Solar energy is the California gold that never runs out

The state of solar in Long Beach

With its abundantly sunny climate, it comes as no surprise that Long Beach ranks 28th among over 1,100 cities and unincorporated areas in California for installed solar capacity.^*https://www.ocregister.com/2020/06/09/does-your-city-generate-a-lot-of-solar-energy-rankings-offer-surprises/

Based on data from Google's Project Sunroof, 1.6% of the buildings in Long Beach have solar power, the 15th highest percentage in the nation among cities with a population of over 350,000. However, 84.3% of the city's buildings are solar viable,^*https://porch.com/advice/cities-investing-most-solar-energy and your home is likely among them.

How much solar energy does Long Beach produce?

Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) statistics indicate that solar system installations power 7,859,309 homes in the state, amounting to 22.27% of California's total electricity. The City of Long Beach has been advocating cleaner energy through solar-power technology in its public facilities, such as the Long Beach Convention Center's 5,819-panel photovoltaic (PV) solar system that generates over one million kWh of electricity.

Another innovation is the installation of six solar trees at the Long Beach Airport. Long Beach expects this light-collecting system to create 15,000 kWh of electricity per year, saving the city at least $5,000 a year, and offsetting nearly 500,000 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions over the system's 25-year lifespan; the equivalent of planting three acres of trees.

What are the advantages of going solar in Long Beach?

According to the Long Beach Post, local leaders are currently exploring options to reach 100% clean energy. That's an ambitious goal, considering that only 18% of electricity across the U.S. comes from renewable sources at this time, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Long Beach leaders are considering the Community Choice Aggregation, a model that includes clean energy incentives and allows communities to purchase electricity jointly.

Long Beach may join the Clean Power Alliance (CPA), a coalition of cities in the L.A. and Ventura counties that promote clean energy use. According to CPA reports, cities in the alliance are likely to meet California's goal of 60% clean energy by 2030. In the long run, this will mean a more stable, affordable, and environmentally friendly energy supply for Long Beach, CA, residents.

How much does solar cost in Long Beach?

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

• Household's energy needs

• Type of roof

• Angle of the roof

• Quality of the solar system's panels and parts

• 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,^*Local Solar Installers 2020/2021, Solar Reviews 2021, Energy Sage 2021, Wood Mackenzie 2020, National Renewable Energy Laboratory 2020 for thousands of homeowners across the country.

In Long Beach, we found that the cost of a 5 kW system solar ranges from $14,050 to $22,400, or in other words, from $2.81 to $4.48 per watt. And that's before considering the benefits of any available tax credits or local incentives, including the 30% federal solar Investment Tax Credit.^*Incentives, rebates, and tax credits vary and are subject to change. Consult your tax advisor regarding the solar tax credit and how it applies to your specific circumstances. Your SunPower Dealer can help you determine if you qualify for other local incentives. Please visit the dsireusa.org website for detailed solar policy information.

The cost of solar panels has dropped by 45% in California in the past five years,^*https://www.seia.org/state-solar-policy/california-solar making solar system installation an even more affordable choice for homeowners, business owners, and power farmers.

Combined with California's net energy metering program, these factors make solar energy more appealing than ever for the state's residents. Thanks to the abundance of sunshine across the state, excepting some northern coastal locations, a transition to clean energy fits California like a glove.

What's the best way to go solar in Long Beach?

Do you want to switch to clean energy? Remember that different solar systems can vary greatly in terms of appearance, efficiency, and durability. Your options will largely depend on your solar provider.

Your budget, individual energy needs, and available space will determine the number and size of the solar panels you choose to install. Do you want to receive credits from your electricity provider through net metering?^*The availability of net metering varies by location and is subject to change. You can also visit the dsireusa.org website for detailed solar policy information If so, consider installing as many solar panels as your roof space will allow.

Are you more interested in lowering upfront costs and minimizing the effect on your property's appearance? Choose the highest-efficiency solar panels to maximize energy production with the least possible aesthetic impact.

SunPower offers free solar solution consultations to help you understand what solar can do for your home. During the in-person or online consultation, we'll answer to your questions, provide a custom solar system design and price quote, and review available incentives and tax credits.

Get started now by requesting your consultation below. We'll follow-up with quick call to schedule a time. You're also welcome to call us directly at (800) 786-7693.