Clean energy lights up the night in San Gabriel Valley

The state of solar in Pasadena

Nothing beats a sunny day in Pasadena, and there are plenty of them. Pasadena sees around 286 days of sunshine per year.^*Best Places. Climate in Pasadena. April 2021. The City of Pasadena plans to put its sunny climate to good use and is committed to transitioning to 100% clean energy usage by 2035 and has invested significant resources to achieve that goal.

How much solar energy does Pasadena produce?

Pasadena is a local leader in clean energy solutions, with 26.8% of the city’s power coming from clean energy sources, 9.4% of which is solar. The city operates a not-for-profit utility, the Pasadena Department of Water and Power (PWP), which provides clean energy through the Pasadena Solar Initiative.

As of 2020, PWP had 11.3 MW of installed solar capacity via its net metering program and another 4 MW in process. The utility has numerous solar installations throughout Los Angeles County, including a small .564 MW installation, the Windsor Reservoir Solar Project, in Pasadena, which acts to reduce PWP user’s water bills.

What are the advantages of going solar in Pasadena?

Switching to solar helps to curb carbon emissions in our community and reduce the threat of global climate change. The future of solar particularly impacts residents here in Los Angeles County. We’re in a coastal region projected to experience a 4.5-foot increase in sea level by 2035.^*County of Los Angeles, Safety Element - Sea Level Rise (2021)

Beyond environmental advantages, solar power also has the potential to offer significant electricity cost savings. While electricity rates in Pasadena run close to the state average, they are still over 29% higher than the national average.^*Electricity Local. Pasadena Electricity Rates. April 2021.

A 5 kW solar PV system could offer savings as high as $50,000 over 20 years of use and pay for itself within 6-7 years.^*Energy Sage. Solar Panels in Pasadena, CA. April 2021. You may even be able to reach this break-even point sooner by taking advantage of incentives, rebates, tax credits, and net metering.

Net metering allows you to transfer any excess electricity your solar system produces to PWP for a credit on your bill that can be used to offset any energy usage from the grid. PWP also allows you to cash out your credit if it exceeds $50.^*The availability of net metering varies by location and is subject to change. A SunPower Dealer can help you determine if you qualify. Visit the dsireusa.org for detailed solar policy information.

How much does solar cost in Pasadena?

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

• Local weather

• Roof space

• The angle of your roof

• Your household's energy needs

• Quality of the solar system's panels and parts

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 Installers 2020/2021, Wood Mackenzie 2020, Solar Reviews 2021, Energy Sage 2021, National Renewable Energy Laboratory 2020 In Pasadena, we found that the cost of owning a 5 kW solar system ranges from $12,650 to $38,250, or in other words, from $2.53 to $7.65 per watt. And that's before considering the benefits of any available tax credits or incentives.

You may be able to take advantage of the investment tax credit (ITC), which allows you to claim 30% of your installation costs on your federal taxes.^*Tax credits subject to change. Consult your tax advisor regarding the solar tax credit and how it applies to your specific circumstances. Visit dsireusa.org for detailed solar policy information. Additionally, if you purchased your solar system rather than leased, PWP offers a renewable energy premium as part of their net metering program. On top of the credit for your excess electricity, you could receive a 2.5 to 9.1 cent per kWh premium.

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

The first step in switching to solar is finding the right solar system for your property, and the best way to do that is to contact an experienced solar provider. Durability, energy efficiency, and overall quality vary from system to system and even from provider to provider.

A reputable solar company will help you make the transition to clean energy via in-person or online consultations. During your consultation, you should receive a custom system design, monthly electricity savings estimate, price quote, and an overview of available local incentives and tax credits.

Get started today by requesting a consultation below. Our team will follow up with a quick call to schedule a time. You can also call us directly at (800) 786-7693.