Benefits of Solar Energy
Solar energy offers multiple advantages that will enhance your home for years to come.
- Smaller power bills: Sourcing some or all of your own power will cut power costs long-term. Plus, some states offer net metering programs that make it possible for you to sell your unused energy back to the grid, generating extra credits toward your energy bill.
- Reduced carbon footprint: Using clean solar power lowers your dependence on fossil fuels, which release greenhouse gases that damage the environment.
- Better energy independence: Photovoltaic solar panel systems with battery backups and storage systems work through blackouts and emergencies, and you won't have to depend on your power company for your safety and well-being.
What Solar Incentives Are Available to Rowland Heights Homeowners?
California homeowners who upgrade to solar could qualify for tax credits, reimbursements, rebates 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 Rowland Heights
The price and performance of solar panels often hinge on the provider that mounted them. Make your choice based on the following vital factors.
Licensing and Training
California requires solar companies to hold licenses for each type of equipment they install, which can include solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, HVAC, pool heaters, boilers, and water heaters. Contractors must take a highly comprehensive educational series, gain four years of experience as an apprentice or journeyman, and pass written exams to earn licensure. Solar companies can also obtain accreditations from trade groups and standards organizations. The most recognized ones in the industry come from the NABCEP. Most company websites will prominently display earned credentials, but you should also ask your estimator for more information.
Cost of Solar Panels in Rowland Heights
The style of solar panels you select decides how much power you can produce. Monocrystalline panels and high-quality and give you the best performance but cost more upfront. Polycrystalline panels work with a tried-and-true mechanism and cost less, but produce less power. Thin-film panels aren't meant for large home installations, but they're excellent for small projects like sheds and RVs.
If you'd like to charge an electric car or use your solar power in inclement weather, you can pay extra for accessories. By choosing the right components, you can make your panel array more effective and user-friendly. Not every solar contractor includes these optional components, so look for a provider that sells them if it's important for you.
If you're a resident of Rowland Heights and are considering getting a five-kilowatt solar energy system, you could plan to spend about $17,350 for materials and labor. See more information on specific component and solar panel costs in the table.
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 Rowland Heights
Solar companies offer 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), cash payments and solar loans. We suggest paying with cash or using 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 have full ownership of your system and can apply for solar panel incentives to cut 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 monthly installments while still benefiting from energy bill savings and solar incentives. However, you’ll pay more in total due to accruing interest. Solar leases involve paying a set monthly rate to use rooftop panels. A PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) permits you to pay a monthly rate determined by the energy you use, similar to an electric bill. We usually don’t recommend these two options because you won't own the solar system and cannot use solar incentives. We suggest working with a contractor that offers multiple financing options. Talk to each salesperson about what's available, and obtain more than one estimate for the best odds of staying within your spending limits.
The table below lists the average payback periods for different capacities of solar systems in Rowland Heights.
A 26% federal solar tax credit applies to new residential 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 |
Ready to Get a Quote on Your Solar Project?
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Frequently Asked Questions About Solar in Rowland Heights
How much energy and money could I save per year by switching to solar?
How popular is solar energy in Rowland Heights?
Will solar energy systems improve my Rowland Heights home value?
What can I do to calculate my home's solar potential?
What upkeep do my solar panels need, and how frequently do they need it?
What size should my new Rowland Heights solar system be?
Should I get quotes from multiple Rowland Heights solar companies?
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviewsteam@thisoldhousereviews.com.