Solar Panel Cost Guide in Garden Acres, CA (2024 Update)

  • Garden Acres Solar Installation Cost: $7,350
  • 25-Year Savings: $20,457
  • Payback Period: 7.0 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated June 24, 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 Garden Acres

Let’s have a look at the average cost of solar in Garden Acres.

Although the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Garden Acres typically cost around 3.To account for the typical energy usage of the average home in Garden Acres, most homeowners require a 3.0-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs around $7,350, or $10,510 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.

Keep in mind that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll end up paying for solar may vary based on your household energy consumption, the type of solar panels you want, your solar contractor and more.Many homeowners find adopting solar power is a fruitful investment. The average homeowner in Garden Acres can save about $33,000 on their power bills over 20 years.

You can click the button below to get connected with a vetted solar company in Garden Acres for a quote for your home.

Solar savings over time in Garden Acres

YearReturn on Investment
1 years$-5,812
3 years$-2,737
5 years$339
7 years$3,415
9 years$6,491
11 years$9,567
13 years$12,642
15 years$15,718
17 years$18,794
19 years$21,870
21 years$24,946
23 years$28,021
25 years$31,097

Top Solar Installers in Garden Acres

Installing solar panels yourself can be a difficult task, which is why getting a solar installer is a good option for many homeowners. Also, companies with a high reputation that are more expensive upfront could actually save you money in the long term due to their warranties, repair services and expert design.

You can get a free estimate from a local solar installer on how much your investment in solar could cost for your home. Here are some near you:

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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 Garden Acres

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Garden Acres

The cost of installing a solar system in Garden Acres can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is determined by several factors. The most significant one is your system size, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar installer you choose.

Solar Equipment

The size of the solar energy system you need, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most important cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, you can expect your total to increase by nearly $3,470. The brand and type of equipment you get for your solar system can increase or decrease the price quite significantly. If you prefer a brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these are often more expensive 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 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 Garden Acres to be too steep, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, nearly every solar company in the area offers financing options. Solar loans remarkably decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also result in a higher cost over time because of interest.You’ll have to consider the long-term cost of loans, including the amount of interest you’ll pay over the length of the loan. If you’re only able to get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars more than the original cost. Making a larger down payment or securing a solar loan with a low interest rate could reduce your costs considerably.

Solar Panel Installation Company

A final consideration when trying to figure out the cost of solar for your home or business in Garden Acres is the company you hire to install your solar system. As with choosing a company to install new cabinets, for instance, there’s no shortage of solar installers that offer a range of services at different costs.Some companies 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 go with the company that offers the products, warranties and services you want and also is within your budget.

Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size

System sizeCost per system wattSolar system cost25-Year savingsPayback period
6 kW$3.61$15,157$36,8717.3 years
8 kW$3.54$19,821$49,5507.1 years
10 kW$3.47$24,290$62,4247.0 years
12 kW$3.40$28,565$75,4916.9 years
14 kW$3.33$32,646$88,7536.7 years
16 kW$3.26$36,532$102,2106.6 years
18 kW$3.19$40,224$115,8616.4 years
20 kW$3.12$43,722$129,7066.3 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 brands and price points. To help you select the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:

  • Warranty: If you care about the endurance of your solar panel system, checking if your installer offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can give you some peace of mind.
  • Reputation: Solar companies that have great reviews from their customers and that have been operating for many years likely offer good-quality solar panel installation and expertise.
  • Installation Process: Get details from your solar installer about the installation process and what to expect, including when the site survey will be completed and how long it will take.
  • Solar Panel Brands: Different companies will carry various brands and kinds of panels. If you know you want a specific brand, make sure the solar company you’re considering has it.
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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 Garden Acres, CA Solar Cost FAQs

How much does it cost to install solar panels in Garden Acres?

This is a tough question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a variety of factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $17,350 for a 5-kW system and $34,700 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will be more expensive if you want extra solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy consumption. On the other hand, you can spend less if you choose a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.

Should I lease or buy solar panels in Garden Acres?

Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can’t afford to 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?

Solar panels can be a good investment for many homeowners, but they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get a lot of direct sunlight and/or your energy bills are already reasonably low, solar panels might not be for you.

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 decide to replace them once you've had 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.