Solar power in Long Beach, California
Southern California Edison offers its solar customers an excellent net metering program making solar a smarter, easier choice.
With the federal ITC, a big percentage of the system cost - 26% in 2020, and 22% in 2021 - can be claimed as a deduction to your federal tax liability. This incentive can be stretched over several years to suit anyones financial standpoint.
Incentives make solar in Long Beach a no brainer. Even if you still aren't sure about signing up a free estimate by entering your address into our calculator can never hurt.
Net Metering Broken Down
Southern California Edison's net metering program values each kWh of excess solar generation sent to the grid at the retail power price.
When more energy is exported than drawn credit is still provided at retail value to future bills. At the end of the yearly billing cycle remaining credit is deposited into your account at 3-4 cents per kWh.
Under NEM-2 rules customers must switch to time of use billing to install solar, resulting in about a 10% decrease in returns. However, with great sun exposure in Long Beach net metering is still very profitable.
The average cost of installing residential solar panels in Long Beach,
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 Long Beach, 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 Long Beach 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 Azusa, City of Burbank Water and Power, City of Glendale, City of Pasadena, City of Vernon, LADWP (City of Los Angeles), Southern California Edison Co
How much can solar panels save you in Long Beach
What does the cost of a real solar system look like?
Facts about installing a 8.38kW solar system in Long Beach, CA
This system would offset 100% of your energy usage if your typical monthly bill is $192, however your situation may vary so try our Long Beach solar calculator to get a result tailored to you.
$16,061
Net cost of system
6 Years 2 Months
Average payback time
12,659 kWh
Annual power production
5¢/kWh
Levelized cost of solar energy
32¢/kWh
If you don't get solar
Cash flow graph based on cash purchase of this 8.38kW system
Life-time savings on this system over the next 25 years
$79,335
(Prices shown after repayments of capital)
291
Solar companies in Long Beach, CA that provide pricing through the SolarEstimate marketplace.
Average total cost of solar panel installation in Long Beach
| 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 |
| LADWP - Solar Incentive Program | Utility | Rebate Program |
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.
