Solar Panel Cost Guide in Mountain House, CA (2024 Update)
- Mountain House Solar Installation Cost: $7,350
- 25-Year Savings: $31,097
- Payback Period: 7.0 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Mountain House
Find out how much it might cost to go solar in Mountain House.
The average cost of solar panels in Mountain House is 3 per watt.To account for the typical energy needs of the average home in Mountain House, most homeowners require a 3.0-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs about $7,350, or $10,510 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of the cost of solar panels. The actual cost of making the switch to solar can vary based on multiple factors, such as how many panels you need, your energy usage and what installation company you go with.But, after you've paid the initial cost of installation, the return on investment for most homeowners is typically good, with a net average savings of about $33,000 over 20 years on energy bills.
To see your potential ROI and connect with a local solar expert, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Mountain House
| Year | Return 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 Mountain House
Many homeowners opt for a solar installer since trying to install solar panels yourself can be hard. Another benefit of going with a solar company is that they can help you make the most of your investment by bringing down your future costs of repairs and replacements with the help of warranties and informing you of local incentives you can take advantage of.
Working with a vetted solar installer can help you make the most of your investment in solar. Here are our recommendations:
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 Mountain House
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Mountain House
Cost is usually one of the most important factors for homeowners who are considering investing in solar. There are a few major factors that determine your overall cost in Mountain House: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We’ll cover each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that influences the overall cost of going solar. That’s why it’s important to accurately ascertain the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your average energy use.There are several different solar panel brands and the one you choose also affects the cost. In general, the brands that offer higher efficiency tend to also cost more. Additionally, the type of equipment you’re looking to get can affect your total cost. If you only need panels, your system will be much less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for a solar system in cash is out of reach, solar loans are a solid option because they reduce your upfront costs and let you pay for your system over a term of, on average, between five and seven years.It’s wise 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 back the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar installer you opt for to handle your switch to sustainable energy can play a part in your total costs. There are about 3 solar panel companies in Mountain House, and each can charge different amounts for labor and equipment.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 come at a higher cost. It’s best to do some research and decide on 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 | $36,943 | 7.3 years |
| 8 kW | $3.54 | $19,821 | $49,646 | 7.1 years |
| 10 kW | $3.47 | $24,290 | $62,544 | 7.0 years |
| 12 kW | $3.40 | $28,565 | $75,635 | 6.9 years |
| 14 kW | $3.33 | $32,646 | $88,921 | 6.7 years |
| 16 kW | $3.26 | $36,532 | $102,402 | 6.6 years |
| 18 kW | $3.19 | $40,224 | $116,077 | 6.4 years |
| 20 kW | $3.12 | $43,722 | $129,946 | 6.3 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar installer you choose will influence not only your overall costs, but also the kinds of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you can get. When choosing a solar company, there are some important things you should take into account, including:
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels depending on their locations and energy needs. While there are many options for which kind of solar panel you can get, not every company will have access to the exact one you may want or need, so be sure to peruse their list of offerings before deciding.
- Warranty: Warranties that cover replacement parts and repairs over around 25 years are the best you can get in the business, and offering that kind of warranty is one sign of a good company.
- Contract: When looking over your solar installer’s contract, ask for clarification about any terms you’re not sure of and make sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system part breaking or if the company goes out of business.
- Installation Process: Make sure you’re aligned with the installer regarding how the installation process will go and what needs to be done before your solar panel system is installed, such as updating your electrical system or roof.
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 Mountain House, CA Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Mountain House?
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. You can expect to pay more if you want other solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have above-average energy consumption. Conversely, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Mountain House?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can’t afford 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 financial benefits from going solar.
Is making the switch to solar worth it?
Solar panels can be a fruitful investment for lots of homeowners, but they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get a lot of direct sunlight and/or your electricity bills are already fairly 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 the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can replace them after having them for that long or you can keep using 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.