Get your California estimate in under a minute →
| System size | Typical home | Estimated cost |
|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | Smaller / efficient home | ~$19,000 |
| 8 kW | Average California home | ~$25,000 |
| 10 kW | Larger / high-usage home | ~$31,000 |
California has some of the highest electricity rates in the country (~30¢/kWh) and abundant sun (~5.5 peak sun hours/day). That high rate is why solar can still pay off here even without the federal credit — every kWh you self-generate avoids an expensive utility kWh.
California's big three utilities (PG&E, SCE, SDG&E) now use NEM 3.0 net billing, which pays much less for power you export to the grid (roughly $0.05–$0.08/kWh on average, versus near-retail before). The practical result: self-consumption matters more, and adding a battery to store daytime production for evening use significantly improves your economics. Get quotes both with and without storage.
(Programs and rates change — confirm with your utility, the CPUC/CEC, and a tax professional.)
Thanks to high electricity rates, many California homeowners still see payback in about 8–12 years even without the federal credit — faster if you size the system to your own usage and add storage. After payback, the power is essentially free for the rest of the system's 25+ year life.
Often yes — California's high rates keep bill savings strong, but the math now favors right-sizing your system and adding a battery to use more of your own power instead of exporting it cheaply.
The 30% federal residential credit ended nationwide on Dec. 31, 2025 for purchased systems. California's property tax exclusion and SGIP storage rebates still apply.
Not required, but under NEM 3.0 a battery meaningfully improves savings and payback for most homes. Compare quotes with and without storage.
Solar Cost Advisor is a free, neutral tool — we don't sell panels. We help California homeowners understand real solar costs and, if they choose, connect with vetted local installers. Get your free estimate →
