Solar Panel Cost Guide in Forestville, CA (2024 Update)
- Forestville Solar Installation Cost: $7,496
- 25-Year Savings: $20,434
- Payback Period: 7.1 Years
See cost of a solar system near you:
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Average Cost of Solar Panels in Forestville
We go over average solar pricing in Forestville.
While the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Forestville typically cost about 3.To account for the typical energy needs of the average home in Forestville, most homeowners require a 3.1-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs about $7,496, or $10,719 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
Bear in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of Forestville homeowners. The price of a solar system for your home may look different depending on factors unique to you, like your household energy use and solar contractor.With typical savings of about $32,000 on utility bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Forestville find investing in solar has a decent ROI.
You can click the button below to get connected with a top solar company in Forestville for a quote for your home.
Solar savings over time in Forestville
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-5,958 |
| 3 years | $-2,882 |
| 5 years | $194 |
| 7 years | $3,269 |
| 9 years | $6,345 |
| 11 years | $9,421 |
| 13 years | $12,497 |
| 15 years | $15,573 |
| 17 years | $18,648 |
| 19 years | $21,724 |
| 21 years | $24,800 |
| 23 years | $27,876 |
| 25 years | $30,952 |
Top Solar Installers in Forestville
When switching to solar energy, many homeowners decide to hire a solar company since DIY solar panel installation can be a difficult project. In addition, if you’d like to maximize your investment in solar, going with a solar company can help with that as well. Different providers can offer repairs, expertise on solar panel installation and sometimes even information on local incentives and net metering programs.
Working with a licensed solar installer can help your solar project go smoothly. 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 Forestville
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Forestville
Cost is usually one of the most important factors for homeowners wanting to invest in solar. There are a few major factors that determine your overall cost in Forestville: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We’ll go over 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 going solar. For that reason, it’s a priority to accurately ascertain the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your typical energy use.Some solar panel brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more costly upfront but also tend to offer better efficiency. In a city like Forestville, where sunlight is abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Plus, if you have a small roof or you don’t have a lot of space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be more impactful. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Forestville to be too expensive, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, nearly every solar installer in the area provides access to financing options. Solar loans remarkably decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also result in higher prices over time because of interest.Though solar loans make switching to solar energy more accessible for Forestville homeowners, they can also add to 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 avoid paying as much in interest.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final consideration when trying to evaluate the cost of solar for your home or business in Forestville is the company you get to install your solar panel system. Similar to choosing a company to install new cabinets, for instance, there are plenty of solar installers that provide a range of services at different price points.Additionally, some companies in Forestville know more about local solar incentives and can help you take advantage of additional rebates or tax exemptions. However, they may charge more for walking you through the whole process. Even if they cost more upfront, they could end up saving you more money in the long run.
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 | $36,037 | 7.4 years |
| 8 kW | $3.54 | $19,821 | $48,438 | 7.3 years |
| 10 kW | $3.47 | $24,290 | $61,033 | 7.1 years |
| 12 kW | $3.40 | $28,565 | $73,822 | 7.0 years |
| 14 kW | $3.33 | $32,646 | $86,806 | 6.8 years |
| 16 kW | $3.26 | $36,532 | $99,984 | 6.7 years |
| 18 kW | $3.19 | $40,224 | $113,357 | 6.5 years |
| 20 kW | $3.12 | $43,722 | $126,924 | 6.4 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are many companies available in Forestville, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Picking the right company for you can be tough, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Warranty: Warranties that provide coverage for replacement parts and repairs over a couple decades are the gold standard in the business, and offering that kind of warranty is one mark of a good company.
- Contract: When looking through your solar company’s contract, ask for clarification about any terms you’re not sure of and be sure you understand what happens in scenarios such as a system part breaking or if the company goes out of business.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar panel installer has a good reputation by confirming it has certifications and licenses, checking its number of years in business and reading reviews by past customers and solar experts like EcoWatch.
- Installation Process: An important thing to understand when going solar is the installation process itself. Be sure to align on any details you need to know with your solar company, such as what permits you should secure and what the project timeline is.
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 Forestville, CA Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Forestville?
The average cost of solar panels in Forestville 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 such as the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Is cost the most important consideration when buying solar panels?
Cost is definitely one of the most important factors you should consider when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.
Do solar panels increase the value of your home?
Solar panels can increase the value of your home significantly as long as you buy or finance your panels and don’t go for a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). According to research done by Zillow, the average home value increases by about 4.1% with a solar installation."
How long do solar panels last in Forestville?
On average, solar panels can last 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 larger 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.