Solar Panel Cost Guide in Vine Hill, CA (Mar 2023)
- Vine Hill Solar Installation Cost: $5,809
- 25-Year Savings: $20,522
- Payback Period: 5.5 Years
See cost of a solar system near you:
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Updated March 14, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Average Cost of Solar Panels in Vine Hill
Find out what the average cost of a solar system is in Vine Hill.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Vine Hill, the average cost of a solar system is 2.73 per watt. The average solar panel system size in Vine Hill is around 3.0 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $5,809 for a solar installation, or $8,307 before the 30% federal solar tax credit is applied.
These figures are only averages, and how much solar costs for you may look different based on your specific situation and what company you go with. Despite the large upfront cost, the average Vine Hill homeowner can save about $33,000 on their energy bills over 20 years, which is one of the benefits of solar.
To receive a free quote from a vetted solar installer in Vine Hill, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Vine Hill
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-4,756 |
| 3 years | $-2,650 |
| 5 years | $-543 |
| 7 years | $1,563 |
| 9 years | $3,670 |
| 11 years | $5,776 |
| 13 years | $7,883 |
| 15 years | $9,989 |
| 17 years | $12,096 |
| 19 years | $14,202 |
| 21 years | $16,309 |
| 23 years | $18,415 |
| 25 years | $20,522 |
Top Solar Installers in Vine Hill
Installing solar panels yourself can be a dangerous task, which is why hiring a solar installation company is a good option for many homeowners. Another great thing about choosing a reputable solar installer is that it'll likely provide warranties and free repairs, which help protect your investment.
There are a number of licensed solar professionals that can install solar panels for you. 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
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 Vine Hill
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Vine Hill
The cost of installing a solar system in Vine Hill 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 you need, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar installer you choose.
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 $2,730 per kilowatt in Vine Hill. The kind of solar equipment you choose can increase or decrease your cost by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you opt for the most efficient solar panel brands, you'll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. On the other hand, higher efficiency could save you more in the long run on your energy bills. In addition, extra products, like solar batteries, can bring your total well above the Vine Hill average.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for solar out of pocket can be challenging. Solar loans are provided by most installers in Vine Hill, which can bring down, or in some cases eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible. When considering your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you'll pay if you decide on a solar loan. Also, paying more upfront can reduce the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar installer you opt for to handle your switch to green energy can have an effect on your total costs. There are about 3 solar installation companies operating in Vine Hill, and each can charge varying amounts for labor and equipment. Some companies 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 come with an above-average cost. It's best to do some research and choose a company that offers 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 | $2.84 | $11,925 | $39,971 | 5.7 years |
| 8 kW | $2.78 | $15,594 | $53,600 | 5.6 years |
| 10 kW | $2.73 | $19,110 | $67,382 | 5.5 years |
| 12 kW | $2.68 | $22,473 | $81,317 | 5.4 years |
| 14 kW | $2.62 | $25,684 | $95,405 | 5.3 years |
| 16 kW | $2.57 | $28,741 | $109,646 | 5.2 years |
| 18 kW | $2.51 | $31,646 | $124,039 | 5.1 years |
| 20 kW | $2.46 | $34,398 | $138,586 | 5.0 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are many solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel brands and price points. To help you select the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Installation Process: Make sure you're aligned with the company regarding how the installation process will go and what needs to be done before your solar panel system is installed, such as repairing your electrical system or roof.
- Solar Panel Brands: Different companies offer various brands and models of panels. If you prefer a specific brand, make sure the solar installer you're considering has it.
- Contract: When reading through your solar installer's contract, ask for clarification about any terms you're not sure of and make sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system part breaking or if the company goes out of business.
- Reputation: Solar companies that have great reviews from their customers and that have been in business for many years in most cases provide quality solar panel installation and expertise.
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 Vine Hill, CA Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Vine Hill?
This is a hard question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on many 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. You can expect to pay more if you want extra solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have above-average energy needs. On the other hand, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
What other factors should I consider apart from cost when buying solar panels?
The upfront cost is a key 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 take into account are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
How will solar panels impact my home value?
Installing solar panels on your home can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Vine Hill is currently $570,200, which means you can expect a value of about $23,378 more than houses without a solar system. The exact figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Vine Hill is a worthwhile investment.
How long do solar panels last in Vine Hill?
On average, solar panels can last 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 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.