Nathan Healy
Certified by Nathan Healy
Updated: July 2026
Quality Solar Panels Since 2011
Palmetto has served 20,000+ customers across 31 states with an approval rating over 85%.
About Nathan Healy

Nathan Healy is a Vice President at Palmetto, where he helps homeowners cut through the confusion around solar and figure out whether it actually pencils out for their home, roof, and budget. With energy prices climbing and the federal incentive landscape shifting, his focus is simple: give people a straight, honest answer instead of a sales pitch.

He reviews Palmetto’s local solar guides so the costs, incentives, and utility details on this page reflect what’s really happening in your area.
He believes in solar so much, that he had Palmetto install solar on his own parents’ house, the home he grew up in.

01

Solar Power in Victorville

With plenty of high desert sunshine year-round, Victorville is an ideal place for solar panel installation. California ranks 1st in the nation for residential solar installations, and it’s easy to see why so many local homeowners are making the switch.

It also helps that California has the 2nd highest utility prices per kWh in the country. That means solar can lower your monthly bills. Here’s what to expect when installing home solar panels in Victorville.

CALIFORNIA by the Numbers

1st Most residential solar in the United States
1926 Households have installed solar panels
6.7 Avg peak sun hours per day
~$115k Victorville average savings over 25 years
02

How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in Victorville, CA?

See what solar really costs in Victorville, using real installation data from homes across the High Desert—including Spring Valley Lake, Adelanto, Hesperia, and Apple Valley. This calculator gives you a clear, local estimate based on actual projects, so you can explore your options with confidence.

Small Home Up to 2,000 sq ft
Medium Home 2,000-3,000 sq ft
Large Home Over 3,000 sq ft
System Size
This system size is designed to offset approximately 100% of the average electricity usage for a home of this size in California.
Recommended
System
6.67 kW
Your Monthly Payment
Estimated monthly cost with LightReach
$88/mo
As low as
$88/mo
Why Lease Solar?
Following the 2025 Big Beautiful Bill, the federal 30% solar tax credit is no longer available for cash purchases. With a LightReach lease, Palmetto owns the system and still qualifies for the commercial ITC — passing those savings through to you via lower monthly payments.
  • No upfront investment
  • Palmetto handles all maintenance
  • 90% Production Guarantee
  • Comprehensive protection program included
03

Palmetto Reviews

04

Key Takeaways

  • Victorville’s high desert sunshine makes it ideal for solar, with 6.7 average peak sun hours per day powering strong, year-round energy production.
  • California’s electricity rates keep climbing, reaching 31.9¢ per kWh in 2024—nearly double the national average—so producing your own power can mean real savings.
  • Going solar can require no upfront cost through Palmetto’s LightReach program, and state incentives like SGIP and DAC-SASH may further lower your expenses.
05

Victorville Electricity Prices

In Victorville’s High Desert, electricity rates keep climbing. Understanding those costs helps explain why so many neighbors are exploring solar.

California’s average electricity price rose from 22.8 cents per kWh in 2021 to 31.9 cents in 2024. That’s roughly double the national average of 16.5 cents per kWh.

With abundant High Desert sunshine, Victorville homes are well-suited for solar. Generating your own power can offset the utility rates that keep rising year after year.

Over time, solar can help protect you from unpredictable rate increases. As Victorville electricity costs grow, the power your panels produce can deliver lasting, predictable value.

Price of Energy: California vs National Average

10¢
20¢
30¢
40¢
13.7¢
22.8¢
15.0¢
25.8¢
16.0¢
29.5¢
16.5¢
31.9¢
2021
2022
2023
2024
US Average
California

Victorville Area Utility Providers

In Victorville, most homes get power from Southern California Edison (SCE). In 2023, the latest data available, SCE charged about 32.3¢ per kWh for electricity.

That 2023 rate sits above both the California average of 29.5¢ and the national average of 16.0¢. Higher local rates often reflect wildfire prevention costs, grid upgrades, and the expense of serving the high desert.

Because SCE rates run well above the national average, home solar panels can help Victorville homeowners produce their own power. That means less energy pulled from the grid and more predictable monthly costs.

Victorville Utilities Electricity Rates

SCE
32.30¢
+102%
CA Average
29.50¢
+84%
US Average
16.0¢
06

California Solar Incentives

Several state and local programs can help offset the cost of going solar. Explore the available solar incentives in California below.

California offers rebates like SGIP for battery storage and the AB 209 RSSE program. Income-qualified homeowners in disadvantaged communities may also access DAC-SASH, which can cover most solar installation costs.

While the federal residential tax credit has ended, state and local incentives remain. Leasing through LightReach simplifies things, since Palmetto handles the commercial ITC and passes savings along via lower monthly payments.

Incentive Type Description Source
Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP) – Battery Storage Rebate Rebate California’s SGIP provides rebates for residential battery storage systems, with the highest incentives reserved for income-qualified households through the AB 209 Residential Solar and Storage Equity (RSSE) program. Learn More
DAC-SASH – Disadvantaged Communities Single-Family Solar Homes Program Rebate DAC-SASH provides up to $3 per watt in solar installation rebates — effectively free solar — for income-qualified homeowners in California’s designated disadvantaged communities, administered by GRID Alternatives. Learn More
SGIP RSSE – AB 209 Residential Solar and Storage Equity Program Rebate The AB 209-funded RSSE program offers low-income California households up to $1,100/kWh for battery storage and $3,100/kW for paired solar, potentially covering 100% of installation costs. Learn More
SOMAH – Solar on Multifamily Affordable Housing Rebate SOMAH provides solar installation incentives of up to $3.50 per AC Watt for multifamily affordable housing properties, with benefits directed to low-income tenants, and is active through 2032. Learn More
DAC-GT – Disadvantaged Communities Green Tariff Rebate The DAC-GT program gives income-qualified residents in disadvantaged communities who cannot install rooftop solar a 20% discount on their electricity bill by crediting them with utility-scale clean energy. Learn More
PACE Financing – Property Assessed Clean Energy Rebate California’s PACE program allows homeowners to finance solar and battery storage installations with no money down, repaying the loan through their property tax bill over 10–20 years. Learn More

The Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP) is California’s primary rebate program for home battery storage systems. As of 2026, the General Market, Equity, and Equity Resiliency ratepayer-funded tiers are closed to new applicants. The only active pathway is the Residential Solar and Storage Equity (RSSE) program, funded by AB 209 with $280 million in state funds. This tier offers up to $1,100/kWh for battery storage and $3,100/kW for paired solar, potentially covering 100% of system costs for qualifying households. However, most of this budget is already reserved and new applications are being placed on a waitlist.

To qualify for the RSSE program, you must be a residential customer of PG&E, SCE, SoCalGas, or SDG&E with a household income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI), or be enrolled in an income-based assistance program. Priority is given to customers in disadvantaged communities (DACs), high fire-threat districts, or areas that have experienced two or more Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) events. Incentives are calculated on usable battery capacity (kWh) and cannot exceed the total installed cost of the system.

Even though the RSSE budget is currently waitlisted, it is worth applying to secure your place in line, as funding may become available. The program is administered through the SGIP portal at selfgenca.com. Eligible battery technologies include grid-tied lithium-ion systems from approved manufacturers. Incentives typically apply to up to 30 kWh of capacity for standard residential projects, or up to 80 kWh for households qualifying under resiliency criteria.

The Disadvantaged Communities – Single-Family Solar Homes (DAC-SASH) program offers income-qualified homeowners in Victorville and other disadvantaged communities an incentive of up to $3 per watt for solar systems between 1 and 5 kW, which can effectively cover the full cost of a rooftop solar installation. The program is active through 2030 and is administered by GRID Alternatives, a nonprofit organization. Applications are processed directly by GRID Alternatives — not through private solar installers — so homeowners should contact them directly to begin the process.

To be eligible, you must meet all three of the following criteria: (1) receive electric service from PG&E, SCE, or SDG&E (2) own and occupy a single-family home as your primary residence; and (3) live in a disadvantaged community (DAC) as identified by the CalEnviroScreen 4.0 map (top 25% of census tracts statewide). Additionally, your total household income must fall within CARE or FERA program limits — through May 31, 2026, that means no more than $52,875 for a 1–2 person household or $94,125 for a 5-person household.

DAC-SASH is one of California’s most impactful solar equity programs, specifically designed to bring the benefits of rooftop solar to households that would otherwise be priced out. To apply or check eligibility, complete the online form at GRID Alternatives’ website or call toll-free at (866) 921-4696. Because this program targets underserved communities, it also includes workforce development and solar job training components.

The Residential Solar and Storage Equity (RSSE) program, funded through AB 209 with $280 million in state appropriations, is the most generous solar and battery incentive currently available in California. It offers $1,100/kWh for battery storage and $3,100/kW for paired solar installations, with the potential to cover 100% of system costs for qualifying low-income households. The program opened for reservations on June 2, 2025, and is available to customers of PG&E, SCE, SDG&E, and LADWP (LADWP applications were expected to open by end of 2025).

Eligibility requires that your household income be at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI), or that you are enrolled in an income-based assistance program such as CARE or FERA. Preference is given to households located in designated disadvantaged communities (DACs), high fire-threat zones, or areas that have experienced repeated Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS). The incentive is structured as a rebate applied to the installed cost of the system and cannot exceed total project costs.

As of April 2026, most RSSE sub-budgets are fully reserved and new applicants are being placed on a waitlist. However, some sub-budgets (such as the SCE RSSE-AB 209 POU sub-budget) have shown small amounts of remaining funding. Homeowners in Victorville are encouraged to apply through the official SGIP portal at selfgenca.com to secure a waitlist position, as additional funding rounds may become available. This program can be combined with the DAC-SASH solar rebate for maximum savings.

The Solar on Multifamily Affordable Housing (SOMAH) program provides financial incentives for installing solar photovoltaic systems on multifamily affordable housing properties in California. Building owners and affordable housing developers can receive up to $3.50 per AC Watt for solar generation that directly benefits tenants, and $1.19 per AC Watt for systems serving common areas. The program is funded by up to $100 million annually from electric utility Greenhouse Gas Auction Proceeds and has been extended through 2032 under Senate Bill 355 (2023).

SOMAH is designed to bring the economic benefits of solar energy to low-income renters who cannot install their own rooftop systems. Eligible properties must be located in California’s disadvantaged communities (DACs), defined as census tracts scoring in the top 25% statewide on the CalEnviroScreen tool. The program is administered by a consortium of nonprofits including the Center for Sustainable Energy (CSE), GRID Alternatives, the Association for Energy Affordability (AEA), and the California Housing Partnership Corporation (CHPC).

As of May 22, 2026, SOMAH has paused integrated battery storage incentive additions in PG&E service territory until further notice, though solar-only incentives remain available. A waitlist form is available for active applications in the PowerClerk portal. Property owners and developers interested in the program should visit calsomah.org for eligibility details, application instructions, and to connect with program administrators.

The Disadvantaged Communities – Green Tariff (DAC-GT) program is designed for income-qualified residents in disadvantaged communities who are unable to install rooftop solar — such as renters or homeowners with unsuitable roofs. Through this program, eligible customers receive a 20% discount on their electricity bill by being credited with energy from utility-scale clean energy sources. The program is available through PG&E, SCE, and SDG&E and was approved and improved by the CPUC as part of a broader 2024 decision that also launched the new Community Renewable Energy (CRE) Program.

To qualify, customers must meet the income eligibility requirements for either the California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) or Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) programs, and must reside in a designated disadvantaged community (DAC). This program is specifically intended for those who cannot participate in rooftop solar programs like DAC-SASH or SOMAH, ensuring that the benefits of clean energy reach all income levels in underserved communities.

The DAC-GT program requires no installation or upfront cost — the bill discount is applied directly to your monthly electric bill once you are enrolled. Customers in Victorville interested in enrolling should contact their utility (PG&E, SCE, or SDG&E) directly or visit the CPUC’s program page for more information. This program can be a meaningful source of ongoing savings for renters and others who lack access to traditional solar incentives.

Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing is a state-supported program administered by the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) that allows homeowners to install solar panels and battery storage systems with no money upfront. Instead of a traditional loan, the financing is tied to your property and repaid through your property tax bill over a period of typically 10 to 20 years. Because the debt is secured by the property rather than the borrower, PACE programs often offer competitive interest rates and are accessible to homeowners who may not qualify for traditional financing.

One of the key advantages of PACE financing is that it is transferable — if you sell your home, the remaining balance can transfer to the new owner along with the property, which can be a selling point when marketing a solar-equipped home. PACE financing can be used for solar panel systems, battery storage, and other qualifying clean energy improvements. California is one of only a handful of states that offers PACE financing, making it a unique option for homeowners in Victorville and across the state.

It is important to understand that PACE is a loan, not a grant or rebate — you will pay interest over the life of the financing term, and the repayment obligation is attached to your property. Homeowners should carefully review the terms, interest rates, and total cost before entering a PACE agreement. The DFPI provides consumer protections and oversight for PACE providers in California. PACE financing can be combined with other incentives such as SGIP battery rebates and the property tax exclusion to reduce overall system costs.

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 Quote
07

Victorville 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.

Victorville’s high desert location brings abundant sunshine and clear skies year-round, making it excellent for solar. Even with occasional winter clouds, a well-designed system captures plenty of energy throughout every season.

Solar Production in Victorville by Month

Daylight Hours
Energy Production (kWh/day)

What Can Your Solar System Power?

Summer Production (July)

[SummerProduction] kWh/day

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)

[WinterProduction] kWh/day

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

[AnnualProduction] kWh/year

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 Estimate
08

Solar Panel Systems in Victorville

We’ve mapped solar installations across the United States, right down to the address level. Explore our interactive heatmap to see how many neighbors in Victorville communities have switched to solar. Click any hexagon to discover installation counts in that area and see how your neighborhood is embracing clean energy.

09

Leasing Solar Panels

Victorville homes are served by Southern California Edison (SCE), which means you can go solar with a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) through Palmetto’s LightReach program. With a PPA, you simply pay for the power your panels produce at a set price per kilowatt-hour, with no upfront cost to install the system.

Because SCE customers qualify for a PPA rather than a lease, your monthly amount reflects real production, so bills may be higher in sunny summer months and lower in winter. Over a year, savings typically match what a fixed lease would offer.

Unlike paying cash, a PPA means Palmetto owns and maintains the system, handling repairs and monitoring for you. If you’d like to compare options, our buy or lease guide can help.

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 Leasing
10

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, but with an important update. Most Victorville homes are served by Southern California Edison (SCE), which now uses Net Billing, also called NEM 3.0. Under this policy, the credit you earn for exporting solar energy to the grid changes each hour based on the time of day and the grid’s avoided cost.

Any excess credits on your account are “trued up” during your anniversary month each year and paid out at the lower surplus rate of roughly 3–5 cents per kWh.

Yes. When you purchase or own your solar panels, they can increase your Victorville home’s value. A Zillow study found that homes with solar panels sell for approximately 4.1% more than comparable homes without them.

This applies to owned systems, not leased or PPA systems. With a leased system, resale may work differently, since the buyer typically assumes the existing lease agreement rather than gaining an owned asset.

Many Victorville homeowners go solar with no upfront cost through Palmetto’s LightReach lease, paying a low fixed monthly amount starting around $88/mo for an average-sized home. Palmetto owns and maintains the system.

If you prefer to buy, a cash system for a medium home runs about $19,288. Note that the federal 30% tax credit is no longer available for residential cash purchases after the 2025 federal law change. See the calculator above for pricing by home size.

With a solar lease like Palmetto’s LightReach program, one simple monthly payment covers everything—the panel system, installation, monitoring, maintenance, and a 90% Production Guarantee—with no upfront cost. In Victorville, a typical 6.67 kW system runs about $88/month.

Because Palmetto owns the system, it claims the commercial tax credit and passes those savings on through lower payments. Since the lease is usually less than your current electricity bill, many homeowners start saving from day one.

Victorville homeowners can access several California state and local solar programs. These include the Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP) for battery storage, the AB 209 RSSE program for income-qualified households, and DAC-SASH, which can cover most installation costs in disadvantaged communities. Other options include SOMAH, DAC-GT, and PACE financing.

The federal 30% residential tax credit is no longer available for cash purchases after the 2025 federal law change. However, leasing through LightReach still provides savings, since Palmetto claims the commercial ITC and passes it along via lower monthly payments.

Yes. Victorville’s high desert climate is excellent for solar, with about 6.7 peak sun hours per day and clear skies for much of the year. That steady sunshine helps local panels produce strong, reliable energy across every season.

Production does vary throughout the year. Summer’s long days bring peak output, while shorter winter days and occasional clouds mean lower production. Even so, panels still generate power in cloudy conditions, and a well-designed system captures plenty of energy year-round.

A typical home solar system in Victorville produces a lot of electricity thanks to the High Desert’s clear skies and roughly 6.7 peak sun hours per day. A 10 kW system generates about 18,550 kWh per year, while a 7 kW system produces around 12,986 kWh and a 5 kW system about 9,277 kWh.

Production is highest in summer and lower in winter. Your actual output depends on your roof size, orientation, shading, and the season.