Solar Panel Cost Guide in Larkfield-Wikiup, CA (2024 Update)
- Larkfield-Wikiup Solar Installation Cost: $7,496
- 25-Year Savings: $20,434
- Payback Period: 7.1 Years
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Updated February 03, 2024
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Larkfield-Wikiup
See how much it might cost to go solar in Larkfield-Wikiup.
In Larkfield-Wikiup, solar panels cost about 3 per watt on average.Using this figure, a typical 3.1-kW system would cost about $7,496 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
Bear in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of Larkfield-Wikiup homeowners. The cost of a solar system for your home may be different depending on factors unique to you, like your household energy use and solar contractor.But, after you've paid the upfront cost of installation, the savings for most homeowners is typically good, with a net average savings of about $32,000 over 20 years on power bills.
To get a free quote from a vetted solar company in Larkfield-Wikiup, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Larkfield-Wikiup
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 Larkfield-Wikiup
Although you can install solar panels on your own, it takes extra energy and expertise. For that reason, the majority of homeowners choose to hire a solar panel installer. Solar companies provide key benefits that can help you get the most out of your investment, like warranties, monitoring and free repairs.
If you’d like to switch to solar energy but still aren’t sure which solar system installer to go with, here are our suggestions for providers in Larkfield-Wikiup:
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 Larkfield-Wikiup
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Larkfield-Wikiup
There are several criteria that can influence your installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that performs the installation.
Solar Equipment
One of the most important factors to consider when it comes to the cost of adopting solar energy is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more energy your household uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay about $3,470 per kilowatt in Larkfield-Wikiup.The brand and kind of equipment you choose 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 can expect a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to greater savings over time. Plus, if you want additional equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for solar panels out of pocket can be a challenge. Solar loans are offered by most installers in Larkfield-Wikiup, which can lower, or in some cases totally eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more affordable.It’s wise to include 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 back the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar installer you choose to handle your switch to green energy can have an effect on your total costs. There are about 3 solar installation companies in Larkfield-Wikiup, and each can charge different amounts for labor and equipment.Larger national companies generally have lower costs, but some local companies compete with them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or add-on services like electric car charger installation, they might be cheaper overall.
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
The company that does your solar panel installation will affect the warranties and brands available to you, 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: A high-quality company rises above other companies by providing the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
- Installation Process: When making the switch to solar energy, it’s necessary to keep an open line of communication with your solar panel company. See to it that you understand how the installation process works and the project timeline.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels depending on their locations and energy needs. While there are many options for which model of solar panel you can get, not every company will have access to the exact one you may want or need, so make sure you ask for their list of offerings before deciding.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a solid reputation as a company and have verifiable expertise in the field. Two ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has good reviews from past customers.
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 Larkfield-Wikiup, CA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Larkfield-Wikiup?
This is a hard question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a variety of 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. It will cost more if you want other solar equipment or more efficient 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 less efficient solar panels.
What other factors should I consider other than cost when buying solar panels?
The upfront 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 areas where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can trump the cost. Other factors that are important to keep in mind are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
How much can I save on power bills after installing solar panels?
It is possible to eradicate your electricity bills with solar panels, but for most homeowners throughout Larkfield-Wikiup, that will require at least a 10-kW system. Not all homes can accommodate that size system, so you’ll want to contact a local solar installer to see how many panels can fit on your roof.
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 goes down 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.