Cost of solar in San Francisco, CA
Electricity Consumption in San Francisco
Electricity Consumption by California residents averages 573 kWh per month. It ranks #2 in the nation for savings from installing solar panels on the home.
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Solar power in San Francisco, California
As a resident of San francisco you most likely purchase your power from PG&E.
What solar incentives do PG&E offer in my city?
When your solar system produces more energy than what is being used in your home the excess is sent to the grid and PG&E must credit each kWh at the retail power rate, this program is called net metering. You use your net metering credits to cancel out the cost of energy drawn from the grid at times your solar system couldn't service the electric demand of your home.
What if my solar system exports more energy than my home consumes from the grid?
If you have remaining credit at the end of the month each kWh is still valued at the retail rate and is carried to the next month. At the end of the year if any credit remains each kWh will be valued at the avoided-cost rate (3¢-4¢) per kWh and deposited into your account.
NEM-2 Changes and how it affects my investment?
Since PG&E is an investor owned utility new net metering customers must switch to a time-of-use plan. The worst part of this is that it includes non-bypassable charges of about 2 cents per kWh for energy your draws from the grid.
Luckily these new changes only reduce returns from installing solar by about 10%.
The 30% federal solar tax credit
If you have a taxable income 30% of the cost of installing solar can be claimed as a deduction to federal taxes. This incentive isn't always upfront as it depends on when you do your taxes for the year.
What if my tax liability is less than the cost of my system?
You may elect to receive the full incentive spread out over several tax periods.
Even if you are not convinced about solar we recommend that at the very least you use the solar panel calculator to find out:
- How many solar panels you need to cover your power bill;
- How suitable your house is for solar;
- What incentives your house may be eligible for;
- The cost of solar panel installation in San Francisco and whether you are eligible for zero down solar deals; and
- Your likely payback period and return on investment from installing solar
Estimate your solar savings
The average cost of installing residential solar panels in San Francisco, California in 2018 is $3.63 per watt. The average system size in the US is 6 kilowatts, which means the average price of a solar system in San Francisco, CA is $18,150. (before claiming 30% tax credit and other rebates)
What does the cost of a real solar system look like?
Facts about installing a 4.34kW solar system in San Francisco, CA
This system would offset 100% of your energy usage if your typical monthly bill is $128, however your situation may vary so try our solar calculator to get a result tailored to you.
$10,765
Net cost of system
Cash - after 30% solar tax credit
6 Years 2 Months
Average payback time
6,453
kWh
Annual power production
7¢
/kWh
levilized cost of solar energy
42¢
/kWh
If you don't get solar
The forecast average utility price over the next 25 years
Cash flow graph based on cash purchase of this 4.34kW system
Life-time savings on this system over the next 25 years
$52,801
(Prices shown after repayments of capital)
Solar companies in San Francisco, CA that provide pricing through the Solar-Estimate marketplace
115
Average total cost of solar panel installation in California
| System Size | Cash purchase After 30% solar tax credit |
Financed purchase After 30% solar tax credit |
|---|---|---|
| 3kw | $8,337 | $9,004 |
| 4kw | $10,808 | $11,673 |
| 5kw | $13,125 | $14,175 |
| 6kw | $15,246 | $16,466 |
| 7kw | $17,248 | $18,628 |
| 8kw | $19,096 | $20,624 |
| 9kw | $20,727 | $22,385 |
| 10kw | $22,260 | $24,041 |
Design your own solar panel system for your home
Going solar in California
Check out all of the ways energy providers of California can help you be more energy efficient and save money.
The following programs are available:
| Incentive Name | Eligibility | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit | Federal | Personal Tax Credit |
| City of San Francisco - Solar Energy Incentive Program (rate changes with several factors but we have assumed $0.50 as this is a midpoint) | Local | Rebate Program |
Find your local rebates and incentives
Please keep in mind that the best source of up-to-date information on incentives are the solar installers who specialize in your area.