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.
To get a high-quality solar panel installation in Yucca Valley, California, you'll need a certified, qualified and experienced solar installer. We've compiled a list of the top solar companies in Yucca Valley to help you choose the right one.
Prior to hiring an installer, get referrals, evaluate potential installers and get multiple quotes to find the right company for you. You can pick a local Yucca Valley solar company or select an established national brand.
While solar panels require a big upfront investment, you can cut your energy bills over the long term. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), switching to solar energy enables Yucca Valley homeowners to save $750 on average each year.
Not every solar company provides the same offerings. Ahead of booking your solar panel installation, weigh different companies' offerings and get quotes from each.
Vet Yucca Valley solar companies with at least 3.5 out of 5 stars on Google Reviews and comparable customer review platforms. The company should also have a good rating on Better Business Bureau (BBB).
Looking at previous customer testimonials can provide insight into other homeowners' experiences dealing with the solar company. Frequent poor reviews are worth noting as a possible red flag.
Yucca Valley and the surrounding areas receive abundant sunshine, which makes it possible for homeowners to benefit from solar energy. The biggest reasons to adopt solar power include these:
Based on a survey we administered in October 2023, the average cost of putting in solar panels across the country is $11,743.
The cost of solar panel installation is influenced by your labor costs, shading, area, roof orientation, system size and sunlight availability. Selecting accessories such as batteries, animal guards or solar trackers will increase the overall cost.
According to data from the EIA, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and NASA, installing solar panels in Yucca Valley typically costs $6,973.
Putting in solar panels means substantial spending upfront, but you can recoup those costs through big reductions in your energy bills down the line.
In Yucca Valley, you can expect to save money once you've fully switched to solar. But it takes time to make back the upfront costs, and factors like precipitation and tree coverage influence how soon you'll get a return on your solar investment.
In addition to monetary savings, moving to solar energy lowers your carbon footprint and environmental impact. We've calculated the approximated CO2 emission reductions you can achieve by going solar based on data from NASA and the EPA.
Experts Ready to Help
Yucca Valley homeowners can benefit from various solar incentives. Certain programs are provided statewide to all California residents, while others vary based on city, utility company and municipality.
The following solar incentives are available for California residents, as listed in DSIRE:
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. |
When selecting a professional solar panel installation company, first review these important questions.
Your solar panel system's size hinges on your home's energy consumption and the system's production capacity. Bigger households use more electricity and will potentially require more substantial solar installations. An undersized system may be unable to fully energize your house.
Your solar installation project could be subject to applicable codes and permit requirements by your state. You'll need to acquire the required permits from your local building department, as well as arrange an inspection.
Not all residences get the same amounts of sunlight. Area tree cover, rainfall levels and severe weather can impact sunlight amounts. If your home doesn't get adequate sun, it may require more panels with higher wattage.
A solar battery enables the storage of extra power in solar panel systems. This becomes incredibly helpful when you're trying to prevent power loss in overcast weather conditions. The extra battery storage can increase the cost of installation.
Several solar panel varieties exist, each varying in design, efficiency and life expectancy. These factors impact pricing, the rate of panel replacement and space taken on your roof.
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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