Solar Panel Cost Guide in Weaverville, CA (2024 Update)
- Weaverville Solar Installation Cost: $7,756
- 25-Year Savings: $20,174
- Payback Period: 7.4 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Weaverville
Let’s take a look at the average cost of solar panels in Weaverville.
While the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Weaverville typically cost around 3.The average Weaverville homeowner needs a 3.2-kilowatt system, which would cost about $7,756 with the federal tax credit, or $11,091 before the 0 tax credit is applied.
These figures are only estimates, and your own solar costs may vary based on your energy needs and what company you go with.Despite the significant upfront cost, the average Weaverville homeowner can save about $33,000 on their power bills over 20 years, which is one of the perks of solar.
For a free quote from a local solar company that has been pre-vetted by the EcoWatch team, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Weaverville
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-6,344 |
| 3 years | $-3,519 |
| 5 years | $-694 |
| 7 years | $2,131 |
| 9 years | $4,956 |
| 11 years | $7,781 |
| 13 years | $10,606 |
| 15 years | $13,431 |
| 17 years | $16,256 |
| 19 years | $19,081 |
| 21 years | $21,906 |
| 23 years | $24,731 |
| 25 years | $27,556 |
Top Solar Installers in Weaverville
Although it's possible to install solar panels yourself, it requires extra time and expertise. For that reason, almost all homeowners choose to go with a solar panel installer. Another perk of utilizing a solar installer is that they can help you make the most of your investment by lowering your future costs of repairs and replacements with the help of warranties and informing you of local incentives you can take advantage of.
There are a number of licensed solar professionals that can help you install your solar system. Here are our suggestions:
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
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
See all of the solar companies in Weaverville
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Weaverville
For many Weaverville homeowners, the decision to adopt solar energy depends on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Weaverville, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are several factors that significantly influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
One of the most important factors to consider when it comes to the cost of going solar is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more electricity your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend around $3,470 per kilowatt in Weaverville.Some solar panel brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more expensive upfront but also tend to offer better efficiency. In a city like Weaverville, where sunlight is abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Also, if you have a small roof or limited space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be a better option. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar installers in Weaverville offer solar loans, which reduce your upfront costs of installing solar.Even though solar loans make adopting solar energy more accessible for Weaverville 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
The solar panel installation company you choose will affect your total cost to go solar. Different companies will charge different amounts for the equipment and labor.Larger national companies generally have lower costs, but some local companies keep up with them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have access to specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or add-on services like electric vehicle 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 | $34,215 | 7.7 years |
| 8 kW | $3.54 | $19,821 | $46,009 | 7.5 years |
| 10 kW | $3.47 | $24,290 | $57,997 | 7.4 years |
| 12 kW | $3.40 | $28,565 | $70,179 | 7.2 years |
| 14 kW | $3.33 | $32,646 | $82,555 | 7.1 years |
| 16 kW | $3.26 | $36,532 | $95,126 | 6.9 years |
| 18 kW | $3.19 | $40,224 | $107,892 | 6.8 years |
| 20 kW | $3.12 | $43,722 | $120,851 | 6.6 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a lot of solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel models and price points. To help you find the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Contract: Though reading through a contract can be tedious, it’s important to do it fully so you can make sure you understand how much the equipment and services will cost and how part repairs and replacements will be handled.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels based on their locations and how much efficiency they need. While there are many options for which brand 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 peruse their list of offerings before deciding.
- Warranty: If you’re concerned about the durability of your solar panel system, making sure your company offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can help put you at ease.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a good reputation as a company and have proven expertise in the field. A couple of ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians that hold a certification from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has satisfied reviews from past customers.
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
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
EcoWatch's Weaverville, CA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Weaverville?
This is a difficult question to answer exactly, 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. It will be more expensive if you want additional solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy consumption. Conversely, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Weaverville?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can’t pay upfront or secure a solar loan, but since you don’t own the system, you can’t take advantage of many solar incentives. Also your property 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.
Do solar panels increase your home value?
Solar panels can increase your property’s value significantly as long as you buy or finance your panels and don’t go 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 a solar system."
How many solar panels should I get to power my home?
The exact number of solar panels you need depends on your household energy needs and how much sunlight your roof gets. You can take a look at your energy bills for the past year to get an idea of the solar system size you'll need. The average household has to get between 20 and 35 panels to cover their typical energy usage.
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.