Josephine NesbitContributing Writer
Josephine Nesbit is a contributing writer for USA TODAY Homefront. She specializes in home impr...
Updated Apr. 22, 2024
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Homefront Local uses a unique algorithm to score solar companies based on important factors like user reviews and how popular they are in your area.
High-quality solar panel installation in Walnut, California, requires a solar installer that is certified, qualified and experienced. To help you find the right team, we’ve compiled a list of the top solar installers in Walnut.
Prior to selecting an installer, ask others for suggestions, evaluate potential companies and get multiple quotes to find the best company for your needs. You can look for a local solar company in Walnut or use a well-known national brand.
Although solar panels are a big upfront investment, you can reduce your energy bills over the long term. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) shows that transitioning to solar energy enables Walnut homeowners to save around $750 per year.
The offerings from different solar technicians vary. Make sure to compare companies and get quotes before you set up your solar panel installation.
Look for Walnut solar companies that have at least 3.5 out of 5 stars based on customer commentary on Google Reviews and similar sites. Make sure the company has a good rating on Better Business Bureau (BBB) when selecting a solar company.
Reviewing previous customer reviews will give you a sense of how other homeowners viewed the company, so be cautious if you see a pattern of negative reviews.
10713 Norwalk Blvd, Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670
(213) 984-4554
www.sempersolaris.com/locations/los-a...Walnut and the surrounding area receive plenty of sunlight, which allows homeowners to take advantage of solar energy. Here are the top reasons for considering solar energy:
Per a survey we did in October 2023, the average cost of installing solar panels across the country is $11,743.
The cost of solar panel installation is impacted by your shading, system size, sunlight availability, roof orientation, labor costs and area. Choosing bonus features such as solar trackers, batteries or animal guards will raise the overall cost.
Based on numbers from the EIA, NASA and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), solar panel installation in Walnut has an average cost of $6,920.
Solar panel installation is a major initial investment, but you can expect to see major savings reflected in your energy bills after some time.
In Walnut, you can plan to save money after going completely to solar. However, it takes time to recover the initial investment, and factors such as rain and tree coverage impact how long it takes to see a return on your solar investment.
Beyond cost savings, switching to solar power also lessens your carbon footprint and minimizes your environmental impact. Provided below are the projected CO2 emission reductions you can expect from solar energy, as determined by our analysis of data from NASA and the EPA.
Experts Ready to Help
Multiple solar incentives are offered to Walnut homeowners. Certain programs are offered to all California residents, though others differ by municipality, city and utility company.
According to the DSIRE, here are the solar incentives available for California residents:
Name / Incentive Type | Incentive Amount/Details |
---|---|
Property Tax Incentive Property Tax Exclusion for Solar Energy Systems and Solar Plus Storage System | 100% of system value; 75% of system value exemption for dual-use equipment |
PACE Financing Western Riverside Council of Governments - Home Energy Renovation Opportunity (HERO) Financing Program | Eligible products can be financed for up to 25 years, depending on the useful life of the eligible product. Minimum financing: $5,000 The financing may not exceed fifteen percent (15%) of the market value of the property, up to the first seven hundred thousand dollars ($700,000) of the property’s market value, and ten percent (10%) of the remaining value of the Property above seven hundred thousand dollars ($700,000) minus any PACE assessment on the propertyThe total amount of any annual property taxes and assessments shall not exceed five percent (5%) of the property's fair market value, determined at the time program financing is approved. |
PACE Financing Local Option - Municipal Energy Districts | Locally determined
|
Rebate Program Self-Generation Incentive Program | For projects 30 kW or larger, 50% of incentive will be received up-front; 50% will be received based on actual kWh production over the first 5 years. For projects under 30kW, 100% of the incentive will be paid up front. Incentives will step down over time. See below for incentive amounts. |
Feed-in Tariff Renewable Market Adjusting Tariff (ReMAT) | See Website |
Feed-in Tariff LADWP - Feed-in Tariff (FiT) Program | $0.17/kWh adjusted by a time of delivery multiplier Base price will step down over time as certain MW goals are met |
Rebate Program California Solar Initiative - Solar Thermal Program | Step 1 Incentive Rates (contact utility to determine current incentive levels): Single Family Residential Incentives: Systems that displace natural gas: $29.85 per estimated therm displaced Systems that displace electricity or propane: Funding has been exhausted Commercial/Multifamily Incentives: Systems that displace natural gas: $20.19 per estimated therm displaced Systems that displace electricity or propane: $0.42 per estimated kWh displaced *** Note, funding has been exhausted in this category for SCE and PG&E Solar Pool heating: $5.00 per estimated therm displaced |
Personal Tax Credit Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit | 30% federal tax credit for systems placed in service after 12/31/2021 and before 01/01/2033. Good for: solar water heat, solar photovoltaics, biomass, geothermal heat pumps, wind (small), fuel cells using renewable fuels. |
Consider the following before hiring a professional solar panel installation company.
Your solar panel system's size is influenced by your home's energy consumption and the system's production capacity. Bigger households use more electricity and will potentially require bigger solar setups. An undersized system could struggle to fully energize your house.
Your solar plans may be impacted by certain regulatory requirements and state or local regulations. You must secure proper permits through your local building department and schedule an inspection.
Not all residences get similar levels of sunlight. Area tree cover, precipitation levels and severe weather can impact sunlight access. If your home doesn't get sufficient sun, it may require more panels with higher wattage.
Many solar panel systems feature a solar battery. Solar batteries store extra energy, which can be helpful for preventing power loss during storms. Opting for battery storage could increase the overall expense.
Multiple solar panel varieties exist, each varying in design, life expectancy and efficiency. These factors impact pricing, the frequency of replacing panels and the amount of roof space you'll need.
The Homefront Local team employs a proprietary scoring algorithm that evaluates companies based on key factors you value, such as average customer review ratings and trustworthiness indicators. Our method for determining trust involves a comparative analysis of the number of reviews a company receives compared to its local competitors. This leads to companies that have earned more trust from your local community being awarded a higher score.
We review national and large regional solar providers against our full methodology. We score solar companies on reputation and customer reviews, service options, payment, financing and warranties.
Editorial note: The name “Homefront” refers to the alliance between USA TODAY and Home Solutions that publishes review, comparison, and informational articles designed to help USA TODAY readers make smarter purchasing and investment decisions about their home. Under the alliance, Homefront provides and publishes research and articles about home service and home improvement topics. Homefront has an affiliate disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Homefront editorial staff alone (see About Homefront). Homefront adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information. Go back to top
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