Solar Panel Cost Guide in Truckee, CA (2023 Update)
- Truckee Solar Installation Cost: $5,891
- 25-Year Savings: $18,026
- Payback Period: 6.2 Years
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Updated September 15, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Truckee
Let's have a look at the average cost of solar in Truckee.
In Truckee, solar panels cost about 2.73 per watt on average. To cover the typical energy usage of the average home in Truckee, most homeowners require a 3.1-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs around $5,886, or $8,417 before the federal solar tax credit of 30% is applied.
Keep in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average Truckee homeowner. The price of a solar system for your home may be different depending on factors unique to you, like your household energy use and solar contractor. But, once you've paid the upfront cost of installation, the payback for most homeowners is typically rewarding, with a net average savings of about $29,000 over 20 years on electricity bills.
To receive a free estimate from a highly rated solar installation company in Truckee, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Truckee
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-4,353 |
| 3 years | $-1,278 |
| 5 years | $1,798 |
| 7 years | $4,874 |
| 9 years | $7,950 |
| 11 years | $11,026 |
| 13 years | $14,101 |
| 15 years | $17,177 |
| 17 years | $20,253 |
| 19 years | $23,329 |
| 21 years | $26,405 |
| 23 years | $29,480 |
| 25 years | $32,556 |
Top Solar Installers in Truckee
Many homeowners choose to hire a solar panel company since figuring out how to install solar panels yourself can be a lot of work. The expertise that solar companies offer can be helpful as well, particularly if you don't quite know what kind of solar equipment you need.
There are various licensed solar professionals that can help you install your solar system. Here are our suggestions:
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
See all of the solar companies in Truckee
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Truckee
The cost of installing a solar system in Truckee can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is dependent on several factors. The biggest 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
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 a priority to accurately ascertain the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your typical energy use. There are a lot of different solar panel brands and the one you choose also affects the cost. In general, the brands that are more efficient tend to also be more expensive. Additionally, the type of equipment you're looking to get can affect your total cost. If you only need panels, your system will be much less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar companies in Truckee offer solar loans, which reduce your upfront costs of installing solar panels. Though solar loans make adopting solar energy more accessible for Truckee homeowners, they can also increase the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate. 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 solar company you opt for to handle your switch to renewable energy can have an effect on your total costs. There are about 3 solar installation companies operating throughout Truckee, and each can charge varying amounts for labor and equipment. Some companies only sell high-efficiency and high-priced products — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally come at a higher cost. It's best to do some research and go with the company that offers the products, warranties and services you're looking for 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 | $2.84 | $11,925 | $34,624 | 6.4 years |
| 8 kW | $2.78 | $15,594 | $46,472 | 6.3 years |
| 10 kW | $2.73 | $19,110 | $58,472 | 6.2 years |
| 12 kW | $2.68 | $22,473 | $70,625 | 6.0 years |
| 14 kW | $2.62 | $25,684 | $82,931 | 5.9 years |
| 16 kW | $2.57 | $28,741 | $95,389 | 5.8 years |
| 18 kW | $2.51 | $31,646 | $108,001 | 5.7 years |
| 20 kW | $2.46 | $34,398 | $120,765 | 5.5 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the model of solar panels and the installation company you choose has an impact on your costs and your system's durability and efficiency, it's important to pick the right ones for you. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels based on their locations and how much efficiency they need. Even though there are many options for which type of solar panel you can get, not every company will have access to the exact one you may want or need, so make sure you take a look at their list of offerings before making your decision.
- Warranty: Each company may offer different kinds of warranties that provide different kinds of coverage. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a respected certification organization for clean energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it likely has a good reputation and is qualified to do the job well. Another way you can research your installer's reputation is by reading reviews.
- Contract: Read the contract terms carefully to make sure you understand how much it will cost, project completion timeline incentives and warranties.
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
EcoWatch's Truckee, CA Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Truckee?
This is a hard question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $13,650 for a 5-kW system and $27,300 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will cost more if you want extra solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have above-average energy needs. Conversely, you can spend less if you choose a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Truckee?
Leasing solar panels can be an appealing choice, as it typically comes with low or $0 upfront payments. The drawback is that you won't be able to save as much. If you lease, you don't own the system, so you can't claim any tax rebates and credits and your home value won't increase. Buying solar panels is a better way to go if you want to maximize your savings.
Does Truckee have a net metering program?
Most states offer net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can be compensated for the extra power your system generates or or receive credits to put toward future energy bills. Currently there are just three states that don't have any net metering laws: Alabama, Tennessee and South Dakota.
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 larger 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.