Guide to Going Solar in Sonoma County
Installing solar panels is one of the best improvements you can make to your Sonoma County home. They take power away from PG&E and put it directly into your hands, saving you money on your bills and protecting you against rising electricity rates.
The benefits of solar panels for your Sonoma County home are clear. But going solar is a big decision. If you have questions about installing solar panels, you’re in the right place. We wrote this guide to help you learn everything you need to know about residential solar panel installation so you can decide whether they’re worth it for your home.
Why Go Solar in Sonoma County?
Solar panels work best in sunny climates and provide the most value to people with high electricity bills. In Sonoma County, we get around 260 sunny days per year and we have some of the highest electricity rates in the country. That sets you up to benefit significantly from residential solar panels.
Lower Electric Bills - We size your solar panel system to cover 100% of your home’s electricity usage, significantly reducing or even eliminating your electricity costs and protecting you against rising electricity rates.
No More Blackouts - Solar panels with battery storage give you backup power during an outage so you can stay safe and comfortable in an emergency.
Protect the Environment - Sonoma County is a beautiful place. Going solar helps protect it (and the rest of the planet) by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality.
Costs and Savings of Solar in Sonoma County
Installing solar panels is an investment. But in most cases, the upfront cost is worth it. Solar panels pay for themselves through energy bill savings and they will outlast their breakeven point—usually by over a decade. That means you have plenty of time to earn back your initial investment and make money off of it before you have to replace your solar panels.
Upfront Costs
It’s almost impossible to give a blanket estimate for solar panel installation, especially because we completely customize every system we install. Most estimates put the average cost of a 5 KW solar panel system at around $15,000 - $20,000 in California, before factoring in the solar tax credit. That’s pretty accurate in most cases, but what if you need a bigger system or a smaller one? What if you want to include batteries, or use the highest-efficiency panels on the market? Those numbers can easily change. For a personalized estimate, reach out to Taylor Energy. We offer free, no-pressure estimates to give you an accurate breakdown of your expected costs and savings.
The cost of your solar panel installation will depend on many factors, including:
System Size & Electricity Needs - The more power you use, the more solar panels you will need, which directly affects cost.
Panel Type - High-quality solar panels, inverters, and batteries cost more. But they also perform better and last longer, making the added cost worth it.
Roof Design - Your roof’s design and ease of access will impact costs. Complex or steeply pitched roofs may require specialized mounting equipment and additional labor.
Rebates & Incentives - Incentives like the 30% solar tax credit bring down installation costs. Some utilities offer additional rebates, depending on where you live.
Long-Term Savings
Now comes the fun part—how much will you save? With a properly sized solar panel and battery system, you can bring your grid usage costs down to zero. If you’re spending $250 a month on electricity, solar panels could save you around $3,000 a year.
Just like with installation costs, however, savings vary depending on several factors. The first is energy consumption. The more electricity your household consumes, the more you can potentially save with solar panels. Your utility rate is also important. Higher utility rates means higher electric bills, which translates to greater savings when you offset your grid consumption with solar power. System design and efficiency plays a role, too. We install custom-sized solar panel systems that match your home’s energy consumption to ensure maximum savings.
Incentives and Rebates for Solar in Sonoma County
You can save on solar panels in Sonoma County with rebates and incentives, including:
Federal Solar Tax Credit
Reduces your federal income tax liability by 30% of your solar installation costs, effectively saving you 30% on solar panels.
SGIP Rebates
If you meet income requirements, you may be eligible for SGIP rebates. These rebates cover 100% of the cost to install solar battery storage and 60-80% of the cost to install solar panels with battery storage. We can help you find out if you’re eligible—call today!
Solar Property Tax Exclusion
Solar power systems are excluded from property tax assessments in California, so your property taxes won’t go up when you go solar.
The Solar Installation Process: What to Expect
Our solar panel installation process makes going solar as stress-free as possible. We prioritize communication so you always know what’s going on with your project and can easily get in touch with us if you have questions.
Discover & Design - The first step to going solar is the discovery and design process. We will analyze your PG&E electrical usage history, perform a site visit at your home, and discuss with you your goals for going solar. Using our proprietary and best-in-class software analytics, enables us to create a custom design giving you and your family the most efficient, cost effective and profitable solar system possible.
Sign PG&E Consumer Docs and Solar Contract - Once you make the decision to go solar with us, we then need to get your signatures on two sets of documents.
PG&E Solar Consumer Protection Guide & Disclosures:
As of Jan 1st 2020, PG&E requires all solar customers to sign their “Solar Consumer Protection Guide” and “Solar Energy System Disclosure Document”. PG&E created these documents to inform CA residents of their consumer rights and to ensure Solar Contractors are correctly informing customers of the costs of going solar.
Taylor Energy Solar Contract:
This is your solar contract which details the scope of work and related agreements between you and Taylor Energy.
Collect Deposit / Start Design & Permitting Work - Once you have signed your PG&E and Solar Contract docs, we will then need to collect the initial payment. Once the initial payment is received, we will begin drafting of your solar plan set and permitting documents. Once complete we will submit your documents to the local building department. As soon as the building department issues the permit, we will contact you to schedule your solar installation; generally 6-8 week after contract signing.
Installation - We complete most solar installations in just 1-3 days.
Local Inspections - After completing your installation, we will schedule and manage your local building department inspections. Inspections usually occur within 1-5 days after completion of installation.
PG&E Solar NEM Application - After completing your local Building Department inspections, we then submit your solar plan set and permit paperwork to PG&E who will then take approximately 4-6 weeks to review and approve your project. Until you receive your approval from PG&E you must leave your system off per PG&E requirements.
System Activation - Once we complete your PG&E Solar NEM Application it takes about 4-6 weeks to receive your “Permission to Operate” (PTO) notification at which time you may turn on your system and start receiving credit for your solar energy. Enjoy the savings! Operate” (PTO) notification at which time you may turn on your system and start receiving credit for your solar energy.
Post Installation Email - Project Docs and Monitoring - After turning your system on, we take a few days to review and audit your system performance via your new cellular monitoring system. Once we complete this audit, we will forward you our “Post Installation” e-mail which will contain digital copies of your project, permitting, PG&E and warranty documents and an invite to register for your system monitoring which you can access via your mobile phone or on any device with an internet connection.
Schedule a free consultation for solar panel installation in Sonoma County! Call (707) 760-0488 today.
Residential Solar
Get a free estimate for residential solar panel installation in Santa Rosa, Petaluma, Sebastopol, and surrounding areas. We are a Tesla Powerwall Certified Installer!
Rebates & Incentives
Save on your solar panel and solar battery installation with California solar incentives. Schedule a free solar consultation with Taylor Energy to learn more about the incentives you’re eligible for.
Commercial Solar
Cut operating costs and increase profit margins with commercial solar panels. Schedule your free commercial solar consultation with Taylor Energy today. We can help you find a solar solution that works for your business.
