California Goes Solar with SunPower®
Solar Energy: The clean, Renewable Resource of the Golden State
Solar Panels in California: The Clean, Renewable Resource of the Golden State
With solar panels in California becoming increasingly popular, it’s no surprise the number of sunny days per year ranges between 250 and 290 for most locations in the Golden State, placing California among the top five sunny states. In contrast, the national average is only 210 sunny days per year.
According to Project Sunroof, 91% of the buildings in California are solar-viable, with a total of 11.5 billion square feet of roof space that is fit for solar installation California residents and businesses can take advantage of.
This promising data, coupled with the state’s commitment to reach a 100% zero-carbon energy goal by 2045 and multiple statewide clean energy incentives, makes it easy to understand why California occupies the first place of the Solar States Top 10. Currently, over 8.5 million homes in California rely on solar energy.
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How Much Energy Do Solar Panels Produce in California?
California’s total solar energy production (both photovoltaic and thermal) for 2020 reached close to ~30,000 gigawatt-hours (GWh), or over 15% of the total energy the state has generated. The state has 770 active solar power plants, with an installed capacity approaching 14,000 megawatts.
What are the Benefits of Installing Solar Panels in California?
Installing solar panels in California is a smart investment for homeowners thanks to the state’s abundant sunshine, combined with the state’s high electricity costs of nearly 22-23 cents per kilowatt-hour, makes solar panel installation an attractive option for Californians. Furthermore, following state legislation building code 2019 requires homes built after January 1, 2020, to have a solar photovoltaic system.
California residents who invest in solar panels can expect their home PV system to pay for itself within 5-7 years on average. Over 25 years after installing a home solar system, the average California homeowner may save up to $58,000.
An additional bonus of having a home solar system in California is extra energy independence. Every year, summer heatwaves bring the danger of power outages to the Golden State. A solar system with energy storage will keep working even while the grid is down.
Finally, a home solar system reduces a household’s carbon emissions by about 75-80% on average versus grid electricity. Switching to solar energy and storage systems helps provide resilience during outages; a win-win for both property owners and the planet.
What is the Cost of Solar Panels in California?
The cost of a home solar system in California can vary, even in the same state, due to a range of factors. These include:
Type of installation
Roof type and angle
Quality of the solar panels
Interconnection costs
To help you understand the price of going solar in your area, we've analyzed SunPower price quotes as well as quotes gathered by third-party sources for thousands of homeowners across the country.
When it comes to installing solar panels in California homeowners can expect, that the investment to own a 5 kW solar system ranged from $12,550 to $55,300, or inother words from $2.51 to $11.06 per watt.
Over the last decade, solar installation costs dropped by 70% on average, making home solar system installation a lot more financially viable than in 2010. A California homeowner today can expect to pay around $14,000 on average for a 5 kW home solar system.
Meanwhile, government solar incentives in California spur more and more residents to enjoy a 30% federal tax credit on solar system installation.
Additionally, the state’s Net Energy Metering (NEM) program allows customers to feed any excess energy their solar system generates back to their local utility grid and receive a credit on electric bills. Net Energy Metering (NEM) 3.0 went into effect in 2023, which will impact the value of these electric bill credits.
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What is the Best Way to Start with Solar Panels in California?
To ensure your solar system works effectively, allows you to recoup installation costs, and serves you well over the years, it’s vital to go with a quality system from a reputable solar provider.
Your safest bet is choosing a licensed solar installation company in California with many years of industry experience in your area. A reliable contractor will advise you on available solar incentives and work with you to achieve an individually customized solar plan that suits your property design, energy needs, and budget.
Finally, make sure that your solar provider only installs quality solar panels and other solar system parts from reputable manufacturers. A top-quality solar system will endure for many years and save you a lot of repair and replacement costs.
At SunPower, we want to help you learn about home solar and if it works for you. Get started exploring solar for your home by requesting a consultation with us below.