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NorthSolarCalc › By State › California

🦅 California Solar Panel Calculator

California's sky-high electricity rates make solar the #1 home upgrade. NEM 3.0 applies to new installs.

Rates and incentive status reviewed 2026-07-27

$
$20$800+

Avg rate: $0.31/kWh · 5.82 peak sun hrs/day

Your Solar Estimate for California

Rates and incentive status reviewed 2026-07-27

3.4 kW

System Size

recommended

5.9 yrs

Payback Period

break-even

$55,035

25-Year Savings

net profit

2.2t

CO₂ Offset

per year

Gross installation cost$10,592
Currently verified incentives$0
Estimated net cost$10,592
Annual electricity savings$1,800/yr

This estimate does not deduct the expired US federal 30% residential tax credit (ended for spending after 2025-12-31) or the closed Canada Greener Homes Grant/Loan. It also does not assume any unverified state, provincial, or utility rebate. See methodology and confirm current incentives with your state/province, utility, or a tax professional before budgeting for one.

⚠️ California has partial net metering — excess solar credits may be limited. Check with your utility.

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California Solar Facts

$0.31/kWh

Avg Electricity Rate

5.82 hours

Daily Peak Sun Hours

Expired (ended 2025-12-31)

Federal Incentive Status

Electricity rate: U.S. EIA / Statistics Canada utility filings. Peak sun hours: NREL PVWatts. Federal incentive status verified against IRS.gov and Natural Resources Canada. See methodology for full assumptions.

Net Metering in California

California has partial net metering — you receive some credit for excess solar energy, but at a reduced rate. Factor this into your ROI calculation.

Net metering rules are set by state/provincial regulators and utilities and can change — confirm current terms with your utility before purchasing.

What This Estimate Does Not Assume

This calculator does not automatically apply the expired US federal 30% residential tax credit, the closed Canada Greener Homes Grant or Loan, or any unconfirmed state or utility rebate for California. If you find a currently active program, confirm it with the issuing agency — we link the general databases we trust in our methodology page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is solar worth it in California?+
California's sky-high electricity rates make solar the #1 home upgrade. NEM 3.0 applies to new installs. With a payback period calculated from local rates of $0.31/kWh and 5.82 peak sun hours per day, solar is worth evaluating on its gross-cost numbers in California — use the calculator above with your own bill for a personalized estimate.
Does California still get the 30% federal solar tax credit in 2026?+
No. The federal Residential Clean Energy Credit applied to spending through December 31, 2025, and does not apply to systems placed in service in 2026 or later. This calculator does not assume it. See our federal tax credit history article for what applied while it was active, and check the DSIRE database for any current state or utility incentive in California.
How long does solar take to pay back in California?+
Gross payback period in California depends on your monthly electricity bill, roof orientation, and system size. Use the calculator above with your actual monthly bill for a personalized estimate based on local rates of $0.31/kWh.

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