Solar Panel Cost Calculator Santa Monica, CA
See what a solar system costs installed in Santa Monica, sized from your power bill. Free, instant, no sign-up.
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Take the middle of a winter and a summer bill if yours changes a lot.
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| System | Installed cost |
|---|
Helios Energy GlobalVerified
4.9 · 159 reviews · Free quote
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Hammerhead Energy Consulting
5.0 · 13 reviews · Free quote
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Solar Santa Monica
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An estimate, not a quote. Based on $2.14–$2.90 per watt installed in California and 1,677 kWh per kW a year in California. Installers confirm the final price after a roof check.
Top-rated solar panel companies in Santa Monica
Ranked by TrustAnalytica from verified reviews · see the full Top 10 list →
Helios Energy Global
Known for transparent pricing and expert installation, Helios Energy Global specializes in custom-designed residential solar and battery systems in Southern California. The team handles everything from panel selection to Tesla Powerwall setup with professionalism and clear communication. Customers appreciate their punctuality and responsiveness, though some note pricing is slightly higher than… more...
Known for transparent pricing and expert installation, Helios Energy Global specializes in custom-designed residential solar and battery systems in Southern California. The team handles everything from panel selection to Tesla Powerwall setup with professionalism and clear communication. Customers appreciate their punctuality and responsiveness, though some note pricing is slightly higher than competitors.
Hammerhead Energy Consulting
Hammerhead Energy specializes in EV charger installations, often navigating complex permitting and rebate processes for residential and HOA projects. The team is praised for clear communication, professionalism, and thoroughness, though their pricing can be a bit higher than some competitors. Customers appreciate their safety focus and reliable, clean workmanship.
How this Santa Monica solar cost calculator works
This calculator sizes a solar system from your electricity use. Your monthly bill, divided by the average California electricity price, gives your yearly use; California's sunshine (1,677 kWh per kW of panels a year) then gives the system size that covers it, adjusted for roof direction and shade. The installed price is that size multiplied by the price per watt homeowners in California pay installers. Payback compares that price with what the panels save at California power prices, assuming prices rise 3% a year.
California numbers this calculator uses
- Installed price
- $2.14–$2.90 per watt in California (typical $2.52), before rebates. A typical 6 kW home system costs $12,800–$17,400.
- Sunshine
- 1,677 kWh of electricity per kW of panels a year in California.
- Electricity price
- About 33.3¢ per kWh, the average residential price in California.
- Selling power back
- Power you send to the grid earns less than the price you pay for it (net billing or avoided-cost credits), so using your solar power at home is worth more.
- Rebates and tax credits
- California's net billing (NEM 3.0) pays only a few cents for exported power, so many installers pair panels with a battery. The 30% federal tax credit for buying solar ended for systems installed after December 31, 2025. Leases and power purchase agreements can still carry a federal credit through the installer for systems in service by the end of 2027.
An estimate, not a quote. Roof size and pitch, shading, equipment, permits and the installer all change the final price; installers confirm it after a site visit. Sources: EnergySage state installed-cost data (2026), NREL PVWatts, U.S. Energy Information Administration residential prices (2026), state program pages.