Solar Panel Cost Guide in Rancho Cucamonga, CA (2023 Update)
- Rancho Cucamonga Solar Installation Cost: $5,486
- 25-Year Savings: $13,283
- Payback Period: 7.3 Years
See cost of a solar system near you:
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Updated September 15, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Average Cost of Solar Panels in Rancho Cucamonga
Find out what the average cost of installing solar panels is in Rancho Cucamonga.
The average cost of a solar system in Rancho Cucamonga is 2.73 per watt. To cover the typical energy needs of the average home in Rancho Cucamonga, most homeowners require a 2.9-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs around $5,485, or $7,844 before the federal solar tax credit of 30% is applied.
These figures are only averages, and how much solar costs for you will most likely differ based on the amount of energy your home requires and what company you go with. But, after you've paid the upfront cost of installation, the return on investment for most homeowners is usually good, with a net average savings of about $25,000 over 20 years on power bills.
To calculate your potential ROI and connect with a local solar installer, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Rancho Cucamonga
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-5,423 |
| 3 years | $-5,298 |
| 5 years | $-5,173 |
| 7 years | $-5,048 |
| 9 years | $-4,923 |
| 11 years | $-4,798 |
| 13 years | $-4,673 |
| 15 years | $-4,548 |
| 17 years | $-4,423 |
| 19 years | $-4,297 |
| 21 years | $-4,172 |
| 23 years | $-4,047 |
| 25 years | $-3,922 |
Top Solar Installers in Rancho Cucamonga
Many homeowners opt for a solar panel installer since figuring out how to install solar panels yourself can be a labor-intensive endeavor. Plus, if you aren't sure what brand of solar panels and equipment you may need, a solar installer can help you find the right equipment for you after a site survey and consultation.
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
See all of the solar companies in Rancho Cucamonga
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Rancho Cucamonga
For many Rancho Cucamonga homeowners, the decision to go solar depends on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Rancho Cucamonga, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are several factors that greatly influence the price you'll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the cost of a solar system in Rancho Cucamonga, one of the most important factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are chiefly based on your home's energy consumption, which you can determine by looking at past electricity bills. Your total cost can increase by about $2,730 for each additional kilowatt you need. There are a lot of different solar panel brands and the one you choose also affects the cost. Generally, the brands that are more efficient 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 far less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for solar panels out of pocket can be a challenge. Solar loans are provided by most installers in Rancho Cucamonga, which can lower, or in some cases totally eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible. While solar loans make going solar more accessible for Rancho Cucamonga 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 solar company you choose will impact your total cost to go solar. Different companies will bill different amounts for the equipment and labor. You may notice national solar installers that have lower prices because of their bigger brand name and access to bulk pricing, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or specials 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 | $2.84 | $11,925 | $27,303 | 7.6 years |
| 8 kW | $2.78 | $15,594 | $36,710 | 7.5 years |
| 10 kW | $2.73 | $19,110 | $46,270 | 7.3 years |
| 12 kW | $2.68 | $22,473 | $55,982 | 7.2 years |
| 14 kW | $2.62 | $25,684 | $65,848 | 7.0 years |
| 16 kW | $2.57 | $28,741 | $75,866 | 6.9 years |
| 18 kW | $2.51 | $31,646 | $86,038 | 6.7 years |
| 20 kW | $2.46 | $34,398 | $96,362 | 6.6 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a lot of companies available in Rancho Cucamonga, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Picking the right company for you can be tough, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Reputation: Make sure your solar company 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: Read the contract terms carefully to make sure you understand how much it will cost, project completion timeline incentives and warranties.
- Installation Process: When going solar, it's important 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 completion timeline.
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and kind has varying levels of quality, durability and energy efficiency. They will come at different price points 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
EcoWatch's Rancho Cucamonga, CA Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Rancho Cucamonga?
This is a difficult question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on many factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $13,650 for a 5-kW system and $27,300 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will cost more if you want other solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy usage. On the flip side, you can spend less if you choose a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
What other factors should I consider aside from cost when buying solar panels?
The initial cost is a very important factor to consider, but whether it's the most important for you depends on why you decided to go solar. In places where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can trump the cost. Other factors that are important to take into account are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
Do solar panels increase how much your home is worth?
Buying or financing solar panels for your home can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Rancho Cucamonga is currently $490,509, which means you could be looking at a value of about $20,111 more than houses without a solar system. The exact figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Rancho Cucamonga is a rewarding investment.
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 the amount of sunlight your roof gets. You can 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 buy between 20 and 35 panels to cover 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.