How this number is built
We start from a 2026 national baseline for solar panel installation and apply a California cost factor of 1.28, which reflects local labour, permitting and material costs. That puts California 28% above the national average — ranked #50 of 51 from cheapest to most expensive.
Solar is priced at roughly $3.33 per watt installed here. California electricity runs 31.8¢/kWh, which is what determines how quickly a system pays for itself.
The federal solar tax credit no longer applies. Section 25D expired December 31, 2025, so a cash or financed purchase in 2026 gets no federal credit — only third-party-owned (lease/PPA) systems still reach one indirectly. Every figure on this page is gross, before any state or utility incentive.
What moves the price
- Roof area and how many panels physically fit
- Roof pitch, orientation and shading
- Panel efficiency and inverter type
- Electrical panel upgrades, if needed
Get a figure modeled for your actual home
This page is a California average. Enter your address and we'll model solar panel installation for your specific property — including your real roof area, measured from satellite data, and render it on the satellite image of your home. Free, no account.
See my home →Solar Installers by city in California
Other California costs
Modeled estimate, not a quote. Figures come from 2026 national baselines adjusted for California; your installer sets the real price after seeing the property.