Solar Panel Cost Guide in Galt, CA (2024 Update)
- Galt Solar Installation Cost: $7,491
- 25-Year Savings: $18,686
- Payback Period: 7.6 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Galt
Find out what the average cost of solar panels are in Galt.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Galt it’s 3 per watt.Using this figure, a typical 3.1-kW system would cost about $7,491 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll pay for solar will differ based on your household energy needs, the type of equipment you want, your solar contractor and more.Many homeowners find installing solar panels is a fruitful investment. The average homeowner in Galt can save about $30,000 on their power bills over 20 years.
You can click the button below to get connected with a top solar installer in Galt for a quote for your home.
Solar savings over time in Galt
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-5,953 |
| 3 years | $-2,877 |
| 5 years | $198 |
| 7 years | $3,274 |
| 9 years | $6,350 |
| 11 years | $9,426 |
| 13 years | $12,502 |
| 15 years | $15,577 |
| 17 years | $18,653 |
| 19 years | $21,729 |
| 21 years | $24,805 |
| 23 years | $27,881 |
| 25 years | $30,956 |
Top Solar Installers in Galt
Many homeowners choose to hire a solar installation company since trying to put up solar panels by yourself can be time-consuming. Plus, if you’d like to maximize your investment in solar power, going with a solar installer can help with that as well. Different providers can offer repairs, expertise on how to install solar panels and sometimes even information on local incentives, rebates and net metering programs.
There are a number of licensed solar professionals that can help you install your solar panels. Here are our suggestions:
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 Galt
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Galt
The cost of installing a solar system in Galt can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is determined by several factors. The biggest one is the size of the system your household needs, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that affects the overall cost of installing solar panels. Because of that, it’s crucial to accurately ascertain the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your average energy use.The brand and kind of equipment you want for your solar system can raise or lower the price quite significantly. If you prefer a brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these often have a higher price tag than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you’re opting for high efficiency because you have limited roof space or just want maximum energy production, you will be looking at a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to greater savings over time. Plus, if you want add-ons like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Galt to be prohibitively steep, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, almost every solar installer in the area offers financing options. Solar loans drastically decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also lead to paying more over time due to interest.It’s a good idea to add the interest you’ll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to pay a higher down payment, you can reduce your total costs and the amount of time it’ll take to pay off the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar installer you choose will impact your total cost to go solar. Different companies will charge different amounts for the equipment and labor.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 come with an above-average cost. It’s best to do some research and go with the company that has the products, warranties and services you want and also is 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 | $32,664 | 7.9 years |
| 8 kW | $3.54 | $19,821 | $43,940 | 7.8 years |
| 10 kW | $3.47 | $24,290 | $55,411 | 7.6 years |
| 12 kW | $3.40 | $28,565 | $67,076 | 7.5 years |
| 14 kW | $3.33 | $32,646 | $78,936 | 7.3 years |
| 16 kW | $3.26 | $36,532 | $90,989 | 7.2 years |
| 18 kW | $3.19 | $40,224 | $103,237 | 7.0 years |
| 20 kW | $3.12 | $43,722 | $115,680 | 6.9 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your system installation will affect the warranties and brands you have access to, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Because selecting a company can be a challenge, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Warranty: If you’re concerned about the longevity of your solar panels, making sure your installer offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can give you some peace of mind.
- Contract: It’s important to read your solar installer’s contract closely to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what you can expect about your solar system’s energy production.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels depending on their roof configurations and energy needs. Although there are many options for which type of solar panel you can get, not every company will have the exact one you may want or need, so make sure you ask for their list of options before deciding.
- Installation Process: Homeowners should make sure they understand how exactly the installation process will go, as well as important factors like the project timeline.
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 Galt, CA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Galt?
The average cost of solar panels in Galt is about $17,350 for a 5-kW system and $34,700 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on certain factors such as the kind 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 Galt?
Leasing solar panels can be an appealing choice, because it typically comes with low or $0 upfront payments. The drawback is that you won’t be able to save as much. If you lease, you don’t own the system, so you can’t claim any incentives and your home value won’t increase. Buying solar panels is a better option if you want to maximize your savings.
Is making the switch to solar worth it?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on some different factors like the cost of electricity near you and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.
What solar power system size is right for my home?
To figure out how many solar panels 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 household 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.