Long Beach, CA Solar Panels
Solar Power in Long Beach
Long Beach enjoys over 280 sunny days a year — yet most homeowners are still paying some of the highest electricity rates in the country. With California’s electricity prices up 56% since 2020 and now averaging 31.86 cents per kWh, it’s no surprise that solar installation is a growing conversation among Long Beach residents.
Whether you’re just starting to explore your options or ready to go deeper, this guide is built for you. Palmetto’s guide to home solar panels is a trusted place to start.
CALIFORNIA by the Numbers
How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in Long Beach, CA?
Using real installation data from Long Beach and surrounding areas like Lakewood, Signal Hill, and Seal Beach, this calculator gives you an accurate estimate of what solar installation actually costs for homes like yours.
System
- No upfront investment
- Palmetto handles all maintenance
- 90% Production Guarantee
- Comprehensive protection program included
Key Takeaways
- Long Beach gets over 280 sunny days a year, making it one of California’s strongest cities for year-round solar energy production.
- California electricity rates have jumped 40% since 2021 — solar can help Long Beach homeowners reduce their dependence on the grid and stabilize energy costs.
- A typical Long Beach solar installation can save homeowners around $105,000 over 25 years, with a payback period of about 6 years.
Long Beach Electricity Prices
Long Beach gets over 280 sunny days a year — but electricity here costs nearly twice the national average.
California’s electricity rates climbed from 22.8 cents per kWh in 2021 to 31.9 cents in 2024 — a 40% increase in just three years. Over the same period, the national average rose from 13.7 to 16.5 cents per kWh.
Solar panels allow homeowners to generate their own electricity, reducing how much they draw from the grid. For many Long Beach residents, that can mean a smaller monthly utility bill — even as local rates continue to climb.
Solar systems typically last 25 years or more. Homeowners who install today gain a degree of energy cost stability — a meaningful advantage in a state where utility rates have shown consistent upward pressure over time.
Price of Energy: California vs National Average
Long Beach Area Utility Providers
Long Beach residents are served by two main utilities: Southern California Edison (SCE) and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP). Based on 2023 data — the most recent available — SCE charges 32.3¢/kWh and LADWP charges 23.0¢/kWh.
Both rates exceed the 2023 national average of 16.0¢/kWh. SCE also surpasses California’s 2023 state average of 29.5¢/kWh. Higher transmission costs, infrastructure demands, and California’s energy mix all contribute to these elevated rates.
When electricity costs this much, generating your own power at home becomes worth exploring. Solar panels can offset a meaningful portion of your monthly usage, helping Long Beach homeowners reduce their dependence on grid electricity over time.
Long Beach Utilities Electricity Rates
California Solar Incentives
Long Beach homeowners still have access to meaningful solar incentives in California — even without the federal residential tax credit — that can significantly reduce the cost of going solar.
State programs like SGIP and DAC-SASH offer rebates for income-qualified Long Beach residents. Depending on your household income, these programs can cover a substantial portion — or even all — of your system costs.
The federal residential tax credit no longer applies, but solar leasing through LightReach is one way Palmetto handles the commercial ITC and passes those savings to you through lower monthly payments.
| Incentive | Type | Description | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| SGIP – Residential Solar & Storage Equity (RSSE) – AB 209 | Rebate | A state-funded rebate of $3,100/kW for solar and $1,100/kWh for battery storage available to income-qualified California households, potentially covering 100% of system costs. | Learn More |
| DAC-SASH – Disadvantaged Communities Single-Family Solar Homes Program | Rebate | An upfront solar installation rebate of up to $3/watt for income-qualified homeowners in California disadvantaged communities, administered by GRID Alternatives through 2030. | |
| Federal Commercial Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC-48E) – Third-Party Owned Systems | Tax Credit | Businesses and third-party solar owners (lease/PPA providers) can claim a 30%+ federal Investment Tax Credit for solar projects that begin construction before July 4, 2026, with savings often passed to homeowners through prepaid leases at a ~30% discount. | Learn More |
The Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP) Residential Solar and Storage Equity (RSSE) budget is the only active SGIP pathway in 2026. Funded by $280 million in state dollars under AB 209, it offers $3,100 per kW for paired solar and $1,100 per kWh for battery storage — generous enough to cover 100% of system costs for many households. For example, a typical 7 kW solar system paired with a 10 kWh battery could receive up to $21,700 for solar and $11,000 for the battery, totaling $32,700 in incentives.
To qualify, your household income must be at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI), or you must be enrolled in the CARE, FERA, or ESA utility assistance programs. You must also be a residential customer of PG&E, SCE, SDG&E, SoCalGas, or LADWP. Residents of Long Beach are served by SCE and may qualify under this program. Systems must be sized to the home’s actual electricity usage — batteries larger than 15 kWh for single-family homes require justification based on energy consumption.
As of early 2026, the $280 million budget is fully reserved, but new applications are accepted on a waitlist and funded as existing reservations cancel. The best way to apply is through an SGIP-approved installer. All applicants must enroll in a qualified Demand Response program within one year of reserving funds. Check current funding availability at selfgenca.com.
The Disadvantaged Communities – Single-Family Affordable Solar Homes (DAC-SASH) program provides an upfront rebate of up to $3 per watt for solar installations, which can cover $12,000–$15,000 of the cost of a typical 4–5 kW system. The program is funded at $8.5 million annually and remains active through 2030, making it one of the most valuable solar incentives available to qualifying Californians in 2026.
To be eligible, you must: (1) receive electrical service from PG&E, SCE, or SDG&E — homeowners in Long Beach are served by SCE and may qualify; (2) own and occupy a single-family home as your primary residence; (3) live in a Disadvantaged Community (DAC) as identified by the CalEnviroScreen 4.0 map; and (4) have a total household income within CARE or FERA program limits. You can verify your address using the CalEnviroScreen tool at oehha.ca.gov/calenviroscreen.
The program is administered by GRID Alternatives, a nonprofit solar installer. The rebate covers equipment and installation costs, though out-of-pocket expenses may apply for roof repairs, panel upgrades, or permitting fees. To get started, complete the online eligibility form at gridalternatives.org or call GRID Alternatives toll-free at (866) 921-4696 for a pre-screening conversation.
While the federal residential solar tax credit (25D) has expired for homeowner-purchased systems, the commercial Investment Tax Credit (ITC-48E) remains available for third-party owned solar systems — including those installed under leases and Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs). Solar companies that own and install systems on residential rooftops can claim a base credit of 30% of system costs, with bonus adders of up to 10% each for projects in low-income communities, energy communities, or on Indian land — potentially reaching 40% or more.
For homeowners, the most practical benefit comes through prepaid solar leases: because the third-party owner claims the commercial ITC, they can pass the equivalent ~30% savings directly to you as a reduced purchase price at the point of sale. This effectively replicates the financial benefit of the expired residential ITC without requiring you to have any personal tax liability. PPAs offer a similar benefit — you pay nothing upfront and lock in a per-kWh rate below your utility’s current price.
To qualify for the commercial ITC, projects must begin construction before July 4, 2026. Projects that miss this deadline must be placed in service by December 31, 2027 to remain eligible. If you are considering a solar lease or PPA, act promptly to ensure your provider can begin construction in time to capture the credit and pass the savings to you. LightReach is currently the only California PPA provider offering battery storage under the same agreement — an important consideration for SCE customers in Long Beach under NEM 3.0.
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 QuoteLong Beach 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.
Long Beach enjoys over 280 sunny days yearly, mild ocean breezes, and minimal cloud cover — making it one of California’s strongest cities for consistent, year-round solar energy production.
Solar Production in Long Beach 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 Panel Systems in Long Beach
We’ve mapped thousands of solar installations across Long Beach to show just how many neighbors have already made the switch. Explore the heatmap below to see solar adoption in your neighborhood — from Belmont Shore to Bixby Knolls and beyond!
Leasing Solar Panels
Long Beach homeowners are served by two utilities: Southern California Edison (SCE) and the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power (LADWP). Depending on which utility serves your home, Palmetto offers a different alternative to paying cash for solar. SCE customers can access a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), while LADWP customers can access a solar lease through Palmetto’s LightReach program.
With a PPA (for SCE customers), you pay for the power your panels produce at a set rate per kilowatt-hour — typically lower than what SCE charges. Your bill may be slightly higher in summer when production peaks, and lower in winter. With a lease (for LADWP customers), you pay a fixed monthly amount regardless of how much your panels produce. Either way, you get solar with no large upfront cost, and Palmetto handles all maintenance and monitoring — no repair bills, no hassle. Learn more about how leasing compares to buying.
Both options let you start saving from day one without the financial risk of a cash purchase. When you own a system outright, you’re responsible for repairs, inverter replacements, and long-term upkeep. With LightReach, Palmetto owns the system and takes care of all of that for you — giving you the benefits of solar without the responsibilities of ownership.
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!
Explore LightReach LeasingFrequently Asked Questions
Yes, solar makes strong sense in Long Beach. With over 280 sunny days a year and California electricity rates averaging 31.9¢/kWh — nearly twice the national average — homeowners here can save an estimated $105,000 over 25 years with a typical solar installation.
Upfront cost is no longer a barrier. Palmetto’s LightReach solar lease program lets Long Beach homeowners go solar with no money down, starting savings from day one — with Palmetto handling all maintenance and monitoring.
Long Beach is served by two utilities: Southern California Edison (SCE) and LADWP, and each has a different policy. SCE customers are on NEM 3.0 (Net Billing), where excess solar energy exported to the grid earns an hourly credit based on the avoided cost to the grid — typically much lower than the retail rate. Credits are “trued up” annually at roughly 3–5¢/kWh.
LADWP customers benefit from traditional 1:1 Net Metering, where excess credits roll over month-to-month indefinitely as a dollar credit on your bill. Credits never expire, though no cash payout is issued. LADWP is not subject to NEM 3.0, making it one of the more favorable net metering policies in California.
Yes, solar panels can increase your home value in Long Beach. According to a Zillow study, homes with solar panels sell for approximately 4.1% more than comparable homes without them. In a competitive Southern California real estate market like Long Beach, that can represent a meaningful increase in resale value.
It’s worth noting that this applies to owned systems. If you lease your panels through a program like LightReach, the system stays with Palmetto — so the home value benefit is generally tied to purchased installations.
The most accessible way to go solar in Long Beach is through Palmetto’s LightReach lease — starting as low as $66/month for smaller homes, with no upfront cost. Palmetto owns and maintains the system, so there’s nothing out of pocket to get started.
For homeowners who prefer to purchase, a typical 6.72 kW system costs around $19,414. Note that the federal 30% residential tax credit is no longer available following the Big Beautiful Bill. Use the solar cost calculator above for a personalized estimate based on your home size.
For Long Beach homeowners, solar can make strong financial sense — especially with a lease option. With Palmetto’s LightReach program, your monthly lease payment is typically less than your current electricity bill, meaning you can start saving from day one with no upfront investment required.
With California electricity rates at 31.9¢/kWh — nearly double the national average — the savings add up quickly. A typical Long Beach homeowner can save an estimated $105,000 over 25 years, and Palmetto handles all maintenance, so there are no surprise repair costs.
Palmetto is a strong choice for Long Beach homeowners exploring solar installation. As a national company with a local focus, we’ve completed 7,123 installs across California since 2020 and bring that experience directly to Long Beach neighborhoods like Belmont Shore and Bixby Knolls.
We offer some of the best financing options in the industry, including our LightReach lease starting as low as $66/month with no upfront cost. Our trusted install network handles everything from permitting to activation, so going solar is straightforward and hassle-free.
With Palmetto’s LightReach program, Long Beach homeowners can go solar with no upfront cost. One simple monthly payment covers the system, installation, monitoring, maintenance, and a 90% Production Guarantee. For a typical 6.72 kW system, the estimated monthly lease payment is approximately $89/month.
Because Palmetto owns the system, it claims the commercial Investment Tax Credit (ITC) and passes those savings to you through lower monthly payments — an advantage not available with cash purchases. Most Long Beach homeowners find their lease payment is less than their current electricity bill, so savings begin from day one.