Solar Panel Cost Guide in Helena-West Helena, AR (2024 Update)
- Helena-West Helena Solar Installation Cost: $20,291
- 25-Year Savings: $22,551
- Payback Period: 13.6 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Helena-West Helena
We go over average solar pricing in Helena-West Helena.
The average cost of a solar panel system in Helena-West Helena is 3 per watt.Since a 8.3-kW system is needed to cover the energy costs of a typical home in Helena-West Helena, the average price of going solar will be about $20,291 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 0.
The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of the cost of solar panels. The exact cost of making the switch to solar can vary quite a bit based on several factors, such as how many panels you need, your energy usage and what company you go with.With typical savings of about $17,000 on energy bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Helena-West Helena find installing solar panels has a decent ROI.
For a customized quote from a local solar installer that has been pre-vetted by EcoWatch, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Helena-West Helena
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-18,835 |
| 3 years | $-15,923 |
| 5 years | $-13,011 |
| 7 years | $-10,099 |
| 9 years | $-7,187 |
| 11 years | $-4,275 |
| 13 years | $-1,363 |
| 15 years | $1,550 |
| 17 years | $4,462 |
| 19 years | $7,374 |
| 21 years | $10,286 |
| 23 years | $13,198 |
| 25 years | $16,110 |
Top Solar Installers in Helena-West Helena
Although it's possible to install solar panels on your own, it involves extra time and knowledge. Because of that, almost all homeowners choose to hire a solar panel installer. Some solar installers, especially local ones, can help you make the most of incentives in Helena-West Helena, optimizing your ROI.
Working with a vetted solar company can make going solar easier. Here are our recommendations:
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
See all of the solar companies in Helena-West Helena
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Helena-West Helena
The cost of installing a solar system in Helena-West Helena can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is determined by several factors. The largest one is the size of the system your home needs, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that determines the overall cost of installing solar panels. For that reason, it’s a priority to accurately assess the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your typical energy use.The type of solar panels and equipment you choose is another factor that will greatly affect costs. Solar panels that have higher efficiency, like monocrystalline panels, tend to be more pricey. Moreover, solar equipment goes beyond just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to consider the kind of racks used to mount the panels, inverters, solar batteries, etc. It’s important to take all of this into consideration when researching a solar system that’s in your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Helena-West Helena to be too expensive, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, almost every solar company in the area provides financing options. Solar loans greatly decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also lead to a higher cost over time because of interest.When considering your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you go with a solar loan. Also, paying more upfront can lower the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar company you go with to handle your switch to renewable energy can have an effect on your total costs. There are about 3 solar installation companies operating throughout Helena-West Helena, and each can charge different amounts for labor and equipment.Larger national companies generally have lower costs, but some local companies compete with them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or additional services like electric car charger installation, they might be cheaper overall.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
| System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $3.63 | $15,244 | $11,714 | 14.1 years |
| 8 kW | $3.56 | $19,935 | $16,009 | 13.9 years |
| 10 kW | $3.49 | $24,430 | $20,500 | 13.6 years |
| 12 kW | $3.42 | $28,730 | $25,186 | 13.3 years |
| 14 kW | $3.35 | $32,834 | $30,068 | 13.0 years |
| 16 kW | $3.28 | $36,743 | $35,145 | 12.8 years |
| 18 kW | $3.21 | $40,456 | $40,418 | 12.5 years |
| 20 kW | $3.14 | $43,974 | $45,886 | 12.2 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar installer you choose will affect not only your total costs, but also the types of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you can get. When choosing a solar company, there are some important things you should take into account, including:
- Warranty: Warranties that provide coverage for panel repairs and maintenance over a long period of time such as 25 years are the gold standard in the business, and offering such a warranty is one sign of a good company.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a sound reputation as a company and have proven expertise in the field. A couple of ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians that hold a certification from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has good reviews from previous customers.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels depending on their locations and how much efficiency they need. Even though there are many options for which kind of solar panel you can get, not every company will have access to the exact one you may want or need, so make sure you peruse their list of options before deciding.
- Installation Process: An important thing to understand when going solar is the installation process itself. Be sure to clarify any details you need to know with your solar installer, such as what permits you should acquire and what the project timeline is.
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
EcoWatch's Helena-West Helena, AR Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Helena-West Helena?
The average cost of solar panels in Helena-West Helena is about $17,450 for a 5-kW system and $34,900 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on things like the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Can you get solar panels for free in Helena-West Helena?
You can’t get solar panels for free in Helena-West Helena. However, you may still be able to get them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you’d rather own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.
Can solar panels completely eradicate my energy bills?
Solar panels can potentially eliminate your electricity bills depending on where you’re located and how much sunlight your home gets. Even if it doesn’t get rid of them completely, you can save a lot of money on your bills, about $898.60 per year.
How many solar panels do I need to power my home?
To figure out what solar panel system size you need, you should find out how much energy your home needs and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can generally produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average household will need 20 to 35 panels.
Our goal is to reach as many people as we can with sensible solutions like solar energy. Our team of full-time local researchers collects solar price and installation data for every city in America then compiles it to create these digestible city guides. If you want to read our solar expert's opinion on the top solar companies featured here, follow this link.
Company research was conducted by Melissa Smith and Karsten Neumeister. Local data analysis was conducted by James Savino. See something we missed or could do better? Email the editor.