Solar Panel Cost Guide in San Pablo, CA (2023 Update)

  • San Pablo Solar Installation Cost: $5,818
  • 25-Year Savings: $20,513
  • Payback Period: 5.5 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated September 15, 2023

Why you can trust EcoWatch

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 Pablo

Find out what the average cost of solar panels are in San Pablo.

Although the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in San Pablo typically cost about 2.73. The average solar panel system size in San Pablo is around 3.0 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $5,809 for a solar installation, or $8,307 before the 30% federal solar tax credit is applied.

Keep in mind that the numbers above are only averages. The price you'll pay for solar may vary based on your household energy consumption, the type of equipment you choose, your solar contractor and more. Many homeowners find installing a solar panel system is a sound investment. The average homeowner in San Pablo can save around $33,000 on their power bills over 20 years.

Click the button below to get connected to a highly rated solar installer in San Pablo for a custom quote.

Solar savings over time in San Pablo

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-5,730
3 years $-5,554
5 years $-5,379
7 years $-5,203
9 years $-5,028
11 years $-4,852
13 years $-4,677
15 years $-4,501
17 years $-4,326
19 years $-4,150
21 years $-3,975
23 years $-3,799
25 years $-3,623

Top Solar Installers in San Pablo

When making the switch to solar, many homeowners choose to hire a solar installation company since handling can be a time-consuming project. Plus, if you're not certain what brand of solar panels and equipment you want, a solar installer can help you find the right equipment for you after a site survey and consultation.

If you're on the hunt for a solar company in San Pablo, 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 Warranty Coverage

ADT Solar

★★★★★
4.0

  • Industry-leading warranty coverage
  • Expansive service area
  • Some reported communication issues
  • No leases or PPAs

See all of the solar companies in San Pablo

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in San Pablo

Cost is often one of the most important factors for homeowners who are considering investing in solar. There are a few major factors that will push your cost above or below the average in San Pablo: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We'll discuss each of these briefly below.

Solar Equipment

The size of the solar panel system you need for your household, 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 $2,730. The kind of solar panels and equipment you get is another factor that will significantly influence costs. Solar panels that have higher efficiency, like monocrystalline panels, tend to cost more. Further, 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 looking into a solar system that falls within your budget.

Solar Financing Terms

Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in San Pablo to be prohibitively costly, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, almost every solar company in the area offers financing options. Solar loans drastically decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also result in a higher cost over time due to interest. You'll have to consider the long-term cost of financing options, including the total interest you'll pay over the length of the loan. If you're only able to get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars more than the original cost. Making a larger down payment or finding a solar loan with a low APR could reduce your costs considerably.

Solar Panel Installation Company

Lastly, the company you hire to install your solar panel system can play a role in determining how much you pay. San Pablo's solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. The size of the company sometimes plays the most considerable role in the cost of installation. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower prices because of access to greater resources and better pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they can sometimes have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or promotion can bring their pricing lower to compete with bigger names.

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 $39,971 5.7 years
8 kW $2.78 $15,594 $53,600 5.6 years
10 kW $2.73 $19,110 $67,382 5.5 years
12 kW $2.68 $22,473 $81,317 5.4 years
14 kW $2.62 $25,684 $95,405 5.3 years
16 kW $2.57 $28,741 $109,646 5.2 years
18 kW $2.51 $31,646 $124,039 5.1 years
20 kW $2.46 $34,398 $138,586 5.0 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

The company that does your solar 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 difficult, we have some tips to help you, such as:

  • Installation Process: When going solar, it's necessary to keep an open line of communication with your solar panel company. See to it that you understand how the installation process will go and the project timeline.
  • Solar Panel Brands: Different companies carry different brands and kinds of panels. If you know you want a specific brand, make sure the solar panel company you're considering has it.
  • Reputation: Your solar installer should have a solid reputation as a company and have verifiable expertise in the field. Two ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians that hold a certification from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has satisfied reviews from previous customers.
  • Contract: It's important to read through your solar installer's contract well to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about the installation process.

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 Warranty Coverage

ADT Solar

★★★★★
4.0

  • Industry-leading warranty coverage
  • Expansive service area
  • Some reported communication issues
  • No leases or PPAs

EcoWatch's San Pablo, CA Solar Cost FAQs

What is the average cost of installing solar panels in San Pablo?

This is a difficult question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a variety of factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $13,650 for a 5-kW system and $27,300 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. You can expect to pay more if you want other solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy consumption. On the flip side, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.

Is cost the most important thing to think about when buying solar panels?

Cost is without a doubt one of the most important factors you should consider when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.

Can you sell solar power back to the grid in San Pablo?

The majority of states offer net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can either get paid for the extra power your system generates or or receive credits to put toward future utility bills. Currently there are just three states that don't have any net metering laws: Alabama, Tennessee and South Dakota.

How long do solar panels last in San Pablo?

Though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they are completely unusable at that time. What this means is their energy production will have decreased significantly after that point. You can choose to replace them once you've had them for that long or you can continue to use them at a lower efficiency.

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.

Follow us