Solar Panel Cost Guide in Rancho Mirage, CA (2024 Update)

  • Rancho Mirage Solar Installation Cost: $6,803
  • 25-Year Savings: $22,815
  • Payback Period: 9.0 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 Rancho Mirage

We break down average solar pricing in Rancho Mirage.

The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Rancho Mirage it’s 3 per watt.To account for the typical energy usage of the average home in Rancho Mirage, most homeowners require a 2.8-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs around $6,803, or $9,728 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.

Bear in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of Rancho Mirage homeowners. The price 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 average savings of about $26,000 on energy bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Rancho Mirage find going solar has a decent ROI.

Click the button below to get connected to a reputable solar company in your area for a custom estimate.

Solar savings over time in Rancho Mirage

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-5,619
3 years $-3,249
5 years $-880
7 years $1,490
9 years $3,859
11 years $6,229
13 years $8,598
15 years $10,968
17 years $13,337
19 years $15,707
21 years $18,076
23 years $20,446
25 years $22,815

Top Solar Installers in Rancho Mirage

Installing solar panels on your own can be a dangerous task, which is why getting a solar installation company is a good option for many homeowners. The expertise that solar companies offer can be invaluable as well, particularly if you aren’t sure what brand of solar equipment would be right for your home.

If you're on the hunt for a solar installer in Rancho Mirage, we've compiled a list of our top suggestions here:

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 Rancho Mirage

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Rancho Mirage

There are several criteria that can affect 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 system.

Solar Equipment

One of the most significant factors to consider when it comes to the cost of installing solar panels is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more energy your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend about $3,470 per kilowatt in Rancho Mirage.Some solar panel brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more expensive upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like Rancho Mirage, where sunlight is abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Also, if you have a small roof or you don’t have a lot of space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be more impactful. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.

Solar Financing Terms

Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Rancho Mirage to be prohibitively steep, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, almost every solar company in the area offers financing options. Solar loans remarkably decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also result in higher prices over time due to interest.When figuring out your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you opt for a solar loan. Also, paying a higher down payment can reduce the total interest paid over time.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The last significant cost factor you should consider is the installer you choose. Given the massive popularity of green energy solutions in Rancho Mirage, you’ll have many options to choose from, but each comes at varying price points for labor and equipment.Companies that only sell high-quality, high-efficiency and high-price products — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally come with an above-average cost. It’s best to do some research and choose a company that offers the products, warranties and services you want and also fit into 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 $3.61 $15,157 $25,160 9.4 years
8 kW $3.54 $19,821 $33,935 9.2 years
10 kW $3.47 $24,290 $42,905 9.0 years
12 kW $3.40 $28,565 $52,069 8.9 years
14 kW $3.33 $32,646 $61,427 8.7 years
16 kW $3.26 $36,532 $70,980 8.5 years
18 kW $3.19 $40,224 $80,727 8.3 years
20 kW $3.12 $43,722 $90,668 8.1 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

There are many companies to choose from in Rancho Mirage, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Choosing the right company for you can be difficult, so here are some tips to help you decide:

  • Warranty: If you’re worried about the longevity of your solar panels, verifying that your installer offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can give you some peace of mind.
  • Solar Panel Brands: The model of solar panel you want plays a role in which company you should opt for, since different companies have access to different panels.
  • Contract: Review the contract terms thoroughly to make sure you understand the total cost, completion timeline incentives and warranties.
  • Reputation: Solar installers that have great reviews from their customers and that have been in business for many years in most cases offer good-quality solar panel installation and expertise.

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 Rancho Mirage, CA Solar Cost FAQs

What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Rancho Mirage?

The average cost of solar panels in Rancho Mirage is about $17,350 for a 5-kW system and $34,700 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on stuff such as the type 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 a crucial factor to consider, but whether it’s the most important for you depends on your reasons for going solar. In areas where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can be more important than the cost. Other factors that are important to keep in mind are the quality and durability of your solar panels.

Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Rancho Mirage?

Each state has some kind of net metering programs except Tennessee, South Dakota and Alabama currently. Some states allow you to sell power back to the grid, but others just give you credit toward your future energy bills.

What solar power system size is right for my home?

To figure out how many solar panels you need, you should find out how much energy your home needs and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can usually produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average house will need 20 to 35 panels.

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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