Solar Panel Cost Guide in San Jose, CA (2024 Update)

  • San Jose Solar Installation Cost: $7,249
  • 25-Year Savings: $19,637
  • Payback Period: 7.2 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 San Jose

We break down average solar pricing in San Jose.

Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in San Jose, the average cost of a solar system is 3 per watt.The average San Jose homeowner needs a 3.0-kilowatt system, which would cost about $7,249 with the federal tax credit, or $10,366 before the 0 tax credit is applied.

Keep in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of San Jose 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 $32,000 on electricity bills over 20 years, many homeowners in San Jose find investing in solar can pay off big.

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

Solar savings over time in San Jose

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-5,722
3 years $-2,668
5 years $386
7 years $3,440
9 years $6,493
11 years $9,547
13 years $12,601
15 years $15,655
17 years $18,708
19 years $21,762
21 years $24,816
23 years $27,870
25 years $30,924

Top Solar Installers in San Jose

Many homeowners choose to use a solar installer since trying to install solar panels by yourself can be a lot of work. Plus, if you’re not certain what kind of solar panels and equipment you need, a solar installer can help you find the right equipment for you after a site survey and consultation.

If you're searching for a solar installer in San Jose, the EcoWatch team has put together 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 San Jose

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in San Jose

For many San Jose homeowners, the decision to adopt solar energy comes down to cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in San Jose, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are numerous factors that significantly influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.

Solar Equipment

The size of the solar panel system you need to offset your energy usage, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most significant cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, you can expect your total to increase by about $3,470. The brand of solar panels and equipment you want is another factor that will significantly impact costs. Solar panels that have higher efficiency, like monocrystalline panels, tend to be more costly. Moreover, solar equipment is more than just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to think about the kind of racks used to mount the panels, inverters, solar batteries, etc. It’s important to take all of this into consideration when researching a solar system that falls within your budget.

Solar Financing Terms

Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in San Jose to be prohibitively costly, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, nearly every solar company in the area offers financing options. Solar loans greatly decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also lead to higher prices over time due to interest.When estimating your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you choose to go with a solar loan. Also, paying a higher down payment can lower the total interest paid over time.

Solar Panel Installation Company

A final consideration when trying to figure out the cost of solar for your home or business in San Jose is the company you choose to install your PV system. As with choosing a company to install new cabinets, for example, there’s no shortage of solar installers that provide 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 come at a higher cost. It’s best to do some research and find 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 $35,789 7.4 years
8 kW $3.54 $19,821 $48,108 7.3 years
10 kW $3.47 $24,290 $60,620 7.2 years
12 kW $3.40 $28,565 $73,328 7.0 years
14 kW $3.33 $32,646 $86,229 6.9 years
16 kW $3.26 $36,532 $99,325 6.7 years
18 kW $3.19 $40,224 $112,615 6.6 years
20 kW $3.12 $43,722 $126,099 6.4 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

The company that does your solar system installation will affect the warranties and brands you have access to, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Since choosing a company can be difficult, we have some tips to help you, such as:

  • Solar Panel Brands: Different companies will have various brands and types of panels. If you want a specific brand, make sure the solar panel installer you’re considering has it.
  • Reputation: Your solar installer should have a solid reputation as a company and have proven expertise in the field. A couple of ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has good reviews from previous customers.
  • Warranty: A high-quality company rises above other companies by offering the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
  • Installation Process: One of the most important things to understand when going solar is the installation process itself. Be sure to align on any details you need to know with your solar company, such as what permits you should acquire and how long the project 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 San Jose, CA Solar Cost FAQs

How much does it cost to install solar panels in San Jose?

This is a hard question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a few different 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 additional solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy consumption. On the flip side, you can spend less if you choose a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.

Can you get solar panels for free in San Jose?

You can’t get solar panels for free in San Jose. However, you may still be able to install them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you want to own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.

Is going solar worth it?

Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a variety of factors like how much you pay for electricity and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.

What solar power system size is right for my home?

To figure out how many solar panels you need, you need to know 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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