Solar Panel Cost Guide in Shasta Lake, CA (2024 Update)
- Shasta Lake Solar Installation Cost: $7,744
- 25-Year Savings: $19,716
- Payback Period: 7.5 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Shasta Lake
Find out what the average cost of solar panels are in Shasta Lake.
In Shasta Lake, solar panels cost about 3 per watt on average.The average Shasta Lake homeowner needs a 3.2-kilowatt system, which would cost about $7,744 with the federal tax credit, or $11,074 before the 0 tax credit is applied.
Keep in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average Shasta Lake homeowner. The price of a solar system for your home may be different depending on factors unique to your situation, like your household energy use and solar contractor.But, after you've paid the initial cost of installation, the payback for most homeowners is quite rewarding, with a net average savings of about $31,000 over 20 years on power bills.
To receive a free quote from a pre-vetted solar installer in Shasta Lake, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Shasta Lake
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-6,206 |
| 3 years | $-3,130 |
| 5 years | $-54 |
| 7 years | $3,022 |
| 9 years | $6,097 |
| 11 years | $9,173 |
| 13 years | $12,249 |
| 15 years | $15,325 |
| 17 years | $18,401 |
| 19 years | $21,476 |
| 21 years | $24,552 |
| 23 years | $27,628 |
| 25 years | $30,704 |
Top Solar Installers in Shasta Lake
Many homeowners opt for a solar installation company since trying to install solar panels yourself can be a labor-intensive endeavor. Some solar companies, especially local ones, can help you better understand incentives in Shasta Lake, thereby optimizing your ROI.
Working with a professional solar company can make going solar easier. Here are our recommendations:
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 Shasta Lake
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Shasta Lake
The cost of installing a solar system in Shasta Lake can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost depends on several factors. The biggest one is the size of the system you need, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar installer you choose.
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 electricity your household uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay around $3,470 per kilowatt in Shasta Lake.The type 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 come at a higher price. Plus, solar equipment goes beyond 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
Solar panels can save you money on energy bills over time, but they can also be a big investment. That’s why many Shasta Lake homeowners decide to finance their solar panel systems to make going solar more affordable.It’s wise to factor the interest you’ll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to pay a higher down payment, you can reduce your total costs and how long it’ll take to pay back the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final consideration when trying to estimate the cost of solar for your home or business in Shasta Lake is the company you hire to install your solar panel system. As with choosing a company to build a deck or pool, for example, there’s no shortage of solar installers that offer a range of services for different budgets.The size of the company can sometimes play the most significant role in the installation costs. 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 generally have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or discount 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 | $3.61 | $15,157 | $33,415 | 7.8 years |
| 8 kW | $3.54 | $19,821 | $44,942 | 7.7 years |
| 10 kW | $3.47 | $24,290 | $56,663 | 7.5 years |
| 12 kW | $3.40 | $28,565 | $68,579 | 7.4 years |
| 14 kW | $3.33 | $32,646 | $80,689 | 7.2 years |
| 16 kW | $3.26 | $36,532 | $92,993 | 7.1 years |
| 18 kW | $3.19 | $40,224 | $105,492 | 6.9 years |
| 20 kW | $3.12 | $43,722 | $118,185 | 6.8 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar company you choose 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 have access to. When choosing a solar company, there are a few important things you should take into account, such as:
- Contract: Before signing a contract with a solar company, make sure to look it over completely so you understand the terms. Also, ask questions if you’re not sure about some of the terms, such as what the warranty covers and what services you can expect from them.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar panel installer has a good reputation by verifying it has certifications and licenses, checking its work history and reading reviews by previous customers and solar experts like the EcoWatch team.
- Installation Process: Get details from your solar installer about the installation process and what to expect, including when the site survey will be done and what the project timeline is.
- Warranty: Many companies offer different kinds of warranties that provide different kinds of coverage. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
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 Shasta Lake, CA Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Shasta Lake?
This is a hard question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a variety of factors. Broadly 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 be more expensive if you want additional solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy needs. On the other hand, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
What other factors should I consider in addition to cost when buying solar panels?
The upfront cost is a key factor to consider, but whether it’s the most important for you depends on your reasons for going solar. In cities where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can be more important than the cost. Other factors that are important to take into account are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
Do solar panels increase your home value?
Solar panels can increase your home value considerably as long as you buy or finance your panels and don’t go for a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). According to research done by Zillow, the average home value increases by about 4.1% after installing a solar system."
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
Although the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they should be disposed of at that time. What this means is the amount of energy they produce 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.