Solar Panel Cost Guide in Winters, CA (2024 Update)
- Winters Solar Installation Cost: $7,476
- 25-Year Savings: $20,449
- Payback Period: 7.1 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Winters
Find out what the average cost of solar panels are in Winters.
Although the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Winters typically cost around 3.To cover the typical energy usage of the average home in Winters, most homeowners require a 3.1-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs around $7,476, or $10,691 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
Keep in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average Winters homeowner. The price of a solar system for your home may be different depending on factors unique to you, like your household energy use and solar contractor.With average savings of about $33,000 on power bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Winters find going solar can pay off big.
To get a free quote from a vetted solar installation company in Winters, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Winters
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-5,938 |
| 3 years | $-2,863 |
| 5 years | $213 |
| 7 years | $3,289 |
| 9 years | $6,365 |
| 11 years | $9,441 |
| 13 years | $12,516 |
| 15 years | $15,592 |
| 17 years | $18,668 |
| 19 years | $21,744 |
| 21 years | $24,820 |
| 23 years | $27,895 |
| 25 years | $30,971 |
Top Solar Installers in Winters
DIY solar panel installation is a possibility, but it's an undertaking that can use up a lot of your time and energy. Taking advantage of an installer can make swapping over to solar power much easier. Some solar installers, especially local ones, can help you make the most of incentives in Winters, optimizing your ROI.
You can get a free estimate from a local solar installer on the cost of solar panels for your home. Here are some in Winters:
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 Winters
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Winters
Cost is often one of the most important factors for homeowners considering investing in solar. There are a few key factors that will push your cost above or below the average in Winters: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We’ll cover each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the cost of solar panels in Winters, one of the most important 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 determine by looking at past electricity bills. Your total cost can increase by about $3,470 for each additional kilowatt you need.There are several 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. Additionally, the type of equipment you’re looking to install can affect your total cost. If you just need panels, your system will be much less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for solar panels out of pocket is too expensive, solar loans are an affordable route because they decrease your upfront costs and let you pay for your system over five to seven years on average.When considering your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you choose to go with a solar loan. Also, paying more on your down payment can lower the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Finally, the company you opt for to install your solar panels can impact the cost. Winters’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. Companies that 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 cost more. It’s best to do some research and go with the 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 | $36,171 | 7.4 years |
| 8 kW | $3.54 | $19,821 | $48,616 | 7.2 years |
| 10 kW | $3.47 | $24,290 | $61,256 | 7.1 years |
| 12 kW | $3.40 | $28,565 | $74,091 | 7.0 years |
| 14 kW | $3.33 | $32,646 | $87,119 | 6.8 years |
| 16 kW | $3.26 | $36,532 | $100,342 | 6.7 years |
| 18 kW | $3.19 | $40,224 | $113,759 | 6.5 years |
| 20 kW | $3.12 | $43,722 | $127,371 | 6.4 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the model of solar panels and the installer you choose greatly affects your costs and your system’s durability and efficiency, it’s important to pick the right ones for you. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Warranty: If you’re worried about the durability of your solar panels, ensuring your installer offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can help put you at ease.
- Contract: It’s important to read through your solar installer’s contract fully to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about the cost.
- Solar Panel Brands: The model of solar panel you want plays a part in which company you should choose, since different companies provide different panels.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a well-established certification organization for sustainable energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it most likely has a solid reputation and is qualified to do the job well. Another way you can verify 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
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 Winters, CA Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Winters?
The average cost of solar panels in Winters 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 certain factors like the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
What other factors should I consider apart from cost when buying solar panels?
Cost is a very important factor to consider, but whether it’s the most important for you depends on why you decided to go solar. In places where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can trump the cost. Other factors that are important to be mindful of are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
Do solar panels increase how much your home is worth?
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 Winters is currently $598,942, which means you can expect a value of about $24,557 more than houses without a solar system. The exact figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Winters is a fruitful investment.
How long do solar panels last in Winters?
Though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they are completely unusable at that time. What this means is the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can replace them once you've had them for that long or you can continue to use 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.