Chico, California

Chico, California goes solar with SunPower®

Solar energy lights up Chico, the City of Roses

The state of solar in Chico

With an average of 249 days of sunshine per year,* Chico is one of the sunniest areas in the country and solar power is booming in the city. According to PG&E, the number of households using solar power in Chico has increased 1,500% in the last decade and shows no signs of stopping.*

How much solar energy does Chico produce?

The California Energy Commission reports that Butte County produced 13,165 net MWh of solar energy in 2019 thanks to both solar thermal and solar PV (solar panel systems). Chico was responsible for 12.32% of that energy, producing 1,622 net MWh using solar panels alone.

What are the advantages of going solar in Chico?

Moving to a clean energy source such as solar does a lot to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reliance on fossil fuels.

Home and business owners who adopt solar energy also enjoy reduced electric bills, sometimes even receiving credit back from utility companies, which is applied to future electricity bills. This, plus local and federal incentives, make solar power financially beneficial.

Other advantages of going solar, along with adding a solar battery storage system, include lower reliance on unstable grid energy and better preparation for power outages and blackouts. The 2019 statewide blackouts in California, for example, left 700,000 people without electricity for days.* But those with solar panel systems combined with solar battery storage were able to power their homes regardless of whether the electric grid was running or shut off.

Going solar is not only good for the environment and your wallet, but it can also give you peace of mind during natural disasters and other situations affecting the local power supply.

How much does solar cost in Chico?

The cost of a home solar system can vary, even in the same city, due to a range of factors, including:

  • Quality of the solar system's panels

  • Quality of the solar system's warranty

  • Homeowner's energy needs

  • Angle and type of roof

  • Shaded roof space

  • Local weather

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.

In Chico, we found that the cost of a 5 kW solar system ranges from $15,350 to $23,450, or in other words, from $3.07 to $4.69 per watt. And that's before considering the benefits of any available tax credits or incentives.

There was a time when the initial cost of purchasing solar panels was prohibitive to the average household. But solar panel systems are now at record low prices, reflecting a 70% decrease in cost over the last decade. Lower costs, coupled with numerous incentives, make solar more affordable than ever.*

The federal government offers a 26% solar tax credit* to offset the cost of purchasing solar panels, and Chico residents also benefit from additional state and local incentives, such net metering* and the Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP).

This rebate is open to customers of PG&E, SCE, SCG, or SDG&E. It was established in 2001 by the state of California with a step-down system (each step has a lower rebate). The program is currently in step six, with rebates of up to $200 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) of installed solar battery storage.

These are just a few examples of the incentives that can offset solar costs. Your solar panel installer, accountant, and tax advisor will likely be able to point you to even more savings.

What's the best way to go solar in Chico?

The first step in going solar in Chico is finding a reputable solar panel installer, such as SunPower, to discuss your goals for your desired system. Together, we will go over your energy needs and budget, as well as the amount of roof space you're able to dedicate to solar panels.

We recommend using a local installation team since solar panel systems are subject to city and county regulations. Be sure to work with a company that's up to date on the most current permitting requirements to prevent potential delays or complications with your installation.

Our network of SunPower installers and dealers is experienced in helping people go solar in Chico and we're familiar with local regulations. We'll walk you through every step of the process, from building a customized system specific to your needs through installation and inspection.

SunPower offers free consultations to take the guesswork out of going solar. During the consultation, we'll create a custom system design for your roof, give you a price quote, estimate how much you'll save each month on your electric bill, and walk you through any tax credits and incentives that are available.

Get started now by requesting your consultation below. We'll follow-up with quick call to schedule a time.

Start saving with solar! Schedule your online appointment with SunPower.

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