Solar Panel Cost Guide in Topanga, CA (2024 Update)
- Topanga Solar Installation Cost: $6,920
- 25-Year Savings: $15,191
- Payback Period: 8.4 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Topanga
Let’s take a look at the average cost of solar in Topanga.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Topanga it’s 3 per watt.To cover the typical energy needs of the average home in Topanga, most homeowners require a 2.8-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs around $6,920, or $9,896 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll end up paying for solar may vary based on your household energy consumption, the type of solar system you want, your solar contractor and more.With average savings of about $28,000 on electricity bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Topanga find going solar can pay off big.
You can click the button below to get connected with a top solar installer in Topanga that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
Solar savings over time in Topanga
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-5,736 |
| 3 years | $-3,366 |
| 5 years | $-997 |
| 7 years | $1,373 |
| 9 years | $3,742 |
| 11 years | $6,112 |
| 13 years | $8,481 |
| 15 years | $10,851 |
| 17 years | $13,220 |
| 19 years | $15,590 |
| 21 years | $17,959 |
| 23 years | $20,329 |
| 25 years | $22,698 |
Top Solar Installers in Topanga
Installing solar panels by yourself can be a stressful undertaking, which is why using a solar installer is a good option for many homeowners. Some solar installers, particularly local ones, can help you better understand incentives in Topanga, thereby optimizing your ROI.
If you’d like to start using solar energy but still aren’t sure which solar panel company to go with, here are our suggestions for providers in Topanga:
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 Topanga
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Topanga
The cost of installing a solar system in Topanga can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is dependent on several factors. The most significant one is your system size, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar installer you choose.
Solar Equipment
Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that affects the overall cost of going solar. For that reason, it’s crucial to accurately gauge the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your typical energy use.Some solar brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — cost more upfront but also tend to offer better efficiency. In a city like Topanga, where sunlight is abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. In addition, if you have a small roof or you don’t have a lot of space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be more impactful. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for solar out of pocket can be financially overwhelming. Solar loans are provided by most installers in Topanga, which can reduce, or in some cases completely eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible.However, the interest on solar loans also increases your total costs, so it’s important to keep that in mind as well. You can always lower the total you pay in interest and sometimes even your APR by putting more money down.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final consideration when trying to evaluate the cost of solar for your home or business in Topanga is the company you hire to install your solar system. Similar to choosing a company to install new cabinets, for example, there are plenty of solar installers that offer a range of services at different costs.Companies that only sell high-quality, high-efficiency and high-price products — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally cost more. It’s best to do some research and choose a company that provides the products, warranties and services you want and also is within your budget.
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 | $28,301 | 8.7 years |
| 8 kW | $3.54 | $19,821 | $38,123 | 8.6 years |
| 10 kW | $3.47 | $24,290 | $48,140 | 8.4 years |
| 12 kW | $3.40 | $28,565 | $58,351 | 8.2 years |
| 14 kW | $3.33 | $32,646 | $68,756 | 8.0 years |
| 16 kW | $3.26 | $36,532 | $79,355 | 7.9 years |
| 18 kW | $3.19 | $40,224 | $90,149 | 7.7 years |
| 20 kW | $3.12 | $43,722 | $101,137 | 7.5 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your system installation will affect the warranties and brands you have access to, 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:
- Solar Panel Brands: Different companies carry different brands and models of panels. If you know you want a specific brand, make sure the solar installer you’re considering has it.
- Contract: Although reading through a contract can be tedious, it’s important to do it thoroughly so you can make sure you understand how much the equipment and services will cost and the terms of the warranty.
- Warranty: A high-quality company stands out from other companies by providing the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
- Reputation: Long-running companies likely have a solid reputation. This is important because it ensures that it will not only see your solar project through, but will also provide quality aftercare and customer service, such as part repairs and replacements.
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 Topanga, CA Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Topanga?
The average cost of solar panels in Topanga is about $17,350 for a 5-kW system and $34,700 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on certain factors like the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Topanga?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can’t pay upfront or get a solar loan, but since you don’t own the system, you don’t have access to many solar incentives. Also your property value won’t increase, so you’ll have less savings over time. If you can afford to buy a solar system upfront, then buying is the better option if you want the most bang for your buck from going solar.
Do solar panels increase the value of your home?
Solar panels can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Topanga is currently $1,640,903, which means you could be looking at a value of about $67,277 more than houses without a solar system. The specific figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Topanga is a worthwhile investment.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
On average, the lifespan of solar panels is about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency goes down by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a higher level 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.