Solar Panel Cost Guide in Mountain Home, AR (2024 Update)
- Mountain Home Solar Installation Cost: $20,891
- 25-Year Savings: $24,436
- Payback Period: 13.2 Years
See cost of a solar system near you:
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Average Cost of Solar Panels in Mountain Home
Find out how much it might cost to go solar in Mountain Home.
Although the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Mountain Home typically cost about 3.The average Mountain Home homeowner needs a 8.6-kilowatt system, which would cost about $20,891 with the federal tax credit, or $29,874 before the 0 tax credit is applied.
The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of how much solar panels could cost. The true cost of making the switch to solar can vary quite a bit depending on a few factors, such as what size system you need, your energy consumption and what company you go with.Many homeowners find adopting solar power is a solid investment. The average homeowner in Mountain Home can save about $18,000 on their energy bills over 20 years.
To calculate your potential ROI and connect with a local solar company, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Mountain Home
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-19,435 |
| 3 years | $-16,523 |
| 5 years | $-13,611 |
| 7 years | $-10,698 |
| 9 years | $-7,786 |
| 11 years | $-4,874 |
| 13 years | $-1,962 |
| 15 years | $950 |
| 17 years | $3,862 |
| 19 years | $6,774 |
| 21 years | $9,686 |
| 23 years | $12,598 |
| 25 years | $15,511 |
Top Solar Installers in Mountain Home
Many homeowners opt for a solar installation company since figuring out how to install solar panels yourself can be hard. Plus, if you’re unsure what kind of solar panels and equipment you may need, a solar expert can help you find the right equipment for you after a site survey and consultation.
Working with a professional solar company can help your solar project go smoothly. Here are our recommendations:
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
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 Mountain Home
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Mountain Home
For many Mountain Home homeowners, the decision to install solar panels comes down to cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Mountain Home, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are a number of factors that significantly influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that influences the overall cost of installing solar panels. For that reason, it’s crucial to accurately ascertain the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your typical energy use.Some solar brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more costly upfront but also tend to offer better efficiency. In a city like Mountain Home, where sunlight is relatively abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Also, if you have a small roof or you don’t have a lot of space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be a better option. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for solar out of pocket can be difficult. Solar loans are offered by most installers in Mountain Home, which can lower, or in some cases totally eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more affordable.Even though solar loans make switching to solar energy more accessible for Mountain Home homeowners, they can also add to the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate. If you make a larger down payment, though, you can avoid paying as much in interest.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The last key cost factor you should keep in mind is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of green energy solutions in Mountain Home, you’ll have many options to choose from, but each comes at various price points for labor and equipment.Additionally, some companies in Mountain Home have more knowledge about local solar incentives and can help you take advantage of additional rebates or tax exemptions. However, they may charge more for walking you through the whole process. Even if they cost more upfront, they could end up saving you more money in the long run.
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 | $12,569 | 13.7 years |
| 8 kW | $3.56 | $19,935 | $17,150 | 13.4 years |
| 10 kW | $3.49 | $24,430 | $21,926 | 13.2 years |
| 12 kW | $3.42 | $28,730 | $26,897 | 12.9 years |
| 14 kW | $3.35 | $32,834 | $32,064 | 12.6 years |
| 16 kW | $3.28 | $36,743 | $37,426 | 12.4 years |
| 18 kW | $3.21 | $40,456 | $42,984 | 12.1 years |
| 20 kW | $3.14 | $43,974 | $48,737 | 11.9 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are many solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel brands and price points. To help you pick the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Contract: It’s important to look over your solar installer’s contract thoroughly to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about the cost.
- Reputation: Solar installers that have great reviews from their customers and that have been operating for many years in most cases offer good-quality solar panel installation and expertise.
- Warranty: An all-inclusive, 25-year warranty can help keep your solar system running for a long time and save you money on part replacement and repairs.
- Solar Panel Brands: Different companies offer different brands and types of panels. If you want a specific brand, make sure the solar company you’re considering has it.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
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 Mountain Home, AR Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Mountain Home?
This is a tough question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a variety of factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $17,450 for a 5-kW system and $34,900 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will be more expensive if you want additional solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy usage. On the other hand, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Mountain Home?
Leasing solar panels can be an attractive choice, because it often comes with low or $0 upfront payments. The downside is that you won’t be able to save as much. If you lease, you don’t own the system, so you can’t claim any tax rebates and credits and your home value won’t increase. Buying solar panels is a better option if you want to get the most savings.
Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Mountain Home?
Each state has some kind of net metering programs except Tennessee, South Dakota and Alabama currently. Some states let you sell power back to the grid, but others just offer you credit toward your future power bills.
How many solar panels should I get to power my home?
The exact number of solar panels you need depends on your household energy consumption and how much sunlight your roof gets. You can take a look at your energy bills for the past year to get an idea of the solar system size you'll need. The average household has to buy between 20 and 35 panels to cover their typical energy usage.
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.