Benefits of Solar Energy
Solar energy provides several advantages that will enhance your home for years to come.
- Lowered energy bills: With a solar array, 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 amount of states offer net metering, which permit you to earn money by selling your unused energy back to the grid.
- Reduced carbon footprint: The sun is the universe's most abundant clean energy source, meaning you can reduce or eliminate your home's dependence on non-renewable sources.
- Better energy independence: Solar energy can keep your home powered through blackouts and emergencies, giving you additional security. You can use your solar energy anytime with optional battery storage.
What Solar Incentives Are Available to Santa Rosa Homeowners?
Governments and utility companies often incentivize homeowners for going solar. Here are some of the rebates, tax credits or other programs you could qualify for.
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 Santa Rosa
Choosing a company is the first step toward a well-oiled and cost-efficient solar energy system. Make your choice based on the following key factors.
Licensing and Training
California requires solar companies to hold licenses for each type of equipment they install, which can include solar water heaters, boilers, pool heaters, photovoltaic (PV) systems, and HVAC. Contractors must take a highly comprehensive educational series, gain four years of experience as an apprentice or journeyman, and pass written exams to earn a license. You should also visit a company's website to learn about its private certifications. Two of the most prestigious are the PV Installation Professional and Solar Heating Installer certificates, awarded 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 Santa Rosa
Your solar modules' type will affect how much electricity you can generate. Monocrystalline panels are among the highest quality and cost the most but perform the best. 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.
Additional system add-ons, such as electric vehicle (EV) chargers and battery storage, will raise your overall installation costs. However, they might make your solar system more efficient and convenient to use. Not all solar companies offer these extras, so look for a contractor that sells them if it's crucial for you.
Most Santa Rosa homeowners select solar systems designed for five kilowatts (kW) of electrical capacity. These systems run about $17,350 to set up, considering both materials and labor. You can find more specific solar cost information in the table.
| Solar Panel Cost | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Solar Monocrystalline | $1,265 |
| Solar Polycrystalline | $987 |
| Thin-Film | $577 |
| Solar Battery | $810 |
| Solar Home EV Charger | $3,037 |
Financing Solar Energy in Santa Rosa
Solar contractors offer multiple different financing options to lower your costs and increase your savings. Though some providers offer unique payment plans, the most common are solar leases, solar loans, power purchase agreements (PPAs) and cash payments. Though it involves a large up-front payment, cash is the most economical choice because it qualifies you for solar incentives and doesn't accrue interest. Solar loans are the next best option. As with a car or home loan, you'll pay a monthly rate towards system ownership, including interest. You can still apply for valuable solar incentives, and depending on your lender, you could put as little as $0 down. Solar leases involve paying a set monthly rate to use rooftop panels. A PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) lets you pay a monthly rate based only on the energy you use, as with an electric bill. We typically don’t recommend these two options because you won't own the solar system and are disqualified from using solar incentives. Look for companies that offer two or more payment plans to find the right fit for your budget.
The table below lists the average payback periods for different capacities of solar systems in Santa Rosa.
A 26% federal solar tax credit applies to recently-purchased solar equipment purchased through 2032. Additional incentives may be available through city and state 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 Santa Rosa
How much energy and money could I save per year by switching to solar?
Is solar energy common in Santa Rosa?
Should I expect a boost in my property value after installing solar panels?
What's a Santa Rosa solar panel's average lifespan?
Is solar installation a fast job?
What is the average payback period for Santa Rosa solar panels?
How can I enhance my solar panels' performance?
- optimize the panels' position with your solar installer
- regularly clean your solar panels
- upgrade to a more efficient inverter trim or cut down trees in the way of your panels
- use energy-efficient appliances
Should I get quotes from multiple Santa Rosa solar companies?
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