Solar Panel Cost Guide in South Pasadena, CA (Mar 2023)
- South Pasadena Solar Installation Cost: $5,446
- 25-Year Savings: $16,698
- Payback Period: 6.1 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in South Pasadena
See how much it might cost to install solar panels in South Pasadena.
In South Pasadena, solar panels cost about 2.73 per watt on average. Using this figure, a typical 2.9-kW system would cost about $5,446 before the 30% federal solar tax credit is applied.
These figures are just estimates, and how much solar costs for you will most likely differ based on factors unique to your home and what company you choose to go with. With average savings of about $30,000 on utility bills over 20 years, many homeowners in South Pasadena find going solar can be quite rewarding.
You can click the button below to get connected with a vetted solar installer in South Pasadena for a quote for your home.
Solar savings over time in South Pasadena
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-4,561 |
| 3 years | $-2,789 |
| 5 years | $-1,017 |
| 7 years | $754 |
| 9 years | $2,526 |
| 11 years | $4,297 |
| 13 years | $6,069 |
| 15 years | $7,840 |
| 17 years | $9,612 |
| 19 years | $11,384 |
| 21 years | $13,155 |
| 23 years | $14,927 |
| 25 years | $16,698 |
Top Solar Installers in South Pasadena
When making the switch to solar, many homeowners decide to go with a solar company since handling can be a time-consuming project. A solar installer can also help save you money over the lifespan of your system by offering warranties, repairs and system component replacements.
You can get a free quote 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 South Pasadena
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in South Pasadena
The cost of installing a solar system in South Pasadena can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost depends on 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
When it comes to estimating the price of solar panels in South Pasadena, one of the most crucial factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are chiefly based on your home's energy consumption, which you can gauge by looking at past electricity bills. Your overall cost can increase by around $2,730 for each additional kilowatt you need. The type of solar panels and equipment you get is another factor that will largely impact costs. Solar panels that have higher efficiency, like monocrystalline panels, tend to cost more. Plus, solar equipment goes beyond 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 researching a solar system that falls within your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar installers in South Pasadena provide solar loans, which reduce the initial cost of installing solar. You'll have to consider the long-term cost of loans, including the amount of interest you'll pay over the length of the loan. If you can only get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars above the equipment and labor cost. Making a larger down payment or securing a solar loan with a low interest rate could reduce your costs significantly.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar installation company you select will influence your total cost to go solar. Different companies will charge different amounts for the equipment and labor. The company's size can sometimes play the most significant role in the cost. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower prices because of access to greater resources and bulk 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 discount can bring their pricing lower to compete with bigger companies.
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 | $34,711 | 6.4 years |
| 8 kW | $2.78 | $15,594 | $46,588 | 6.3 years |
| 10 kW | $2.73 | $19,110 | $58,617 | 6.1 years |
| 12 kW | $2.68 | $22,473 | $70,799 | 6.0 years |
| 14 kW | $2.62 | $25,684 | $83,134 | 5.9 years |
| 16 kW | $2.57 | $28,741 | $95,621 | 5.8 years |
| 18 kW | $2.51 | $31,646 | $108,262 | 5.7 years |
| 20 kW | $2.46 | $34,398 | $121,056 | 5.5 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a lot of solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel models and price points. To help you pick the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Warranty: A comprehensive, long-term warranty can help keep your solar system running smoothly and save you money on part replacement and repairs.
- Solar Panel Brands: Different companies will carry various brands and types of panels. If you know you want a specific brand, make sure the solar panel installer you're considering has it.
- Contract: When reading through your solar installer's contract, ask questions about any terms you're not sure of and be sure you understand what happens in scenarios such as a system component breaking or the company going out of business.
- Installation Process: Homeowners should understand how exactly the installation process will be carried out, as well as important factors like the project timeline.
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 South Pasadena, CA Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in South Pasadena?
The average cost of solar panels in South Pasadena is about $13,650 for a 5-kW system and $27,300 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on certain factors such as the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
What other factors should I consider apart from cost when buying solar panels?
Cost is a very important factor to consider, but whether it's the most important for you depends on your reasons for going solar. In areas where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can be more important than the cost. Other factors that are important to keep in mind are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
Do solar panels increase your property value?
Solar panels can increase your home value significantly 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 solar panels."
How long do solar panels last in South Pasadena?
Even though 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 how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can 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.