Solar energy lights up the Salad Bowl of the World

The state of solar in Salinas

Salinas's mild climate and sunny skies make it an ideal place to call home, especially for those in the agricultural industry. With an average of 259 days of sunshine per year, the city sees almost two months more sun than the national average.^*BestPlaces. “Salinas, California.” April 2021. That also makes Salinas the perfect location for a home or commercial solar system to generate electricity.

How much solar energy does Salinas produce?

Monterey County has 140.1 MW of installed solar PV power, putting it in the top half of California counties for solar energy production.

Salinas has long been pushing to increase that capacity, installing six solar arrays on municipal properties since 2013, including a 1 MW system atop the Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital, a 2 MW system atop the Department of Corrections, and 3.5 MW systems at the Industrial Wastewater Treatment Plant, the Municipal Airport, and Sherwood Hall. These systems saved the city a combined $1 million in the first year alone.

The city is also home to the county’s largest privately-owned solar project run by the agricultural company D’Arrigo California. The Salinas ranch boosts 4.4 MW of installed solar power.

What are the advantages of going solar in Salinas?

It's no secret that going solar provides tremendous benefits to the environment, which is something many Californians care passionately about. However, utilizing solar energy with backup storage comes with a host of other benefits as well, such as:

• Lowering your electric bill

• Protecting against power outages (like those caused by summer wildfires)

• Raising your property's value

• Offsetting California's rising energy costs

• Providing off-grid capability

Salinas' sunny weather gives home and business property owners a distinct advantage over people who live in rainier climates when it comes to solar power. Solar is a wise investment for those who want to reduce their carbon footprint while saving money in the long run.

How much does solar cost in Salinas?

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

• Size and complexity of the system

• Brand of equipment used

• Type of materials used

• Mounting location (sloped or flat roof versus the ground, for example)

• Quality of the solar panels

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 Salinas, we found that the cost of owning a 5 kW solar system ranges from $14,550 to $37,650, or in other words, from $2.91to $7.53 per watt. And that's before considering the benefits of any available tax credits or incentives.

You might also qualify for the Federal Tax Credit, which offers a credit of up to 30% of your solar panel system installation cost.^*Tax credits subject to change. Visit dsireusa.org for detailed solar policy information. Salinas residents can also take advantage of California's net metering program, which allows solar system owners to feed excess energy produced by their system into the city's power grid in return for a credit on their electricity bill.^*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 Salinas?

The first and most important step in going solar in Salinas is doing your research. Having a good idea of your needs, budget, and the type of panels you prefer is crucial.

For example, if you're trying to cut costs, you can choose lower-quality solar panels. However, doing so will also reduce your system’s efficiency, so you might want to consider saving money by starting with a smaller setup instead.

In addition to your budget, you'll have to consider things like the amount of available roof space you have as well as factors like the system's appearance if aesthetics are important to you.

The right solar panel provider will be able to assess your needs and location to recommend the solution that makes the most sense for what you're trying to accomplish. They'll also be familiar with your local area and be able to guard against common weather events and earthquakes.

You can get started today by requesting a free consultation with SunPower below. We'll contact you ASAP to schedule a good time for the consultation. You can also call us directly at 1-385-489-5552.