Solar Panel Cost Guide in Danville, CA (2024 Update)
- Danville Solar Installation Cost: $7,395
- 25-Year Savings: $20,513
- Payback Period: 7.0 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Danville
Find out what the average cost of a solar system is in Danville.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Danville it’s 3 per watt.The average Danville homeowner needs a 3.0-kilowatt system, which would cost about $7,395 with the federal tax credit, or $10,575 before the 0 tax credit is applied.
Bear in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average Danville homeowner. The cost of a solar system for your home may be different depending on factors unique to your situation, like your household energy use and solar contractor.Many homeowners find going solar is a fruitful investment. The average homeowner in Danville can save around $33,000 on their energy bills over 20 years.
You can click the button below to get connected with a vetted solar company in Danville for a quote for your home.
Solar savings over time in Danville
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-5,857 |
| 3 years | $-2,781 |
| 5 years | $295 |
| 7 years | $3,371 |
| 9 years | $6,446 |
| 11 years | $9,522 |
| 13 years | $12,598 |
| 15 years | $15,674 |
| 17 years | $18,750 |
| 19 years | $21,825 |
| 21 years | $24,901 |
| 23 years | $27,977 |
| 25 years | $31,053 |
Top Solar Installers in Danville
When switching to solar energy, many homeowners decide to hire a solar company since installing a solar system yourself can be a difficult project. Plus, if you’d like to maximize your investment in solar power, using a solar installer can help with that too. Different providers can offer warranties, expertise on solar panel installation and sometimes even information on local incentives and net metering programs.
Working with a licensed solar installer can help you make the most of your investment in solar. Here are our recommendations:
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
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 Danville
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Danville
For many Danville homeowners, the decision to install a solar energy system rests on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Danville, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are a number of factors that considerably influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that affects the overall cost of going solar. For that reason, it’s important to accurately ascertain the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your energy needs.The brand and kind of equipment you get for your solar system can raise or lower the price quite significantly. If you prefer a brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these often come at a higher price than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you’re opting for high efficiency because you have a small roof or just want maximum energy production, you will be looking at a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to more 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
Most solar companies in Danville offer solar loans, which reduce the initial cost of installing a solar system.However, the interest on solar loans also adds to your all-in costs, so it’s important to consider that as well. You can always reduce the total you pay in interest and in some cases even your APR by putting more money down.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Lastly, the company you get to install your solar panels can play a role in determining your pricing. Danville’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. Larger national companies generally have lower costs, but some local companies keep up with them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or add-on services like electric vehicle charger installation, they might be cheaper overall.
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 | $36,738 | 7.3 years |
| 8 kW | $3.54 | $19,821 | $49,373 | 7.2 years |
| 10 kW | $3.47 | $24,290 | $62,202 | 7.0 years |
| 12 kW | $3.40 | $28,565 | $75,225 | 6.9 years |
| 14 kW | $3.33 | $32,646 | $88,443 | 6.7 years |
| 16 kW | $3.26 | $36,532 | $101,855 | 6.6 years |
| 18 kW | $3.19 | $40,224 | $115,461 | 6.5 years |
| 20 kW | $3.12 | $43,722 | $129,262 | 6.3 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a lot of solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel models and price points. To help you select the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Warranty: An all-inclusive, 25-year warranty can help keep your solar panel system running smoothly and save you money on repairs and maintenance.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a respected certification organization for renewable energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it most likely has a good reputation and is qualified to do the job well. Another way you can research your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
- Contract: When reading through your solar installer’s contract, ask questions about any terms you’re not sure of and be sure you understand what happens in scenarios such as a system component breaking or the company going out of business.
- Solar Panel Brands: Different companies carry various brands and types of panels. If you want a specific brand, make sure the solar installer you’re considering has it.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
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 Danville, CA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Danville?
The average cost of solar panels in Danville 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 stuff like 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 Danville?
You can’t get solar panels for free in Danville. However, you may still be able to install 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?
Installing solar panels on your home can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Danville is currently $1,869,416, which means you can expect a value of about $76,646 more than houses without a solar system. The exact figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Danville is a worthwhile investment.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
On average, the lifespan of solar panels is about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency goes down by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a higher 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.