-
Los Angeles, CA goes solar with SunPower®
The City of Angels shines bright with solar energy
The state of solar in Los Angeles
Since Los Angeles experiences an average of 284 sunny days annually, the city relies on solar energy to power many of its homes and businesses.*
Despite Tinsel Town’s large solar output, the city still hasn’t reached its full solar potential. According to Google’s Project Sunroof, if 82% of buildings in the city were to install solar panels, the city could generate 15.5 million megawatt hours (MWh) yearly.*
How much solar energy does Los Angeles produce?
According to the Environment America Research & Policy Center, in 2019, Los Angeles had enough solar systems to produce 483.8 MW. That’s enough to power over 134,000 homes and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 280,000 metric tons.*
The city’s largest solar plant is the Eland Solar and Storage facility, which can generate 400 MW and store 1,200 MWh of energy.
- *. LADWP News: Los Angeles is #1 Nationwide in Solar for Third Consecutive Year (July 2020)
What are the advantages of going solar in Los Angeles?
The cost of solar systems in Los Angeles has dropped by 43% over the last five years, making now a great time to go solar.* The money you save by eliminating electricity bills could amount to $53,424 over the next 20 years. By saving that much, you could recuperate the cost of going solar within six years of installing a 5 kW solar system.*
If that’s not enough reason to go solar, bear in mind that solar installations increase property value. Depending on the type of system you install, your property’s value could rise by 4% or more.*
How much does solar cost in Los Angeles?
The cost of a home solar system can vary, even in the same state, due to a range of factors. These include:
-
Solar panel quality
-
Number of solar panels installed
-
Building energy needs
-
Installation and permit costs
-
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 Los Angeles, we found that the cost of owning a 5 kW solar system ranges from $13,550 to $47,800, or in other words, from $2.71 to $9.56 per watt—and that's before considering the benefits of any available tax credits or incentives.*
Here are some incentives that could help you lower the cost of going solar:
-
Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Program: PACE solar financing allows you to get a loan to install solar panels and pay back the loan through property taxes.
-
Property Tax Exemptions: LA residents don’t have to pay property taxes on the value added to their home by a solar installation.
-
Net Energy Metering (LADWP): Los Angeles’ net metering policy ensures that you receive one bill credit per kW for surplus energy that your solar system generates and sends to the grid.
-
Federal Investment Tax Credit: The program entitles you to 26% of the cost of installing photovoltaic solar panels on your home. You can access the refund as a personal income tax credit.
Please note that tax credits and incentives are subject to change. Also, the availability of net metering varies by location and is subject to change. Visit dsireusa.org for detailed solar policy information.
- *. Local Solar Installers 2020/2021, Solar Reviews 2021, Energy Sage 2021, Wood Mackenzie 2020, National Renewable Energy Laboratory 2020
What’s the best way to go solar in Los Angeles?
If you want the best results from switching to solar, work with an experienced solar installation company. A qualified solar contractor can get you the best solar system for your budget and power needs. Also, letting a professional install your solar panels increases your chances of getting a system that stands the test of time.
Before meeting with an installer, it’s worth using a solar savings calculator to quickly build a custom solar system design for your roof with an estimate of how much money you’ll save on electric bills and the amount of power it will produce. And, be sure to read the California Solar Consumer Protection Guide from the state Public Utilities Commission.
Going solar doesn’t have to be a financial burden. Hire a solar contractor that can guide you towards solar incentives that can reduce your solar installation expenses.
Get started now by requesting your consultation with SunPower. We’ll follow up with a quick call to schedule a time. You can also call us directly at (800) 786-7693.
