Solar Panel Cost Guide in Williams, CA (2024 Update)
- Williams Solar Installation Cost: $7,483
- 25-Year Savings: $20,444
- Payback Period: 7.1 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Williams
Find out how much it might cost to install solar panels in Williams.
In Williams, solar panels cost about 3 per watt on average.To account for the typical energy needs of the average home in Williams, most homeowners require a 3.1-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs around $7,483, or $10,701 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll pay for solar may vary based on your household energy use, the type of solar panels you choose, your solar contractor and more.With typical savings of about $32,000 on power bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Williams find going solar has a decent ROI.
To see your potential ROI and connect with a local solar company, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Williams
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-5,945 |
| 3 years | $-2,870 |
| 5 years | $206 |
| 7 years | $3,282 |
| 9 years | $6,358 |
| 11 years | $9,434 |
| 13 years | $12,509 |
| 15 years | $15,585 |
| 17 years | $18,661 |
| 19 years | $21,737 |
| 21 years | $24,813 |
| 23 years | $27,888 |
| 25 years | $30,964 |
Top Solar Installers in Williams
Many homeowners opt for a solar panel installer since trying to put up solar panels yourself can be a labor-intensive endeavor. A solar company can also help save you money in the long run by offering warranties, repairs and system component replacements.
Working with a vetted solar installer can help your solar project go smoothly. Here are our recommendations:
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 Williams
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Williams
Cost is often one of the most important factors for homeowners wanting to invest in solar. There are a few key factors that affect your total cost in Williams: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We’ll discuss each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar panel system you need for your home, 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 type of solar panels and equipment you get is another factor that will greatly impact costs. Solar panels that have higher efficiency, like monocrystalline panels, tend to be more costly. Furthermore, solar equipment consists of more than just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to make decisions about the kind of racks used to mount the panels, inverters, solar batteries, etc. It’s important to take all of this into consideration when looking into a solar system that’s in your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for solar out of pocket can be difficult. Solar loans are available from most installers in Williams, which can lower, or in some cases completely eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible.You’ll have to consider the long-term cost of financing options, including the amount of interest you’ll pay over the length of the loan. If you’re only able to get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars above the equipment and labor cost. Making a larger down payment or finding a solar loan with a low APR could reduce your costs significantly.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar company you hire to handle your switch to renewable energy can have an effect on your total costs. There are about 3 solar installation companies operating throughout Williams, 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 with an above-average cost. It’s best to do some research and choose a company that has the products, warranties and services you want and also fit into 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 | $36,123 | 7.4 years |
| 8 kW | $3.54 | $19,821 | $48,553 | 7.2 years |
| 10 kW | $3.47 | $24,290 | $61,177 | 7.1 years |
| 12 kW | $3.40 | $28,565 | $73,995 | 7.0 years |
| 14 kW | $3.33 | $32,646 | $87,008 | 6.8 years |
| 16 kW | $3.26 | $36,532 | $100,215 | 6.7 years |
| 18 kW | $3.19 | $40,224 | $113,616 | 6.5 years |
| 20 kW | $3.12 | $43,722 | $127,211 | 6.4 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the type of solar panels and the installation company you choose greatly impacts your costs and your system’s efficiency, production, and durability, it’s important to pick the right ones for you. Here are some things to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Installation Process: When making the switch to solar power, it’s necessary to maintain an open line of communication with your solar panel installer. Confirm that you understand how the installation process will go and the project timeline.
- Reputation: Companies that have been operating for many years likely have a good reputation. This is important because it ensures that it will not only see your solar installation through, but will also provide adequate aftercare and customer support, such as part repairs and replacements.
- Solar Panel Brands: The model of solar panel you want to install plays a role in which installer you should choose, since different companies have different panels.
- Warranty: A quality company stands out from other companies by providing the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
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 Williams, CA Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Williams?
The average cost of solar panels in Williams is about $17,350 for a 5-kW system and $34,700 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on things like the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Are solar panels free in Williams?
Solar panels aren’t free in Williams, but there are some options that can make getting them more feasible, such as leasing solar panels or getting a solar loan. There may also be local programs or incentives that can further reduce the cost.
Do solar panels increase your home value?
Buying or financing solar panels for your home can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Williams is currently $365,772, which means you could be looking at a value of about $14,997 more than houses without a solar system. The specific figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Williams is a rewarding investment.
How long do solar panels last in Williams?
Even though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they stop working completely at that time. What this means is how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can opt to replace them after having them for that long or you can keep using them at a lower efficiency.
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.