Going Solar in Ventura County, CA

Installing Solar Panels in Ventura County, California: Costs & More

• Average solar panel cost in Ventura County, CA is $2.86/W, with a 5kW installation ranging from $12,155 to $16,445 after incentives.
• Monocrystalline panels are more efficient but costlier than polycrystalline panels.
• Solar panels are exempt from property taxes in Ventura County due to the Active Solar Energy System Exclusion program.
• Solar payback period in Ventura County is around 5.80 years.
• Hiring professional solar installers is recommended for safety, special equipment, training, and warranty coverage.
• Net Energy Metering allows residents to earn from excess electricity generated by their solar panels.

How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in Ventura County, CA?

The average cost of a solar panel in Ventura County, California is $2.86/W. A 5-kilowatt (kW) solar panel installation ranges from $12,155 to $16,445. However, the net cost decreases by thousands of dollars when residents factor in the federal investment tax credit (ITC) as well as extra state and municipal solar rebates and incentives.

Average Solar Panel Cost by System Size in California

Choosing Solar Panels

Monocrystalline solar panels are widely regarded as the most energy-efficient option. However, they often require a more significant initial investment than other solar panels. On the other hand, polycrystalline panels are considered slightly less efficient than monocrystalline panels. As a result, their production costs are lower, resulting in a lower ultimate price for the consumer.

Are Solar Panels Exempt from Property Taxes in Ventura County?

Yes, solar panels are exempt from property taxes in Ventura county. Homeowners in California who install solar panels are eligible for a property tax exemption through the state's Active Solar Energy System Exclusion program.

Property tax exemptions allow homeowners and businesses to deduct the value that a solar energy system adds to their property from the valuation used for taxation purposes. When taxpayers receive an exemption, installing a solar energy system on their personal or business property becomes more financially feasible.

How to Find Property Records in Ventura County

County residents can obtain property records by visiting the county recorder's or assessor's offices. Property records are legal papers that include information about real estate or land. They include property deeds, tax records, survey maps, mortgage reports, etc. Members of the general public have the right, under the California Public Records Act (CPRA), to seek these public records, provided they do not contain any confidential information or are not accessible to the general public due to a court order or statutory restriction.

County residents can request property records by mail, phone, online, or in person. They must provide the document number, the number of pages, or the book and page for each document they seek.

Online Request

Inquirers can download the Online Copy Request Form and submit via email to RecorderInfo@Ventura.Org to expedite the request. A staff member will contact the requester once their order has been processed to charge their debit/credit card over the phone. Plain copies will be sent by mail or to the inquirer’s email once payment has been received. Certified copies are returned only by mail.

In- Person Request

Inquirers can book an appointment or visit the office during business hours; Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Mail Request

Send a request to the Ventura County Recorder's Office, together with a stamped and self-addressed envelope, at this address:

County Clerk and Recorder
800 South Victoria Avenue,
Location # 1260
Ventura, CA 93009
Telephone: (805) 654-2295

Fees

Copies of documents cost $1.00 for the first page, $2.00 for the second page, and $3.00 for each additional page. Certification is an extra $1.00 charge. The department accepts cash, cheques, debit, and credit cards.

Additionally, anyone can access other property records at the Assessor's Office, on the self-service computers available during business hours.

800 South Victoria Avenue,
Hall of Administration,
Ventura, CA 93003-1270.

How Long Does it Take for Solar Panels to Pay for themselves in Ventura County?

The solar payback period is the amount of time (years) it takes to repay or equal the initial investment in solar energy. In Ventura County, California, the average payback period for solar energy installations is 5.80 years, which is close to 6 years.

The cost of the solar system and the amount of electricity it produces will determine how long it takes to return the investment. The more power a system can generate, the faster it will recoup its initial cost.

How to Calculate the Solar Panel Payback Period

The solar payback period is determined by dividing combined costs by annual financial benefits:

• Combined costs are determined by subtracting the value of any upfront incentives or rebates from the gross cost of the solar panel system
• Annual benefits are determined by totaling all annual financial benefits, including the money saved on electricity and other incentives.

Do You Need a Handyman or a Solar Installer in Ventura County?

Yes, county residents need handypersons or solar installers to set up their solar systems. The US Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy recommends that the system be installed by a trained professional.

One of the benefits of hiring a professional is that the energy yield and benefits of installing solar panels can be maximized to their full potential.

Other benefits include:

Safety

Solar panel installations present several electrical safety concerns. When homeowners attempt to execute the task alone, they increase their risk of causing electrical line damage and sparking fires due to short-circuiting.

Furthermore, installing solar panels demands a lot of physical effort, including climbing ladders and accessing rooftops. Climbing with panels puts individuals at risk of an accident. But, when working with specialists that have been doing the same thing for several years, there is little chance of errors occurring throughout the installation procedure. Solar businesses take all necessary steps to protect their personnel and decrease the possibility of accidents.

Special Installation Equipment

Installing solar panels on a rooftop requires using specialist tools aside from the standard wrench and hammer. These specialist equipment are essential to ensure that panels are correctly placed. Professionals can meet the installation needs since they have the necessary and specialized equipment. As such, solar customers are advised to contact professionals for installation and not improvise.

Training and Experience

While solar installation may appear to be a straightforward process at first glance, it is actually a complex procedure that requires specialized training. Professionals also have extensive experience working in the field. This implies that Ventura county solar installers can handle the procedure competently and within an acceptable time frame.

Solar Panel Warranty Coverage

Solar businesses usually provide product and workmanship warranties on their products and services to protect their clients from various damages. Product warranties are very similar to those offered when purchasing consumer items such as mobile phones, televisions, or computers. Simply put, the producer guarantees that their items will remain intact for a specified time.

On the other hand, workmanship warranties protect the buyer from problems caused by the labor performed on the products, such as problems encountered during installation. However, these warranties do not cover buyers who opt to install their systems without professional help. As such, if something goes wrong during or after the installation, the buyers may need a replacement, which might cost several thousand dollars. Choosing experienced solar installers provides the option of fully supported coverage packages.

How Can I Sell Solar Energy in Ventura County?

Net Energy Metering allows county residents to earn from their solar panels. It is a pricing strategy that allows consumers who own grid-connected solar energy systems to receive credit for any excess electricity they generate. If the electricity generated by a solar panel system is insufficient to meet the needs of a home or business, the owner can put these credits to good use.

Overall, the owner of an onsite energy generator becomes an energy producer, and any excess electricity can be sold to the utility or power company.

Net Metering 1.0 (NEM1)

California has promoted the solar market for several years through the NEM program in the Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), Southern California Edison (SCE), and San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG&E).

Net energy metering was first adopted in California in 1995 following the approval of Senate Bill (SB) 656. This bill directed each electric utility to create a tariff that allowed qualifying customer-generators to obtain financial credit for excess energy exported back to the grid. For the power that they had exported at the time, these customer-generators were awarded a credit equivalent to the full retail rate.

Under this program, the customer-sited systems were limited to 1,000 kW in size for California businesses and other non-residential customers. Still, the solar energy market evolved and matured due to net metering, and costs continued to fall, resulting in increased customer-sited systems deployed.

Net Metering 2.0 (NEM2)

Assembly Bill 327 of 2013 required the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to approve a replacement rate for the NEM1 tariff. This rate was referred to as Net Metering 2.0. (NEM2). As part of NEM2's attempts to promote the continuing expansion of customer-sited generation, the 1,000 kW system size limit was removed.

The new standard contract pricing was supposed to take effect when each investor-owned electric utility (San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E), Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), and Southern California Edison (SCE)) reached their respective NEM caps. By July 2017, all three limits had been reached, and NEM2 was fully implemented.

Net Metering 3.0 (NEM3)

The CPUC decided on the next iteration of California's net metering rule, NEM 3.0 (or NEM3), on December 15, 2022. The goal of NEM3 is to update the financial incentives for customer-sited generation by putting an emphasis on paired storage, fairness between participants and non-participants, and a transition period to reduce market disruptions.

The NEM3 net billing tariff went into effect in April 2023. However, the proposed changes included a grandfathering provision; existing and new onsite energy systems with complete interconnection applications filed before April 13, 2023, have the option to continue to enjoy the provisions of NEM2 for 20 years after the implementation of the new NEM3 rules.

Are Tesla Solar Panels Available in Ventura County, California?

Yes, Tesla solar panels are available in Ventura County. Customers in many states, including California, can place orders for Tesla's retrofit solar panels on the company's website.

The company collaborates with local professional installers who are qualified and trained to install Tesla solar panels while adhering to high quality, permitting, and inspection criteria.

Tesla-qualified installers can assist with creating the suitable solutions for homes and businesses. However, if uncertified professionals are allowed to install Tesla solar solutions, the homeowner may not be covered by the product warranty. Residents can find the nearest Certified Installer to install their products and maintain their warranties.

Do Solar Panels Increase a Home Value in Ventura County?

Yes, installing a solar panel system provides clean electricity in the long run and raises the property's value. It is worth noting that the property's value will increase depending on its location, community limitations, and power prices; nonetheless, most homeowners notice a significant boost after installing solar panels.

According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), the value of a property will increase by twenty dollars for every dollar saved on monthly energy costs. This will result in a higher asking price on the market when the time comes to sell.

How to Find Solar Companies Near Me in Ventura County, California?

Ventura county residents who conduct an internet search using specific words such as "Ventura solar companies near me" or "California solar companies near me" can compile a list of solar companies in their neighborhood.

These searches would yield basic business information, such as contact, location, and reviews from previous clients.

Additionally, if a family member, a friend, or an acquaintance recently had a solar panel system installed, they may be able to provide useful information about the firm that did the work. They may also supply information that is unavailable online. As a result, gathering as much information regarding each household's experiences with the solar companies they employed is critical.

How to Choose a Solar Company

Before choosing a company for solar installation services, residents must consider that a solar system is a significant investment that necessitates extensive research and patience. Most homeowners will need to carefully plan and budget for the purchase and installation of solar power systems due to the high installation fees. However, they can reduce these costs by exercising caution and following the advice and evaluation of trained professionals. As a result, it is necessary to select a solar provider with a stellar reputation.

As a reference for those interested in installing solar energy systems in their homes, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has created the California Solar Consumer Protection Guide. The publication is a reliable source that includes all pertinent information in its entirety. It informs the reader of the benefits of solar energy, what to expect in terms of solar pricing, how to receive solar bids, and how to understand their systems. Interested parties are required to sign the handbook as evidence that they have read it before they can purchase a system.

In general, solar companies that adhere to this guide are regarded as competent providers of solar solutions. In addition to the suggestions, every household should consider these criteria before choosing a solar energy provider:

Past Projects

After narrowing down their list of viable options, the next step is thoroughly examining installers' previous solar installations. Interested parties can inquire about the installer's previous or current projects. A company's previous work is a real-life representation of its capabilities.

Customer Testimonials

Determine if the solar company has a track record of exceeding client expectations. Customers are the most trustworthy source of information about a company's overall success. Investigate what customers say about the company on social media, search engines such as Google and Facebook, and solar marketplace websites.

Long-Term Services

Inquire with the listed companies whether they provide any other services. For example, they may provide routine checks to ensure that customers’ solar panels are functioning correctly. Hence, interested buyers must take some time to study each company's products and services, and then choose the best combination.

Pricing

Buyers can get pricing estimates from the top solar businesses listed and consider what information is contained in the quote (such as labor and materials). They can also inquire with each company about the financing options available, and choose a provider who can adequately address their needs and concerns.

Maintenance Training

Find solar providers who install the system and provide the buyer with instructions on how to operate, monitor and maintain the system.

License and certification

Top solar contractors must be members of the Solar Trade Association (STA), Renewable Energy Assurance Limited (REAL), and the Renewable Energy Consumer Code (RECC). They must also be certified or awarded by leading solar industry organizations such as SEI (Solar Energy International) and NABCEP (North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners), both of which are responsible for installer training.

In addition, solar contractors in California must meet several license requirements. Buyers must investigate the companies of choice and confirm if their company's California license is currently in good standing. They should look for a full C-10 contractor rather than one with only a C-48 license.

Finally, before signing a contract with the company, the buyer must ensure that the company has general liability insurance and worker's compensation. If something goes wrong, the insurance will safeguard the buyer's interests.

County Profile

Located in the southern region of California, Ventura County is the thirteenth-largest county in the state, and the county seat is the City of Ventura. One of the ways the province ensures the health and well-being of the community's multiple systems is through energy management.

As a result, it encourages using solar energy, a form of renewable energy harnessed from the sun. The Community Environmental Council, in partnership with the Ventura County Regional Energy Alliance, even created the Solarize Ventura County program. This program makes it easier and more economical for residents to transition to solar energy by offering a limited-time discount on solar systems from approved local solar firms.

As of July 2021, the county's estimated population was 839,784 residents. There are roughly 274,471 households, with an average of 3.03 persons. According to the same data set, Ventura County has 294,681 housing units. 63.5% are owner-occupied, while the remaining 36.5% of homes are occupied by tenants or renters. "Household" refers to the people who live in a housing structure. In contrast, the term "Housing Unit" refers to the physical structure in which the residents live.

90.8% of people live in the same residence they were in a year ago.