Are high electricity bills from the Los Angeles Dept of Water & Power a constant pressure on your Westmont household budget? With retail rates around $0.323/kWh, many homeowners are looking for a way to reduce that monthly expense. Rooftop solar offers a direct path to generating your own power, but the financial rules for new systems in 2026 have shifted the focus toward maximizing on-site energy use.
Run your scenario: the calculator uses this city’s utility and tariff data.
Open calculatorBenchmark Cost Analysis
How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in Westmont (2026)?
For a home with typical energy needs in Westmont, a 7.1 kW solar panel system costs around $18,105. This is the estimated gross cost for a standard installation.
However, to get the most value from that system, adding a home battery is the recommended path. A combined system with a 10 kWh battery has an estimated total cost of $33,105. It's important to note that these 2026 costs do not include a federal income tax credit, as that program is no longer in effect for new residential installations.
Incentives & Tax Credits
California's Enduring Solar Benefits
Even without a federal tax credit, California provides a critical incentive that makes solar a smart long-term investment for homeowners.
- Property Tax Exclusion: When you install an owned solar system, its value is excluded from your property tax assessment. In a high-value real estate area like Los Angeles County, this prevents your tax bill from increasing due to the home improvement.
- Resale Appeal: An owned solar and battery system can be a major draw for potential buyers. It offers the promise of lower energy bills and backup power during outages, which can make your home more attractive on the market.
Net Metering: Los Angeles Dept of Water & Power
Net Billing (low export)
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Understanding LADWP's Export Rules
The key to solar economics in 2026 is understanding net billing. When your solar panels produce more electricity than your home is using, the excess is sent to the grid. LADWP credits you for this power, but at a rate (around $0.113/kWh) that is much lower than the retail rate you pay for electricity (around $0.323/kWh). This price gap is why storing your solar energy in a battery for later use is more financially advantageous than selling it back to the utility.
Projected Savings
Projected Savings with Solar and Battery Storage
A solar-only system is modeled to save a Westmont homeowner approximately $2,216 annually, with a payback period of about 7.5 years. These are strong savings driven by offsetting high LADWP rates.
By adding a battery, the system's value increases substantially. The estimated annual savings jump to $3,308, with a payback period of 8.3 years. That's over $1,000 in additional savings each year. The battery enables you to store solar power generated during the day and use it during the evening, which is far more valuable than exporting it. If LADWP rates continue to rise, the value of producing and storing your own electricity will only grow over the life of the system.