Oakland, California

Oakland, California goes solar with SunPower®

The sunny side of the bay embraces solar energy

The state of solar in Oakland

California ranks #1 in the nation in terms of solar energy production, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), accounting for nearly half of all solar installations in the United States.* The state has 29,218 MW installed, and 22.27% of the state's power comes from solar, providing 74,255 jobs and boasting a $69,427.17 million investment.*

Homeowners and businesses across the bay are making the switch to solar. Ranked as having the number one climate among all U.S. cities, Oakland has 261 days of sunshine per year, a stark contrast to the nation's average of just 205 sunny days.* The favorable weather conditions, combined with financial incentives, make solar energy a smart move.

How much solar energy does Oakland produce?

Since 2007, Oakland has installed more than 4,000 solar systems and generates upwards of 42,000,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of solar power per year. According to NASA, Oakland gets several peak sun-hours daily throughout the year, ranging from 5.38 to 7.* The city is actively engaged with replacing fossil fuels with clean energy sources like solar.

The Local Clean Energy Alliance has collaborated with organizations across the bay to enable homeowners and businesses to sell any excess energy they produce from solar panels back to the grid. Clearly, going solar is a win-win!

What are the advantages of going solar in Oakland?

One of the biggest motivating factors for going solar is saying goodbye to high utility bills. The average Oakland resident can expect to save an estimated $53,748 in electricity costs over the next 25 years by having solar power.*

In addition to slashing energy costs, you also have the potential to profit from a solar installation. It's estimated that the internal rate of return (IRR) on a solar investment in Oakland is an average of 9.9%.* This figure doesn't include the corresponding increase in home value that is also typical of solar installations.

Depending on the market, solar installations can raise home values from 2.7% to 5.4%.* With the average home price in Oakland currently at $854,000, this could translate to a home value appreciation ranging from $23,000 to upwards of $46,000.*

Of course, there's also the environmental impact. As the issue of climate change becomes increasingly urgent, finding clean energy sources is paramount to preserving the planet. Solar energy is a way for individual homeowners and businesses to positively impact climate change initiatives.

How much does solar cost in Oakland?

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

  • Quality of the solar system's panels and parts

  • Energy needs

  • Angle of the roof

  • Type of roof

  • Shaded roof space

  • Direction of available roof faces

  • 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 Oakland, we found that the cost of a 5 kW solar system ranges from $ 19,500 to $37,700, or in other words, from $2.82 to $7.54 per watt. And that's before considering the benefits of any available tax credits or incentives.

Tax credits and incentives vary by region, and many of them have specific time limits. Congress recently granted an extension on the federal solar tax credit (ITC), raising the credit amount to 30%.

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

Going solar easier than ever before, but it does require expertise. Most people can't go to Home Depot, buy some panels, and attach them to their roof. A lot of design and planning goes into a solar installation project, including taking Oakland's municipal regulations and incentives into account.

Knowledgeable solar installation professionals can walk you through the process step-by-step, ensuring that you have the right clean energy solar solution that will meet your current goals and future plans. They should offer a free consultation where before signing a contract you receive a system design, monthly electric bill savings estimate, price quote, an overview of available incentives and tax credits.

To get started making the switch to clean solar energy today, request a free online consultation below with one of our solar experts.

We'll contact you to schedule a good time. You're also welcome to call us directly at (800) 786-7693.

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

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