Solar power in Discovery Bay, California
PG&E offers its customers a net metering program, which means that Discovery Bay residents can benefit from selling their excess power to the grid.
The federal solar tax credit allows for a large portion of the total system cost to be claimed as a tax deduction. This tax credit may be spread over many years and doesn't have a size cap.
Utilities and several legislatures are trying to kill off these incentives so don't wait much longer!
Net Metering Broken Down
Each kWh of excess solar generation 1kWh drawn from the grid at another time is removed from your bill.
In northern California, solar produces more in comparison to most places. That means that could still have credits left over after cancelling your bill. In that case, PG&E can either write you a check crediting you at their retail rate or you may use the credit for 12 months on future bills.
The new NEM-2 rules require new solar customers with PG&E to switch to time of use billing reducing the returns by about 10%. However, with excellent power generation and solar becoming much cheaper solar is still a great investment.
The average cost of installing residential solar panels in Discovery Bay,
California in 2024 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 Discovery Bay, 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 Discovery Bay 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 Discovery Bay
What does the cost of a real solar system look like?
Facts about installing a 10.35kW solar system in Discovery Bay, CA
This system would offset 100% of your energy usage if your typical monthly bill is $300, however your situation may vary so try our Discovery Bay solar calculator to get a result tailored to you.
$19,148
Net cost of system
4 Years 10 Months
Average payback time
15,126 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 10.35kW system
Life-time savings on this system over the next 25 years
$132,610
(Prices shown after repayments of capital)
122
Solar companies in Discovery Bay, CA that provide pricing through the SolarEstimate marketplace.
Average total cost of solar panel installation in Discovery Bay
| 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.
