Solar Panel Cost Guide in East Porterville, CA (2024 Update)

  • East Porterville Solar Installation Cost: $7,187
  • 25-Year Savings: $13,115
  • Payback Period: 9.6 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated February 03, 2024

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We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

Average Cost of Solar Panels in East Porterville

We break down average solar pricing in East Porterville.

The average cost of solar panels in East Porterville is 3 per watt.Because a 3.0-kW system is needed to cover the energy consumption of a typical home in East Porterville, the average price of going solar will be about $7,187 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 0.

The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of how much a solar energy system could cost. The exact cost of making the switch to solar can vary based on a few factors, such as what size system you need, your energy usage and what company you go with.For many homeowners, the upfront cost of solar power is worth paying. On average homeowners in East Porterville see about $24,000 in savings on utility bills over 20 years.

To receive a free quote from a pre-vetted solar installation company in East Porterville, you can click the button below.

Solar savings over time in East Porterville

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-6,002
3 years $-3,633
5 years $-1,263
7 years $1,106
9 years $3,476
11 years $5,845
13 years $8,215
15 years $10,584
17 years $12,954
19 years $15,323
21 years $17,693
23 years $20,062
25 years $22,432

Top Solar Installers in East Porterville

When switching to solar energy, many homeowners opt to hire a solar installer since DIY solar panel installation can be a challenging project. Plus, if you’re not certain what kind of solar panels and equipment you want, a solar expert can help you find the right equipment for you after a site survey and consultation.

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

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.5

  • Great warranty coverage
  • Representatives are experts on local policies
  • Concierge service ensures steady communication
  • Slightly limited service offerings

Best for Leasing

Sunrun

★★★★★
4.0

  • 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 East Porterville

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in East Porterville

Cost is typically 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 East Porterville: 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 affects the overall cost of installing solar panels. For that reason, it’s crucial to accurately assess the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your average energy use.The kind of solar panels and equipment you want is another factor that will substantially influence costs. Solar panels that are more efficient, like monocrystalline panels, tend to cost more. Furthermore, solar equipment goes beyond just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to think 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

Solar panels can save you money on power bills over many years, but they can also be a significant investment. That’s why many East Porterville homeowners opt to finance their solar panel systems to make paying for solar more affordable.It’s a good idea to include the interest you’ll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to put more money down upfront, you can reduce your total costs and how long it’ll take to pay off the loan.

Solar Panel Installation Company

Lastly, the company you hire to install your solar system can affect how much you pay. East Porterville’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. Companies that only sell products with high efficiency and therefore a higher price point — 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 choose a company that offers 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 $22,904 10.0 years
8 kW $3.54 $19,821 $30,927 9.8 years
10 kW $3.47 $24,290 $39,145 9.6 years
12 kW $3.40 $28,565 $47,557 9.4 years
14 kW $3.33 $32,646 $56,163 9.2 years
16 kW $3.26 $36,532 $64,963 9.0 years
18 kW $3.19 $40,224 $73,958 8.8 years
20 kW $3.12 $43,722 $83,147 8.6 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

The company that does your solar system installation will affect the warranties and brands you have access to, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Because choosing a company can be difficult, we have some tips to help you, such as:

  • Contract: Before signing a contract with a solar company, make sure you look it over carefully so you understand the terms. Also, ask questions if you aren’t sure about some of the terms, such as what the warranty covers and what services you can expect from them.
  • Installation Process: When going solar, it’s essential to keep an open line of communication with your solar company. Confirm that you understand how the installation process works and the project completion timeline.
  • 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 most likely has a solid reputation and is qualified to get the job done well. Another way you can verify your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
  • Warranty: An all-inclusive, 25-year warranty can help keep your solar panels running smoothly and save you money on repairs and maintenance.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.5

  • Great warranty coverage
  • Representatives are experts on local policies
  • Concierge service ensures steady communication
  • Slightly limited service offerings

Best for Leasing

Sunrun

★★★★★
4.0

  • Expansive service area
  • Many financing options
  • Some reported issues with customer service
  • Some reported issues with door-to-door sales

EcoWatch's East Porterville, CA Solar Cost FAQs

How much does it cost to install solar panels in East Porterville?

The average cost of solar panels in East Porterville 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.

Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in East Porterville?

Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can’t pay upfront or secure a solar loan, but since you don’t own the system, you don’t have access to many solar incentives. Also your property value won’t increase, so you’ll have less savings over time. If you can afford to buy a solar system upfront, then buying is the better option if you want the most savings from going solar.

Is switching to solar power worth it?

Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on some different factors like local electricity rates and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.

What solar power system size is right for my home?

To figure out what solar panel system size you need, you should find out how much energy your home uses and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can typically produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average house will need 20 to 35 panels.

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.

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