Benefits of Solar Energy
Solar energy offers numerous advantages that will enhance your home for years to come.
- Reduced carbon footprint: The sun is the universe's most abundant clean energy source, meaning you can minimize or conquer your home's dependence on non-renewable sources.
- Better energy independence: Solar energy can keep your home functioning through blackouts and emergencies, giving you additional security. You can use your solar energy anytime with optional battery storage.
- Reduced energy costs: Sourcing some or all of your own electricity will cut power costs long-term. Plus, some states provide net metering programs that allow you to sell your surplus energy back to the grid, generating additional credits toward your energy bill.
What Solar Incentives Are Available to Oceanside Homeowners?
California homeowners who decide on solar could qualify for rebates, reimbursements, tax credits and special financing. Here are just a few of the region's incentive offerings.
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 Oceanside
The price and effectiveness of solar panels often depend on the solar company that installed them. Consider all of these elements in your company search.
Licensing and Training
California requires solar companies to hold licenses for each type of equipment they install, which can include solar pool heaters, water heaters, HVAC, boilers, and photovoltaic (PV) systems. Contractors must complete a highly comprehensive educational series, gain four years of experience as an apprentice or journeyman, and pass written exams to secure a license. Solar installers can also earn accreditations from trade groups and standards organizations. The most recognized ones in the industry come from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners. Most company websites will prominently display earned credentials, but you should also ask your estimator for more information.
Cost of Solar Panels in Oceanside
Your solar panels' type will affect how much energy you can produce. Monocrystalline panels are among the highest quality and perform the best but cost the most. Polycrystalline panels generate less, but they're a great traditional option for low budgets. Thin-film panels are excellent for non-traditional roof shapes and cost the least, but don't work well for large residential installations.
If you need to charge an electric vehicle (EV) or use your solar power in cloudy weather, you can pay extra for accessories. By choosing the right components, you can make your panel array more efficient and convenient to use. Not every solar contractor includes these additional features, so look for a contractor that sells them if it's crucial for you.
Generally speaking, it costs about $17,350 for a five-kilowatt solar array in Oceanside. This table displays more specific costs for different solar panel types and system components in your area.
| Solar Panel Cost | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Solar Monocrystalline | $1,226 |
| Solar Polycrystalline | $956 |
| Thin-Film | $559 |
| Solar Battery | $784 |
| Solar Home EV Charger | $2,942 |
Financing Solar Energy in Oceanside
There are many ways to pay for new solar panels, and the right one will lower your costs. A few of the most common options include loans, power purchase agreements (PPAs), leases, and cash payments. We advise paying with cash or using a solar loan for the highest 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 reduce your total costs. Solar loans are another solid option if you don’t want to make a big initial investment. You can pay for your system in monthly installments while still benefiting from energy bill savings and solar incentives. However, you’ll spend more in total due to accruing interest. Solar leases allow you to pay a monthly rate to rent your panels, while a power purchase agreement lets you pay a fluctuating rate based on only the energy you use. We generally don't recommend these options since you won't own your system and are disqualified from solar incentives, but they might be appropriate in certain circumstances. Look for companies that offer multiple payment plans to find the right fit for your pocket.
The table below lists the average payback periods for different capacities of solar systems in Oceanside.
You can claim a 26% federal solar tax credit from the IRS for new residential solar systems purchased before 2032. Additionally, local governments and utilities may have their own financing plans and rebates that could reduce your total cost even more.
| 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 Oceanside
How much energy and money could I save per year by switching to solar?
How common is solar energy in Oceanside?
Should I expect a property value increase after adopting solar power?
Could I still use solar power if I live in a rainy, wooded, or dark area?
How can I assess my home's solar feasibility?
How long does it take to pay back a solar loan in Oceanside?
How are a solar lease and PPA different?
You don't own the panels with either option, though you can choose to opt out of the contract for a fee.
Should I get quotes from multiple Oceanside solar companies?
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