 kW $3.26 $36,532 $88,003 7.3 years
18 kW $3.19 $40,224 $99,877 7.2 years
20 kW $3.12 $43,722 $111,947 7.0 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

The solar panel company you go with will influence not only your total costs, but also the kinds of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you have access to. When choosing a solar company, there are some important things you should consider, including:

  • Reputation: Your solar installer should have a solid reputation as a company and have demonstrated expertise in the field. Two ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians that hold a certification from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has satisfied reviews from previous customers.
  • Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar companies carry the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a big role in the company you opt for.
  • 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.
  • Installation Process: Get detailed information from your solar installer about the installation process and what to expect, such as when the site survey will be completed and how long it will take.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • Most efficient panels on the market
  • National coverage
  • Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
  • Great warranty coverage
  • Expensive
  • Customer service varies by local dealer

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 Oildale, CA Solar Cost FAQs

What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Oildale?

This is a difficult question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a variety of factors. Broadly 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 be more expensive if you want extra solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have above-average energy consumption. On the flip side, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.

Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Oildale?

Leasing solar panels can be an appealing choice, as it commonly comes with low or $0 upfront payments. The downside 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 incentives and your home value won’t increase. Buying solar panels is a better way to go if you want to get the most savings.

How much can I save on energy bills after switching to solar?

Solar panels can potentially eliminate your electricity bills depending on where you’re located and how much sunlight your home gets. Even if it doesn’t get rid of them completely, you can save a lot of money on your bills, about $1,556.69 per year.

What solar power system size is right for my home?

The exact number of solar panels you need depends on your household energy consumption and how much sunlight your roof gets. You can take a look at your energy bills for the past year to get an idea of the solar system size you'll need. The average household has to install between 20 and 35 panels to account for their typical energy usage.

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.

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