Solar Panel Cost Guide in Santa Monica, CA (Mar 2023)
- Santa Monica Solar Installation Cost: $5,446
- 25-Year Savings: $18,922
- Payback Period: 5.6 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Santa Monica
Let's have a look at the average cost of solar in Santa Monica.
The average cost of a solar panel system in Santa Monica is 2.73 per watt. The average solar panel system size in Santa Monica is around 2.9 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $5,446 for a solar installation, or $7,788 before the 30% federal solar tax credit is applied.
Keep in mind that the numbers above are only averages. The price you'll end up paying for solar may look quite different based on your household energy consumption, the type of solar panels you choose, your solar contractor and more. Many homeowners find adopting solar power is a fruitful investment. The average homeowner in Santa Monica can save about $33,000 on their energy bills over 20 years.
You can click the button below to get connected with a vetted solar installer in Santa Monica for a quote for your home.
Solar savings over time in Santa Monica
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-4,472 |
| 3 years | $-2,522 |
| 5 years | $-573 |
| 7 years | $1,377 |
| 9 years | $3,326 |
| 11 years | $5,276 |
| 13 years | $7,225 |
| 15 years | $9,175 |
| 17 years | $11,124 |
| 19 years | $13,074 |
| 21 years | $15,023 |
| 23 years | $16,973 |
| 25 years | $18,922 |
Top Solar Installers in Santa Monica
Although it's possible to install solar panels by yourself, it requires extra labor and knowledge. That's one of the reasons most people choose a solar panel installer. Plus, warranties and repairs from your solar panel installer can protect your investment and lower the cost of maintenance over the lifespan of your panels.
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 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 Santa Monica
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Santa Monica
The cost of installing a solar system in Santa Monica can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is determined by several factors. The largest one is the size of the system your home needs, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that influences the overall cost of installing solar panels. Because of that, it's important to accurately assess the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your average energy use. The brand of solar panels and equipment you get is another factor that will considerably affect costs. Solar panels that have higher efficiency, like monocrystalline panels, tend to come at a higher price. Further, solar equipment is more than just the solar panels themselves. You'll also need to make decisions 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 searching for a solar system that's in your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for solar out of pocket can be difficult. Solar loans are provided by most installers in Santa Monica, which can bring down, or in some cases totally eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more affordable. Though solar loans make going solar more accessible for Santa Monica homeowners, they can also increase the total you pay for your system due to interest. If you put down a larger down payment, though, you can cut back on how much interest you have to pay.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The remaining significant cost factor you should keep in mind is the installer you choose. Given the massive popularity of sustainable energy solutions in Santa Monica, you'll have lots of options to choose from, but each comes at varying price points for labor and equipment. Larger national companies typically have lower costs, but some local companies undercut them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or add-on services like electric car charger installation, they might be cheaper overall.
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 | $39,395 | 5.8 years |
| 8 kW | $2.78 | $15,594 | $52,832 | 5.7 years |
| 10 kW | $2.73 | $19,110 | $66,422 | 5.6 years |
| 12 kW | $2.68 | $22,473 | $80,165 | 5.5 years |
| 14 kW | $2.62 | $25,684 | $94,061 | 5.4 years |
| 16 kW | $2.57 | $28,741 | $108,110 | 5.3 years |
| 18 kW | $2.51 | $31,646 | $122,311 | 5.1 years |
| 20 kW | $2.46 | $34,398 | $136,666 | 5.0 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar company you go with will be a major factor in determining not only your overall costs, but also the kinds of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you can get. When choosing a solar company, there are several important things you should take into account, such as:
- Contract: Before you sign a contract with a solar installer, make sure you look it over fully so you understand the terms. Also, ask questions if you're not certain about some of the terms, such as what to do if a component breaks or malfunctions and if there are any guarantees about energy production.
- Installation Process: When making the switch to solar, it's important to maintain an open line of communication with your solar panel installer. Make sure you understand how the installation process will go and the project completion timeline.
- Warranty: Warranties that cover replacement parts and repairs over a couple decades are the gold standard in the business, and offering that kind of warranty is one sign of a good company.
- Solar Panel Brands: The brand of solar panel you want to install plays a role in which installer you should opt for, since different companies have different panels.
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 Santa Monica, CA Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Santa Monica?
The average cost of solar panels in Santa Monica 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 such as the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Can you get solar panels for free in Santa Monica?
A solar panel system isn't free in Santa Monica, but there are some options that can make getting them more affordable, such as leasing solar panels or getting a solar loan. There may also be local programs or incentives that can further reduce the cost.
Does Santa Monica have a net metering program?
Each state has some kind of net metering programs except Tennessee, South Dakota and Alabama currently. Some states allow you to sell power back to the grid, but others just give you credit toward your future energy bills.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
On average, solar panels can last about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency decreases by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a higher amount 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.