Solar Panel Cost Guide in Oro Valley, AZ (2024 Update)
- Oro Valley Solar Installation Cost: $10,974
- 25-Year Savings: $25,276
- Payback Period: 7.9 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Oro Valley
Find out what the average cost of a solar system is in Oro Valley.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Oro Valley it’s 3 per watt.Using this figure, a typical 5.1-kW system would cost about $10,974 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
Keep in mind that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll pay for solar may look quite different based on your household energy use, the type of equipment you want, your solar contractor and more.For many homeowners, the upfront cost of solar is worth paying. On average homeowners in Oro Valley see about $26,000 in savings on electricity bills over 20 years.
For a customized quote from a local solar installer that has been pre-vetted by the EcoWatch team, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Oro Valley
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-9,397 |
| 3 years | $-6,241 |
| 5 years | $-3,085 |
| 7 years | $71 |
| 9 years | $3,227 |
| 11 years | $6,382 |
| 13 years | $9,538 |
| 15 years | $12,694 |
| 17 years | $15,850 |
| 19 years | $19,006 |
| 21 years | $22,162 |
| 23 years | $25,317 |
| 25 years | $28,473 |
Top Solar Installers in Oro Valley
When switching to solar energy, many homeowners opt to use a solar installation company since putting up solar panels yourself can be a time-consuming project. A solar company can also help save you money over the lifespan of your system by providing warranties, repairs and part replacements.
There are a number of licensed solar professionals that can help you install your solar panels. Here are our suggestions:
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 for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
See all of the solar companies in Oro Valley
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Oro Valley
The cost of installing a solar system in Oro Valley can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is determined by several factors. The most significant one is the size of the system your home needs, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar installer you choose.
Solar Equipment
The cost of solar panel systems varies by thousands of dollars due to a variety of factors. One of the key factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems with greater efficiency or power generation need better technology and/or more equipment, both of which can raise costs. For each additional kilowatt you need, your cost can go up by about $3,070.The solar equipment you choose can increase or decrease your cost by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you opt for the most efficient solar panel brands, you’ll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. However, higher efficiency could save you more in the long run on your power bills. In addition, add-on products, like solar batteries, can bring your total well above the Oro Valley average.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for a solar system out of pocket is too expensive, solar loans are an affordable route because they reduce your upfront costs and let you pay for your system over a term of, on average, between five and seven years.Although solar loans make adopting solar energy more accessible for Oro Valley homeowners, they can also increase the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate. If you put down a larger down payment, though, you can cut back on how much interest you have to pay.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar installation company you choose will impact your total cost to adopt solar power. Different companies will bill different amounts for the equipment and labor.Companies that only sell high-quality, high-efficiency and high-price products — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally come at a higher cost. It’s best to do some research and find a company that has the products, warranties and services you want and also fits within your budget.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
| System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $3.19 | $13,410 | $27,249 | 8.2 years |
| 8 kW | $3.13 | $17,536 | $36,675 | 8.1 years |
| 10 kW | $3.07 | $21,490 | $46,274 | 7.9 years |
| 12 kW | $3.01 | $25,272 | $56,045 | 7.8 years |
| 14 kW | $2.95 | $28,883 | $65,987 | 7.6 years |
| 16 kW | $2.89 | $32,321 | $76,101 | 7.5 years |
| 18 kW | $2.82 | $35,587 | $86,388 | 7.3 years |
| 20 kW | $2.76 | $38,682 | $96,846 | 7.1 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 decide on the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a well-established certification organization for sustainable energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it likely has a good reputation and is qualified to install your solar system. Another way you can check your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
- Warranty: A quality company stands out from other companies by offering the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
- Contract: It’s important to look over your solar installer’s contract fully to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about the installation process.
- Installation Process: An important thing to understand when adopting solar energy is the installation process itself. Be sure to align on any details you should know with your solar installer, such as what permits you should acquire and what the project timeline is.
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 for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
EcoWatch's Oro Valley, AZ Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Oro Valley?
This is a difficult question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $15,350 for a 5-kW system and $30,700 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will be more expensive if you want additional solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy consumption. Conversely, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Oro Valley?
Leasing solar panels can be an attractive choice, as it commonly 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 incentives and your home value won’t increase. Buying solar panels is a better way to go if you want to maximize your savings.
How much can I save on power bills after switching to solar?
It is possible to eliminate your electricity bills with solar panels, but for most homeowners in Oro Valley, that will require at least a 10-kW system. Not all homes can accommodate that size system, so you’ll want to check with a local solar installer to see how many panels can fit on your roof.
How long do solar panels last in Oro Valley?
Even though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they are completely unusable at that time. What this means is their energy production will have decreased significantly after that point. You can decide to replace them once you've had them for that long or you can continue to use them at a lower efficiency.
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.