How much will solar save you in California?
Punch in your monthly utility bill to see your system size, payback period, 25-year savings, and environmental impact — tuned for California rates and sun hours.
How Much Can You Save With Solar?
Enter your monthly electric bill to see your personalized solar savings estimate — it only takes 10 seconds.
Financial Breakdown
Ready to Save — Over 25 Years?
Get a precise, satellite-based estimate for your specific roof — it's free and takes under 2 minutes.
Get Your Free Custom Estimate →What goes into your solar savings estimate
Built specifically for California homeowners. We factor in PG&E/SCE rates, NEM 3.0, the 30% federal tax credit, and panel degradation over 25 years.
Your monthly utility bill
The single biggest input. Higher bills mean a larger system, more savings, and faster payback. PG&E and SCE customers in California typically see the strongest returns.
California sun hours
We use 5.5 peak sun hours/day as a Central Valley average. Bakersfield, Ridgecrest, and Tehachapi homes often produce more; coastal Ventura and SLO produce slightly less.
NEM 3.0 + battery storage
Under California's net billing tariff, exporting solar earns less than it used to. Batteries let you use your own solar at night and dramatically improve payback.
Federal tax credit
The 30% Residential Clean Energy Credit is applied directly to your federal tax bill the year your system is placed in service. Eligibility varies — confirm with a tax pro.
Solar Payback Period in California
California has the third-highest residential electricity rates in the country and some of the strongest sun in the world. That combo produces some of the fastest solar payback periods anywhere.
How much do solar panels cost in California?
A typical 6–8 kW residential system in Bakersfield or Kern County runs roughly $14,000–$22,000before the 30% federal tax credit — depending on panel choice, roof complexity, and whether you add a battery.
After the federal credit, net cost typically lands between $10,000 and $15,400for cash buyers. Financed customers often start saving on day one with $0-down loans.
Is solar still worth it under NEM 3.0?
Yes — but the math is different than it used to be. Under California's net billing tariff, the credit for exporting solar to the grid is much lower than under NEM 2.0.
The new winning move is pairing solar with a home batteryso you store daytime production and use it at night — rather than selling it back at reduced rates. Battery-paired systems consistently produce the strongest returns under NEM 3.0.
How 25-Year Savings Are Calculated
Three transparent assumptions drive every projection.
4% annual utility rate inflation
Historically PG&E and SCE rates have risen even faster than this — so projections lean conservative.
0.5% annual panel degradation
Modern Tier-1 panels lose about half a percent of output per year, retaining ~88% at year 25.
Constant sun hours & usage
We don't model usage growth — so actual savings are usually higher if you add an EV, heat pump, or pool.
California Solar Incentives (2026)
Beyond the 30% federal tax credit, California homeowners may qualify for:
Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP)
Rebates for battery storage — especially generous in high-fire-risk Tier 2 and Tier 3 areas.
Property tax exclusion
Solar adds value to your home without triggering a property reassessment.
PACE financing
Pay for your solar system through your property tax bill instead of a traditional loan.
Local utility rebates
Additional rebates vary by territory and program year — we'll flag which apply to you.
Built for Your Estimate, Not National Averages
National solar calculators use generic averages. We use Central Valley sun hours, actual PG&E rate schedules, and Kern County permitting realities. If you want a precise number for your home, a free on-site estimate factors in your roof orientation, shading, and panel layout — and we walk you through cash, finance, and battery scenarios side by side.
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