Benefits of Solar Energy
Solar energy provides multiple perks. Here are some highlights.
- Reduced carbon footprint: Utilizing solar is a surefire way to reduce your carbon footprint and home fossil fuel dependency.
- Better energy independence: Solar energy can keep your home running through emergencies and blackouts. You can use your solar energy anytime with an optional battery backup system.
- Lowered energy bills: With solar energy systems, you create 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 amount of states have adopted net metering, which permit you to earn money by selling your unused energy back to the grid.
What Solar Incentives Are Available to Rosemead Homeowners?
California homeowners who decide on solar could qualify for special financing, reimbursements, rebates and tax credits. Here are just a few of the local 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 Rosemead
The more informed your provider search is, the better your photovoltaic system will ultimately operate. Here are some essential aspects to remember while searching for a solar company.
Licensing and Training
California requires solar companies to hold licenses for each type of equipment they install, which can include solar boilers, HVAC, photovoltaic (PV) systems, water heaters, and pool heaters. 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 recognized are the Solar Heating Installer and PV Installation Professional 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 Rosemead
Your photovoltaic panels' style 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 offer you a budget panel with a traditional design, but at the cost of less power generation. Thin-film panels are excellent for non-traditional roof shapes and cost the least, but don't work well for large residential installations.
You can also add electric car (EV) chargers and battery backup systems. These will increase your total installation cost, but they can enhance your solar system's efficiency. Not every solar provider offers these add-ons, so look for a company that sells them if it's essential for you.
You can expect to pay about $17,350 on average for a five-kilowatt solar energy system in Rosemead. Check the table in this section to get an idea of what amount Rosemead solar companies might quote for your specific solar system's price.
| Solar Panel Cost | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Solar Monocrystalline | $1,194 |
| Solar Polycrystalline | $931 |
| Thin-Film | $544 |
| Solar Battery | $764 |
| Solar Home EV Charger | $2,865 |
Financing Solar Energy in Rosemead
Solar installers use multiple different financing options to increase your savings and lower your costs. Though some providers offer unique payment plans, the most common are solar leases, power purchase agreements (PPAs), solar loans and cash payments. Though it involves a large up-front payment, cash is the most affordable choice because it qualifies you for solar incentives and doesn't accrue interest. Solar loans are the runner-up option. As with a home or auto loan, you'll pay a monthly rate towards system ownership, including interest. You can still apply for cost-saving solar incentives, and depending on your lender, you could put as little as $0 down. Solar leases allow you to pay a monthly fee to rent your panels, while a PPA lets you pay a fluctuating rate based on only the energy you use. We generally advise against these options since you won't own your system and are disqualified from solar incentives, but they might be suitable in certain circumstances. Look for contractors that offer several 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 Rosemead.
You can claim a 26% federal solar tax credit from the IRS for new residential solar systems purchased before 2032. Additionally, utilities and local governments 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 Rosemead
How much money could I save by going solar in Rosemead?
Is solar energy readily available in Rosemead?
Will a solar PV system improve my Rosemead home worth?
Could I still use solar power if I live in a wooded, rainy, or dark area?
How long does an average solar system last?
What care do my solar panels need, and how often do they need it?
What are some "red flags" to watch for as I research companies?
- Aggressive sales pitch
- Not being straightforward about training and credentials, cost, warranties and references
- Inflexible options
- Rushing through the site assessment
- More mixed or negative reviews than positive ones
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviewsteam@thisoldhousereviews.com.
