Solar Panel Cost Guide in Susanville, CA (2024 Update)
- Susanville Solar Installation Cost: $7,672
- 25-Year Savings: $17,102
- Payback Period: 8.3 Years
See cost of a solar system near you:
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Average Cost of Solar Panels in Susanville
Find out how much it might cost to make the switch to solar in Susanville.
Although the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Susanville typically cost around 3.Using this figure, a typical 3.2-kW system would cost about $7,672 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
These figures are only averages, and how much solar costs for you will most likely differ based on the amount of energy your home requires and what company you choose to go with.Many homeowners find installing solar panels is a solid investment. The average homeowner in Susanville can save around $28,000 on their energy bills over 20 years.
You can click the button below to get connected with a vetted solar installer in Susanville that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
Solar savings over time in Susanville
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-6,134 |
| 3 years | $-3,058 |
| 5 years | $18 |
| 7 years | $3,093 |
| 9 years | $6,169 |
| 11 years | $9,245 |
| 13 years | $12,321 |
| 15 years | $15,397 |
| 17 years | $18,472 |
| 19 years | $21,548 |
| 21 years | $24,624 |
| 23 years | $27,700 |
| 25 years | $30,776 |
Top Solar Installers in Susanville
When making the switch to solar, many homeowners choose to use a solar company since installing a solar system yourself can be a challenging project. Another upside of working with a solar installer is that they can help you optimize your return of investment by reducing your future costs of repairs and replacements with the help of warranties and informing you of local incentives you can take advantage of.
Working with a professional solar installer can help you make the most of your investment in solar. Here are our recommendations:
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
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 Susanville
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Susanville
Cost is often one of the most important factors for homeowners who want to invest in solar. There are a few major factors that affect your total cost in Susanville: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We’ll go over each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
One of the most important factors to consider when it comes to the cost of installing solar panels 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 spend about $3,470 per kilowatt in Susanville.The solar equipment you choose can bring your price up or down by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you choose the most efficient solar panel brands, you’ll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. However, more efficient panels could save you more over time on your power bills. In addition, extra products, such as solar batteries, can bring your total well above the Susanville average.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Susanville to be prohibitively costly, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, nearly every solar installer in the area provides access to financing options. Solar loans remarkably decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also result in a higher cost over time because of interest.However, the interest on solar loans also increases your all-in costs, so it’s crucial to consider that as well. You can always lower the total you pay in interest and possibly even your APR by putting more money down.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar company you choose to handle your switch to sustainable energy can play a part in your total costs. There are about 3 solar panel companies operating throughout Susanville, and each can charge varying amounts for labor and equipment.Larger national companies generally have lower costs, but some local companies compete with them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or add-on services like electric vehicle 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 | $3.61 | $15,157 | $28,796 | 8.6 years |
| 8 kW | $3.54 | $19,821 | $38,784 | 8.5 years |
| 10 kW | $3.47 | $24,290 | $48,965 | 8.3 years |
| 12 kW | $3.40 | $28,565 | $59,342 | 8.1 years |
| 14 kW | $3.33 | $32,646 | $69,912 | 8.0 years |
| 16 kW | $3.26 | $36,532 | $80,677 | 7.8 years |
| 18 kW | $3.19 | $40,224 | $91,636 | 7.6 years |
| 20 kW | $3.12 | $43,722 | $102,789 | 7.5 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are many companies available in Susanville, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Choosing the right company for you can be challenging, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- 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 how long it will take.
- Warranty: A comprehensive, long-term warranty can help keep your solar system running for years to come and save you money on part replacement and repairs.
- Contract: It’s important to look over your solar installer’s contract thoroughly to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what you can expect about the cost.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels depending on their locations and how much efficiency they need. Although there are many options for which model of solar panel you can get, not every company will have access to the exact one you may want or need, so be sure to peruse their list of options before deciding.
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
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 Susanville, CA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Susanville?
This is a difficult question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a variety of factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $17,350 for a 5-kW system and $34,700 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. You can expect to pay more if you want other solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have above-average energy usage. On the flip side, you can spend less if you choose a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.
Is cost the most important consideration when buying solar panels?
The upfront cost is a crucial 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 trump the cost. Other factors that are important to be mindful of are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
Can solar panels completely eradicate my electricity bills?
It is possible to eliminate your electricity bills with solar panels, but for most homeowners in Susanville, that will require at least a 10-kW system. Not all homes will have the roof space for that size system, so you’ll want to check with a local solar installer to see how many panels can fit on your roof.
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.