Solar power in Santee, California
SDG&E offer a net metering program for their solar customers in Santee, which is great news for homeowners who want to wipe out their electric bills by going solar.
The federal solar tax credit allows you to claim part of your system cost as a deduction to federal taxes for a system of any size. This incentive may also be spread over several years.
SDG&E is trying to end net metering, so don't wait too long!
Net Metering Broken Down
Net metering requires your utility to monitor excess kWh produced from your solar system and kWh drawn from the grid at night or on a cloudy day and only bill you for kWh exported minus kWh drawn from the grid.
Usually more energy is sent to the grid than drawn and each kWh of this surplus is credited at the retail price for power. Credit can be applied to future bills within the same 12 month billing cycle and if credit remains at the end of the 12 months SDG&E will deposit the money into your bank account.
Under NEM-2 rules, new solar customers must switch to time of use billing reducing the returns by about 10%; fortunately, this isn't a lot and with equipment prices declining and great sun exposure ,solar is still a great investment.
The average cost of installing residential solar panels in Santee,
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 Santee, 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 Santee 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 Santee
What does the cost of a real solar system look like?
Facts about installing a 7.53kW solar system in Santee, CA
This system would offset 100% of your energy usage if your typical monthly bill is $251, however your situation may vary so try our Santee solar calculator to get a result tailored to you.
$14,711
Net cost of system
4 Years 6 Months
Average payback time
11,323 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 7.53kW system
Life-time savings on this system over the next 25 years
$112,854
(Prices shown after repayments of capital)
270
Solar companies in Santee, CA that provide pricing through the SolarEstimate marketplace.
Average total cost of solar panel installation in Santee
| 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.
