How much does solar cost in Southern California?
A 6–12 kW prepaid solar system in Southern California typically runs $13,500 to $28,000, or about $2.19 to $2.41 per watt — the per-watt price drops as the system gets bigger. Your own number depends on your electric bill, your roof, and whether you add a battery.
Typical prepaid price, by system size
These are typical ranges for GreeMpower Prepaid Solar — the price prepaid once, up front, at a locked rate with no escalator (see how that compares to a lease or a loan on our comparison page). Your exact number comes from a roof and bill review, not from this table alone.
| System size | Typical price | Price per watt |
|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $13,500–$15,500 | ≈ $2.41/W |
| 8 kW | $17,000–$19,500 | ≈ $2.30/W |
| 10 kW | $21,000–$23,500 | ≈ $2.23/W |
| 12 kW | $24,500–$28,000 | ≈ $2.19/W |
Computed at build time from src/data/pricing.ts — the same math the live estimator on /prepaid-cash/ runs off your own ZIP and bill.
What actually drives your number
- Your electric bill sets the system size. A higher average monthly bill points to a larger system, in kW, sized to offset it.
- Your roof can move the final price. Roof complexity, condition and access get confirmed in a roof and bill review before your exact price is set.
- A battery is quoted separately. Home battery backup is priced after the roof and panel review — it is never bundled into the ranges above.
City of Los Angeles / LADWP is the exception. Prepaid solar isn't offered to LADWP customers today — we can still help with home battery backup there. The prices above apply to the rest of Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura, Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
Frequently asked
- What actually sets my system size?
- Mainly your average monthly electric bill. GreeMpower's estimator converts that bill into the system size, in kW, that would offset it, using a standard production assumption for this service area — then floors it at a small minimum size so a low bill still gets a real, buildable system shown.
- Does my roof change the price?
- Yes. The ranges above assume a typical roof. A more complex roof — multiple planes, an older roof needing preparation, or unusual access — can move the final number after a roof and bill review. That review is what turns the range into an exact price.
- Is a home battery included in these numbers?
- No. A home battery is sized and quoted separately, after your roof and panel are reviewed — it is not folded into the system prices above.
- Why doesn't this apply in the City of Los Angeles?
- LADWP is the one exception in our service area: prepaid solar isn't offered to City of Los Angeles customers right now. We can still help LADWP homeowners with battery backup — the prices above are for prepaid solar in the rest of Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura, Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
Get the exact number for your roof.
Enter your ZIP and average monthly bill in the estimator on the prepaid page for a size and price range built from the same numbers on this page — before you talk to anyone.