Solar / February 8, 2022
Going Solar In San Diego, CA: 5 Factors That Affect Installation Costs
With about 266 days of sunshine, San Diego, CA, is a perfect destination for solar power generation. If you plan to upgrade your home, solar panel installation should top your options. A solar panel system saves on your energy bill, reduces reliance on the grid, cuts your home’s carbon footprint, and boosts your home’s value. Homeowners in the Golden State also enjoy solar incentives and tax credits, which make solar power more affordable.
If you want to install solar power in your home, the cost of the project is a top consideration. Learn about different factors that affect the cost of solar power installation for homes in the city.
1. Energy Needs
Every home in the city has unique energy consumption. In California, the average home electricity consumption is about 573 kWh/month. Before a solar panel installation project begins, your contractor audits your home’s energy needs. The audit determines the number of solar panels and hardware required.
If your home has high-energy consumption, you require a large solar panel system. The cost of installation goes up to meet the higher demand for energy in your home.
2. Roof Condition
The state of a roof is crucial in solar installation project s. If your home has an old roof, the roof evaluation might reveal multiple structural problems which require extensive repairs. For a roof that’s past its lifespan, roof replacement is the best idea before solar panel installation. The condition of the roof not only affects the cost of the project but also the timeline.
3. Roof Type
The best roof systems in the market are strong enough to support solar panels. The installation requirement for different roofs requires specific components, expertise, and labor. Your home’s roof system determines the ease and cost of solar panel installation. For instance, solar panel installation on clay tiles is costlier than on concrete tile roofing. Metal roofs with standing seams allow easy and cheap solar installation.
Another consideration is the roof design and style, which can include gable, hip, and gambrel. Your home’s roof style affects the solar panel installation project. During the initial project assessment, contractors evaluate the suitability of the roof pitch or design for the installation of solar panels.
Another consideration is the type of roof features. Some roof components, including skylights, chimneys, pipe boots, and box vents require custom solar panel designs. If you have such features on your roof, the solar panel estimate might be higher.
4. Cost of Equipment
The cost of solar energy equipment is lower than ever before but still requires substantial investment. The hardware required for the project makes up the largest percentage of the project’s budget. The major items required include photovoltaic panels, inverters, power optimizers, and energy storage systems.
The contractor evaluates the equipment needs to estimate the cost of the project accurately. If you have a large property, you need more panels, mounting hardware, wiring, and other hardware. The equipment cost drives up the cost of solar installation.
5. Solar Financing
You have the option to pay cash, lease the solar panel system, or take a solar project loan. Each of the financing options has different implications for the project cost. The cheapest finance option for your solar panel project is upfront cash payment.
A solar loan is another option to pay for the hardware and installation in installments. Finally, with a solar panel lease, you pay monthly payments for an agreed period of time. However, you don’t own the solar panels or the rest of the hardware you lease.
Solar panels installation for your home in San Diego, CA, is a smart home upgrade. For professional solar panel installation and maintenance in the city, book with our team at Mauzy Heating, Air & Solar today.
