Solar Panel Cost Guide in Villa Park, CA (2024 Update)

  • Villa Park Solar Installation Cost: $7,006
  • 25-Year Savings: $13,257
  • Payback Period: 9.3 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated February 03, 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 Villa Park

Let’s take a look at the average cost of solar panels in Villa Park.

The average cost of solar panels in Villa Park is 3 per watt.Using this figure, a typical 2.9-kW system would cost about $7,006 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.

Keep in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of Villa Park homeowners. The price of a solar system for your home may be different depending on factors unique to your situation, like your household energy use and solar contractor.But, once you've paid the upfront cost of installation, the ROI for most homeowners is quite good, with a net average savings of about $25,000 over 20 years on electricity bills.

To see your potential ROI and connect with a local solar installer, click the button below.

Solar savings over time in Villa Park

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-5,821
3 years $-3,451
5 years $-1,082
7 years $1,288
9 years $3,657
11 years $6,027
13 years $8,396
15 years $10,766
17 years $13,135
19 years $15,505
21 years $17,874
23 years $20,244
25 years $22,613

Top Solar Installers in Villa Park

DIY solar panel installation is a choice some homeowners opt for, but it's an undertaking that can use up a lot of your time and energy. Using a solar panel installer can make swapping over to solar power much easier. Also, companies with a high reputation that cost more upfront could actually save you money in the long run due to their warranties, repair services and expert design.

If you’d like to make the switch to solar but still aren’t certain which solar panel installer to go with, here are our recommendations for providers near you:

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
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 Villa Park

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Villa Park

Cost is usually one of the most important factors for homeowners who are considering investing in solar. There are a few key factors that will push your cost above or below the average in Villa Park: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We’ll go over each of these briefly below.

Solar Equipment

The size of the solar panel system you need, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most significant cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, you can expect your total to increase by about $3,470. The type of solar equipment you choose can bring your price up or down 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 energy bills. In addition, extra products, such as solar batteries, can bring your total well above the Villa Park average.

Solar Financing Terms

If paying for a solar system in cash is too expensive, solar loans are an affordable route because they cut back your upfront costs and let you pay for your system over a term of, on average, between five and seven years.Even though solar loans make switching to solar energy more accessible for Villa Park homeowners, they can also raise the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate and how long you take to pay off the loan. If you make a larger down payment, though, you can avoid paying as much in interest.

Solar Panel Installation Company

A final consideration when trying to figure out the cost of solar for your home or business in Villa Park is the company you choose to install your PV system. Similar to choosing a company to build a deck or pool, for example, there are plenty of solar installers that offer a range of services at different costs.The company’s size sometimes plays the most significant role in your total costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower prices because of greater resources and bulk pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they generally have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or discount can bring their pricing lower to compete with bigger companies.

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 $23,888 9.7 years
8 kW $3.54 $19,821 $32,239 9.5 years
10 kW $3.47 $24,290 $40,785 9.3 years
12 kW $3.40 $28,565 $49,525 9.1 years
14 kW $3.33 $32,646 $58,459 9.0 years
16 kW $3.26 $36,532 $67,588 8.8 years
18 kW $3.19 $40,224 $76,911 8.6 years
20 kW $3.12 $43,722 $86,428 8.4 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

There are a lot of companies to choose from in Villa Park, 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:

  • 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 cost.
  • Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a respected certification organization for clean energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it likely has a solid reputation and is qualified to install your solar system. Another way you can check your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
  • Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar companies carry the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a considerable role in the company you go with.
  • Warranty: A comprehensive, long-term warranty can help keep your solar panels running smoothly and save you money on part replacement and repairs.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
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 Villa Park, CA Solar Cost FAQs

What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Villa Park?

This is a difficult question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a few different 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 be more expensive if you want other solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy consumption. Conversely, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.

Are solar panels free in Villa Park?

You can’t get solar panels for free in Villa Park. However, you may still be able to afford them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you’d rather own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.

How much can I save on energy bills after switching to solar?

It is possible to eliminate your electricity bills with solar panels, but for most homeowners in Villa Park, that will require at least a 10-kW system. Not all homes can accommodate that size system, so you’ll want to check with a local solar installer to see how many panels can fit on your roof.

How often do you have to replace solar panels?

Although 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 choose to 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.

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