Benefits of Solar Energy
Solar energy offers multiple advantages that will enhance your home for years to come.
- Reduced carbon footprint: Embracing solar is a surefire way to decrease your carbon footprint and home fossil fuel dependency.
- Lowered energy bills: With solar panels, you produce power without paying the tacked-on costs of grid-connected power. You can eliminate your bills completely if you go off-grid. Plus, a significant number of states offer net metering, which permit you to earn money by selling your unused energy back to the grid.
- Better energy independence: Solar panel systems can keep your home running through blackouts and emergencies, giving you additional security. You can use your solar energy anytime with an optional battery storage system.
What Solar Incentives Are Available to Adelanto Homeowners?
California homeowners who go solar could qualify for reimbursements, rebates, tax credits and special financing. Here are just a few of the local incentive programs.
Incentive Type: Property Tax Incentive
Website: boe.ca.govIncentive Amount:
100% of system value; 75% of system value exemption for dual-use equipment
Incentive Type: PACE Financing
Website: wrcog.usIncentive Amount:
Eligible products can be financed for up to 25 years, depending on the useful life of the eligible product.
Minimum financing: $5,000
The financing may not exceed fifteen percent (15%) of the market value of the property, up to the first seven hundred thousand dollars ($700,000) of the property’s market value, and ten percent (10%) of the remaining value of the Property above seven hundred thousand dollars ($700,000) minus any PACE assessment on the propertyThe total amount of any annual property taxes and assessments shall not exceed five percent (5%) of the property's fair market value, determined at the time program financing is approved.
Incentive Type: PACE Financing
Incentive Amount:
Locally determined
Incentive Type: Rebate Program
Website: selfgenca.comIncentive Amount:
For projects 30 kW or larger, 50% of incentive will be received up-front; 50% will be received based on actual kWh production over the first 5 years. For projects under 30kW, 100% of the incentive will be paid up front.
Incentives will step down over time. See below for incentive amounts.
Incentive Type: Feed-in Tariff
Website: cpuc.ca.govIncentive Type: Feed-in Tariff
Website: ladwp.comIncentive Amount:
$0.17/kWh adjusted by a time of delivery multiplier
Base price will step down over time as certain MW goals are met
Incentive Type: Rebate Program
Website: gosolarcalifornia.ca.govIncentive Amount:
Step 1 Incentive Rates (contact utility to determine current incentive levels):
Single Family Residential Incentives:
Systems that displace natural gas: $29.85 per estimated therm displaced
Systems that displace electricity or propane: Funding has been exhausted
Commercial/Multifamily Incentives:
Systems that displace natural gas: $20.19 per estimated therm displaced
Systems that displace electricity or propane: $0.42 per estimated kWh displaced *** Note, funding has been exhausted in this category for SCE and PG&E
Solar Pool heating: $5.00 per estimated therm displaced
Incentive Type: Personal Tax Credit
Website: ecowatch.comIncentive Amount:
30% federal tax credit for systems placed in service after 12/31/2021 and before 01/01/2033. Good for: solar water heat, solar photovoltaics, biomass, geothermal heat pumps, wind (small), fuel cells using renewable fuels.
How To Choose the Best Solar Company in Adelanto
The more informed your company research is, the better your photovoltaic system will ultimately perform. Consider all of these factors in your business search.
Licensing and Training
California requires solar companies to hold licenses for each type of equipment they install, which can include solar boilers, water heaters, photovoltaic (PV) systems, pool heaters, and HVAC. Contractors must take a highly comprehensive educational series, gain four years of field experience, and pass written exams to earn licensure. You should also visit a company's website to learn about its private accreditations. Two of the most respected are the PV Installation Professional and Solar Heating Installer certificates, backed by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP). Some companies don't publish this information online, so you should also ask your estimator about them.
Cost of Solar Panels in Adelanto
The kind of solar panels you select dictates how much electricity you can produce. Monocrystalline panels and high-quality and give you the best performance but cost more upfront. Polycrystalline panels produce less power, but they're worth it if you want a traditional panel style without the high cost. Thin-film panels aren't meant for large home installations, but they're excellent for small projects like sheds and RVs.
If you want to charge an electric car or use your solar power in cloudy weather, you can pay extra for accessories. By selecting the right components, you can make your panel array more efficient and convenient to use. Not all solar contractors offer these add-ons, so look for a provider that sells them if it's important for you.
A majority of Adelanto homeowners choose solar systems rated for five kilowatts (kW) of electrical capacity. These systems cost about $17,350 to install, considering both materials and labor. You can see more specific solar cost information in the table.
Solar Panel Cost | Average Cost |
---|---|
Solar Monocrystalline | $1,314 |
Solar Polycrystalline | $1,025 |
Thin-Film | $599 |
Solar Battery | $841 |
Solar Home EV Charger | $3,154 |
Financing Solar Energy in Adelanto
Solar installers offer multiple different financing options to lower your costs and increase your savings. Though some providers offer unique payment plans, the most common are cash payments, solar loans, power purchase agreements (PPAs) and solar leases. We suggest making a cash payment or securing a solar loan for the best return on investment (ROI). Cash payments require a hefty sum up-front, but you’ll pay the least long-term by avoiding interest. You’ll also own your system and can apply for solar panel incentives to minimize your total costs. Solar loans are another good option if you don’t want to make a big initial investment. You can pay for your system in installments while still benefiting from energy bill savings and solar incentives. However, you’ll pay more in total due to accruing interest. Solar leases let you rent your panels for a set monthly rate, while PPAs let you pay only for the energy you use, akin to an electric bill. Both options disqualify you for solar incentives and do not provide you system ownership. Solar experts generally don't recommend them, but they might be suitable in some cases. Look for installers that offer multiple payment plans to find the right fit for your financial needs.
The table below lists the average payback periods for different capacities of solar systems in Adelanto.
A 26% federal solar tax credit applies to recently-purchased solar equipment purchased through 2032. Additional incentives may be available through local governments, usually in the form of rebates and special financing programs.
Solar System Capacity | Estimated Payback period |
---|---|
1 kW | 1.4 years |
2 kW | 2.7 years |
5 kW | 6.8 years |
10 kW | 13.7 years |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Solar in Adelanto
How much energy and money could I save per year by switching to solar?
How popular is solar energy in Adelanto?
Should I expect a property value increase after adopting solar power?
What can I do to assess my home's solar viability?
How long does the photovoltaic installation process take?
How do I care for my new solar system?
What's the difference between a PPA and a solar lease?
If you choose a lease, you'll make fixed monthly payments.
With both leases and PPAs, you don't own your panels and lose eligibility for most incentives. Further, you'll have to "buy out" or transfer the contract if you sell your home during the term.
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