Solar power in Ontario, California
SCE offers an excellent net metering program for its customers going solar in Ontario. There is also the solar tax credit covering a large part of all costs (and it can be spread across several years).
With utilities and the coal and oil industry trying to kill off solar, the time to switch is now!
Net Metering Broken Down
Net metering requires your utility to record unused power sent to their grid and power drawn from the grid. It will then only bill you for the net amount eg. 500kWh exported to the grid and 500kWh drawn from the grid would result in a power bill of $0.
If more power is exported than drawn the utility will credit you 1 for 1 with their retail power price and depending on your choice give you a credit to a future bill or write you a check.
Under the new laws new solar customers must switch to time of use billing damaging returns however, only by about 10%; with solar equipment becoming cheaper and solar production being so high in Ontario, solar is still a no brainer investment.
The average cost of installing residential solar panels in Ontario,
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 Ontario, 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 Ontario 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 Colton, Southern California Edison Co, Southern California Water Co, City of Rancho Cucamonga, City of Victorville - (CA)
How much can solar panels save you in Ontario
What does the cost of a real solar system look like?
Facts about installing a 6.45kW solar system in Ontario, CA
This system would offset 100% of your energy usage if your typical monthly bill is $197, however your situation may vary so try our Ontario solar calculator to get a result tailored to you.
$12,887
Net cost of system
4 Years 11 Months
Average payback time
9,932 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 6.45kW system
Life-time savings on this system over the next 25 years
$86,618
(Prices shown after repayments of capital)
187
Solar companies in Ontario, CA that provide pricing through the SolarEstimate marketplace.
Average total cost of solar panel installation in Ontario
| 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.
