Solar power in San Diego, California
Residents of San Diego don't need to be told two things:
- It is always sunny in San Diego; and
- San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E) is one of the most expensive utilities in the country to buy your power from.
These two factors have made San Diego the leading city in America in terms of residential solar installations per capita.
San Diego residents shouldn't wait another minute before installing solar on their homes, with the solar tax credit already down to 26% in 2020 (and set to reduce to 22% in 2021), and there being a limit on how many systems can be installed and get net metering under the NEM 2 cap.
San Diego solar systems also produce a lot more electricity than most other places in the US and also the world. With excellent production numbers and brilliant incentives solar is an excellent investment in San Diego. With a short payback of as little as 5 years, solar offers more than 20 years of free power after a system has paid for itself.
So whether you do or don't buy solar you will spend the same amount of money in the next five years on sourcing power but if you do install it now then in 5 years time you will be looking forward to 20 years of living with little or no power bill.
The average cost of installing residential solar panels in San Diego,
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 San Diego, 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 San Diego 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 San Diego
What does the cost of a real solar system look like?
Facts about installing a 6.5kW solar system in San Diego, CA
This system would offset 100% of your energy usage if your typical monthly bill is $217, however your situation may vary so try our San Diego solar calculator to get a result tailored to you.
$12,939
Net cost of system
4 Years 6 Months
Average payback time
9,789 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 6.5kW system
Life-time savings on this system over the next 25 years
$97,244
(Prices shown after repayments of capital)
270
Solar companies in San Diego, CA that provide pricing through the SolarEstimate marketplace.
Average total cost of solar panel installation in San Diego
| 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.
