Solar panel cost Riverside: Prices & data 2021
Updated: January 6, 2021As of Jan 2021, the average cost of solar panels in Riverside is $2.45 per watt making a typical 6000 watt (6 kW) solar system $10,867 after claiming the 26% federal solar tax credit now available.
This is lower than the average price of residential solar power systems across the United States which is currently $2.80 per watt.
Installed Riverside solar system cost by:
Solar panel installation cost in Riverside
The size of a solar panel system also plays a role in how much the installation will cost.
Larger solar installations will typically have a lower cost per watt, because the panels can be purchased at a ‘bulk price’. However, these larger solar systems will still have a higher total cost, because they are made up of more individual panels.
Table 2: Average cost of residential solar systems by system size
| System size* | Avg cost per watt |
Avg system cost
(After tax credit) show before tax |
|---|---|---|
| 4kW | $2.70 | $8,002 |
| 5kW | $2.59 | $9,572 |
| 6kW | $2.45 | $10,867 |
| 7kW | $2.43 | $12,563 |
| 8kW | $2.45 | $14,522 |
| 9kW | $2.37 | $15,765 |
| 10kW | $2.35 | $17,353 |
Riverside solar cost and savings calculator
Best unit price
$320.00 ($0.96 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 5.0kW system
$12,034.20
($2.39 p/w)
LG335N1K-V5 overview
Rated power
335 watts
Efficiency
19.6
Number of Cells
60
Cell type
Monocrystalline/N-type
Manufactured
KR
Best unit price
$562.50 ($1.50 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 4.9kW system
$11,465.06
($2.35 p/w)
LG375A1C-V5 overview
Rated power
375 watts
Efficiency
21.7
Number of Cells
60
Cell type
Monocrystalline/N-type
Manufactured
KR
Best unit price
$430.00 ($1.15 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 4.9kW system
$12,220.98
($2.51 p/w)
LG375Q1C-V5 overview
Rated power
375 watts
Efficiency
21.7
Number of Cells
60
Cell type
Monocrystalline/N-type
Manufactured
KR
Best unit price
$473.34 ($1.30 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 5.1kW system
$12,515.90
($2.45 p/w)
LG365Q1K-V5 overview
Rated power
365 watts
Efficiency
21.1
Number of Cells
60
Cell type
Monocrystalline/N-type
Manufactured
KR
Best unit price
$291.18 ($0.88 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 5.0kW system
$11,571.14
($2.34 p/w)
VBH330RA03K overview
Rated power
330 watts
Efficiency
19.7
Number of Cells
96
Cell type
Mono-crystalline Silicon
Manufactured
US
Best unit price
$340.00 ($1.00 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 5.1kW system
$14,280.00
($2.80 p/w)
VBHN340SA17 HIT+ overview
Rated power
340 watts
Efficiency
20.3
Number of Cells
96
Cell type
Monocrystalline/N-type
Manufactured
US
Best unit price
$432.00 ($1.31 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 5.0kW system
$11,758.47
($2.38 p/w)
VBHN330SA17E overview
Rated power
330 watts
Efficiency
19.7
Number of Cells
96
Cell type
monocrystalline
Manufactured
US
Best unit price
$297.60 ($0.89 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 5.0kW system
$12,583.92
($2.50 p/w)
VBHN335SA17 overview
Rated power
335 watts
Efficiency
20
Number of Cells
96
Cell type
monocrystalline
Manufactured
US
Best unit price
$600.00 ($1.83 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 4.9kW system
$11,630.27
($2.37 p/w)
SPR-E20-327-COM overview
Rated power
327 watts
Efficiency
20.4
Number of Cells
96
Cell type
Monocrystalline
Manufactured
US
Best unit price
$800.00 ($2.22 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 5.0kW system
$11,987.36
($2.38 p/w)
SPR-X22-360 overview
Rated power
360 watts
Efficiency
22.2
Number of Cells
96
Cell type
Monocrystalline
Manufactured
US
Best unit price
$620.00 ($1.90 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 4.9kW system
$12,442.66
($2.54 p/w)
SPR-E20-327-D-AC overview
Rated power
327 watts
Efficiency
20.4
Number of Cells
96
Cell type
Monocrystalline
Manufactured
US
Best unit price
$620.00 ($1.90 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 4.9kW system
$12,358.66
($2.52 p/w)
SPR-E20-327 overview
Rated power
327 watts
Efficiency
20.4
Number of Cells
96
Cell type
Monocrystalline
Manufactured
US
Best unit price
$240.01 ($0.60 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 4.8kW system
$11,426.74
($2.38 p/w)
CS3W-400PB-AG overview
Rated power
400 watts
Efficiency
17.9
Number of Cells
144
Cell type
polycrystalline
Manufactured
CA
Best unit price
$205.00 ($0.58 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 5.0kW system
$11,065.69
($2.23 p/w)
CS3U-355PB-AG overview
Rated power
355 watts
Efficiency
17.7
Number of Cells
144
Cell type
polycrystalline
Manufactured
CA
Best unit price
$207.90 ($0.66 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 5.0kW system
$11,630.37
($2.31 p/w)
CS3K-315MS overview
Rated power
315 watts
Efficiency
18.96
Number of Cells
120
Cell type
Mono-crystalline Silicon
Manufactured
CA
Best unit price
$247.00 ($0.75 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 5.0kW system
$11,989.20
($2.42 p/w)
CS1H-330MS BLACK overview
Rated power
330 watts
Efficiency
19.57
Number of Cells
60
Cell type
Mono-crystalline Silicon
Manufactured
CA
Best unit price
$172.00 ($0.56 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 4.9kW system
$10,885.81
($2.23 p/w)
LR6-60-HPB-305M overview
Rated power
305 watts
Efficiency
18.4
Number of Cells
120
Cell type
Mono PERC
Manufactured
CN
Best unit price
$165.00 ($0.53 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 5.0kW system
$11,105.59
($2.24 p/w)
LR6-60-HPB-310M overview
Rated power
310 watts
Efficiency
18.7
Number of Cells
120
Cell type
Mono PERC
Manufactured
CN
Best unit price
$196.11 ($0.65 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 5.1kW system
$11,317.54
($2.22 p/w)
LR6-60-HPB-300M overview
Rated power
300 watts
Efficiency
18.1
Number of Cells
120
Cell type
Mono PERC
Manufactured
CN
Best unit price
$234.00 ($0.60 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 5.1kW system
$11,520.86
($2.27 p/w)
LR6-72HBD-390M overview
Rated power
390 watts
Efficiency
19.4
Number of Cells
144
Cell type
Mono PERC
Manufactured
CN
Latest review
JMPS, 1 day ago
Good recomendations
4.89 271 Reviews
Latest review
Justin de Castro, over 1 month
We wish we could give you more than 5 stars! Larry was great and very informative from the get-go. He explained the process very well and answered all our questions promptly. All the technicians did a great job and were very professional and friendly. On top of that, Cosmic Solar gave us the best price compared to all its competitors. We would definitely recommend Cosmic Solar to all our friends and family. We won't look elsewhere when it comes to solar installation.
Read more
Average cost (5kW system)
$19,300 ($3.86 per watt)
Latest review
Justin de Castro, over 1 month
We wish we could give you more than 5 stars! Larry was great and very informative from the get-go. He explained the process very well and answered all our questions promptly. All the technicians did a great job and were very professional and friendly. On top of that, Cosmic Solar gave us the best price compared to all its competitors. We would definitely recommend Cosmic Solar to all our friends and family. We won't look elsewhere when it comes to solar installation.
4.89 196 Reviews
Latest review
itang, over 1 month
Thank you so much, I've been wanting solar panels for years but they were so cost prohibitive. I'm glad it's gotten a lot less expensive and that Sunwork nonprofit offers solar panels at a low cost for those who can qualify. Appreciate it!
Read more
Average cost (5kW system)
$13,500 ($2.70 per watt)
Latest review
itang, over 1 month
Thank you so much, I've been wanting solar panels for years but they were so cost prohibitive. I'm glad it's gotten a lot less expensive and that Sunwork nonprofit offers solar panels at a low cost for those who can qualify. Appreciate it!
4.88 69 Reviews
Latest review
Pratik Shah, over 1 month
I was not given a quote based on my past electric bills and was fare and reasonable. Other companies gave ridiculously high quotes for a system way above my requirement. My installer was Younes and he was very knowledgeable. Above all, he was helpful and nice to work with. Installation was completed on time and has great warranty on parts and labor. I would recommend Meo and Affordable Home Solar to all my friends and family.
Read more
Average cost (5kW system)
$14,900 ($2.98 per watt)
Latest review
Pratik Shah, over 1 month
I was not given a quote based on my past electric bills and was fare and reasonable. Other companies gave ridiculously high quotes for a system way above my requirement. My installer was Younes and he was very knowledgeable. Above all, he was helpful and nice to work with. Installation was completed on time and has great warranty on parts and labor. I would recommend Meo and Affordable Home Solar to all my friends and family.
4.84 115 Reviews
Latest review
KPastor, 2 weeks ago
We chose NRG for our solar installation. Everyone we worked with (especially Gemma and Leila) was incredibly helpful and responsive along every step of the process. They responded to emails and texts within a day or two at the most, but usually within a couple of hours. They were patient and very helpful with all of the questions we had (and we had many!), and they were happy to coordinate with other contractors that were doing work on our house at the same time. We did a fairly detailed analysis of the quality, cost, efficiencies, and expected lifetime of the equipment that NRG proposed compared to other companies, and we are confident that they provided the best equipment at the best cost. The installers that came to our house were very professional, worked quickly, and the system was up and running within hours - very impressive. We passed our inspection with no issues and the whole process was completely painless! We are very impressed with the services and products provided by NRG and would wholeheartedly recommend them to family and friends!
Read more
Average cost (5kW system)
$12,750 ($2.55 per watt)
Latest review
KPastor, 2 weeks ago
We chose NRG for our solar installation. Everyone we worked with (especially Gemma and Leila) was incredibly helpful and responsive along every step of the process. They responded to emails and texts within a day or two at the most, but usually within a couple of hours. They were patient and very helpful with all of the questions we had (and we had many!), and they were happy to coordinate with other contractors that were doing work on our house at the same time. We did a fairly detailed analysis of the quality, cost, efficiencies, and expected lifetime of the equipment that NRG proposed compared to other companies, and we are confident that they provided the best equipment at the best cost. The installers that came to our house were very professional, worked quickly, and the system was up and running within hours - very impressive. We passed our inspection with no issues and the whole process was completely painless! We are very impressed with the services and products provided by NRG and would wholeheartedly recommend them to family and friends!
4.83 50 Reviews
Latest review
Anonymous, over 1 month
My experience with Bland Solar was great. Start to finish they took care of business. I was actually becoming friends with the 2 installers but then they were done. I enjoyed them so much that I bought them treats for there drive to and from Bakersfield. Miss you guys. Thanks for the great work. Am getting excited about not paying PG&E any more money.
Read more
Latest review
Anonymous, over 1 month
My experience with Bland Solar was great. Start to finish they took care of business. I was actually becoming friends with the 2 installers but then they were done. I enjoyed them so much that I bought them treats for there drive to and from Bakersfield. Miss you guys. Thanks for the great work. Am getting excited about not paying PG&E any more money.
4.82 226 Reviews
Latest review
Al L, over 1 month
I highly recommend Sunlux Solar. I contracted with Sunlux for 34 panels and a new roof a little over 3 months ago. I am extremely pleased with both my solar panel installation and my new roof. My salesperson (Chris) was very honest, informative and professional. There was no sales pressure at all. He explained the entire project in detail and satisfactorily answered all my questions. He was extremely patient with me when I called him numerous times with questions I had pertaining to my internet solar research I conducted as I was educating myself on solar. I got several quotes prior to choosing Sunlux. Although Sunlux was a little more expensive than others (not much), I chose Sunlux because of the professionalism Chris displayed and because they are a large professional company who is dedicated to customer service. I believe in "you get what you pay for" and I am extremely pleased with Sunlux, as I got much more than I paid for. I am very happy I chose them for my project. My project manager (Berlyn) was outstanding. She was constantly communicating with me by either phone, email or text. She kept me apprised of every step of the project and was always responsive to me whenever I called her. She always got back to me immediately. She was professional, polite, informative and defiantly dedicated to customer service. She always made sure I knew what was happening, kept me in the loop, and that I was pleased. It was a pleasure working with Berlyn. The project took a little over 3 months to complete, but that was due to permitting issues and not the fault of Sunlux. None the less, Berlyn was in constant contact with the building authorities and moved things right along. The installers were very professional, polite and defiantly demonstrated pride in their work. The installation was clean, seamless and it looks fantastic. All the electrical is hidden in my attic and out of sight (except for my inverter). My roofer was Troy Roofing who was subcontracted through Sulux. Although I am not a fan of subcontractors, Sunlux changed my opinion about subcontractors. They were in contact with the roofer the entire time and I never had to deal with the roofer directly. Troy Roofing did an exceptional job on my roof. The guys worked 3 hard long days in 100 degree weather. They demonstrated pride in their work and they did an excellent job. I highly recommend Troy Roofing. In summary, I am extremely pleased with Sunlux Solar and the outstanding job they did. They totally exceeded my expectations. I highly recommend them for your solar project. You will not regret it. I commend their staff Chris (my salesperson) for his professionalism and honestly. There were no surprises. Moreover, I commend Berlyn (my project manager) for commitment to customer service, her professionalism and her organizational skills. She was on top of my project every step of the way and she was a pleasure to work with. Al
Read more
Average cost (5kW system)
$15,150 ($3.03 per watt)
Latest review
Al L, over 1 month
I highly recommend Sunlux Solar. I contracted with Sunlux for 34 panels and a new roof a little over 3 months ago. I am extremely pleased with both my solar panel installation and my new roof. My salesperson (Chris) was very honest, informative and professional. There was no sales pressure at all. He explained the entire project in detail and satisfactorily answered all my questions. He was extremely patient with me when I called him numerous times with questions I had pertaining to my internet solar research I conducted as I was educating myself on solar. I got several quotes prior to choosing Sunlux. Although Sunlux was a little more expensive than others (not much), I chose Sunlux because of the professionalism Chris displayed and because they are a large professional company who is dedicated to customer service. I believe in "you get what you pay for" and I am extremely pleased with Sunlux, as I got much more than I paid for. I am very happy I chose them for my project. My project manager (Berlyn) was outstanding. She was constantly communicating with me by either phone, email or text. She kept me apprised of every step of the project and was always responsive to me whenever I called her. She always got back to me immediately. She was professional, polite, informative and defiantly dedicated to customer service. She always made sure I knew what was happening, kept me in the loop, and that I was pleased. It was a pleasure working with Berlyn. The project took a little over 3 months to complete, but that was due to permitting issues and not the fault of Sunlux. None the less, Berlyn was in constant contact with the building authorities and moved things right along. The installers were very professional, polite and defiantly demonstrated pride in their work. The installation was clean, seamless and it looks fantastic. All the electrical is hidden in my attic and out of sight (except for my inverter). My roofer was Troy Roofing who was subcontracted through Sulux. Although I am not a fan of subcontractors, Sunlux changed my opinion about subcontractors. They were in contact with the roofer the entire time and I never had to deal with the roofer directly. Troy Roofing did an exceptional job on my roof. The guys worked 3 hard long days in 100 degree weather. They demonstrated pride in their work and they did an excellent job. I highly recommend Troy Roofing. In summary, I am extremely pleased with Sunlux Solar and the outstanding job they did. They totally exceeded my expectations. I highly recommend them for your solar project. You will not regret it. I commend their staff Chris (my salesperson) for his professionalism and honestly. There were no surprises. Moreover, I commend Berlyn (my project manager) for commitment to customer service, her professionalism and her organizational skills. She was on top of my project every step of the way and she was a pleasure to work with. Al
4.80 54 Reviews
Latest review
Leo Chang, 2 weeks ago
Solid 5-star experience in every step of the process from initial consultation, installation, down to final inspection. Consultation was done over the phone. Daniel was genuine, patient, and gave me as much time as I needed to ask all of my questions and address my concerns. The conversation was incredibly easy, pleasant, and informative. No pressure whatsoever. Daniel gave me the space to tell them what I want to get accomplished. By the end of the conversation, we came up with a plan that I was super pleased with and the quote was very competitive. I decided right then to go forward drafting a contract. It took about a month for the contract to arrive. Everything in the contract matched what we had previously discussed, which made signing it a breeze. After about a week, Chris, the owner, came for a site inspection to make sure the roof is in good condition and that the plan can be executed smoothly. Chris was knowledgeable and super chilled. Installation took place a month after. On the day of the installation, a team of 5-7 members arrived promptly. Everyone was wearing masks and practicing social distancing. I was most impressed with the coordination among the team members. The installation took only about four hours from start to finish. Eddie offered to paint the conduit to match the exterior wall. Once the system is installed, Daniel stopped by to inspect the work and to check if I had any questions. They had to complete the sub panel upgrade the following day, which was completely ok by me, given how busy they were toward the end of the year. Colby, the electrician, who did our sub panel upgrade was meticulous, patient, and thorough. He even came the day before to look over our system. During the upgrade, he found an existing wiring that was not up to code and just took care of it. Chris, the owner, stopped by to finalize and inspect everything. On the day of the inspection, the team showed up promptly again, look over everything once more to make sure inspection would go smoothly. The actual inspection took less than five minutes and the system passed the inspection. From that point on, Daniel facilitated the net metering application with the power company, the process of which took about three weeks. I have the system up running for about two weeks now and we have had some rain during this time, no roof issues so far, which was one of my major concerns at first. I decided to go with Sol-R-Us and I could not be happier with this decision. Everyone on the team was professional, respectful, and just amazing. The California Solar Consumer Protection Guide recommends getting at least three bids. I highly recommend Sol-R-Us to be included in one of your three.
Read more
Average cost (5kW system)
$15,350 ($3.07 per watt)
Latest review
Leo Chang, 2 weeks ago
Solid 5-star experience in every step of the process from initial consultation, installation, down to final inspection. Consultation was done over the phone. Daniel was genuine, patient, and gave me as much time as I needed to ask all of my questions and address my concerns. The conversation was incredibly easy, pleasant, and informative. No pressure whatsoever. Daniel gave me the space to tell them what I want to get accomplished. By the end of the conversation, we came up with a plan that I was super pleased with and the quote was very competitive. I decided right then to go forward drafting a contract. It took about a month for the contract to arrive. Everything in the contract matched what we had previously discussed, which made signing it a breeze. After about a week, Chris, the owner, came for a site inspection to make sure the roof is in good condition and that the plan can be executed smoothly. Chris was knowledgeable and super chilled. Installation took place a month after. On the day of the installation, a team of 5-7 members arrived promptly. Everyone was wearing masks and practicing social distancing. I was most impressed with the coordination among the team members. The installation took only about four hours from start to finish. Eddie offered to paint the conduit to match the exterior wall. Once the system is installed, Daniel stopped by to inspect the work and to check if I had any questions. They had to complete the sub panel upgrade the following day, which was completely ok by me, given how busy they were toward the end of the year. Colby, the electrician, who did our sub panel upgrade was meticulous, patient, and thorough. He even came the day before to look over our system. During the upgrade, he found an existing wiring that was not up to code and just took care of it. Chris, the owner, stopped by to finalize and inspect everything. On the day of the inspection, the team showed up promptly again, look over everything once more to make sure inspection would go smoothly. The actual inspection took less than five minutes and the system passed the inspection. From that point on, Daniel facilitated the net metering application with the power company, the process of which took about three weeks. I have the system up running for about two weeks now and we have had some rain during this time, no roof issues so far, which was one of my major concerns at first. I decided to go with Sol-R-Us and I could not be happier with this decision. Everyone on the team was professional, respectful, and just amazing. The California Solar Consumer Protection Guide recommends getting at least three bids. I highly recommend Sol-R-Us to be included in one of your three.
4.77 32 Reviews
Latest review
Devin Yu, over 1 month
My husband and I both heard about the terrible experiences going solar. But with our SCE bill hitting over $400 in the summer we figured the risk was worth the reward. We weren't sure who to ask with our questions so we contacted a few companies that had great reviews. After comparing all the various solar companies we opted for Forme Solar due to their warranty and experience with solar repair. Well, it was the best thing we ever did. Going solar has cut our utility bill to a fraction of what it once was and we have a pool and two AC units. The customer service and installation was fast and responsive. I am very pleased with our solar system and would get it installed again with Forme Solar.
Read more
Latest review
Devin Yu, over 1 month
My husband and I both heard about the terrible experiences going solar. But with our SCE bill hitting over $400 in the summer we figured the risk was worth the reward. We weren't sure who to ask with our questions so we contacted a few companies that had great reviews. After comparing all the various solar companies we opted for Forme Solar due to their warranty and experience with solar repair. Well, it was the best thing we ever did. Going solar has cut our utility bill to a fraction of what it once was and we have a pool and two AC units. The customer service and installation was fast and responsive. I am very pleased with our solar system and would get it installed again with Forme Solar.
4.75 33 Reviews
Latest review
Anonymous, over 1 month
SunGreen did a wonderful job setting me up with solar panels at my new home. I was able to create the kind of design I wanted. Once installed, their tech support (Benny) has been outstanding in helping me understand how I can monitor the energy I'm producing. SunGreen is great and I highly recommend them.<br /><br />Everyone who get's solar in LA should know that LADWP does not pay you for the excess solar energy you create and send to their grid. I am still happy with my investment in solar because I don't have an electric bill (just the $22 tax every billing cycle for being hooked up to the grid) and my property value increased with the installation.
Read more
Average cost (5kW system)
$26,650 ($5.33 per watt)
Latest review
Anonymous, over 1 month
SunGreen did a wonderful job setting me up with solar panels at my new home. I was able to create the kind of design I wanted. Once installed, their tech support (Benny) has been outstanding in helping me understand how I can monitor the energy I'm producing. SunGreen is great and I highly recommend them.<br /><br />Everyone who get's solar in LA should know that LADWP does not pay you for the excess solar energy you create and send to their grid. I am still happy with my investment in solar because I don't have an electric bill (just the $22 tax every billing cycle for being hooked up to the grid) and my property value increased with the installation.
How much do solar systems using the most common brands of solar panels cost in Riverside in 2021?
Where there is no specific pricing information available for a brand then we have used state pricing data for that brand.
Table 2: Local solar panel manufacturers
| Solar panel manufacturer | Avg. cost per watt |
|---|---|
| Canadian Solar | $2.30 |
| LG Solar | $2.69 |
| SunPower | $2.81 |
| Panasonic | $2.72 |
| LONGi Solar | $2.23 |
Tesla solar panel prices in California
Tesla is one of the only companies that displays their installed system pricing online. We are encouraging more solar companies to do the same. They have a very poor reputation for customer service on reviews websites like ours however we applaud their move to bring pricing transparency to the residential solar industry.
Table 4: Tesla system prices
| Type | Size | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Grid Tied | 4.08 kW | $8,160 |
| Grid Tied | 8.16 kW | $16,320 |
| Grid Tied | 12.24 kW | $24,480 |
| Grid Tied | 16.32 kW | $32,640 |
Note: Prices for installed Tesla systems are shown before the 26% federal solar tax credit.
Why solar panel cost should not be your only consideration when buying solar panels for your home
The most important difference between buying solar panels and any other purchase is that solar panels last 25-30 years. This is a long, long time and you will need customer service over all that time. The reviews below of the two largest corporate solar installation companies indicate larger corporate solar companies are not delivering this support to their customers.
We recommend you find a small or mid-size, local, family-owned solar company. These companies tend to care more about you and your specific job. You don't want to be on hold to a corporation's call center for the next 25 years!
What other factors affect the cost of solar panels for your home?
The cost of solar doesn't just include the equipment and installation costs - it’s also made up of permitting costs, inspection costs, and installer profit margins.
Chart 2: What is the breakdown of cost in an installed residential solar system? (cents per watt)
These different components are what make the price of solar fluctuate between installations. Some of the factors that affect solar power system installation costs for specific homes include:
The amount of electricity your home uses
Homes that use more electricity will need more solar panels to cover their energy needs.
Although solar panels do get cheaper on a per-watt basis, the overall cost of the system will increase as more panels are added.
But, the higher a home’s energy usage, the more solar panels can save the homeowners on their energy bills.
The type of solar panels you buy
The price of solar panels can vary depending on the type of solar panels you choose.
There are two main types of solar panels for residential solar installations: monocrystalline and polycrystalline. Monocrystalline solar panels tend to be more efficient and more expensive than other solar panels. Polycrystalline panels have a lower efficiency rating and come at a lower price point.
The type of inverter you buy will also influence the cost of your solar system.
The quality of your solar installation
You may see some solar quotes with prices that seem too good to be true.
If you get quoted for a ridiculously cheap price, the installer might be using low-quality equipment or an unsustainable pricing model. You want to use a solar installer that is charging enough so that they can stay in business - as you’ll be relying on them for the next 25 years!
It’s important to make sure that your installer is giving you the best quality at the best price possible. This is why getting multiple solar quotes is so important.
Federal, state, and local solar incentives
The overall cost of solar can be influenced by the solar incentives available.
Across the U.S., homeowners can apply for the federal solar tax credit, also called the ITC. The solar tax credit makes installing solar more cost-effective by providing homeowners with a tax credit equal to 26% of the cost of their installed solar panel system.
Local solar tax incentives and rebates can end up saving homeowners thousands on a solar installation, especially when they’re used with the federal solar tax credit.
See what solar incentives are available in your area by using our solar panel calculator.
How is the cost of solar panels offset by solar tax credits in Riverside?
The cost of installing residential solar panels in Riverside varies with the brand of solar panels and inverters you choose, the installation company you choose to install them, the relative ease or difficulty of installing solar panels on your home, and of course the amount of solar panels you need. The amount of solar panels you need is, in turn, related to your energy usage.
Are solar panels worth it in Riverside in 2021
The table below shows the data extracted from a real life quote delivered through the SolarReviews marketplace recently for a fairly typical home in Riverside.
As you can see the payback period is relatively short and equates to a much better return on investment than he historical returns that have been available from investing in things like shares or property.
Table 2: Cost, savings and payback period for an average residential solar system in Riverside
| System information | Value |
|---|---|
| System Size (for 100% usage offset) | 8.1 kW |
| Annual power generation | 12,280 kWh |
| Pay-back time (assuming Cash purchase) | 8.9 Years |
| Internal rate of return (IRR) on investment | 7.2% |
| Gross cost | $20,666 |
| Total Upfront Incentives and Rebates | -$5,373 |
| Net Cost of System after rebated and incentives | $15,292 |
| Total Cost of Utility Power Avoided over 25 years | $55,726 |
Please note that the investment return figures do not include the possible increase in property value
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