Solar power in Lincoln, California
PG&E offer a net metering program to their solar customers in Lincoln, making it easy for customers their to eipe out their electric bill with solar.
There is also the federal solar tax credit allowing a large percentage of the system cost (26% in 2020, and 22% in 2021) to be claimed as a deduction to federal taxes. This incentive can be spread over several years and always covers the applicable regardless of system size.
There is no reason not to go solar in Lincoln and with PG&E fighting a hard battle to end net meterin,g no good will come from waiting!
Net Metering Broken Down
Under net metering each surplus kWh of solar generation is sent to the grid offsetting the cost of another kWh drawn from the grid at night or on a cloudy day. Even in northern California often more energy is exported than drawn to the home, this excess is credited to the customer at the retail power rate. Credits can be applied to future bills within the same 12 month billing cycle and any remaining credit at the end will be deposited into your account.
Under NEM-2 rules, new solar customers must switch to time of use billing reducing returns by about 10%. However, with great solar production and equipment prices falling, solar is still a great investment in Lincoln.
The average cost of installing residential solar panels in Lincoln,
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 Lincoln, 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 Lincoln 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 Roseville, Pacific Gas & Electric Co, Sacramento Municipal Util Dist, Sierra Pacific Power Co, Truckee Donner P U D
How much can solar panels save you in Lincoln
What does the cost of a real solar system look like?
Facts about installing a 10.75kW solar system in Lincoln, CA
This system would offset 100% of your energy usage if your typical monthly bill is $261, however your situation may vary so try our Lincoln solar calculator to get a result tailored to you.
$19,888
Net cost of system
5 Years 8 Months
Average payback time
14,914 kWh
Annual power production
5¢/kWh
Levelized cost of solar energy
37¢/kWh
If you don't get solar
Cash flow graph based on cash purchase of this 10.75kW system
Life-time savings on this system over the next 25 years
$110,680
(Prices shown after repayments of capital)
137
Solar companies in Lincoln, CA that provide pricing through the SolarEstimate marketplace.
Average total cost of solar panel installation in Lincoln
| 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 |
| SMUD - PV Residential Retrofit Buy-Down | Utility | Rebate Program |
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.
