Solar energy beats back the Folsom blues with sunshine-filled skies

The state of solar in Folsom

With 267 days of sunshine per year,^*Best Places. Climate in Folsom, California. April 2021. 96% of the rooftops in Folsom are solar viable.^*Google, Project Sunroof data explorer (November 2018). While the City of Folsom seems to be letting the copious sunshine stand as its sole solar incentive at present and hasn’t set any ambitious clean energy goals, California has taken great steps to remove barriers to solar adaption throughout the state and now ranks first in the U.S. for total installed solar capacity.^*Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). California Solar. Q4 2020.

How much solar energy does Folsom produce?

Sacramento County has 139.7 MW of installed solar capacity. As home to one of the largest corporate photovoltaic systems in California, Folsom offers a worthy contribution to that total. Intel’s Folsom campus features three solar arrays with a total capacity of 8.7 MW.

The installation produces enough clean energy to power over 1,000 homes for an entire year. The city also has roughly 1,900 smaller solar installations with room for 21,700 more.^*Google, Project Sunroof data explorer (November 2018).

What are the advantages of going solar in Folsom?

While Folsom enjoys lower electricity rates than most cities in California, electricity costs are still often 4% higher than the national average.^*Electricity Local. Folsom Electricity Rates. April 2021. Offsetting high electricity costs is one of the biggest benefits of going solar.

While installation does come with upfront costs, a 5 kW solar system in Folsom can offer electricity cost savings of upwards of $25,000 over 20 years and may pay for itself within 10 to 11 years.^*Energy Sage. Solar Panels in Folsom, CA. April 2021. Thanks to the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) net metering policy,^*The availability of net metering varies by location and is subject to change. Visit dsireusa.org for detailed solar policy information. you can also send any excess energy your system produces to the grid in exchange for a credit that you can use to cover any electricity usage from the grid in times of low production.

In addition to the financial advantages of going solar, it can offer environmental benefits. Solar power is carbon neutral, can help improve the air quality in your community, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

How much does solar cost in Folsom?

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

• Angle of the roof

• Household’s energy needs

• Weather

• Roof space

• Quality of the solar panels

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 Folsom, we found that the cost of purchasing a 5 kW solar system ranges from $13,550 to $21,000, or in other words, from $2.71 to $4.20 per watt. And that's before considering the benefits of any available tax credits or incentives.

Plus, you may be eligible for the 30% Federal Investment Tax Credit as well as the SMUD $300 residential solar rebate.^*Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD). Solar for your home. April 2021.

What’s the best way to go solar in Folsom?

To choose the best solar system for your home, you need to consider your energy needs, the size and shape of your roof, your budget, aesthetic preferences, and more. You’ll also need to decide whether you want a grid-tied system, battery storage, or both.

A reputable solar provider can help guide you through exploring these considerations and provide you with a price quote, custom solar system design, breakdown of your potential energy cost savings, and review any available tax credits and incentives.

SunPower is happy to help get you started. Simply request a free consultation below, and we’ll contact you to schedule a convenient time to meet online or in-person. You can also call us directly at (800) 786-7693.