Solar Panel Cost Guide in Cottonwood, AZ (Mar 2023)
- Cottonwood Solar Installation Cost: $9,665
- 25-Year Savings: $26,304
- Payback Period: 6.7 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Cottonwood
Let's have a look at the average cost of solar in Cottonwood.
Although the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Cottonwood typically cost about 2.61. To account for the typical energy usage of the average home in Cottonwood, most homeowners require a 5.3-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs around $9,665, or $13,821 before the federal solar tax credit of 30% is applied.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you'll pay for solar may look quite different based on your household energy needs, the type of equipment you want to get, your solar contractor and more. With average savings of about $26,000 on utility bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Cottonwood find going solar can be quite rewarding.
To calculate your potential ROI and connect with a local solar expert, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Cottonwood
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-8,226 |
| 3 years | $-5,349 |
| 5 years | $-2,471 |
| 7 years | $406 |
| 9 years | $3,284 |
| 11 years | $6,161 |
| 13 years | $9,039 |
| 15 years | $11,916 |
| 17 years | $14,794 |
| 19 years | $17,671 |
| 21 years | $20,549 |
| 23 years | $23,426 |
| 25 years | $26,304 |
Top Solar Installers in Cottonwood
Many homeowners opt for a solar panel company since trying to install solar panels on your own can be challenging. Companies can also offer access to a large variety of the best solar panels and help you decide which one will be right for you.
You can get a free estimate from a local solar installer on how much solar panels could cost for your home. Here are some in Cottonwood:
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
Best Warranty Coverage
Sunpro Solar
- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
See all of the solar companies in Cottonwood
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Cottonwood
For many Cottonwood homeowners, the decision to adopt solar energy rests on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Cottonwood, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are various factors that significantly influence the price you'll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that affects the overall cost of installing solar panels. Because of that, it's important to accurately ascertain the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your energy needs. The model of solar panels and equipment you choose is another factor that will significantly influence costs. Solar panels that are more efficient, like monocrystalline panels, tend to come at a higher price. Plus, solar equipment is more than 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 searching for a solar system that's in your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar companies in Cottonwood offer solar loans, which reduce the initial cost of installing solar. Although solar loans make adopting solar energy more accessible for Cottonwood homeowners, they can also increase the total you pay for your system due to interest. If you make a larger down payment, though, you can avoid paying as much in interest.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar panel installation company you pick will impact your total cost to make the switch to solar . Different companies will charge different amounts for the equipment and labor. Larger national companies generally have lower costs, but some local companies compete with them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or additional services like electric vehicle 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 | $2.71 | $11,400 | $29,403 | 7.0 years |
| 8 kW | $2.66 | $14,908 | $39,496 | 6.9 years |
| 10 kW | $2.61 | $18,270 | $49,735 | 6.7 years |
| 12 kW | $2.56 | $21,486 | $60,120 | 6.6 years |
| 14 kW | $2.51 | $24,555 | $70,652 | 6.4 years |
| 16 kW | $2.45 | $27,478 | $81,330 | 6.3 years |
| 18 kW | $2.40 | $30,255 | $92,154 | 6.2 years |
| 20 kW | $2.35 | $32,886 | $103,124 | 6.0 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a lot of solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel brands and price points. To help you select the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Solar Panel Brands: Different companies have different brands and kinds of panels. If you know you want a specific brand, make sure the solar installer you're considering has it.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar company has a good reputation by verifying it has certifications and licenses, checking its work history and reading reviews by past customers and solar experts like the EcoWatch team.
- Warranty: Companies typically offer different types of warranties that provide different kinds of coverage. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
- Contract: It's important to read through your solar installer's contract fully to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what you can expect about your solar system's energy production.
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
Best Warranty Coverage
Sunpro Solar
- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
EcoWatch's Cottonwood, AZ Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Cottonwood?
This is a difficult question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on many factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $13,050 for a 5-kW system and $26,100 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will cost more if you want additional solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy consumption. On the flip side, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
What other factors should I consider in addition to cost when buying solar panels?
The initial cost is a crucial factor to consider, but whether it's the most important for you depends on your goals for going solar. In places where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can be more important than the cost. Other factors that are important to take into account are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
Does Cottonwood have a net metering program?
Most states have net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can either be compensated for the extra power your system generates or or receive credits to put toward future energy bills. Currently there are just three states that don't have any net metering laws: Alabama, Tennessee and South Dakota.
How many solar panels should I get to power my home?
The exact number of solar panels you need depends on your household energy usage and the average daily 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.