Solar Panel Cost Guide in West Modesto, CA (2024 Update)
- West Modesto Solar Installation Cost: $7,258
- 25-Year Savings: $19,561
- Payback Period: 7.2 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in West Modesto
Here’s how much it might cost to make the switch to solar in West Modesto.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in West Modesto it’s 3 per watt.To account for the typical energy usage of the average home in West Modesto, most homeowners require a 3.0-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs around $7,258, or $10,379 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
The actual price you pay can be higher or lower than the average in West Modesto depending on a variety of factors, such as the model of solar panels you choose and the solar installer you hire.Even with the large initial cost, the average West Modesto homeowner can save about $32,000 on their power bills over 20 years, which is one of the benefits of solar.
To see your potential savings and connect with a local solar expert, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in West Modesto
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-5,904 |
| 3 years | $-3,195 |
| 5 years | $-487 |
| 7 years | $2,221 |
| 9 years | $4,930 |
| 11 years | $7,638 |
| 13 years | $10,346 |
| 15 years | $13,055 |
| 17 years | $15,763 |
| 19 years | $18,471 |
| 21 years | $21,180 |
| 23 years | $23,888 |
| 25 years | $26,596 |
Top Solar Installers in West Modesto
Many homeowners opt for a solar installer since installing solar panels yourself can be a labor-intensive endeavor. Local solar installation companies can also help you maximize your return on investment by walking you through any local incentives you can take advantage of and by offering warranties and repairs.
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 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 West Modesto
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in West Modesto
There are several factors that can determine your solar system installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that installs your solar system.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar energy system you need for your home, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most important cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, your total will most likely increase by nearly $3,470. The type of solar equipment you choose can bring your price up or down 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, more efficient panels could save you more over time on your electric bills. In addition, add-on products, like solar batteries, can bump up your total well above the West Modesto average.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for solar panels out of pocket can be difficult. Solar loans are available from most installers in West Modesto, which can reduce, or in some cases completely eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible.While solar loans make adopting solar energy more accessible for West Modesto homeowners, they can also raise the total you pay for your system due to interest. If you make a larger down payment, though, you can avoid paying as much in interest.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar company you select will impact your total cost to adopt solar energy. Different companies will charge different amounts for the equipment and labor.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 with an above-average cost. It’s best to do some research and decide on the company that has 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 | $3.61 | $15,157 | $35,589 | 7.5 years |
| 8 kW | $3.54 | $19,821 | $47,841 | 7.3 years |
| 10 kW | $3.47 | $24,290 | $60,287 | 7.2 years |
| 12 kW | $3.40 | $28,565 | $72,927 | 7.0 years |
| 14 kW | $3.33 | $32,646 | $85,762 | 6.9 years |
| 16 kW | $3.26 | $36,532 | $98,791 | 6.7 years |
| 18 kW | $3.19 | $40,224 | $112,014 | 6.6 years |
| 20 kW | $3.12 | $43,722 | $125,432 | 6.5 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar company you go with will influence not only your total costs, but also the types of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you have access to. When choosing a solar company, there are several important things you should take into account, including:
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a solid reputation as a company and have verifiable expertise in the field. A couple of ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has good reviews from previous customers.
- Installation Process: An important thing to understand when adopting solar power is the installation process itself. Be sure to clarify any details you should know with your solar installer, such as what permits you should acquire and what the project timeline is.
- Solar Panel Brands: The brand of solar panel you’d like plays a part in which company you should opt for, since different companies have access to different panels.
- Warranty: Companies typically offer different kinds of warranties that cover different things. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
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 West Modesto, CA Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in West Modesto?
This is a hard question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a variety of factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $17,350 for a 5-kW system and $34,700 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will be more expensive if you want other solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy needs. On the flip side, you can spend less if you choose a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Can you get solar panels for free in West Modesto?
You can’t get solar panels for free in West Modesto. However, you may still be able to afford them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you’d prefer to own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.
Is making the switch to solar worth it?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on some different factors like local electricity rates and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.
What solar power system size is right for my home?
The exact number of solar panels you need depends on your household energy needs and the average daily sunlight your roof gets. You can 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 install between 20 and 35 panels to cover 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.