The cost of solar panels in Penn Valley, CA (2024)

Updated Nov 12, 2024

  • You'll pay an average of $11,274 to install a 5 kilowatt solar panel system in Penn Valley, CA, before incentives.

  • The federal investment tax credit (ITC) lowers that price by 30% of all your solar equipment and installation costs.

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Written by: Emily Walker

As of November 2024, the average solar panel system costs $2.25/W including installation in Penn Valley, CA. For a 5 kW installation, this comes out to about $11,274 before incentives, though prices range from $9,583 to $12,965. After the federal tax credit, the average price drops by 30%.

Average price of a 5 kW solar panel installation in Penn Valley, CA

Good Price
$9,583 or less
Market Average
$11,274
High Price
$12,965 or more

You'll probably pay even less than what we show here. It doesn't include the federal ITC or Penn Valley, CA state incentives, which will lower this price by at least a few thousand dollars.

Your solar panel cost depends on your system's size

It may seem obvious but larger solar panel systems cost more money. We use cost per watt ($/W) so you can easily compare quotes, controlling for slight variations in system size.

While a 5 kW system will only cost you $11,274 in Penn Valley, CA, doubling the system size effectively doubles the price, so you'll pay about twice that for a 10 kW system. The higher the price tag, though, the more you'll get back as a credit towards your federal tax bill.

Average solar cost by system size in Penn Valley, CA

System Size
System Cost
System Cost (after ITC)
3 kW$6,765$4,735
4 kW$9,019$6,314
5 kW$11,274$7,892
6 kW$13,529$9,470
7 kW$15,784$11,049
8 kW$18,039$12,627
9 kW$20,294$14,206
10 kW$22,548$15,784

Are solar panels worth it in Penn Valley, CA?

Solar panels are worth it in most areas, including Penn Valley, CA. Certain factors, including the cost of electricity, incentives, climate, and the angle at which the sun hits your roof impact how quickly you break even on your investment relative to other areas around the U.S. 

If you pay for your system with cash, you'll save about $185,697 over 25 years (the warranty term of most solar panels) on electricity costs with a 5 kW system in Penn Valley, CA. We generate this estimate based on real solar quote data from our Marketplace. It considers your system's cost, the federal tax credit, and inflation rates.

If you don't have access to net metering, these estimates don't account for utility net billing rates.

Payback Period
4.63 Years
25-Year Savings
$185,697
Cost-per-Watt
$2.25

If you can't shell out $11,274 in cash to pay for solar, don't sweat it. You can choose to finance your system with a loan instead. Some companies even offer $0-down loans so you can start saving on day one if your loan payments are less than your current electric bills. Just keep in mind that your long-term savings will be lower with a loan due to interest rates.

Find out what solar panels cost in your area in 2024
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The numbers we're showing are averages. The price you'll pay for solar depends on many factors unique to you and your home:

If you're looking for solar companies in CA, here are some popular suggestions:

  • Solar Optimum
    Benicia, CA
    Established 2008
    Elite+ Installer
    Since 2008, Solar Optimum continues to be the leader in supplying solar energy systems, back-up battery storage a...
    Elite+ Installer
    Screened & Verified

    Since 2008, Solar Optimum continues to be the leader in supplying solar energy systems, back-up battery storage a...
  • IntegrateSun, LLC
    Sacramento, CA
    Established 2010
    Elite+ Installer
    IntegrateSun is an Earth based company that is successfully navigating oily waters. We chose to be in the busines...
    Elite+ Installer
    Screened & Verified

    IntegrateSun is an Earth based company that is successfully navigating oily waters. We chose to be in the busines...
  • American Array Solar and Roofing
    Manteca, CA
    Established 2012
    Elite Installer
    With 80 years of combined experience at American Array Solar and Roofing, we put our customers first! We service ...
    Elite Installer
    Screened & Verified

    With 80 years of combined experience at American Array Solar and Roofing, we put our customers first! We service ...
  • Connected Technology
    Rocklin, CA
    Established 2016
    Advanced Installer
    Connected Technology was created to help our customers easily make the transition to efficient, reliable, and eco...
    Advanced Installer
    Screened & Verified
    5.0 /5.0
    12 Reviews

    Connected Technology was created to help our customers easily make the transition to efficient, reliable, and eco...
  • Freedom Solar Pros
    Multi-state
    Established 2011
    Approved Installer
    Our main focus is always on quality, both with equipment used and the installation performed. We offer the best w...
    Approved Installer
    Screened & Verified
    5.0 /5.0
    3 Reviews

    Our main focus is always on quality, both with equipment used and the installation performed. We offer the best w...

Solar is a major purchase, but you can get the price tag to come down a bit by being an educated shopper. Taking advantage of incentives and rebates and shopping around for quotes can bring down your cost of solar in Penn Valley, CA.

Take advantage of federal and local solar incentives

As long as your federal tax bill is high enough, you can take advantage of the federal tax credit in Penn Valley, CA. This incentive allows you to apply 30% of your solar installation and equipment costs toward your federal tax bill. If the amount exceeds your tax bill, you can roll over the remaining credit to the following year. Many states also offer great local incentives and rebates.

Get quotes from multiple installers

Comparing multiple solar quotes can save you money through competition and transparency. Each additional quote you receive for solar will help you find the right solar panel system at the right price.

This is where EnergySage can help. With funding from the Department of Energy’s SunShot Prize, EnergySage opened the country’s first (and now the largest) marketplace for home solar panel installations. We gather custom solar quotes from local installers on your behalf and put them in an easy-to-compare format. When you compare quotes for solar panels on the EnergySage Marketplace, you can expect to see prices up to 20% lower than if you work with a single solar company.

Why shop with EnergySage?

Save time & money

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Unbiased support

Our expert Energy Advisors will help you make the right decision

Trusted, local installers

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