Solar power in Escondido, California
Escondido is a special city which benefits from a lot of sunshine and great solar incentives.
San Diego Gas & Electric provide net metering, which is a very valuable incentive to solar homeowners.
Under the federal ITC, a large chunk (26% in 2020, and 22% in 2021) of the project costs can be deducted from your federal tax liability. This incentive can be spread over several years.
With a great net metering plan and ITC covering part of the costs, solar in Escondido is a no brainer. Even if you're still on the fence a free estimate by entering your zip code below can be a great way to find out where you stand.
Net Metering Broken Down
San Diego Gas & Electric provide full retail value per kWh of excess solar generation sent to their grid. When more power is sent to the grid than drawn within a month credit is given to future bills still at retail value. At the end of the yearly billing cycle remaining credit is deposited into your account at 3-4 cents per kWh.
Sadly under the new NEM-2 rules SDG&E customers must switch to time of use billing to go solar, reducing returns by about 10%. However, with great sunshine and equipment prices falling solar is still a very wise investment.
The average cost of installing residential solar panels in Escondido,
California in 2025 is
$2.72 per watt. The average system size
in the US is 6 kilowatts, which means the average price of a solar system
in Escondido, CA
is $13,600.
(after claiming 26% tax credit and other rebates)
The 26% federal solar tax credit explained
If you have a federal income tax liability, 26% of the cost of your solar system can be claimed as a deduction to your taxes. This incentive is claimed when you do your taxes. In order to receive the tax credit quicker it's best to do your taxes as soon as possible after installation.
What if my tax liability is less than 26% of my systems costThere is the option to claim this incentive over several years if your tax liability is less than 26% of the system cost.
How much will solar panels on my home save me?
The answer to this question depends on your electricity usage. Generally speaking the greater your power usage the greater the potential savings from installing solar.
The average monthly usage in California is only 573kWh per month however, you are most likely using a lot more than this since this average includes condos and small apartments.
The Escondido solar panel savings calculator below will convert your monthly power spend into power usage (in kWh's) and then work out exactly how many solar panels you need to offset your usage, how much they will cost based on the prices of local solar companies and the amount you will save. Our California solar savings calculator can do this because it contains a database of the electric rates charged by City of Escondido, Imperial Irrigation District, San Diego Gas & Electric Co, Southern California Edison Co
How much can solar panels save you in Escondido
What does the cost of a real solar system look like?
Facts about installing a 7.98kW solar system in Escondido, CA
This system would offset 100% of your energy usage if your typical monthly bill is $266, however your situation may vary so try our Escondido solar calculator to get a result tailored to you.
$15,413
Net cost of system
4 Years 5 Months
Average payback time
12,000 kWh
Annual power production
5¢/kWh
Levelized cost of solar energy
47¢/kWh
If you don't get solar
Cash flow graph based on cash purchase of this 7.98kW system
Life-time savings on this system over the next 25 years
$119,860
(Prices shown after repayments of capital)
277
Solar companies in Escondido, CA that provide pricing through the SolarEstimate marketplace.
Average total cost of solar panel installation in Escondido
| System Size |
Cash purchase After 26% solar tax credit |
Financed purchase After 26% solar tax credit |
|---|---|---|
| 3kw | $6,416 | $6,929 |
| 4kw | $8,377 | $9,047 |
| 5kw | $10,286 | $11,109 |
| 6kw | $12,077 | $13,043 |
| 7kw | $13,831 | $14,937 |
| 8kw | $15,451 | $16,687 |
| 9kw | $17,050 | $18,414 |
| 10kw | $18,500 | $19,980 |
Find out what system size you need for your home
Going solar in California
Check out all of the ways energy providers of California can help you be more energy efficient and save money.
The following programs are available:
| Incentive Name | Eligibility | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit | Federal | Personal Tax Credit |
| Property Tax Exclusion for Solar Energy Systems | State | Property Tax Incentive |
| Sonoma County - Energy Independence Program | Local | PACE Financing |
| NEM 2.0 | State | Net Metering |
Find your local rebates and incentives
Please keep in mind that the best source of up-to-date information on incentives are the solar installers who specialize in your area.
