Solar panels in California: cost, payback and the rules that matter
California homes pay 33.3¢ per kWh for electricity, the 2nd highest of 51, up 2.5% in a year. A typical home needs 9 panels. With no federal tax credit they pay for themselves in about 9.0 yrs.
Electricity price33.3¢/kWhU.S. average 18.2¢
Average home uses503kWh/moabout $161 a month (2024)
Payback, net metering5.3 yrsmedian city, $3.00/W
Payback, net billing9.0 yrs
Four facts that decide solar in California
1. The sun. One kilowatt of panels makes about 1,711 kWh a year in the median California city, from 1,540 in San Francisco to 1,837 in Apple Valley.
2. The price of electricity. Every kWh your panels make is worth what you would otherwise pay: 33.3¢ in California today.
3. What your utility pays for exports. California’s Net Billing Tariff (since Apr 15, 2023) credits exports at Avoided Cost Calculator values, locked for 9 years per vintage. Source
4. Incentives. The 30% federal Residential Clean Energy Credit (IRC §25D) ended for systems whose installation is completed after December 31, 2025 (One Big Beautiful Bill Act, P.L. We don't know of a statewide income-tax credit for home solar in California.
California's homes
13,548,091 households; 55.9% own their home. 6,771,188 owner-occupied single-family houses: the main market for rooftop solar. The median home was built in 1976; 29.5% heat with electricity.
Median home value$735k
Median income$99k
Built before 1980Mostmedian 1976
ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau.
Plan a specific California home
Solar in every California city with 50,000+ people
| City | Sun hrs/day | kWh per kW | Best tilt | Typical kW | Payback (NM) | Payback (NB) | Solar ¢/kWh |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 6.1 | 1,718 | 32° | 3.8 | 5.3 yrs | 9.0 yrs | 9.0 |
| San Diego | 6.1 | 1,698 | 31° | 3.8 | 5.3 yrs | 9.0 yrs | 9.1 |
| San Jose | 5.9 | 1,667 | 33° | 3.8 | 5.5 yrs | 9.1 yrs | 9.3 |
| San Francisco | 5.3 | 1,540 | 33° | 4.2 | 5.9 yrs | 9.9 yrs | 10.1 |
| Fresno | 6.2 | 1,692 | 33° | 3.8 | 5.4 yrs | 9.1 yrs | 9.2 |
| Sacramento | 6.0 | 1,662 | 33° | 3.8 | 5.5 yrs | 9.2 yrs | 9.3 |
| Long Beach | 6.0 | 1,700 | 32° | 3.8 | 5.3 yrs | 9.0 yrs | 9.1 |
| Oakland | 5.7 | 1,628 | 33° | 3.8 | 5.6 yrs | 9.2 yrs | 9.5 |
| Bakersfield | 6.4 | 1,755 | 32° | 3.8 | 5.2 yrs | 8.9 yrs | 8.8 |
| Anaheim | 6.2 | 1,739 | 32° | 3.8 | 5.2 yrs | 8.9 yrs | 8.9 |
| Stockton | 6.1 | 1,677 | 33° | 3.8 | 5.4 yrs | 9.1 yrs | 9.3 |
| Riverside | 6.4 | 1,772 | 33° | 3.8 | 5.1 yrs | 8.9 yrs | 8.7 |
| Irvine | 6.1 | 1,717 | 32° | 3.8 | 5.3 yrs | 9.0 yrs | 9.0 |
| Santa Ana | 6.1 | 1,716 | 32° | 3.8 | 5.3 yrs | 9.0 yrs | 9.0 |
| Chula Vista | 6.1 | 1,704 | 31° | 3.8 | 5.3 yrs | 9.0 yrs | 9.1 |
| Santa Clarita | 6.4 | 1,772 | 33° | 3.8 | 5.1 yrs | 8.8 yrs | 8.7 |
| Fremont | 5.8 | 1,648 | 33° | 3.8 | 5.5 yrs | 9.2 yrs | 9.4 |
| San Bernardino | 6.5 | 1,798 | 33° | 3.8 | 5.1 yrs | 8.8 yrs | 8.6 |
| Fontana | 6.5 | 1,785 | 33° | 3.8 | 5.1 yrs | 8.8 yrs | 8.7 |
| Modesto | 6.1 | 1,683 | 33° | 3.8 | 5.4 yrs | 9.1 yrs | 9.2 |
| Moreno Valley | 6.5 | 1,784 | 33° | 3.8 | 5.1 yrs | 8.8 yrs | 8.7 |
| Oxnard | 6.1 | 1,737 | 32° | 3.8 | 5.2 yrs | 8.9 yrs | 8.9 |
| Huntington Beach | 6.1 | 1,701 | 32° | 3.8 | 5.3 yrs | 9.0 yrs | 9.1 |
| Glendale | 6.3 | 1,751 | 32° | 3.8 | 5.2 yrs | 8.9 yrs | 8.8 |
| Ontario | 6.4 | 1,769 | 33° | 3.8 | 5.1 yrs | 8.9 yrs | 8.8 |
| Elk Grove | 6.0 | 1,666 | 33° | 3.8 | 5.5 yrs | 9.2 yrs | 9.3 |
| Santa Rosa | 5.8 | 1,636 | 33° | 3.8 | 5.6 yrs | 9.2 yrs | 9.5 |
| Rancho Cucamonga | 6.5 | 1,781 | 33° | 3.8 | 5.1 yrs | 8.8 yrs | 8.7 |
| Oceanside | 6.1 | 1,707 | 32° | 3.8 | 5.3 yrs | 9.0 yrs | 9.1 |
| Garden Grove | 6.1 | 1,715 | 32° | 3.8 | 5.3 yrs | 9.0 yrs | 9.0 |
| Lancaster | 6.5 | 1,797 | 33° | 3.8 | 5.1 yrs | 8.8 yrs | 8.6 |
| Roseville | 6.0 | 1,651 | 33° | 3.8 | 5.5 yrs | 9.2 yrs | 9.4 |
| Palmdale | 6.5 | 1,800 | 33° | 3.8 | 5.1 yrs | 8.8 yrs | 8.6 |
| Corona | 6.3 | 1,753 | 32° | 3.8 | 5.2 yrs | 8.9 yrs | 8.8 |
| Salinas | 6.0 | 1,701 | 33° | 3.8 | 5.3 yrs | 9.0 yrs | 9.1 |
| Hayward | 5.7 | 1,633 | 33° | 3.8 | 5.6 yrs | 9.2 yrs | 9.5 |
| Sunnyvale | 5.8 | 1,641 | 33° | 3.8 | 5.5 yrs | 9.2 yrs | 9.5 |
| Pomona | 6.4 | 1,762 | 33° | 3.8 | 5.2 yrs | 8.9 yrs | 8.8 |
| Visalia | 6.2 | 1,697 | 32° | 3.8 | 5.4 yrs | 9.1 yrs | 9.1 |
| Escondido | 6.2 | 1,730 | 31° | 3.8 | 5.2 yrs | 9.0 yrs | 8.9 |
| Victorville | 6.7 | 1,830 | 34° | 3.4 | 5.0 yrs | 8.3 yrs | 8.5 |
| Fullerton | 6.2 | 1,731 | 32° | 3.8 | 5.2 yrs | 9.0 yrs | 8.9 |
| Torrance | 6.0 | 1,693 | 32° | 3.8 | 5.4 yrs | 9.1 yrs | 9.1 |
| Orange | 6.2 | 1,724 | 32° | 3.8 | 5.3 yrs | 9.0 yrs | 9.0 |
| Pasadena | 6.3 | 1,754 | 32° | 3.8 | 5.2 yrs | 8.9 yrs | 8.8 |
| Santa Clara | 5.8 | 1,649 | 33° | 3.8 | 5.5 yrs | 9.2 yrs | 9.4 |
| Clovis | 6.2 | 1,687 | 33° | 3.8 | 5.4 yrs | 9.1 yrs | 9.2 |
| Simi Valley | 6.2 | 1,749 | 32° | 3.8 | 5.2 yrs | 8.9 yrs | 8.9 |
| Vallejo | 5.8 | 1,641 | 33° | 3.8 | 5.5 yrs | 9.2 yrs | 9.5 |
| Concord | 5.9 | 1,651 | 33° | 3.8 | 5.5 yrs | 9.2 yrs | 9.4 |
| Fairfield | 5.9 | 1,656 | 33° | 3.8 | 5.5 yrs | 9.2 yrs | 9.4 |
| Thousand Oaks | 6.2 | 1,738 | 32° | 3.8 | 5.2 yrs | 8.9 yrs | 8.9 |
| Berkeley | 5.7 | 1,627 | 33° | 3.8 | 5.6 yrs | 9.3 yrs | 9.5 |
| Antioch | 5.9 | 1,663 | 33° | 3.8 | 5.5 yrs | 9.2 yrs | 9.3 |
| Menifee | 6.4 | 1,765 | 32° | 3.8 | 5.1 yrs | 8.9 yrs | 8.8 |
| Temecula | 6.3 | 1,752 | 32° | 3.8 | 5.2 yrs | 8.9 yrs | 8.8 |
| Richmond | 5.7 | 1,627 | 33° | 3.8 | 5.6 yrs | 9.3 yrs | 9.5 |
| Murrieta | 6.3 | 1,754 | 32° | 3.8 | 5.2 yrs | 8.9 yrs | 8.8 |
| Carlsbad | 6.1 | 1,700 | 31° | 3.8 | 5.3 yrs | 9.0 yrs | 9.1 |
| Santa Maria | 6.0 | 1,734 | 32° | 3.8 | 5.2 yrs | 8.9 yrs | 8.9 |
| San Buenaventura (Ventura) | 6.2 | 1,746 | 32° | 3.8 | 5.2 yrs | 8.9 yrs | 8.9 |
| Costa Mesa | 6.1 | 1,704 | 32° | 3.8 | 5.3 yrs | 9.0 yrs | 9.1 |
| Downey | 6.2 | 1,724 | 32° | 3.8 | 5.3 yrs | 9.0 yrs | 9.0 |
| Jurupa Valley | 6.4 | 1,774 | 33° | 3.8 | 5.1 yrs | 8.8 yrs | 8.7 |
| Rialto | 6.5 | 1,790 | 33° | 3.8 | 5.1 yrs | 8.8 yrs | 8.7 |
| West Covina | 6.3 | 1,753 | 32° | 3.8 | 5.2 yrs | 8.9 yrs | 8.8 |
| Chico | 5.9 | 1,615 | 34° | 3.8 | 5.6 yrs | 9.3 yrs | 9.6 |
| El Monte | 6.3 | 1,749 | 32° | 3.8 | 5.2 yrs | 8.9 yrs | 8.9 |
| Vacaville | 5.9 | 1,659 | 33° | 3.8 | 5.5 yrs | 9.2 yrs | 9.4 |
| San Mateo | 5.6 | 1,607 | 33° | 4.2 | 5.7 yrs | 9.7 yrs | 9.7 |
| Burbank | 6.3 | 1,748 | 32° | 3.8 | 5.2 yrs | 8.9 yrs | 8.9 |
| Hesperia | 6.6 | 1,821 | 33° | 3.4 | 5.0 yrs | 8.3 yrs | 8.5 |
| Tracy | 6.1 | 1,686 | 33° | 3.8 | 5.4 yrs | 9.1 yrs | 9.2 |
| El Cajon | 6.2 | 1,726 | 31° | 3.8 | 5.3 yrs | 9.0 yrs | 9.0 |
| Inglewood | 6.1 | 1,712 | 32° | 3.8 | 5.3 yrs | 9.0 yrs | 9.0 |
| Daly City | 5.6 | 1,600 | 33° | 4.2 | 5.7 yrs | 9.7 yrs | 9.7 |
| Merced | 6.2 | 1,692 | 33° | 3.8 | 5.4 yrs | 9.1 yrs | 9.2 |
| Vista | 6.1 | 1,712 | 32° | 3.8 | 5.3 yrs | 9.0 yrs | 9.0 |
| Norwalk | 6.2 | 1,723 | 32° | 3.8 | 5.3 yrs | 9.0 yrs | 9.0 |
| Chino | 6.3 | 1,759 | 32° | 3.8 | 5.2 yrs | 8.9 yrs | 8.8 |
| Manteca | 6.1 | 1,681 | 33° | 3.8 | 5.4 yrs | 9.1 yrs | 9.2 |
| San Marcos | 6.1 | 1,717 | 31° | 3.8 | 5.3 yrs | 9.0 yrs | 9.0 |
| Indio | 6.7 | 1,825 | 33° | 3.4 | 5.0 yrs | 8.3 yrs | 8.5 |
| Redding | 5.8 | 1,575 | 35° | 4.2 | 5.8 yrs | 9.9 yrs | 9.9 |
| Hemet | 6.5 | 1,784 | 32° | 3.8 | 5.1 yrs | 8.8 yrs | 8.7 |
| Folsom | 6.0 | 1,654 | 33° | 3.8 | 5.5 yrs | 9.2 yrs | 9.4 |
| Carson | 6.0 | 1,702 | 32° | 3.8 | 5.3 yrs | 9.0 yrs | 9.1 |
| Compton | 6.1 | 1,711 | 32° | 3.8 | 5.3 yrs | 9.0 yrs | 9.0 |
| Mission Viejo | 6.1 | 1,718 | 32° | 3.8 | 5.3 yrs | 9.0 yrs | 9.0 |
| Santa Monica | 6.1 | 1,711 | 32° | 3.8 | 5.3 yrs | 9.0 yrs | 9.0 |
| South Gate | 6.1 | 1,721 | 32° | 3.8 | 5.3 yrs | 9.0 yrs | 9.0 |
| Westminster | 6.1 | 1,709 | 32° | 3.8 | 5.3 yrs | 9.0 yrs | 9.1 |
| Rancho Cordova | 6.0 | 1,659 | 33° | 3.8 | 5.5 yrs | 9.2 yrs | 9.4 |
| Santa Barbara | 6.1 | 1,744 | 32° | 3.8 | 5.2 yrs | 8.9 yrs | 8.9 |
| Citrus Heights | 6.0 | 1,654 | 33° | 3.8 | 5.5 yrs | 9.2 yrs | 9.4 |
| Lake Forest | 6.2 | 1,722 | 32° | 3.8 | 5.3 yrs | 9.0 yrs | 9.0 |
| San Ramon | 5.9 | 1,653 | 33° | 3.8 | 5.5 yrs | 9.2 yrs | 9.4 |
| Whittier | 6.2 | 1,735 | 32° | 3.8 | 5.2 yrs | 9.0 yrs | 8.9 |
| Mountain View | 5.7 | 1,634 | 33° | 3.8 | 5.6 yrs | 9.2 yrs | 9.5 |
| San Leandro | 5.7 | 1,630 | 33° | 3.8 | 5.6 yrs | 9.2 yrs | 9.5 |
| Livermore | 5.9 | 1,667 | 33° | 3.8 | 5.5 yrs | 9.2 yrs | 9.3 |
| Perris | 6.4 | 1,771 | 32° | 3.8 | 5.1 yrs | 8.9 yrs | 8.7 |
| Hawthorne | 6.1 | 1,706 | 32° | 3.8 | 5.3 yrs | 9.0 yrs | 9.1 |
| Redwood City | 5.6 | 1,616 | 33° | 3.8 | 5.6 yrs | 9.3 yrs | 9.6 |
| Newport Beach | 6.1 | 1,703 | 32° | 3.8 | 5.3 yrs | 9.0 yrs | 9.1 |
| Buena Park | 6.1 | 1,722 | 32° | 3.8 | 5.3 yrs | 9.0 yrs | 9.0 |
| Alhambra | 6.3 | 1,744 | 32° | 3.8 | 5.2 yrs | 8.9 yrs | 8.9 |
| Upland | 6.4 | 1,775 | 33° | 3.8 | 5.1 yrs | 8.8 yrs | 8.7 |
| Milpitas | 5.8 | 1,655 | 33° | 3.8 | 5.5 yrs | 9.2 yrs | 9.4 |
| Lakewood | 6.1 | 1,712 | 32° | 3.8 | 5.3 yrs | 9.0 yrs | 9.0 |
| Tustin | 6.2 | 1,720 | 32° | 3.8 | 5.3 yrs | 9.0 yrs | 9.0 |
| Pittsburg | 5.9 | 1,658 | 33° | 3.8 | 5.5 yrs | 9.2 yrs | 9.4 |
| Chino Hills | 6.3 | 1,751 | 32° | 3.8 | 5.2 yrs | 8.9 yrs | 8.8 |
| Alameda | 5.7 | 1,623 | 33° | 3.8 | 5.6 yrs | 9.3 yrs | 9.6 |
| Rocklin | 6.0 | 1,649 | 33° | 3.8 | 5.5 yrs | 9.2 yrs | 9.4 |
| Napa | 5.9 | 1,649 | 33° | 3.8 | 5.5 yrs | 9.2 yrs | 9.4 |
| Apple Valley | 6.7 | 1,837 | 34° | 3.4 | 5.0 yrs | 8.3 yrs | 8.5 |
| Lake Elsinore | 6.3 | 1,752 | 32° | 3.8 | 5.2 yrs | 8.9 yrs | 8.8 |
| Bellflower | 6.1 | 1,718 | 32° | 3.8 | 5.3 yrs | 9.0 yrs | 9.0 |
| Pleasanton | 5.9 | 1,656 | 33° | 3.8 | 5.5 yrs | 9.2 yrs | 9.4 |
| Redlands | 6.5 | 1,798 | 33° | 3.8 | 5.1 yrs | 8.8 yrs | 8.6 |
| Tulare | 6.2 | 1,703 | 32° | 3.8 | 5.3 yrs | 9.0 yrs | 9.1 |
| Turlock | 6.1 | 1,685 | 33° | 3.8 | 5.4 yrs | 9.1 yrs | 9.2 |
| Dublin | 5.9 | 1,655 | 33° | 3.8 | 5.5 yrs | 9.2 yrs | 9.4 |
| Eastvale | 6.4 | 1,762 | 33° | 3.8 | 5.2 yrs | 8.9 yrs | 8.8 |
| Walnut Creek | 5.8 | 1,647 | 33° | 3.8 | 5.5 yrs | 9.2 yrs | 9.4 |
| Yuba City | 5.9 | 1,636 | 34° | 3.8 | 5.6 yrs | 9.3 yrs | 9.5 |
| Lodi | 6.0 | 1,673 | 33° | 3.8 | 5.4 yrs | 9.1 yrs | 9.3 |
| Madera | 6.2 | 1,698 | 33° | 3.8 | 5.4 yrs | 9.1 yrs | 9.1 |
| Baldwin Park | 6.3 | 1,753 | 32° | 3.8 | 5.2 yrs | 8.9 yrs | 8.8 |
| Camarillo | 6.2 | 1,741 | 32° | 3.8 | 5.2 yrs | 8.9 yrs | 8.9 |
| Palo Alto | 5.7 | 1,626 | 33° | 3.8 | 5.6 yrs | 9.2 yrs | 9.5 |
| Redondo Beach | 6.0 | 1,692 | 32° | 3.8 | 5.4 yrs | 9.1 yrs | 9.1 |
| Brentwood | 6.0 | 1,668 | 33° | 3.8 | 5.5 yrs | 9.2 yrs | 9.3 |
| Davis | 6.0 | 1,661 | 33° | 3.8 | 5.5 yrs | 9.2 yrs | 9.3 |
| Yorba Linda | 6.3 | 1,742 | 32° | 3.8 | 5.2 yrs | 8.9 yrs | 8.9 |
| Union City | 5.8 | 1,642 | 33° | 3.8 | 5.5 yrs | 9.2 yrs | 9.5 |
| South San Francisco | 5.6 | 1,606 | 33° | 4.2 | 5.7 yrs | 9.7 yrs | 9.7 |
| Laguna Niguel | 6.1 | 1,705 | 32° | 3.8 | 5.3 yrs | 9.0 yrs | 9.1 |
| Lynwood | 6.1 | 1,718 | 32° | 3.8 | 5.3 yrs | 9.0 yrs | 9.0 |
| Porterville | 6.3 | 1,724 | 32° | 3.8 | 5.3 yrs | 9.0 yrs | 9.0 |
| Woodland | 6.0 | 1,656 | 33° | 3.8 | 5.5 yrs | 9.2 yrs | 9.4 |
| Hanford | 6.2 | 1,697 | 32° | 3.8 | 5.4 yrs | 9.1 yrs | 9.1 |
| San Clemente | 6.1 | 1,703 | 32° | 3.8 | 5.3 yrs | 9.0 yrs | 9.1 |
| Santa Cruz | 5.8 | 1,658 | 33° | 3.8 | 5.5 yrs | 9.2 yrs | 9.4 |
| La Habra | 6.2 | 1,735 | 32° | 3.8 | 5.2 yrs | 9.0 yrs | 8.9 |
| Beaumont | 6.5 | 1,798 | 33° | 3.8 | 5.1 yrs | 8.8 yrs | 8.6 |
| Gilroy | 6.0 | 1,695 | 33° | 3.8 | 5.4 yrs | 9.1 yrs | 9.2 |
| Encinitas | 6.0 | 1,694 | 31° | 3.8 | 5.4 yrs | 9.1 yrs | 9.1 |
| Montebello | 6.2 | 1,736 | 32° | 3.8 | 5.2 yrs | 8.9 yrs | 8.9 |
| La Mesa | 6.1 | 1,712 | 31° | 3.8 | 5.3 yrs | 9.0 yrs | 9.0 |
| Petaluma | 5.7 | 1,628 | 33° | 3.8 | 5.6 yrs | 9.3 yrs | 9.5 |
| San Rafael | 5.7 | 1,619 | 33° | 3.8 | 5.6 yrs | 9.3 yrs | 9.6 |
| Pico Rivera | 6.2 | 1,734 | 32° | 3.8 | 5.2 yrs | 8.9 yrs | 8.9 |
| Gardena | 6.1 | 1,706 | 32° | 3.8 | 5.3 yrs | 9.0 yrs | 9.1 |
| Cupertino | 5.8 | 1,641 | 33° | 3.8 | 5.5 yrs | 9.2 yrs | 9.5 |
| Santee | 6.2 | 1,725 | 31° | 3.8 | 5.3 yrs | 9.0 yrs | 9.0 |
| National City | 6.0 | 1,689 | 31° | 3.8 | 5.4 yrs | 9.1 yrs | 9.2 |
| Highland | 6.6 | 1,804 | 33° | 3.8 | 5.0 yrs | 8.8 yrs | 8.6 |
| Monterey Park | 6.2 | 1,739 | 32° | 3.8 | 5.2 yrs | 8.9 yrs | 8.9 |
| Lincoln | 6.0 | 1,647 | 33° | 3.8 | 5.5 yrs | 9.2 yrs | 9.4 |
| West Sacramento | 6.0 | 1,662 | 33° | 3.8 | 5.5 yrs | 9.2 yrs | 9.3 |
| San Jacinto | 6.5 | 1,789 | 32° | 3.8 | 5.1 yrs | 8.8 yrs | 8.7 |
| Fountain Valley | 6.1 | 1,707 | 32° | 3.8 | 5.3 yrs | 9.0 yrs | 9.1 |
| Yucaipa | 6.6 | 1,805 | 33° | 3.8 | 5.0 yrs | 8.8 yrs | 8.6 |
| Placentia | 6.2 | 1,736 | 32° | 3.8 | 5.2 yrs | 9.0 yrs | 8.9 |
| Arcadia | 6.3 | 1,756 | 32° | 3.8 | 5.2 yrs | 8.9 yrs | 8.8 |
| Colton | 6.5 | 1,788 | 33° | 3.8 | 5.1 yrs | 8.8 yrs | 8.7 |
| Palm Desert | 6.7 | 1,824 | 33° | 3.4 | 5.0 yrs | 8.3 yrs | 8.5 |
| Cathedral City | 6.7 | 1,829 | 33° | 3.4 | 5.0 yrs | 8.3 yrs | 8.5 |
| Delano | 6.3 | 1,729 | 32° | 3.8 | 5.3 yrs | 9.0 yrs | 9.0 |
| Novato | 5.7 | 1,623 | 33° | 3.8 | 5.6 yrs | 9.3 yrs | 9.6 |
| Diamond Bar | 6.3 | 1,752 | 32° | 3.8 | 5.2 yrs | 8.9 yrs | 8.8 |
| Huntington Park | 6.2 | 1,724 | 32° | 3.8 | 5.3 yrs | 9.0 yrs | 9.0 |
| Paramount | 6.1 | 1,716 | 32° | 3.8 | 5.3 yrs | 9.0 yrs | 9.0 |
| Watsonville | 6.0 | 1,685 | 33° | 3.8 | 5.4 yrs | 9.1 yrs | 9.2 |
| San Luis Obispo | 6.1 | 1,729 | 32° | 3.8 | 5.3 yrs | 8.9 yrs | 9.0 |
NM = exports credited at retail (net metering); NB = exports at ~30% of retail (net billing). Systems sized to the California average home. $3.00/W, cash, 25 years.
Rule changes that affect California
All changes and deadlines →- California: Last year for California’s “ACC Plus” export bonus · Export rules
- Federal: In-service deadline for the lease/PPA solar credit · Tax credits
- California: California adopts updated export values for new solar customers · Export rules
- Federal: National data: solar prices fell to a median $3.60 per watt · Prices
- Federal: Construction-start deadline passed for the lease/PPA credit · Tax credits
Questions about solar in California
How much do solar panels cost in California?
A 3.8 kW system, the size the average California home needs, costs about $9,500 to $14,250 before incentives in 2026.
Is solar worth it in California?
In the median California city, solar pays for itself in about 5.3 yrs if exported power earns the retail rate, or 9.0 yrs if it earns about 30% of retail. California’s Net Billing Tariff (since Apr 15, 2023) credits exports at Avoided Cost Calculator values, locked for 9 years per vintage.
Is there a solar tax credit in California?
We know of no statewide income-tax credit for home solar in California; utilities and cities sometimes offer rebates. The 30% federal credit ended for homeowner systems installed after December 31, 2025.
How many solar panels does a California home need?
About 9 panels of 420 watts for the state-average 503 kWh a month. Sunnier cities need fewer: Apple Valley gets 1,837 kWh per kW a year, San Francisco 1,540.