Soak up the Santa Monica sun with solar energy

The state of solar in Santa Monica

With 281 days of sun each year and a UV index of 6.2, it's not surprising that as of December 2019, 93% of all Santa Monica residents and businesses received some form of clean energy. The City of Santa Monica was also the first municipality in the United States to purchase 100% clean energy, a feat achieved way back in 1999.

How much solar energy does Santa Monica produce?

The City of Santa Monica has been at the forefront of efforts to bring more sustainable energy to California. It was among the first cities to adopt a Sustainable City Plan in 1994 and is a founding member of the California Clean Power Alliance.

In 2016, the city mandated that all new residential and multi-family dwellings be built with rooftop solar, and in 2019, Santa Monica began offering residents 100% clean power via their new electricity provider, Clean Power Alliance. The city currently uses 43,546,700 kWh/year of green power, 89.6% of which is from solar sources.

What are the advantages of going solar in Santa Monica?

Solar panels generate energy whenever they receive exposure to the sun. Solar system owners can use that energy to power their home or business, store it in a solar storage system for later use, or feed it back into the grid for use by others.

The latter process, in which a power company credits solar energy system owners for their excess electricity, is called net metering.^*The availability of net metering varies by location and is subject to change. Your SunPower Dealer can help you determine if you qualify. You can also visit the dsireusa.org website for detailed solar policy information. This credit can offset energy expenses and help a new system pay for itself faster.

Home and business owners who install solar panels can benefit directly from lower electricity bills and less reliance on nonrenewable energy sources. With an on-site battery, you can store your excess energy for use on cloudy days or for keeping your essential appliances running during an outage^*“Essential Appliances” are determined by the homeowner before installation and typically include lights, select appliances, and outlets for devices. The battery storage system should not be relied upon as a power source for critical medical devices..

Because excess solar power can feed into the grid for all customers to use, increased solar power production helps reduce electric rates for everyone. Customers throughout Santa Monica benefit from solar panels, even people who do not currently have solar power in their homes or businesses.

How much does solar cost in Santa Monica?

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

• Household's energy needs

• Roof type

• Angle of the roof

• Shaded roof space

• Local weather

• 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,^*Local Solar Installers 2020/2021, Solar Reviews 2021, Energy Sage 2021, Wood Mackenzie 2020, National Renewable Energy Laboratory 2020 for thousands of homeowners across the country.

In Santa Monica, we found that the cost of purchasing a 5 kW solar system ranges from $14,100 to $40,750, or in other words, from $2.82 to $8.15 per watt. And that's before considering the benefits of any available tax credits or incentives.

Santa Monica residents have a variety of incentives and financing options for installing solar panels at their homes or businesses. Here are a few available incentives:

• The Federal Tax Credit for Solar Photovoltaic Systems^*Tax credits subject to change. SunPower does not warrant, guarantee or otherwise advise its partners or customers about specific tax outcomes. Consult your tax advisor regarding the solar tax credit and how it applies to your specific circumstances. Please visit the dsireusa.org website for detailed solar policy information allows qualified residential solar owners to claim a 30% tax credit for the cost of the solar system from their income taxes.

• The value of your solar system is 100% exempt on your property taxes, and its purchase price is exempt from California's 6% sales tax.

What's the best way to go solar in Santa Monica?

Before installing solar panels it's important to consider the aesthetics of the panels and your goals for energy production. A larger installation will produce more energy, but it also costs more upfront.

When recommending a type of solar system, your solar installer should first look at your current roof to see what it's made of, its angle, and its age. As well as ask about your current utilities, your monthly bills, and can provide financing options.

Because every home in Santa Monica is unique, you'll need a custom crafted solar design to suit your specific roof, energy needs, and lifestyle goals.

To get started making the switch to clean solar energy today, you can schedule a consultation with our solar experts below.

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