Fresno, CA
Solar in Fresno
California electricity prices have increased 56% from 2020 to 2024, making solar panel installation an increasingly smart choice for Fresno homeowners. The Central Valley’s abundant sunshine creates ideal conditions for home solar panels.
This guide covers everything Fresno residents need to know about solar installation costs, benefits, and local considerations for your home.
CALIFORNIA by the Numbers
Key Takeaways
- Fresno homeowners can save $103,000 over 25 years with solar panels, thanks to abundant Central Valley sunshine and rising electricity costs.
- California offers generous solar incentives including 30% federal tax credits and property tax exemptions that reduce installation costs.
- PG&E rates have increased 56% since 2020 making solar energy an increasingly smart financial choice for Fresno families.
Solar Cost Calculator
Our solar cost calculator uses real installation data from thousands of Palmetto customers across Fresno neighborhoods like Woodward Park, Fig Garden, and Tower District. Get accurate, local pricing estimates based on actual projects in your area.
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Fresno Electricity Prices
Understanding Fresno’s electricity costs helps homeowners make informed energy decisions for their families and budgets.
California electricity rates have risen from 22.8 cents per kWh in 2021 to 31.9 cents in 2024, nearly double the national average.
Solar panels allow Fresno homeowners to generate their own electricity, reducing dependence on utility companies and rising rate structures.
Over 25 years, solar systems can provide predictable energy costs while utility rates continue climbing, offering long-term financial stability.
Price of Energy: California vs National Average
Fresno Area Utility Providers
Fresno residents primarily receive electricity from PG&E, which charged 34.0¢ per kWh in 2023—significantly above both California’s 29.5¢ average and the national 16.0¢ average.
PG&E’s higher rates stem from California’s renewable energy mandates, grid modernization costs, and wildfire prevention investments, making electricity particularly expensive in the Central Valley.
With electricity costs exceeding national averages by over 100%, Fresno homeowners can potentially reduce monthly energy expenses through solar panel installation and net metering benefits.
Fresno Utilities Electricity Rates
California Solar Incentives
Fresno homeowners can significantly reduce solar installation costs through federal tax credits and solar incentives in California.
California offers property tax exemptions, special programs for disadvantaged communities, and equity funds to make solar more accessible for qualifying Fresno residents.
These incentives help offset upfront costs but change frequently, so research current programs before installation.
Save an average of
$5,824
in solar rebates in California
INCENTIVE | TYPE | DESCRIPTION | SOURCE |
---|---|---|---|
Residential Clean Energy Credit | Federal tax credit | A federal tax credit worth 30% the cost of a solar panel system in the year it’s installed | Learn More |
Property Tax Exemption | State tax exemption | Any increase in value to your home tied to installing solar panels will not be taxed. | Learn More |
Disadvantaged Communities Single-Family Affordable Solar Homes (DAC-SASH) Program | State program | If you meet key criteria on being in a disadvantaged community you will receive a generous incentive to install solar of $3 per watt. This can add up to $15,000 for a small system of kW. | Learn More |
Equity Fund | State program | If you meet certain criteria, California is offering rebates that help bring some of the original Net Metering benefits to lower income communities that missed out when CA switched to NEM3.0 | Learn More |
The Residential Clean Energy Credit lets people claim a tax credit worth 30% the cost of a solar panel system in the year it’s installed. The credit can only be used against taxes you owe or have already paid that year, but any excess credit can be rolled over to future years.
The credit is broadly available, though there are a few restrictions — you must own the panels and they must be on a house you live in — so be sure to consult a tax professional about your situation.
California’s Active Solar Energy System Property Tax Exclusion protects homeowners from property tax increases when they install solar panels or other qualifying solar energy systems. This state incentive works as a “new construction exclusion,” meaning your property taxes won’t go up even though you’ve added valuable solar equipment to your home. The exclusion applies to systems used for electricity production, water heating, space conditioning, and other energy needs.
The financial benefit varies by home but can save thousands of dollars annually in property taxes. Since California property taxes are based on assessed value, and solar systems can add $15,000-$40,000+ in value to a home, this exclusion prevents that added value from increasing your tax bill. The exclusion is automatic when you install solar on an existing home – no forms or applications required. However, if you buy a newly constructed home with solar already installed (completed after January 1, 2008), you may need to file form BOE-64-SES to claim the exclusion. The program is currently extended through the 2025-26 fiscal year and will sunset on January 1, 2027, so systems must be installed before this deadline to qualify.
The Disadvantaged Communities Single-Family Affordable Solar Homes (DAC-SASH) Program is a California state initiative designed to make solar energy more accessible to homeowners in underserved communities. This program provides upfront cash incentives to help offset the cost of installing a solar energy system, making clean energy more affordable for qualifying families.
Eligible homeowners can receive up to $3 per watt in fixed, capacity-based incentives. For example, if you install a 6-kilowatt solar system, you could receive up to $18,000 in upfront incentives to reduce your installation costs.
To qualify for DAC-SASH, you must own and live in your home, receive electricity service from PG&E, Southern California Edison, or San Diego Gas & Electric, and be enrolled in or eligible for the CARE or FERA income-qualified utility programs. Additionally, your property must be located in a designated disadvantaged community area. If you think you might qualify, you can visit the GRID Alternatives website to learn more about the application process and check your eligibility.
California’s Equity Fund is a state program designed to make solar energy storage more accessible to low-income households and disadvantaged communities. This $630 million initiative, established under Assembly Bill 209 in 2022, provides rebates specifically for battery storage systems to help qualifying homeowners better utilize their solar energy and maintain power during outages.
The program offers rebates of $150, $850, or $1,000 per kilowatt-hour of battery capacity installed, with higher rebate amounts available for customers who qualify for special programs or live in high-risk areas. To be eligible, homeowners must be enrolled in California’s CARE or FERA low-income utility programs, live in designated Disadvantaged Communities, reside in California tribal areas, or live in areas with high fire risk or frequent power outages. Additionally, participants in this program receive enhanced net billing credits under California’s NEM 3.0 program and can save approximately 18-35% on their electric bills through CARE or FERA enrollment.
The Equity Fund addresses a key criticism of previous solar programs by specifically targeting communities that have historically had less access to clean energy benefits. This program works alongside California’s Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP) and is available to customers of the state’s three major utilities: Pacific Gas & Electric, Southern California Edison, and San Diego Gas & Electric.
Net Billing in California is the current compensation system for solar customers who send excess electricity back to the grid. Under this program, homeowners receive credits for the solar power they export, but the value of these credits varies significantly depending on your utility company and when your solar system was installed.
For customers with the major investor-owned utilities (PG&E, SCE, and SDG&E), new solar installations after April 15, 2023 fall under ‘NEM 3.0,’ which provides hourly export credits that change throughout the day based on grid demand. These credits are typically worth much less than your retail electricity rate – around 3-5 cents per kWh during annual true-ups. However, if you submitted a complete interconnection application before April 15, 2023, you may be grandfathered under the more favorable NEM 2.0 rules, but you cannot increase your system size or decrease it by more than 20% without losing this benefit.
Municipal utilities like LADWP offer different terms, with LADWP providing 1:1 net metering where credits can roll over indefinitely. SMUD offers a fixed export rate of 7.4 cents per kWh, while Imperial Irrigation District settles excess credits monthly at about 7 cents per kWh. The key consideration for homeowners is that newer Net Billing programs generally provide lower compensation for excess solar production, making battery storage and energy efficiency improvements more valuable for maximizing your solar investment.
Ready to start saving with solar?
Speak with a Palmetto solar expert to find out exactly how much you can save with California incentives.
Get a Free QuoteFresno Solar Irradiance
Solar panel production varies throughout the year based on daylight hours, weather patterns, and sun intensity. Understanding how seasons affect your solar system helps set realistic expectations for your investment.
Fresno’s hot summers and abundant sunshine create excellent solar conditions. Even with occasional winter fog, proper system design maximizes year-round energy production effectively.
Solar Production in Fresno by Month
What Can Your Solar System Power?
Summer Production (July)
In July, your 10 kW system could power:
- 3.6 average homes (15 kWh/day per home)
- or Run central AC for 18 hours AND power all other appliances
- or Fully charge 5.4 Tesla Model 3 electric vehicles
Winter Production (December)
In December, your 10 kW system could power:
- 2 average homes (15 kWh/day per home)
- or Keep your home heating system running for 15 hours
- or Fully charge 3 Tesla Model 3 electric vehicles
Annual Production
Over a year, your 10 kW system could:
- Offset 10 tons of carbon dioxide emissions
- or Equal the environmental benefit of planting 175 trees
- or Save approximately $4,234 in electricity costs
Want to know exactly how much solar can power your home?
Get a personalized solar analysis based on your actual home, energy usage, and roof characteristics.
Get My Custom EstimateSolar Installations in Fresno
We’ve mapped every solar installation across America to show you something exciting: your Fresno neighbors are embracing clean energy! Explore this interactive map to discover which communities have made the switch to solar power.
Leasing Solar Panels
In Fresno, Palmetto offers Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) through Pacific Gas & Electric, allowing homeowners to access solar energy without upfront costs. With a PPA, you pay a set rate per kilowatt-hour for the power your panels generate, typically lower than current utility rates.
This arrangement eliminates the need for large cash investments or loan management while providing immediate savings. Palmetto handles all system maintenance and monitoring, ensuring optimal performance without homeowner responsibilities.
Unlike purchasing solar panels outright, a PPA requires no maintenance concerns or equipment ownership. You simply enjoy clean energy and predictable electricity costs while Palmetto manages the technical aspects. Learn more about solar financing options or explore our LightReach program for Fresno residents.
Go solar without the investment
With LightReach, there are no investment costs to recoup, loan payments to manage, or maintenance needs to take on. As soon as your panels are active, your solar savings are too!
Learn MoreFrequently Asked Questions
Yes, solar makes excellent sense in Fresno. The Central Valley’s abundant sunshine and California’s rising electricity rates create ideal conditions for solar savings.
Fresno homeowners can save approximately $103,000 over 25 years with solar panels. With PG&E rates at 34¢ per kWh and federal tax credits reducing installation costs by 30%, solar provides both immediate and long-term financial benefits for Fresno families.
Yes, Fresno has net billing through PG&E. Since April 15, 2023, new solar installations receive hourly export credits under California’s NEM 3.0 program, with rates varying by time of day.
Systems installed before April 2023 may qualify for the more favorable NEM 2.0 program. Excess credits are settled annually at approximately 3-5 cents per kWh during your true-up period.
Yes, solar panels increase home value in Fresno. According to a Zillow study, homes with solar panels sell for approximately 4.1% more than comparable homes without solar.
For Fresno’s median home price, this translates to roughly $15,000-$20,000 in added value. California’s property tax exemption ensures you won’t pay additional taxes on this increased value, making solar a smart investment for Fresno homeowners.
Solar installation costs in Fresno typically range from $10,562 to $17,274 after federal tax credits, depending on your home size and energy needs.
A typical 6.72 kW system costs approximately $13,590 after the 30% federal tax credit. Additional California incentives like property tax exemptions and programs for qualifying communities can further reduce costs for Fresno homeowners.
Solar is financially worth it in Fresno. With PG&E rates at 34¢ per kWh and abundant Central Valley sunshine, solar panels typically pay for themselves within 4.5 years.
Fresno homeowners save approximately $103,000 over 25 years while federal tax credits reduce upfront costs by 30%. Rising electricity rates make solar increasingly valuable for long-term financial security.
We are Palmetto Solar, a trusted national company with local expertise in Fresno. Since 2020, we’ve completed over 7,123 solar installations across California, bringing clean energy solutions to communities throughout the Central Valley.
We offer some of the industry’s best financing options and maintain an excellent installation network to serve Fresno homeowners. Our mission-driven approach focuses on making solar accessible and affordable while providing transparent, educational guidance throughout your solar journey.