Solar Panel Cost Guide in Yreka, CA (2024 Update)
- Yreka Solar Installation Cost: $7,844
- 25-Year Savings: $10,194
- Payback Period: 12.0 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Yreka
Find out what the average cost of solar panel installation is in Yreka.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Yreka it’s 3 per watt.The average Yreka homeowner needs a 3.2-kilowatt system, which would cost about $7,844 with the federal tax credit, or $11,217 before the 0 tax credit is applied.
These figures are only averages, and your own solar costs will vary based on factors unique to your home and what company you go with.With typical savings of about $20,000 on power bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Yreka find investing in solar can be quite rewarding.
You can click the button below to get connected with a top solar company in Yreka for a quote for your home.
Solar savings over time in Yreka
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-7,116 |
| 3 years | $-5,661 |
| 5 years | $-4,207 |
| 7 years | $-2,752 |
| 9 years | $-1,297 |
| 11 years | $158 |
| 13 years | $1,613 |
| 15 years | $3,067 |
| 17 years | $4,522 |
| 19 years | $5,977 |
| 21 years | $7,432 |
| 23 years | $8,887 |
| 25 years | $10,342 |
Top Solar Installers in Yreka
Although it's possible to install solar panels yourself, it takes extra time and knowledge. That's why most people choose to go with a solar panel installer. Plus, if you’d like to maximize your investment in solar, using a solar installer can help with that too. Different providers can offer warranties, expertise on how to install solar panels and sometimes even information on local incentives and net metering programs.
There are a number of licensed solar professionals that can install solar panels for you. 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 Yreka
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Yreka
Although the average cost of a solar system in Yreka is $7,844, your final cost may differ. There are quite a few factors that can have a sizable impact on the cost of a residential solar panel installation. Below are some of the more important things to take into consideration.
Solar Equipment
One of the most significant factors to consider when it comes to the cost of installing solar panels 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 around $3,470 per kilowatt in Yreka.The kind of solar equipment you choose can bring your price up or down by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you choose the most efficient solar panel brands, you’ll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. However, more efficient panels could save you more over time on your power bills. Additionally, extra products, such as solar batteries, can bring your total well above the Yreka average.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Yreka to be prohibitively costly, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, nearly every solar company in the area provides financing options. Solar loans drastically decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also lead to a higher cost over time because of interest.Although solar loans make switching to solar energy more accessible for Yreka homeowners, they can also add to the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate. If you make a larger down payment, though, you can avoid paying as much in interest.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The final key cost factor you should keep in mind is the installer you choose. Given the massive popularity of green energy solutions in Yreka, you’ll have lots of options to choose from, but each comes at different price points for labor and equipment.Companies that 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 find a company that offers the products, warranties and services you’re looking for and also fit into 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 | $15,249 | 12.5 years |
| 8 kW | $3.54 | $19,821 | $20,721 | 12.2 years |
| 10 kW | $3.47 | $24,290 | $26,387 | 12.0 years |
| 12 kW | $3.40 | $28,565 | $32,247 | 11.7 years |
| 14 kW | $3.33 | $32,646 | $38,302 | 11.5 years |
| 16 kW | $3.26 | $36,532 | $44,551 | 11.3 years |
| 18 kW | $3.19 | $40,224 | $50,995 | 11.0 years |
| 20 kW | $3.12 | $43,722 | $57,632 | 10.8 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are many solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel models and price points. To help you select the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Contract: Read the contract terms carefully to make sure you understand the cost breakdown, project timeline incentives and warranties.
- Solar Panel Brands: Different companies offer various brands and kinds of panels. If you know you want a specific brand, make sure the solar installer you’re considering has it.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar system installer has a good reputation by confirming it has certifications and licenses, checking its number of years in business and reading reviews by previous customers and solar experts like EcoWatch.
- Warranty: Companies typically offer different types of warranties that cover different things. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
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 Yreka, CA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Yreka?
The average cost of solar panels in Yreka is about $17,350 for a 5-kW system and $34,700 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on stuff such as the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Yreka?
Leasing solar panels can be an attractive choice, because it commonly comes with low or $0 upfront payments. The drawback is that you won’t be able to save as much. If you lease, you don’t own the system, so you can’t claim any incentives and your home value won’t increase. Buying solar panels is a better option if you want to get the most savings.
Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Yreka?
The majority of states have net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can either be compensated for the extra power your system produces or or receive credits to put toward future energy bills. Currently there are just three states that don’t have any net metering laws: Alabama, Tennessee and South Dakota.
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 stop working completely at that time. What this means is their energy production will have decreased significantly after that point. You can decide to replace them after having them for that long or you can continue to use 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.