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

  • Reedley Solar Installation Cost: $7,234
  • 25-Year Savings: $20,639
  • Payback Period: 6.9 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 Reedley

We go over average solar pricing in Reedley.

The average cost of solar panels in Reedley is 3 per watt.Because a 3.0-kW system is needed to cover the energy needs of a typical home in Reedley, the average price of going solar will be about $7,234 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 0.

Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll pay for solar will differ based on your household energy needs, the type of solar system you choose, your solar contractor and more.For many homeowners, the upfront cost of solar panels is worth paying. On average Reedley homeowners see about $34,000 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 Reedley

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-5,696
3 years $-2,621
5 years $455
7 years $3,531
9 years $6,607
11 years $9,683
13 years $12,758
15 years $15,834
17 years $18,910
19 years $21,986
21 years $25,062
23 years $28,137
25 years $31,213

Top Solar Installers in Reedley

When making the switch to solar, many homeowners opt to use a solar installation company since installing solar panels yourself can be a time-consuming project. The expertise that solar installers provide 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 company in Reedley, the EcoWatch team has 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 Reedley

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Reedley

Cost is often one of the most important factors for homeowners considering investing in solar. There are a few major factors that affect your total cost in Reedley: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We’ll go over each of these briefly below.

Solar Equipment

When it comes to estimating the price of a solar panel system in Reedley, one of the most crucial factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are primarily based on your home’s energy consumption, which you can gauge by looking at past energy bills. Your total cost can increase by about $3,470 for each additional kilowatt you need.There are a lot of different solar panel brands and the one you pick also affects the cost. Usually, the brands that are more efficient tend to also be more expensive. Plus, the type of equipment you’re looking to get 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

If paying for solar panels in cash is out of reach, solar loans are an affordable option because they decrease your upfront costs and allow you to pay for your system over a term of, on average, between five and seven years.Though solar loans make going solar more accessible for Reedley homeowners, they can also raise the total you pay for your system due to interest. If you make a larger down payment, though, you can avoid paying as much in interest.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The solar company you hire to handle your switch to renewable energy can play a role in your total costs. There are about 3 solar installation companies operating throughout Reedley, and each can charge different amounts for labor and equipment.Companies that only sell high-efficiency and high-priced 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 decide on the company that provides the products, warranties and services you want and also is within 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 $37,888 7.1 years
8 kW $3.54 $19,821 $50,906 7.0 years
10 kW $3.47 $24,290 $64,119 6.9 years
12 kW $3.40 $28,565 $77,525 6.7 years
14 kW $3.33 $32,646 $91,126 6.6 years
16 kW $3.26 $36,532 $104,922 6.5 years
18 kW $3.19 $40,224 $118,911 6.3 years
20 kW $3.12 $43,722 $133,095 6.2 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

There are many solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel models and price points. To help you select the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:

  • Installation Process: Homeowners should make sure they know how exactly the installation process will go, as well as important factors like the completion timeline.
  • Solar Panel Brands: The type of solar panel you need to install plays a role in which installer you should opt for, since different companies provide different panels.
  • Warranty: If you care about the durability of your solar energy system, checking if your installer offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can give you some peace of mind.
  • Reputation: Solar system installers that have great reviews from their customers and that have been in business for many years likely provide 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 Reedley, CA Solar Cost FAQs

How much does it cost to install solar panels in Reedley?

This is a hard question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on many factors. Generally 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 cost more if you want other solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy usage. On the other hand, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.

Should I lease or buy solar panels in Reedley?

Leasing solar panels can be an appealing choice, because it often comes with low or $0 upfront payments. The drawback 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 tax rebates and credits and your home value won’t increase. Buying solar panels is a better way to go if you want to maximize your savings.

Can solar panels eliminate my electricity bills?

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 $1,768.17 per year.

How many solar panels do I need to power my home?

To figure out how many solar panels you need, you should find out how much energy your home requires 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 home 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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