Benefits of Solar Energy
Solar energy comes with multiple advantages. Let's look at a few of them.
- Better energy independence: Solar panel systems can keep your home running through emergencies and blackouts, giving you additional security. You can use your solar energy anytime with optional battery storage.
- Lowered energy bills: Solar panels allow you to generate your own energy to power your home, lowering your monthly electricity costs. Going off-grid can eliminate your bills completely. 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.
- Reduced carbon footprint: Using solar is a surefire way to decrease your carbon footprint and home fossil fuel dependency.
What Solar Incentives Are Available to Victorville Homeowners?
Governments and power companies often reward homeowners for going solar. Here are some of the tax credits, rebates, 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 Victorville
Choosing a company is the first step toward an effective and cost-efficient solar system. Consider all of these aspects in your service provider search.
Licensing and Training
California requires solar companies to hold licenses for each type of equipment they install, which can include solar water heaters, pool 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. Check for private accreditations from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), one of the solar industry's most trusted trade groups. Its program includes certifications for both solar photovoltaic and water heating installers.
Cost of Solar Panels in Victorville
Different solar panel types look and perform differently. Monocrystalline panels cost more than other options, but they generate the most power and generally have the highest quality. Polycrystalline panels produce less power, but start at a more budget-friendly price point. Thin-film panels work well for small projects like RVs and sheds, but they're not ideal for larger installations due to their low performance.
You can also add electric car (EV) chargers and battery backup systems. These will increase your total installation cost, but they can improve your solar system's efficiency. Not every solar contractor includes these additional features, so look for a contractor that sells them if it's a priority for you.
You can plan to spend about $17,350 on average for a five-kilowatt solar energy system in Victorville. Use the table in this section to get an idea of how much Victorville solar companies might quote for your specific solar system's price.
| 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 Victorville
Choosing the best financing solution will affect your overall solar system cost and expected savings. Common payment options include power purchase agreements, leases, loans, and cash payments. 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 solid option if you don’t want to make a big initial investment. You can pay for your system in monthly installments while still enjoying energy bill savings and solar incentives. However, you’ll pay more in total due to accruing interest. Solar leases allow you to pay a monthly rate 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. We advise working with an installer that offers multiple financing options. Ask each salesperson about what's available, and acquire 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 Victorville.
The IRS allows you to claim a 26% federal solar tax credit on the full cost of the solar system, so long as you purchase it before 2032. Municipal authorities and utilities might also offer their own incentives, financing programs, and rebates that could save you more money.
| 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 Victorville
How much money could I save by going solar in Victorville?
Is solar energy widely available in Victorville?
Will solar panels improve my Victorville home worth?
What if I live in a gloomy or rainy
How can I determine my home's solar suitability?
What size should my new Victorville solar system be?
What are the signs I shouldn't use a particular solar company for my job?
- Aggressive sales pitch
- Not being straightforward about warranties, credentials and training, cost and references
- Inflexible options
- Rushing through the site assessment
- Limited online information
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