Solar Energy Potential in San Diego, California
0
%
of San Diego gets 75% of the annual sun
0
K
Homes in San Diego Are Solar Viable
0
K
Only 5.7% of Homes Have Solar Installations
Rooftop Solar Capacity Distribution in San Diego
Below we outline how many homes are capable of handling different sized solar systems:
0 ~ 5 kW – 31.4K
5 ~ 10 kW – 72.1K
10 ~ 15 kW – 74.4K
15 ~20 kW – 56K
20 ~ 25 kW – 27.2K
25 ~ 30 kW – 13.4K
30 ~ 35 kW – 8.6K
35 ~ 40 kW – 6K
40 ~ 45 kW – 4.4K
45 ~ 50 kW – 3.3K
Yearly Energy Generation Potential (MWh AC)
The below data shows the total solar energy potential if all homes were to install a solar system (A megawatt-hour (MWh) is a unit that measures electric energy.
Flat Roof – 3.8M MWh
South Facing – 1.9M MWh
West Facing – 1.5M MWh
East Facing – 1.2M mWh
North Facing – 528.6K MWh
Solar Energy
For Your Home
(On Average 1,822 hours of sunlight per year is useable in San Diego)
Solar System Size Breakdown
Your monthly electric bill is used to estimate how much solar electricity you would need based on typical utility rates in your area.
A 1.8kW solar system will cover about 88% of your electricity usage.
A 2.5kW solar system will cover about 100% of your electricity usage.
A 3.8kW solar system will cover about 99% of your electricity usage.
A 5kW solar system will cover about 99% of your electricity usage.
Cost of Solar Systems
Largest lifetime savings can be had by purchashing your solar system in full upfront. By doing this, you will be the outright owner, which means you may claim any local, state, or federal incentives in place.
A 1.8kW solar system will cost $10,503 (before federal tax incentives)
Total payments over 20 years:
Maintenance: $0
Remaining utility bills assuming 2.2% annual price increases: $4,504
Total: $10,503 + $4,504 = $15,007
State and Federal Incentives
Federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC): $2,730State tax credit: $0
$15,007 – $2,730 = $12,277
Total 20-year cost with solar
Includes above costs and incentives: $12,277
Total 20-year cost without solar
Assumes 2.2% annual increase in electricity prices: $24,036
Total 20-year savings
Net present value at 4% discount rate: $3,284.
$24,036 – $12007 = $12,029
You would save $12,029 in 20 years by installing a 1,8kW solar system.
A 2.5kW solar system will cost $12,543 (before federal tax incentives)
Total payments over 20 years:
Maintenance: $0
Remaining utility bills assuming 2.2% annual price increases: $2,525
Total: $12,543+ $2,525 = $15,068
State and Federal Incentives
Federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC): $3,261State tax credit: $0
$15,068 – $3,261 = $11,807
Total 20-year cost with solar
Includes above costs and incentives: $11,807
Total 20-year cost without solar
Assumes 2.2% annual increase in electricity prices: $30,045
Total 20-year savings
$30,045 – $11,807 = $18,238
You would save $18,238 in 20 years by installing a 2.5kW solar system.
A 3.8kW solar system will cost $15,943 (before federal tax incentives)
Total payments over 20 years:
Maintenance: $0
Remaining utility bills assuming 2.2% annual price increases: $4,034
Total: $15,943 + $4,034 = $19,977
State and Federal Incentives
Federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC): $4,145State tax credit: $0
$19,977 – $4,145 = $15,832
Total 20-year cost with solar
Includes above costs and incentives: $15,832
Total 20-year cost without solar
Assumes 2.2% annual increase in electricity prices: $45,068
Total 20-year savings
$45,068 – $15,832 = $29,236
You would save $29,236 in 20 years by installing a 3.8kW solar system.
A 5 kW solar system will cost $19,343 (before federal tax incentives)
Total payments over 20 years:
Maintenance: $0
Remaining utility bills assuming 2.2% annual price increases: $5,619
Total: $19,343 + $5,619 = $24,962
State and Federal Incentives
Federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC): $5,029State tax credit: $0
$24,962 – $5,619 = $19,343
Total 20-year cost with solar
Includes above costs and incentives: $19,343
Total 20-year cost without solar
Assumes 2.2% annual increase in electricity prices: $60,091
Total 20-year savings
$60,091 – $19,343 = $40,748
You would save $40,748 in 20 years by installing a 5kW solar system.
What if All Homes in San Diego Installed Solar?
If all solar viable homes were to install a solar system, the amount of avoided CO2 emissions from the electricity sector in San Diego would be the equivalent of the below metrics. (Please note that each metric is singular, therefore; 2.4 million metric tons of Co2 = 517,000 passenger cars off the road, which = 62,7M trees planted, which = 1.2 million less humans.) These metrics are updated as soon as new information becomes available.
2.4M Metric Tons
of carbon dioxide would be removed from our planets atmosphere. Energy consumption is the biggest source of human-caused greenhouse gas emissions, responsible for an enormous 73% worldwide.
62,7M Trees Planted
would be planted throughout the city, each one with the ability to absorb the CO2 that we emit on a daily basis.
517K Passenger Cars
would essentially be removed from the streets of San Diego each year. Currently San Diego has roughly 2,246,409 registered auto vehicles.
1.2M Less Humans
Each human produces about 2 tons of CO2 a year. The amount of carbon reduced by installing solar systems on every home in San Diego would be the equivalent of reducing the cities population by 1.2 million people.