Solar power in Oakley, California
Pacific Gas & Electric provide net metering to their customers going solar in Oakley. This makes it easy for homeowners here to eliminate their electric bill.
You may also claim a large portion of the total system costs as a reduction to your federal taxes — it's worth 26% in 2020, and 22% in 2021. The federal solar tax credit has no system size limitations and can be used in parts over several years.
Net metering and the solar tax credit combined make solar an excellent choice for a home investment.
If you're still on the fence, entering your address into our solar calculator and getting an estimate can be a great way to work out where you stand.
Net Metering Broken Down
Net metering credits unused solar generation sent to the grid at the retail rate for power. In each billing month you are either billed or credited still at the retail rate if more power has been exported then drawn.
Credit can be applied to future bills within the same 12 month billing cycle. Remaining credit at the end of the 12 months is deposited into your account.
PG&E have, unfortunately, adopted NEM-2 rules making new solar customers switch to time of use billing. This new rule change has reduced net metering returns by about 10%; fortunately, with equipment costs declining and great sun exposure, the losses are easily compensated for.
The average cost of installing residential solar panels in Oakley,
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 Oakley, 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 Oakley 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 Pacific Gas & Electric Co
How much can solar panels save you in Oakley
What does the cost of a real solar system look like?
Facts about installing a 8.42kW solar system in Oakley, CA
This system would offset 100% of your energy usage if your typical monthly bill is $244, however your situation may vary so try our Oakley solar calculator to get a result tailored to you.
$16,138
Net cost of system
5 Years
Average payback time
12,302 kWh
Annual power production
5¢/kWh
Levelized cost of solar energy
42¢/kWh
If you don't get solar
Cash flow graph based on cash purchase of this 8.42kW system
Life-time savings on this system over the next 25 years
$107,031
(Prices shown after repayments of capital)
127
Solar companies in Oakley, CA that provide pricing through the SolarEstimate marketplace.
Average total cost of solar panel installation in Oakley
| 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 |
| *Under Revision* Marin Clean Energy - Feed-in-Tariff | Local | Performance-Based Incentive |
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.
