Solar Panel Cost Guide in View Park-Windsor Hills, CA (2023 Update)

  • View Park-Windsor Hills Solar Installation Cost: $5,444
  • 25-Year Savings: $15,724
  • Payback Period: 6.4 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated September 15, 2023

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We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

Average Cost of Solar Panels in View Park-Windsor Hills

Find out how much it might cost to go solar in View Park-Windsor Hills.

The average cost of solar panels in View Park-Windsor Hills is 2.73 per watt. The average View Park-Windsor Hills homeowner needs a 2.9-kilowatt system, which would cost about $5,446 with the federal tax credit, or $7,788 before the 30% tax credit is applied.

How much you pay can be higher or lower than the average in View Park-Windsor Hills based on a few factors, such as the model of solar panels you choose and the solar contractor you hire. But, once you've paid the initial cost of installation, the savings for most homeowners is typically fruitful, with a net average savings of about $28,000 over 20 years on energy bills.

To get a free quote from a vetted solar company in View Park-Windsor Hills, you can click the button below.

Solar savings over time in View Park-Windsor Hills

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-5,374
3 years $-5,233
5 years $-5,092
7 years $-4,951
9 years $-4,809
11 years $-4,668
13 years $-4,527
15 years $-4,386
17 years $-4,245
19 years $-4,104
21 years $-3,963
23 years $-3,822
25 years $-3,680

Top Solar Installers in View Park-Windsor Hills

Many homeowners opt for a solar panel company since trying to put up solar panels yourself can be time-consuming. The expertise that solar companies offer can be helpful as well, especially if you don't quite know what kind of solar equipment you need.

You can get a free quote from a local solar installer on the cost of solar panels for your home. Here are some near you:

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.5

  • Great warranty coverage
  • Representatives are experts on local policies
  • Concierge service ensures steady communication
  • Slightly limited service offerings

Best Warranty Coverage

ADT Solar

★★★★★
4.0

  • Industry-leading warranty coverage
  • Expansive service area
  • Some reported communication issues
  • No leases or PPAs

See all of the solar companies in View Park-Windsor Hills

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in View Park-Windsor Hills

Although the average cost of a solar system in View Park-Windsor Hills is $5,446, your final cost may be higher or lower than that. There are many factors that can have a major impact on the cost of a solar panel installation. Below are some of the more important things to keep in mind.

Solar Equipment

When it comes to estimating the price of a solar panel system in View Park-Windsor Hills, one of the most crucial factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are primarily based on your home's energy usage, which you can figure out by looking at past energy bills. Your total cost can increase by about $2,730 for each additional kilowatt you need. There are a lot of different solar panel brands and the one you choose also changes the cost. In many cases, the brands that are more efficient tend to also be more expensive. Plus, the type of equipment you want to install can affect your total cost. If you just need panels, your system will be far less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.

Solar Financing Terms

Most solar companies in View Park-Windsor Hills have solar loans, which reduce your upfront costs of installing a solar system. 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 more than the original cost. Making a larger down payment or getting a solar loan with a low APR could reduce your costs considerably.

Solar Panel Installation Company

A final factor to keep in mind when trying to figure out the cost of solar for your home or business in View Park-Windsor Hills is the company you get to install your solar panel system. Similar to choosing a company to build a deck or pool, for example, there's no shortage of solar installers that provide a range of services for different budgets. Larger national companies usually have lower costs, but some local companies keep up with them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have access to specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or extra 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 $2.84 $11,925 $32,656 6.7 years
8 kW $2.78 $15,594 $43,847 6.6 years
10 kW $2.73 $19,110 $55,191 6.4 years
12 kW $2.68 $22,473 $66,688 6.3 years
14 kW $2.62 $25,684 $78,338 6.2 years
16 kW $2.57 $28,741 $90,141 6.0 years
18 kW $2.51 $31,646 $102,096 5.9 years
20 kW $2.46 $34,398 $114,205 5.8 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

The company that does your solar panel installation will affect the warranties and brands you have access to, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Because picking a company can be a challenge, we have some tips to help you, such as:

  • Contract: Even though reading through a contract can be tedious, it's important to do it fully so you can make sure you understand what services your solar company will provide and how part repairs and replacements will be handled.
  • Installation Process: An important thing to understand when going solar is the installation process itself. Be sure to align on any details you should know with your solar installer, such as what permits you should acquire and what the project timeline is.
  • Warranty: Warranties that provide coverage for panel repairs and maintenance over a long period of time such as 25 years are the gold standard in the business, and offering that kind of warranty is one mark of a good company.
  • Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels depending on their roof configurations and how much efficiency they need. Although there are many options for which brand 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 deciding.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.5

  • Great warranty coverage
  • Representatives are experts on local policies
  • Concierge service ensures steady communication
  • Slightly limited service offerings

Best Warranty Coverage

ADT Solar

★★★★★
4.0

  • Industry-leading warranty coverage
  • Expansive service area
  • Some reported communication issues
  • No leases or PPAs

EcoWatch's View Park-Windsor Hills, CA Solar Cost FAQs

How much does it cost to install solar panels in View Park-Windsor Hills?

This is a tough question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Generally 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 higher-than-average energy needs. On the other hand, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.

Should I lease or buy solar panels in View Park-Windsor Hills?

Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can't afford to pay upfront or get a solar loan, but since you don't own the system, you can't take advantage of many solar incentives. Also your home 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 savings from going solar.

How much can I save on energy bills after switching to solar?

Solar panels can potentially eliminate your electricity bills depending on where you're located and the efficiency of your system. Even if it doesn't get rid of them completely, you can save a lot of money on your bills, about $1,486.03 per year.

What solar power system size is right for my home?

The exact number of solar panels you need depends on your household energy consumption and the average daily sunlight your roof gets. You can take a look at your energy bills for the past year to get an idea of the solar system size you'll need. The average household has to buy between 20 and 35 panels to account for their typical energy usage.

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.

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