Solar Panel Cost Guide in San Marcos, CA (2024 Update)
- San Marcos Solar Installation Cost: $6,837
- 25-Year Savings: $17,661
- Payback Period: 7.4 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in San Marcos
Find out what the average cost of installing solar panels is in San Marcos.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in San Marcos, the average cost of solar panels is 3 per watt.The average San Marcos homeowner needs a 2.8-kilowatt system, which would cost about $6,837 with the federal tax credit, or $9,777 before the 0 tax credit is applied.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll end up paying for solar may vary based on your household energy needs, the type of solar system you choose, your solar contractor and more.Many homeowners find installing a solar system is a sound investment. The average homeowner in San Marcos can save about $31,000 on their power bills over 20 years.
To see your potential savings and connect with a local solar installer, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in San Marcos
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-5,178 |
| 3 years | $-1,860 |
| 5 years | $1,459 |
| 7 years | $4,777 |
| 9 years | $8,095 |
| 11 years | $11,413 |
| 13 years | $14,731 |
| 15 years | $18,050 |
| 17 years | $21,368 |
| 19 years | $24,686 |
| 21 years | $28,004 |
| 23 years | $31,322 |
| 25 years | $34,641 |
Top Solar Installers in San Marcos
When switching to solar energy, many homeowners decide to hire a solar company since putting up solar panels yourself can be a difficult project. Local solar companies can also help you maximize your return on investment by assisting with any local incentives and by providing warranties and repairs.
You can get a free estimate from a local solar installer on how much solar panels could cost for your home. Here are some near you:
Best National Provider
SunPower
- 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
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- 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 Marcos
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in San Marcos
Cost is usually one of the most important factors for homeowners who are considering investing in solar. There are a few primary factors that determine your overall cost in San Marcos: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We’ll cover each of these briefly below.
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 energy your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend about $3,470 per kilowatt in San Marcos.The brand and type of equipment you get 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 greater savings over time. Also, if you want additional equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Solar panels can save you money on energy bills over time, but they can also be a big investment. That’s why many San Marcos homeowners choose to finance their solar panel systems to offset upfront costs.When estimating your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you decide on a solar loan. Also, paying more upfront can reduce 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 Marcos is the company you get to install your solar system. As with choosing a company to install new cabinets, for instance, there are plenty of solar installers that provide a range of services for different budgets.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 cost more. 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 | $33,955 | 7.7 years |
| 8 kW | $3.54 | $19,821 | $45,662 | 7.6 years |
| 10 kW | $3.47 | $24,290 | $57,564 | 7.4 years |
| 12 kW | $3.40 | $28,565 | $69,659 | 7.3 years |
| 14 kW | $3.33 | $32,646 | $81,949 | 7.1 years |
| 16 kW | $3.26 | $36,532 | $94,434 | 7.0 years |
| 18 kW | $3.19 | $40,224 | $107,112 | 6.8 years |
| 20 kW | $3.12 | $43,722 | $119,985 | 6.7 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your system installation will affect the warranties and brands available to you, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Because selecting a company can be a tough decision, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Warranty: If you’re worried about the endurance of your solar system, making sure your company offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can help put you at ease.
- Contract: Review the contract terms closely to make sure you understand how much it will cost, project completion timeline incentives and warranties.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels based on their roof configurations and energy needs. Although there are many options for which kind of solar panel you can get, not every company will have the exact one you may want or need, so be sure to take a look at their list of options before deciding.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a respected certification organization for clean energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it likely has a good reputation and is qualified to do the job well. Another way you can verify your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- 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
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
EcoWatch's San Marcos, CA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in San Marcos?
The average cost of solar panels in San Marcos 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 certain factors like the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in San Marcos?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can’t pay upfront or secure a solar loan, but since you don’t own the system, you don’t have access to many solar incentives. Also your home value won’t increase, so you’ll have less savings over time. If you can afford to buy a solar system upfront, then buying is the better option if you want the most bang for your buck from going solar.
Do solar panels increase your home value?
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 San Marcos is currently $912,665, so you can look forward to a value of about $37,419 more than houses without a solar system. The specific figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in San Marcos is a fruitful investment.
How many solar panels do I need to power my home?
To figure out what solar panel system size 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 generally 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.