Solar Panel Cost Guide in Pinetop-Lakeside, AZ (2024 Update)
- Pinetop-Lakeside Solar Installation Cost: $11,908
- 25-Year Savings: $25,851
- Payback Period: 8.3 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Pinetop-Lakeside
Here’s how much it might cost to switch to solar power in Pinetop-Lakeside.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Pinetop-Lakeside it’s 3 per watt.To cover the typical energy usage of the average home in Pinetop-Lakeside, most homeowners require a 5.5-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs around $11,908, or $17,028 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of the cost of solar panels. The exact cost of going solar can vary quite a bit based on several factors, such as how many panels you need, your energy usage and what installation company you go with.Despite the large initial cost, the average Pinetop-Lakeside homeowner can save around $25,000 on their energy bills over 20 years, which is one of the perks of solar.
For a personalized quote from a local solar company that has been pre-vetted by the EcoWatch team, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Pinetop-Lakeside
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-10,243 |
| 3 years | $-6,911 |
| 5 years | $-3,580 |
| 7 years | $-249 |
| 9 years | $3,082 |
| 11 years | $6,413 |
| 13 years | $9,744 |
| 15 years | $13,075 |
| 17 years | $16,406 |
| 19 years | $19,737 |
| 21 years | $23,068 |
| 23 years | $26,399 |
| 25 years | $29,730 |
Top Solar Installers in Pinetop-Lakeside
When going solar, many homeowners choose to go with a solar company since overseeing your solar installation yourself can be a time-consuming project. Plus, warranties and repairs from your solar panel installer can protect your investment and bring down the cost of maintenance over time.
If you’d like to make the switch to solar but still aren’t certain which solar panel company to go with, here are our recommendations for providers nearby:
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 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 Pinetop-Lakeside
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Pinetop-Lakeside
Cost is usually one of the most important factors for homeowners who are considering investing in solar. There are a few key factors that determine your overall cost in Pinetop-Lakeside: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We’ll discuss each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
One of the most significant factors to consider when it comes to the cost of going solar is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more electricity your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay about $3,070 per kilowatt in Pinetop-Lakeside.The brand and type of equipment you choose for your solar system can raise or lower the price quite significantly. If you prefer a brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these often have a higher price tag than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you’re opting for high efficiency because you have a small roof or just want maximum energy production, you can expect a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to more savings over time. Plus, if you want add-ons like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for solar panels out of pocket can be challenging. Solar loans are offered by most installers in Pinetop-Lakeside, which can reduce, or in some cases completely eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible.While solar loans make adopting solar energy more accessible for Pinetop-Lakeside homeowners, they can also add to the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate and how long you take to pay off the loan. If you make a larger down payment, though, you can cut back on how much interest you have to pay.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar company you pick will affect your total cost to adopt solar energy. Different companies will bill different amounts for the equipment and labor.The company’s size sometimes plays the most significant role in the cost. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower pricing because they have greater resources and bulk pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they generally have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or discount can bring their pricing lower to compete with bigger names.
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 | $25,543 | 8.6 years |
| 8 kW | $3.13 | $17,536 | $34,401 | 8.4 years |
| 10 kW | $3.07 | $21,490 | $43,431 | 8.3 years |
| 12 kW | $3.01 | $25,272 | $52,633 | 8.1 years |
| 14 kW | $2.95 | $28,883 | $62,007 | 7.9 years |
| 16 kW | $2.89 | $32,321 | $71,553 | 7.8 years |
| 18 kW | $2.82 | $35,587 | $81,271 | 7.6 years |
| 20 kW | $2.76 | $38,682 | $91,161 | 7.4 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 models and price points. To help you pick the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Solar Panel Brands: The kind of solar panel you’d like to install plays a role in which installer you should choose, since different companies have access to different panels.
- Installation Process: An important thing to understand when going solar is the installation process itself. Be sure to align on any details you need to know with your solar company, such as what permits you should secure and how long the project will take.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a well-established certification organization for renewable energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it likely has a good reputation and is qualified to do the job well. Another way you can check your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
- Contract: When reading through your solar company’s contract, ask questions about any terms you’re not sure of and make sure you understand what happens in scenarios such as a system part breaking or the company going out of business.
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 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 Pinetop-Lakeside, AZ Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Pinetop-Lakeside?
The average cost of solar panels in Pinetop-Lakeside is about $15,350 for a 5-kW system and $30,700 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on things such as 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 Pinetop-Lakeside?
You can’t get solar panels for free in Pinetop-Lakeside. However, you may still be able to install them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you want to own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.
How much can I save on energy bills after switching to solar?
It is possible to eradicate your electricity bills with solar panels, but for most homeowners throughout Pinetop-Lakeside, 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 Pinetop-Lakeside?
Although the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they should be disposed of at that time. What this means is the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can opt 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.