On a solar mission in Riverside

The state of solar in Riverside

Riverside, CA, helps make the Golden State a national leader in solar energy. Thanks to an average of 277 sunny days^*Bestplaces.net, Climate in Riverside, CA (accessed 8/19/2021) each year and having 93% of buildings with solar viability,^*Google, Project Sunroof data explorer (November 2018) Riverside is one of the best places to go solar in the U.S.

How much solar energy does Riverside produce?

Riverside ranks 9th in the country in solar PV production, with 154.17 watts of solar capacity per person. It outpaces big cities such as New Orleans, Portland, and Boston with a total of 50.89 total installed megawatts of PV solar. (A megawatt is one million watts of electricity.)

What are the advantages of going solar in Riverside?

Riverside has high electricity rates through Riverside Public Utilities, the local utility company. The average electricity rate for residential properties exceeds the state’s average rate of 16.08 cents per kilowatt hour by 4.82%.^*Electricity Local, Riverside, CA Electricity Statistics (accessed 8/19/2021)

A kilowatt is 1,000 watts of power. A measure of energy output, a kWh (kilowatt-hour) is a kilowatt producing energy for one hour. The average U.S. household uses just over 900 kWh per month.^*Energy Sage, What is a Kilowatt Hour? (Accessed Sept. 10, 2021).

The right solar system can help you save money by reducing your dependency on the local electric grid. The inclusion of solar panels on your home can also boost your property value, with the national average for such increases running at more than 4%.^*Zillow, “Homes With Solar Panels Sell For 4.1% More” (Accessed Dec. 17, 2021)

In addition, California offers a 100% property tax exclusion on solar PV systems, so you retain the total increase in home value. Thanks to this incentive, Riverside residents don’t owe taxes on the property value increase stemming from the installation of a solar system.^*Wilson Tax Law Group, California-Property Tax: Solar Energy System Exclusion Extended (accessed 8/19/2021)

Investing in a solar system also benefits the environment. The sun’s energy is sustainable because your panels harvest it produce electricity with no air, land, or water waste. Unlike natural gas, oil, and coal, solar energy reduces water consumption and the airborne pollutants like carbon dioxide that contribute to climate change.

How much does solar cost in Riverside?

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

• Angle of the roof

• Quality of the solar panels

• Solar system installer

• Size and shape of roof

• Local weather

• Household 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 Riverside, we found that the average investment to own a 5 kilowatt solar system—ranges from $12,950 to $29,850. Or, in other words, it would cost from $2.59 to $5.97 per watt. And that’s before considering the benefits of any available tax credits or incentives.

At the federal level, all citizens can claim the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) on their income taxes. The ITC gives new solar system owners a 30% tax credit for the cost of a solar system, its installation, and permitting.

Riverside residents can also participate in California solar incentives like the Single-Family Affordable Solar Homes program from GRID Alternatives. It provides incentives to help low- and fixed-income households afford solar systems.

Clients of Riverside Public Utilities can also participate in net metering programs to save on energy expenses. When you install a solar system and generate a surplus of energy, you can feed the excess to the local electrical grid for credits on your monthly electrical bills.

Please note that tax credits and incentives are subject to change. Similarly, the availability of net metering varies by location and is subject to change. Visit dsireusa.org for detailed solar policy information.

What’s the best way to go solar in Riverside?

Selecting the best solar system for your needs is a crucial step when you’re ready to go solar in Riverside. Working with a dependable, experienced solar provider will help you select high-quality solar PV panels that can handle your property’s energy needs.

Before meeting with a solar provider, use a savings calculator to quickly build a custom solar system design for your home. This virtual design will help you estimate how much money you’ll save on electric bills and the amount of power your system will produce.

For more information, check out the state of California’s Solar Consumer Protection Guide and the city of Riverside’s info on financing options for installing solar panels.

Get started now. Request your consultation with a SunPower representative below. We’ll follow up with a quick call to schedule a time. You can also call us directly at 1-385-489-5552.