Go solar in the city of the Sundial Bridge

The state of solar in Redding

Redding is the sunniest city in California and the second sunniest city in the U.S. On average, the sun is shining in the city 88% of the time, and nearly 90% of rooftops in Redding are solar viable.^*Google, Project Sunroof data explorer (November 2018). The City of Redding is committed to embracing green energy with an Integrated Resource Plan aimed at procuring 50% of its energy from renewable sources by 2030.

How much solar power does Redding produce?

Of around 44,000 Redding Electric Utility customers, more than 1,300 use solar power.^*Redding Record Searchlight. UPDATE: Redding council approves more expensive solar rates. December 2019. Redding has .5741 kW of solar power installed per capita, equating to roughly 53.16 MW. About 10.2 MW of that capacity is owned by the city itself.

Starting January 2020, every new building in Redding must have a solar installation, so Redding's solar power generation is sure to increase in the future.

What are the advantages of going solar in Redding?

The average electricity rate for residential customers in Redding is 14.27 cents per kWh. This rate is around 7% less than the state average but 20% higher than the national average.^*Electricity Local. Redding, CA Electricity Statistics. May 2021.

Going solar in Redding can amount to $69,000 in savings over 20 years, potentially more with the extensive range of rebates, tax credits, and other incentives available in Redding. In other words, 5 kW system will pay for itself within 6-7 years.^*Energy Sage. Solar Panels in Redding, CA. May 2021. The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) estimates that solar installation costs have decreased by 45% over the past five years in California.^*Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). California Solar. Q4 2020.

There are also significant environmental benefits of going solar. According to Google's Project Sunroof, if all the solar viable rooftops in Redding were utilized, carbon dioxide emissions would be reduced by 238,000 metric tons, the equivalent of taking 50,300 cars off the road for a year.^*Google, Project Sunroof data explorer (November 2018).

How much does solar cost in Redding?

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

• Quality of the solar panels

• Type of roof

• Available unshaded roof space

• Local weather

• Household's energy needs

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 Redding, we found that the cost of buying a 5 kW solar system ranges from $12,900 to $34,100, or in other words, from $2.58 to $6.82 per watt. And that's before considering the benefits of any available tax credits or incentives.

Redding residents have access to various attractive solar incentives to reduce the cost of their projects. The Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) is a 30% credit you can claim against your tax liability when you purchase solar.^*Tax credits subject to change. Please visit the dsireusa.org website for detailed solar policy information.

Other incentives and rebates include the self-generation incentive program (SGIP), solar energy system property tax exclusion, and the single-family affordable solar housing program (SASH).

The net metering policy in Redding also allows you to send the excess electricity your system generates to the city's grid, effectively making you one of the city's power suppliers.^*The availability of net metering varies by location and is subject to change. Visit dsireusa.org for detailed solar policy information. For every unit of power your system produces, you earn a credit, which you can use to offset or even eliminate the cost of the power your home uses at night and in times of low power production.

What is the best way to go solar in Redding?

To ensure you make the transition to solar power as cost-effectively and efficiently as possible, you need to decide what you’d like to achieve with your solar system. Do you want to save on your energy costs or eliminate them? How much would you like to reduce your building's carbon footprint or increase your home's resale value?

Reputable solar providers will help you determine the right system size to meet your goals by considering various factors, including your energy requirements, available roof space and budget. Be sure to ask them about the efficiency and durability of the panels to ensure that your new solar system maximizes savings over the long run.

During your consultation, and before signing a contract, you should receive a system design, monthly electric bill savings estimate, price quote and an overview of available incentives and tax credits.

SunPower is happy to help you get started. Simply request a consultation below to start the process of switching to clean solar energy. Then, we’ll contact you to pick a convenient time for the consultation. You’re also welcome to call us directly at (800) 786-7693.