Best Cities for Solar in California: A Savings Ranking

Solar pays off everywhere in California, but some cities offer dramatically better returns than others. The key factors are sun hours, utility rates, and local incentives. Here's our ranking.

Top 10 California Cities for Solar Savings

1. San Diego

• Utility: SDG&E (highest rates in the country)
• Sun hours: 266 days/year
• Average payback: 4–5 years
• 25-year savings: $100,000–$115,000

2. Temecula / Murrieta

• Utility: SCE (high rates)
• Sun hours: 275+ days/year
• Average payback: 5–6 years
• 25-year savings: $85,000–$100,000

3. Palm Springs / Coachella Valley

• Utility: SCE / IID
• Sun hours: 300+ days/year (among the sunniest in the US)
• Average payback: 5–7 years
• 25-year savings: $75,000–$95,000

4. San Jose / South Bay

• Utility: PG&E (high rates)
• Sun hours: 257 days/year
• Average payback: 5–6 years
• 25-year savings: $85,000–$100,000

5. Riverside / San Bernardino

• Utility: SCE / Riverside Public Utilities
• Sun hours: 280+ days/year
• Average payback: 5–7 years
• 25-year savings: $75,000–$95,000

6. Fresno / Central Valley

• Utility: PG&E
• Sun hours: 270+ days/year
• Average payback: 5–6 years
• 25-year savings: $80,000–$95,000

7. Orange County

• Utility: SCE / SDG&E (south)
• Sun hours: 265 days/year
• Average payback: 5–6 years
• 25-year savings: $80,000–$100,000

8. Bakersfield

• Utility: PG&E
• Sun hours: 272 days/year
• Average payback: 5–7 years
• 25-year savings: $80,000–$95,000

9. Sacramento

• Utility: SMUD (lower rates) / PG&E (surrounding areas)
• Sun hours: 269 days/year
• Average payback: 6–9 years (SMUD) / 5–7 years (PG&E)
• 25-year savings: $50,000–$90,000

10. Los Angeles

• Utility: LADWP (lower rates) / SCE (surrounding)
• Sun hours: 284 days/year
• Average payback: 6–8 years (LADWP) / 5–6 years (SCE)
• 25-year savings: $55,000–$95,000

The Pattern

The best cities for solar combine high utility rates with lots of sunshine. San Diego wins because SDG&E's rates are so extreme that even a moderately sized system saves over $100,000. Inland Empire and Central Valley cities benefit from excellent sun exposure.

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