California Solar Power: 2026 Costs, Incentives & Savings

Solar in California

California leads the nation in residential solar installations — and the numbers make it clear why. With electricity rates at 31.86 cents per kWh and prices up 56% since 2020, more homeowners are looking for ways to offset rising energy costs.

If you’re considering solar panels for your home, this is a great place to start. This guide covers everything you need to know about solar installation in California — from how it works to what it costs.

CALIFORNIA by the Numbers

1st Most residential solar in the United States
1926k Households have installed solar panels
6.0 Average daily peak sun hours
~$105k California average savings over 25 years

California Solar Panel Cost

Wondering what solar actually costs in California? This calculator uses real data from Palmetto installations across the state — from San Diego to Sacramento, Fresno to Los Angeles — to show you two ways to go solar: a monthly lease payment through our LightReach program (no upfront cost, no maintenance worries) or an outright cash purchase. Enter your details to see your personalized estimate.

Lease
Cash Purchase

System Size

This system size is designed to offset approximately 100% of the average electricity usage for a home in California.