Solar Panel Cost Guide in Laguna Hills, CA (2024 Update)
- Laguna Hills Solar Installation Cost: $7,006
- 25-Year Savings: $15,393
- Payback Period: 8.4 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Laguna Hills
Find out what the average cost of solar panel installation is in Laguna Hills.
In Laguna Hills, solar panels cost about 3 per watt on average.To account for the typical energy needs of the average home in Laguna Hills, most homeowners require a 2.9-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs around $7,006, or $10,019 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
Keep in mind that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll pay for solar may look quite different based on your household energy consumption, the type of equipment you want, your solar contractor and more.With average savings of about $28,000 on power bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Laguna Hills find investing in solar has a decent ROI.
Click the button below to get connected to a highly rated solar installer in your area for a personalized estimate.
Solar savings over time in Laguna Hills
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-5,465 |
| 3 years | $-2,384 |
| 5 years | $697 |
| 7 years | $3,778 |
| 9 years | $6,859 |
| 11 years | $9,940 |
| 13 years | $13,021 |
| 15 years | $16,102 |
| 17 years | $19,183 |
| 19 years | $22,264 |
| 21 years | $25,345 |
| 23 years | $28,426 |
| 25 years | $31,507 |
Top Solar Installers in Laguna Hills
Many homeowners opt for a solar panel installer since figuring out how to install solar panels on your own can be a lot of work. The payback period on an investment in solar panels will vary based on factors like your location and energy usage, but working with a solar company can shorten it. Your provider will be able to help you identify incentives available in your area.
You can work with a local solar installer to get a free quote on how much your investment in solar could cost for your home. Here are some in Laguna Hills:
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 Laguna Hills
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Laguna Hills
For many Laguna Hills homeowners, the decision to install a solar energy system comes down to cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Laguna Hills, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are various factors that significantly influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that affects the overall cost of going solar. That’s why it’s crucial to accurately ascertain the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your average energy use.Some solar panel brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — cost more upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like Laguna Hills, where sunlight is abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Plus, if you have a small roof or limited 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 Laguna Hills to be too steep, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, nearly every solar installer in the area provides access to financing options. Solar loans greatly decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also lead to paying more over time due to interest.Although solar loans make switching to solar energy more accessible for Laguna Hills homeowners, they can also increase the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate. If you put down a larger down payment, though, you can avoid paying as much in interest.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final consideration when trying to estimate the cost of solar for your home or business in Laguna Hills is the company you hire to install your solar panel system. Similar to choosing a company to renovate your kitchen, for instance, you’ll have no shortage of solar installers that provide a range of services for different budgets.Additionally, some companies in Laguna Hills have more knowledge about local solar incentives and can help you learn about additional rebates or tax exemptions. Though, they may charge more for walking you through the whole process. Even if they cost more upfront, they could help you save 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 | $28,330 | 8.7 years |
| 8 kW | $3.54 | $19,821 | $38,162 | 8.5 years |
| 10 kW | $3.47 | $24,290 | $48,189 | 8.4 years |
| 12 kW | $3.40 | $28,565 | $58,410 | 8.2 years |
| 14 kW | $3.33 | $32,646 | $68,825 | 8.0 years |
| 16 kW | $3.26 | $36,532 | $79,434 | 7.9 years |
| 18 kW | $3.19 | $40,224 | $90,238 | 7.7 years |
| 20 kW | $3.12 | $43,722 | $101,236 | 7.5 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar installer you choose will affect not only your total costs, but also the kinds of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you have access to. When choosing a solar company, there are several important things you should keep in mind, including:
- Installation Process: Homeowners should understand how exactly the installation process will be carried out, as well as important factors like the project completion timeline.
- Warranty: Warranties that provide coverage for panel repairs and maintenance over around 25 years are the gold standard in the business, and offering that kind of warranty is one sign of a quality company.
- Solar Panel Brands: Different companies will offer various brands and models of panels. If you prefer a specific brand, make sure the solar company you’re considering has it.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar system installer has a good reputation by verifying it has certifications and licenses, checking its number of years in business and reading reviews by previous customers and solar experts like the EcoWatch team.
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 Laguna Hills, CA Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Laguna Hills?
The average cost of solar panels in Laguna Hills 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 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 Laguna Hills?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you are unable to pay upfront or get a solar loan, but since you don’t own the system, you don’t have access to many solar incentives. Also your home 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 bang for your buck from going solar.
How will having solar panels impact my home value?
Installing solar panels on your home can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Laguna Hills is currently $1,070,383, which means you could be looking at a value of about $43,886 more than houses without a solar system. The specific figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Laguna Hills is a worthwhile investment.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
On average, solar panels can last about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency decreases by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a higher amount 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.