Calculate how much you can save on your LADWP bill with solar panels

Average 25 year solar savings for a LADWP customer: $90,923

Average solar panel cost: $14,344 - $17,531*

Estimate solar panel cost and savings based on your location, roof and power use.

*Solar panel cost varies by location, solar panel mqanufacturer, system size and the amount of electricity your home uses.

Adding solar panels and switching rate plans can lower your Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) electric bill

Updated: October 22, 2020

Installing solar panels can help reduce your LADWP bill, thanks to Florida’s sunshine and the company’s net metering program! Combined with the 30% solar tax credit, KUA customers can see great savings when they switch to solar!

Solar panel cost calculator

Are solar panels worth it for Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) customers?

Yes! With available solar property tax exemptions, battery storage incentive through the SGIP program, and available net metering, home solar panels make sense for LADWP customers in California. LADWP’s net billing rate allows you to get full credit on your power bill for the excess solar electricity your panels produce which you can’t use onsite. Your credits accrue at the same rate as retail rates, and roll over onto your next month’s bill.

Does Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) offer net metering credits for exported solar power?

Yes, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) offers net metering credits.

Under the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) net metering program, solar panels will first send energy to your home. Any excess solar energy is sent to the grid and purchased in the form of a bill credit. The credit value is determined by the Tri-Party Net Metering Power Purchase Agreement. KUA customers are billed for all of the electric energy delivered to them by the company.

What incentives, tax credits, and rebates are available to LADWP customers for installing solar?

The biggest financial incentive for solar homeowners is the 30% federal solar tax credit. The tax credit equals 30% of the solar installation costs and directly reduces your federal income tax liability.

Some states and local governments offer additional solar incentives. These incentives include state tax credits, rebates, or performance-based incentives like Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs). The best part is that these local incentives can be used in addition to the federal tax credit!

Here is every incentive you may be eligible for as a LADWP customer:

Table 1: Incentives
Upfront Incentives Value*
Residential Clean Energy Tax Credit (Federal) -$6,830
Disadvantaged Communities – Single-Family Solar Homes (DAC-SASH) program (State)

DAC-SASH is a program that provides very low or no-cost solar to low-income residents of California's most disadvantaged communities. Eligible residents can apply through GRID Alternatives' Energy for All Program

Varies
LADWP - Net Metering (State)

Retail rate net metering, calculated every month. Applies to all except Taxes and Minimum Charges

Varies
Self-Generation Incentive Program (State)

Small Residential earns $.25/Wh of storage capacity

Varies
Property Tax Exclusion for Solar Energy Systems (State)

Total cost of solar system is exempt from property taxes, for all systems installed before 1/1/2026. Properties that change hands after 2024 may not continue to be eligible.

Varies
City of San Francisco - Low-Income Solar Inverter Replacement Program (State)

Eligible CARE and FERA customers can receive up to $3,000 to replace older, non-working solar inverters that were installed as part of the GoSolarSF program.

Varies
Net Billing (NEM 3.0) (State)

Change to net metering policy, new special solar rate plans, and avoided cost buyback rates

Varies
TOTAL -$6,830

*Based on 8.56 kW system, average installation cost $22,768

Who are the best solar installers near you?

 

How much does installing solar panels save the average Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) residential customer?

If you input the details for a LADWP customer with a power bill of $260 per month into the best online solar panels calculator, it tells you that you need a 8.56 kW solar system that will produce 14,181 kWh per year and that this system will return the owner a $90,923 profit after repaying the cost of the system.

The solar savings possible for you as a LADWP customer will depend on the amount of electricity you use and the cost of the solar system you buy. Savings also vary based on the direction of your roof or any shading of your roof that affects output.

Here is a monthly and lifetime solar savings estimate for the same relatively typical LADWP customer with a $260 per month electric bill prior to solar and who installs a 8.56 kW solar system.

How much do residential solar panels cost for LADWP customers?

Solar prices near you

Cost range of local prices

$13,973-$17,078

Net profit (savings less system cost)

$73,172-$89,432

Payback period

5.2-6.4 years

Recommended size for the selected utility bill

7.9kW

Solar panel cost calculator

Detailed information about your estimate

Table 2: Estimate details

System Size (for 100% usage offset)

8.56 kW

Annual Power Generation

14,181 kWh

Pay-back time (assuming Cash purchase)

5.4 Years

Internal Rate of Return (IRR) on Investment

16.4%

Gross cost

$22,768

Total Upfront Incentives and Rebates

-$5,920

Net Cost of System after rebates and incentives

$16,850

Total Cost of Utility Power Avoided over 25 years

$107,773

Please note that the investment return figures do not include the possible increase in property value.

What are the environmental impacts of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) customers installing solar panels?

While most homeowners decide to install solar panels because of financial savings over time, the environmental impacts of this choice are the primary motive for others. Here is a breakdown of the environmental benefits from a Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) customer installing a 8.56 kW solar system on their property:

A solar system generating 14,181 kWh per year will save you money AND make the world a nicer place

Saves you

$3,637

on average per year

Reduces CO2 emissions

7.02

tons per year

Equivalent to planting

49 trees

per year

Equivalent to driving

15,529 mi

less per year

CO2 emissions calculation based on the electricity generation and emissions data for your state in 2015 as published by the US Government Energy Information Administration.

What factors affect the price of solar panels for Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) customers?

The cost of installing solar panels will vary with brands of solar panels and inverters you choose and also the installation company you choose to install them.

It is common to see really good systems, using quality brands of equipment, being sold for around $2.66 per watt or $16,850 for a standard 8.56 kW solar system after the customer claims the 30% federal solar tax credit.

Related solar news

Have your say!