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The state of solar in Chula Vista

The City of Chula Vista ranked 22nd in the U.S. on the American Council for Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) City Clean Energy Scorecard in 2020, where it scored especially well for its green energy solutions. The city gets an impressive 261 sunny days per year on average,^*Best Places, Climate in Chula Vista, CA and 97% of its rooftops solar viable.^*Google, Project Sunroof data explorer (November 2018).

How much solar energy does Chula Vista produce?

San Diego County reached its target of having 52,273 homes with solar PV by 2020, with 48,547 currently producing 245.648 MW per year. Chula Vista City has upwards of 64 MW of solar power online. Municipal facilities alone produce over 3,800 kW.

What are the advantages of going solar in Chula Vista?

The most significant benefit of solar installation is the potential for reduced energy costs. The residential electricity rate in Chula Vista is about 6.5% higher than the state average and more than 37% higher than the national average.^*Electricity Local. Chula Vista Electricity Rates. April 2021.

As a result, the average solar system in Chula Vista can pay for itself within 4 to 5 years and offer over $60,000 in energy savings in the first 25 years.^*EnergySage, Solar Panels in Chula Vista, CA, March 2021 Chula Vista and the state of California, and even the federal government, also offer incentives to help reduce installation costs, allowing homeowners to reach that break-even point even earlier.

Other advantages of going solar in Chula Vista include increasing your home's resale value and reducing your household's carbon footprint.

How much does solar cost in Chula Vista?

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

• Available roof space

• Local weather

• Quality of the solar system

• Local HOA

• Household's energy needs

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.^*Local Solar Installers 2020/2021, Solar Reviews 2021, Energy Sage 2021, Wood Mackenzie 2020, National Renewable Energy Laboratory 2020 In Chula Vista, we found that the cost of owning a 5 kW solar system ranges from $13,600 to $48,150, or in other words, from $2.72 to $9.63 per watt. And that's before considering the benefits of any available tax credits or incentives.

Chula Vista is the first city in San Diego county to introduce a property assessed clean energy (PACE) program. With the new Clean Energy Chula Vista program, you can finance system upgrades and retrofits via property taxes without paying any upfront costs. Plus, financing upgrades through this program won't affect your possible eligibility for the federal solar tax credit.^*Tax credits subject to change. SunPower does not warrant, guarantee or otherwise advise its partners or customers about specific tax outcomes. Consult your tax advisor regarding the solar tax credit and how it applies to your specific circumstances. Please visit the dsireusa.org website for detailed solar policy information.

Customers of SDG&E, Chula Vista's primary energy utility, who opt for battery storage can also take advantage of the Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP) offered by the state.^*Local incentives and rebates vary and are subject to change. SunPower does not warrant, guarantee or otherwise advise its customers about their ability to qualify for local incentives. Your SunPower Dealer can help you determine incentives available in your area. You can also visit the dsireusa.org website for detailed solar policy information. The SGIP program works on a step-down system, meaning rebates decrease with each step. The Center for Sustainable Energy (CSE), SDG&E's program administrator, is currently in step six, with rebates of up to $200 per kWh of installed solar battery storage.^*Incentive rate: Center for Sustainable Energy. SGIP Incentives. April 2021. Current step rate for CSE: State of California and the Self-Generation Incentive Program. Self-Generation Incentive Program Program Metrics. April 2021.

Net metering is another way to reduce your electricity costs. This billing agreement allows customers to feed excess energy produced by their solar systems into the grid in exchange for a credit.^*The availability of net metering varies by location and is subject to change. Your SunPower Dealer can help you determine if you qualify. You can also visit the dsireusa.org website for detailed solar policy information.

These credits can be used to offset energy drawn from the grid at night or during periods of lower production. However, SDG&E does stipulate that you may not build a bigger system than your home requires to generate additional credits.^*The availability of net metering varies by location and is subject to change. Your SunPower Dealer can help you determine if you qualify. You can also visit the dsireusa.org website for detailed solar policy information.

Through the federal solar tax credit, you can claim a credit equal to 30% of your installation and equipment costs, as well.^*Tax credits subject to change. SunPower does not warrant, guarantee, or otherwise advise its partners or customers about specific tax outcomes. Consult your tax advisor regarding the solar tax credit and how it applies to your specific circumstances. Please visit the dsireusa.org website for detailed solar policy information.

What's the best way to go solar in Chula Vista?

The first step in going solar is determining the system size you need, solar installation costs, and your eligibility for financing or rebates. The system capacity you'll need depends on various factors, including your budget, available roof space, and your energy requirements.

Reputable solar providers take the guesswork out of solar installation projects with in-person or online consultations, energy assessments, and the supply and installation of efficient, durable systems. During these consultations, you should receive a custom system design for your roof, price quote, breakdown of potential energy cost savings, and review of any tax credits and incentives available to you.

To get started making the switch to clean energy in Chula Vista today, schedule a free consultation below with one of our solar experts.