Solar Panel Cost Guide in Santa Clara, UT (2024 Update)
- Santa Clara Solar Installation Cost: $11,097
- 25-Year Savings: $12,564
- Payback Period: 12.8 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Santa Clara
Let’s take a look at the average cost of solar in Santa Clara.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Santa Clara, the typical cost of a solar system is 3 per watt.Using this figure, a typical 4.8-kW system would cost about $11,097 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
Keep in mind that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll pay for solar may look quite different based on your household energy consumption, the type of solar panels you choose, your solar contractor and more.Despite the large initial cost, the average Santa Clara homeowner can save around $17,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years, which is one of the benefits of solar.
To see your potential savings and connect with a local solar installer, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Santa Clara
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-10,101 |
| 3 years | $-8,109 |
| 5 years | $-6,116 |
| 7 years | $-4,124 |
| 9 years | $-2,132 |
| 11 years | $-140 |
| 13 years | $1,853 |
| 15 years | $3,845 |
| 17 years | $5,837 |
| 19 years | $7,829 |
| 21 years | $9,821 |
| 23 years | $11,814 |
| 25 years | $13,806 |
Top Solar Installers in Santa Clara
Trying to put up solar panels yourself can be a time-consuming project, which is why using a solar installation company is a good option for many homeowners. Since solar panels are exposed to the elements every day, warranties and repairs from your solar company can help you get the most out of your investment in solar panels by avoiding potential costs down the line.
You can get a free quote from a local solar installer on how much your investment in solar could cost for your home. Here are some near you:
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
See all of the solar companies in Santa Clara
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Santa Clara
Cost is often one of the most important factors for homeowners who want to invest in solar. There are a few major factors that affect your total cost in Santa Clara: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We’ll discuss each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that determines the overall cost of going solar. That’s why it’s crucial to accurately gauge the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your energy needs.The kind 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. However, more efficient panels could save you more in the long run on your electric bills. Additionally, add-on products, such as solar batteries, can bring your total well above the Santa Clara average.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar installers in Santa Clara have solar loans, which reduce your upfront costs of installing a solar system.Although solar loans make going solar more accessible for Santa Clara homeowners, they can also increase the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate and how long you take to pay off the loan. If you make a larger down payment, though, you can cut back on how much interest you have to pay.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Lastly, the company you hire to install your solar panel system can impact how much it costs. Santa Clara’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to 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 cost more. It’s best to do some research and find a company that offers the products, warranties and services you’re looking for 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 | $3.42 | $14,371 | $12,529 | 13.4 years |
| 8 kW | $3.36 | $18,792 | $17,074 | 13.1 years |
| 10 kW | $3.29 | $23,030 | $21,803 | 12.8 years |
| 12 kW | $3.22 | $27,083 | $26,717 | 12.6 years |
| 14 kW | $3.16 | $30,952 | $31,814 | 12.3 years |
| 16 kW | $3.09 | $34,637 | $37,096 | 12.1 years |
| 18 kW | $3.03 | $38,138 | $42,562 | 11.8 years |
| 20 kW | $2.96 | $41,454 | $48,212 | 11.6 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a lot of companies to choose from in Santa Clara, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Choosing the right company for you can be challenging, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a well-established certification organization for clean energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it likely has a solid reputation and is qualified to install your solar system. Another way you can check your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
- Installation Process: When making the switch to solar power, it’s necessary to keep an open line of communication with your solar panel company. Confirm that you understand how the installation process will go and the project completion timeline.
- Contract: Even though reading through a contract can be tedious, it’s important to do it thoroughly so you can make sure you understand how much the equipment and services will cost and the terms of the warranty.
- Warranty: Companies typically offer different kinds of warranties that provide different kinds of coverage. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
EcoWatch's Santa Clara, UT Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Santa Clara?
The average cost of solar panels in Santa Clara is about $16,450 for a 5-kW system and $32,900 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on stuff such as the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Can you get solar panels for free in Santa Clara?
You can’t get solar panels for free in Santa Clara. However, you may still be able to get 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 installing solar panels impact how much my home is worth?
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 often do you have to replace solar panels?
Even 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 their energy production will have decreased significantly after that point. You can opt to replace them after having 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.