Solar Panel Cost Guide in Wheatland, CA (2025 Update)
- Wheatland Solar Installation Cost: $7,569
- 25-Year Savings: $20,376
- Payback Period: 7.2 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Wheatland
See how much it might cost to go solar in Wheatland.
In Wheatland, solar panels cost about 3 per watt on average.The average solar panel system size in Wheatland is around 3.1 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $7,569 for a solar installation, or $10,824 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
These figures are only averages, and how much solar costs for you may look different based on factors unique to your home and what company you want to go with.Despite the large initial cost, the average Wheatland homeowner can save about $32,000 on their energy bills over 20 years, which is one of the perks of solar.
For a customized quote from a local solar installer that has been pre-vetted by the EcoWatch team, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Wheatland
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-6,031 |
| 3 years | $-2,955 |
| 5 years | $120 |
| 7 years | $3,196 |
| 9 years | $6,272 |
| 11 years | $9,348 |
| 13 years | $12,424 |
| 15 years | $15,499 |
| 17 years | $18,575 |
| 19 years | $21,651 |
| 21 years | $24,727 |
| 23 years | $27,803 |
| 25 years | $30,878 |
Top Solar Installers in Wheatland
When switching to solar energy, many homeowners opt to use a solar installation company since installing a solar system yourself can be a time-consuming project. Some solar installers, particularly local ones, can help you make the most of incentives in Wheatland, thereby optimizing your ROI.
If you're on the hunt for a solar company in Wheatland, we've organized a list of our top suggestions here:
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
See all of the solar companies in Wheatland
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Wheatland
Even though the average cost of a solar system in Wheatland is $7,569, 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
The size of the solar panel system you need, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most significant cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, you can expect your total to increase by about $3,470. The brand and type of equipment you get for your solar system can increase or decrease the price quite significantly. If you prefer a brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these often have a higher price tag than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you’re opting for high efficiency because you have limited roof space or just want maximum energy production, you will be looking at a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to greater savings over time. Plus, if you want extra equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also raise the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for a solar system in cash is too expensive, solar loans are a solid route because they decrease your upfront costs and let you pay for your system over five to seven years on average.Though solar loans make adopting solar energy more accessible for Wheatland homeowners, they can also increase 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 last key cost factor you should keep in mind is the installer you choose. Given the massive popularity of green energy solutions in Wheatland, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from, but each comes at different price points for labor and equipment.Companies that 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 choose a company that has the products, warranties and services you want and also fits 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 | $35,543 | 7.5 years |
| 8 kW | $3.54 | $19,821 | $47,779 | 7.3 years |
| 10 kW | $3.47 | $24,290 | $60,209 | 7.2 years |
| 12 kW | $3.40 | $28,565 | $72,834 | 7.0 years |
| 14 kW | $3.33 | $32,646 | $85,653 | 6.9 years |
| 16 kW | $3.26 | $36,532 | $98,667 | 6.8 years |
| 18 kW | $3.19 | $40,224 | $111,875 | 6.6 years |
| 20 kW | $3.12 | $43,722 | $125,277 | 6.5 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar panel company you opt for will impact not only your total costs, but also the types of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you can get. When choosing a solar company, there are a few important things you should consider, including:
- Solar Panel Brands: The model of solar panel you need to get plays a part in which installer you should go with, since different companies have different panels.
- Warranty: Companies typically offer different kinds of warranties that provide different kinds of coverage. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
- Installation Process: Make sure you’re aligned with the installer regarding how the installation process will go and what you need to do before your solar system is installed, such as repairing your electrical system or roof.
- 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 get the job done well. Another way you can research your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
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
EcoWatch's Wheatland, CA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Wheatland?
The average cost of solar panels in Wheatland 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 such as the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Are solar panels free in Wheatland?
You can’t get solar panels for free in Wheatland. 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.
How will having solar panels impact my home value?
Solar panels can increase your property’s value considerably as long as you buy or finance your panels and don’t choose a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). According to research done by Zillow, the average home value increases by about 4.1% after installing solar panels."
How long do solar panels last in Wheatland?
On average, the lifespan of solar panels is about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency decreases 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.