California solar 101: must read before you buy solar panels

Last updated 05.27.22

California State 55 solar panels available

  • $2.46 / W Average gross price of a solar power system as of May 2023
  • 5 years Average system payback period
  • $45 423 Average savings from going solar in California
  • 8 ¢ / kWh Levelized cost of solar energy
  • 2.87 kW Recommended system size
Show pick-up locationsShop solar panels

Benefit from a PV system
in California

Solar panels in California

California #6 in the US
Solar Ranking

There are 7 fulfillment centers in California
Nearest PICKUP LOCATIONS ShowHide
Your fulfillment center
Fontana, CA12 items 2632 mi
Pickup on Fri, Jun 02
Mon-Fri 9 am - 3.30 pm
Show products
Nearest PICKUP LOCATIONS
Chino, CA11 items 2644 mi
Pickup on Fri, Jun 02
Mon-Fri 9 am - 3.30 pm
Show products
Buena Park, CA2 items 2669 mi
Pickup on Fri, Jun 02
Mon-Fri 9 am - 3.30 pm
Show products
Bakersfield, CA1 item 2690 mi
Pickup on Fri, Jun 02
Mon-Fri 9 am - 3.30 pm
Show products
Simi Valley, CA6 items 2705 mi
Pickup on Fri, Jun 02
Mon-Fri 9 am - 3.30 pm
Show products
Sacramento, CA5 items 2765 mi
Pickup on Fri, Jun 02
Mon-Fri 9 am - 3.30 pm
Show products
San Leandro, CA8 items 2829 mi
Pickup on Fri, Jun 02
Mon-Fri 9 am - 3.30 pm
Show products
Click for scrolling

What our happy customers say

I ordered 7 very nice solar panels that work well. Delivery went well, I gave 4 stars because it was really expensive to ship.
ashley crawford
Via Google
May 29, 2023
We highly recommend their assistance as they played a crucial role in resolving the issue with our home solar panels. Their enthusiasm and usefulness were remarkable.
Yuhan Yang
Via Google
May 29, 2023
Took excellent care of large order
redhawk abcabc
Via Google
May 26, 2023
Super easy to order and the shipping was so fast! No items were damaged and ready for installation. Ordered 20 Canadian Solar 395W for my house roof installation. Easy to install, highly recommend. Neighbors asked for referral and plan to purchase for their house too.
LELEINIA MOORE LLAMAS
Via Google
May 26, 2023
I have a solar system installed made of qcells 400W solar panels, One of the panels recently got broken and I need to replace it, at a1solarstore I found the exact panel almost 7 miles near me so I picked it up 2 days ago, and all went good.
salma nazzal
Via Google
May 23, 2023
I was in need of new solar panels and found A1 SolarStore while surfing the web. I ordered 13 pieces of REC 360W solar panels at a fairly reasonable price, and also ordered their liftgate service at checkout. everything was very easy and intuitive. I highly recommend A1 SolarStore!
Jesse Tang
Via Google
May 22, 2023

Review us on Google or Trustpilot

Solar laws, incentives and rebates in California you need to know

Save 30% of your PV system cost with Federal Solar Tax Credit

The US government wants more people to go solar: it’s a modern and green way of getting energy. This is why the Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) program was developed. It allows American citizens to claim 30% of the cost of their installation as an income tax deduction. The cost here is not only solar panels, but also shipping, installation expenses and more. For example, if your system overall made you spend $10,000, the government returns you $3,000. To claim the ITC, complete all the necessary forms and submit them when filing your taxes.

Gain credits from electric companies with Net Metering program

When your system produces more energy than you need, you can sell the surplus into the grid and gain credits from your electric company. Usually the rates for this excess energy are close to utility rates, so in theory you can stop paying all of your electricity bills this way. The rates and conditions vary from company to company, so we recommend consulting your electric supplier.

Solar systems are excluded from property tax assessment

When you add solar panels to your house in California, taxes for your property don’t change. Until 2025 new PV systems are eligible for full exclusion from taxes. You don’t have to fill any additional forms for that exclusion – it is granted automatically once your tax assessor receives a building permit. However, you might need to fill some papers when building a house with a solar system from scratch – check the details here.

Division 1 Part.0.5 Chapter 3
California Revenue and Taxation Code

Add energy storage to your system with Self-Generation Incentive Program

The Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP) is specifically designed to make solar batteries more affordable in California for low-income families. By applying for this program you get a chance to receive some money back from the cost of your energy storage. The program primarily targets California residents with low income, but you can apply even if you don't fit into this category. The size of financial incentive varies depending on your status and the size of your energy storage: from $0.20 to $0.85 per Wh. The program was about to end in December 2020, but was extended due to COVID-19 pandemic. You can check out the handbook on the website of the program to see if you’re eligible and find forms for application and all the documents there.

Single-Family Affordable Solar Homes program can decrease a PV system cost in California by $15,000

Single-family Affordable Solar Homes program (SASH) aims to help families with low income to go solar in California. It is suitable for 1 to 5 kW AC installations. The applicants get a one-time payment based on the size of the system: $3 per Watt. Therefore, you can get as much as $15,000 for a 5kW AC system.

To participate in the SASH program, an applicant needs:

  • To be a customer of Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), Southern California Edison (SCE), or San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E)
  • Own and live in a house defined as “affordable housing” by California Public Utilities Code 2852
  • Have a household income that is 80% or below of the area median income, based on the tax return for the previous year.

The program is going to expire at the end of 2021, so it makes sense to hurry up. Check the SASH handbook for all the details and find application forms here.

CSI Single-Family Affordable Solar Homes (SASH) Program

Sales and Use Tax Exemption makes panels and batteries cheaper

Since 2018, all equipment that is used for production, storage or distribution of electric power is exempted from sales and use taxes in California. That allows retailers to lower their prices for photovoltaics and lithium-ion batteries that are considered to be the new go-to type of solar energy storage. Making use of the next incentive in the list can make buying them in California an especially good deal.

Get a permit to install your solar panels in California

To install a solar system in California, you need a building permit. However, you aren’t getting it yourself – it’s actually your solar installer who has to apply for it with a city or county agency. A solar inspector from this agency comes and inspects your home and after that it is legal to install solar panels on your house in California. 

The state has devised a fairly detailed guide to buying and installing solar in California. It covers not only the procedure of getting a permit, but also explains the rights you have as a purchaser and lists the questions that you should ask your installer before signing a contract.

Solar Shade Control Act protects your panels from neighbor’s trees

There are lots of solar systems in California. To make sure that there is enough sunlight for each of them, the state passed the Shade Control Act. This paper protects your panels from the neighbor’s trees casting a shadow on your solar array. According to the act, the solar system should be placed at least 10 ft high and no less than 5 ft from the property line. Then your neighbor has to make sure that no tree grows on his land to cast a shadow that would cover more than 10% of your system between 10 am and 2 pm. If there is already a tree that grows so high that it blocks the sunlight, he has to trim it.

Stay tuned

Free and usefull digest on solar energy. No spam