Solar Panel Cost Guide in Grass Valley, CA (2024 Update)
- Grass Valley Solar Installation Cost: $7,488
- 25-Year Savings: $19,560
- Payback Period: 7.4 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Grass Valley
We go over average solar pricing in Grass Valley.
While the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Grass Valley typically cost about 3.To cover the typical energy usage of the average home in Grass Valley, most homeowners require a 3.1-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs about $7,488, or $10,708 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
The actual price you pay can go above or below the average in Grass Valley depending on several factors, such as the kind of solar panels you choose and the solar contractor you hire.Despite the significant upfront cost, the average Grass Valley homeowner can save about $31,000 on their power bills over 20 years, which is one of the positives of solar.
You can click the button below to get connected with a pre-vetted solar installer in Grass Valley that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
Solar savings over time in Grass Valley
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-5,950 |
| 3 years | $-2,875 |
| 5 years | $201 |
| 7 years | $3,277 |
| 9 years | $6,353 |
| 11 years | $9,429 |
| 13 years | $12,504 |
| 15 years | $15,580 |
| 17 years | $18,656 |
| 19 years | $21,732 |
| 21 years | $24,808 |
| 23 years | $27,883 |
| 25 years | $30,959 |
Top Solar Installers in Grass Valley
Do-it-yourself solar panel installation is a choice some homeowners opt for, but it's an undertaking that can take a lot of hard work. Going with a solar panel installer can make your swap to solar power much easier. In addition, if you’d like to maximize your investment in solar energy, using a solar company 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.
If you’d like to make the switch to solar but still aren’t sure which solar panel installer to go with, here are our recommendations for providers in Grass Valley:
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 Grass Valley
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Grass Valley
The cost of installing a solar system in Grass Valley can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is determined by several factors. The most significant one is the size of the system your household needs, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar installer you choose.
Solar Equipment
The cost of solar panels varies by thousands of dollars due to some different factors. One of the notable factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems that have greater efficiency or power production use better technology and/or more equipment, both of which can increase costs. For each additional kilowatt you need, your cost can go up by about $3,470.The type of solar equipment you choose can increase or decrease your cost by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you opt for the most efficient solar panel brands, you’ll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. On the other hand, more efficient panels could save you more over time on your electric bills. Additionally, add-on products, such as solar batteries, can bump up your total well above the Grass Valley average.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for solar out of pocket can be challenging. Solar loans are offered by most installers in Grass Valley, which can lower, or in some cases completely eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more affordable.It’s wise to factor the interest you’ll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to pay a larger down payment, you can reduce your total costs and how long it’ll take to pay back the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Finally, the company you opt for to install your solar panels can influence your pricing. Grass Valley’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. Additionally, some companies in Grass Valley are more knowledgeable about local solar incentives and can help you take advantage of additional rebates or tax exemptions. Though, they may charge more for that service. 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 | $34,378 | 7.6 years |
| 8 kW | $3.54 | $19,821 | $46,226 | 7.5 years |
| 10 kW | $3.47 | $24,290 | $58,268 | 7.4 years |
| 12 kW | $3.40 | $28,565 | $70,505 | 7.2 years |
| 14 kW | $3.33 | $32,646 | $82,936 | 7.1 years |
| 16 kW | $3.26 | $36,532 | $95,561 | 6.9 years |
| 18 kW | $3.19 | $40,224 | $108,381 | 6.8 years |
| 20 kW | $3.12 | $43,722 | $121,395 | 6.6 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are many companies available in Grass Valley, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Selecting the right company for you can be challenging, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a well-established 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 do the job well. Another way you can look into your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
- Installation Process: Homeowners should understand how exactly the installation process will be carried out, as well as important factors like the completion timeline.
- Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar installers have the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a significant role in the company you opt for.
- Contract: It’s important to look over your solar installer’s contract well to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what you can expect about the installation process.
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 Grass Valley, CA Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Grass Valley?
This is a difficult question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on many factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $17,350 for a 5-kW system and $34,700 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. You can expect to pay more if you want extra solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy usage. Conversely, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
What other factors should I consider aside from cost when buying solar panels?
Cost is a key factor to consider, but whether it’s the most important for you depends on why you decided to go solar. In cities where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can be more important than the cost. Other factors that are important to take into account are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
Do solar panels increase how much your home is worth?
Solar panels can increase the value of your home significantly as long as you buy or finance your panels and don’t opt for a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). According to research done by Zillow, the average home value increases by about 4.1% after installing solar panels."
How long do solar panels last in Grass Valley?
Though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they stop working completely at that time. What this means is how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can replace them after having 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.