Evaluating the Cost of Solar in Westpark for 2026
For homeowners in the Westpark area of Irvine, high electricity bills from Southern California Edison (SCE) are a constant concern. With average rates around $0.338/kWh, installing rooftop solar is a direct way to lower that monthly expense. As of 2026, the economics of solar have shifted away from reliance on federal tax credits and toward maximizing the value of the energy you produce on-site, making system design more important than ever.
From rates to ROI—continue in the savings calculator.
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Typical Solar Installation Costs in Westpark
The upfront investment for a solar system in 2026 is based on its size and whether it includes battery storage. Given the current rules from SCE, pairing solar with a battery is the most effective way to maximize your savings.
- Solar-Only System (6.8 kW): The estimated cost for a system of this size is $17,340. It's designed to offset a large portion of a typical household's daytime energy consumption.
- Solar + Battery System (6.8 kW solar with 10 kWh battery): The estimated cost for this combined system is $32,340. This setup allows you to store excess solar energy generated during the day for use at night, significantly reducing what you need to buy from SCE.
Incentives & Tax Credits
Key California Solar Benefits for 2026
While the widely known 30% federal tax credit for homeowners is not available for systems installed in 2026, California provides its own set of valuable financial incentives that make solar a strong investment.
- Property Tax Exclusion for Solar Systems: This is a major benefit in California. Your property taxes will not go up as a result of installing a rooftop solar system. This state-level exclusion ensures the added value of your system doesn't translate to a higher tax burden.
- Net Billing Program: While export rates are low, the program still provides some credit for surplus energy. More importantly, it establishes the framework that makes self-consuming your solar power so valuable.
Net Metering: Southern California Edison (SCE)
Net Billing (low export)
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Why Self-Consumption is Key with SCE's Net Billing
Under the current net billing tariff, SCE charges you a high retail rate (around $0.338/kWh) for electricity you pull from the grid. However, when your solar panels produce more energy than you can use and send it to the grid, SCE only credits you at a much lower rate (around $0.1183/kWh). This price difference makes it financially smart to store your own solar power in a battery and use it yourself, rather than selling it cheap and buying it back expensive just a few hours later.
Projected Savings
Projected Annual Savings and Payback Period
The primary benefit of a solar system is the reduction in your monthly electricity bill. In Southern California's sunny climate, production is strong, but your total savings are dictated by how you use that energy.
- A 6.8 kW solar-only system is projected to save an average Westpark homeowner about $2,216 per year, resulting in a payback period of approximately 7.2 years.
- By adding a 10 kWh battery, the annual savings jump to $3,308. The payback period only extends slightly to 8.1 years, but the system delivers nearly $1,100 in additional savings every single year. An owned solar system can also be a useful long-term home-value feature for potential buyers.