Solar Panel Cost Guide in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA (Mar 2023)
- Rancho Palos Verdes Solar Installation Cost: $5,446
- 25-Year Savings: $15,189
- Payback Period: 6.6 Years
See cost of a solar system near you:
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Updated March 14, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Average Cost of Solar Panels in Rancho Palos Verdes
Let's take a look at the average cost of solar panels in Rancho Palos Verdes.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Rancho Palos Verdes it's 2.73 per watt. To account for the typical energy needs of the average home in Rancho Palos Verdes, most homeowners require a 2.9-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs about $5,446, or $7,788 before the federal solar tax credit of 30% is applied.
The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of the cost of a solar panel system. The true cost of making the switch to solar can vary quite a bit based on several factors, such as what size system you need, your energy usage and what installation company you go with. For many homeowners, the upfront cost of solar is worth paying. On average Rancho Palos Verdes homeowners see about $28,000 in savings on electricity bills over 20 years.
To calculate your potential ROI and connect with a local solar installer, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Rancho Palos Verdes
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-4,621 |
| 3 years | $-2,970 |
| 5 years | $-1,319 |
| 7 years | $332 |
| 9 years | $1,982 |
| 11 years | $3,633 |
| 13 years | $5,284 |
| 15 years | $6,935 |
| 17 years | $8,586 |
| 19 years | $10,237 |
| 21 years | $11,887 |
| 23 years | $13,538 |
| 25 years | $15,189 |
Top Solar Installers in Rancho Palos Verdes
Many homeowners decide to hire a solar panel installer since installing solar panels by yourself can be a lot of work. Plus, if you're not certain what brand of solar panels and equipment you want, a solar company can help you figure that out after a site survey and consultation.
You can get a free estimate from a local solar installer on how much your investment in solar could cost for your home. Here are some near you:
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
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 Rancho Palos Verdes
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Rancho Palos Verdes
The cost of installing a solar system in Rancho Palos Verdes can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is dependent on several factors. The biggest one is the size of the system you need, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar installer you choose.
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 pay around $2,730 per kilowatt in Rancho Palos Verdes. The brand and kind of equipment you want for your solar system can raise or lower the price quite significantly. If you prefer a trusted brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these often come at a higher price than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you're opting for high efficiency because you have limited roof space or just want maximum energy production, you will be looking at a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to more savings over time. Also, if you want add-ons like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also raise the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Rancho Palos Verdes to be too costly, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, nearly every solar installer in the area provides access to financing options. Solar loans substantially decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also lead to higher prices over time due to interest. Though solar loans make switching to solar energy more accessible for Rancho Palos Verdes homeowners, they can also raise 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
A final consideration when trying to estimate the cost of solar for your home or business in Rancho Palos Verdes is the company you get to install your solar system. Similar to choosing a company to install new cabinets, for instance, there's no shortage of solar installers that offer a range of services at different costs. Some companies only sell products with high efficiency and therefore a higher price point — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally cost more. It's best to do some research and decide on the company that offers the products, warranties and services you're looking for 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 | $2.84 | $11,925 | $31,533 | 6.9 years |
| 8 kW | $2.78 | $15,594 | $42,350 | 6.7 years |
| 10 kW | $2.73 | $19,110 | $53,320 | 6.6 years |
| 12 kW | $2.68 | $22,473 | $64,442 | 6.5 years |
| 14 kW | $2.62 | $25,684 | $75,718 | 6.3 years |
| 16 kW | $2.57 | $28,741 | $87,146 | 6.2 years |
| 18 kW | $2.51 | $31,646 | $98,727 | 6.1 years |
| 20 kW | $2.46 | $34,398 | $110,461 | 5.9 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar company you opt for will affect not only your total costs, but also the types of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you have access to. When choosing a solar company, there are a few important things you should take into account, such as:
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels based on their roof configurations and how much efficiency they need. Although there are many options for which kind of solar panel you can get, not every company will have access to the exact one you may want or need, so be sure to ask for their list of options before making your decision.
- Reputation: Solar panel companies that have great reviews from their customers and that have been operating for many years likely provide good-quality solar panel installation and expertise.
- Contract: Before you sign a contract with a solar company, make sure to look it over completely so you understand the terms. Also, ask questions if you're not certain about some of the terms, such as what the warranty covers and what services you can expect from them.
- Warranty: Warranties that cover replacement parts and repairs over a long period of time such as 25 years are the gold standard in the business, and offering that kind of warranty is one indication of a quality company.
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
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 Rancho Palos Verdes, CA Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Rancho Palos Verdes?
The average cost of solar panels in Rancho Palos Verdes is about $13,650 for a 5-kW system and $27,300 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on stuff like the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Is cost the most important thing to think about when buying solar panels?
The initial cost is a key factor to consider, but whether it's the most important for you depends on your goals for going 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?
Solar panels can increase your property's value remarkably as long as you buy or finance your panels and don't opt for 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?
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 higher 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.