Solar Panel Cost Guide in Sun City West, AZ (2024 Update)
- Sun City West Solar Installation Cost: $10,991
- 25-Year Savings: $26,624
- Payback Period: 7.6 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Sun City West
Let’s take a look at the average cost of solar panels in Sun City West.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Sun City West, the average cost of a solar system is 3 per watt.To account for the typical energy usage of the average home in Sun City West, most homeowners require a 5.1-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs around $10,991, or $15,717 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
These figures are only averages, and how much solar costs for you may vary based on factors unique to your home and what company you want to go with.Many homeowners find adopting solar power is a sound investment. The average homeowner in Sun City West can save about $27,000 on their energy bills over 20 years.
You can click the button below to get connected with a top solar installer in Sun City West for a quote for your home.
Solar savings over time in Sun City West
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-9,326 |
| 3 years | $-5,995 |
| 5 years | $-2,664 |
| 7 years | $668 |
| 9 years | $3,999 |
| 11 years | $7,330 |
| 13 years | $10,661 |
| 15 years | $13,992 |
| 17 years | $17,323 |
| 19 years | $20,654 |
| 21 years | $23,985 |
| 23 years | $27,316 |
| 25 years | $30,647 |
Top Solar Installers in Sun City West
Many homeowners opt for a solar panel installer since trying to install solar panels by yourself can be a labor-intensive endeavor. Another good thing about using a top solar installer is that it'll usually provide warranties and free repairs, which help protect your investment.
If you're on the hunt for a solar installer in Sun City West, we've put together a list of our top suggestions here:
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 Sun City West
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Sun City West
Cost is usually one of the most important factors for homeowners considering investing in solar. There are a few primary factors that determine your overall cost in Sun City West: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We’ll cover each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that determines the overall cost of going solar. That’s why it’s important to accurately ascertain the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your average energy use.The type of solar equipment you choose can increase or decrease your cost by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you get the most efficient solar panel brands, you’ll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. However, more efficient panels could save you more in the long run on your energy bills. In addition, add-on products, such as solar batteries, can bring your total well above the Sun City West average.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar companies in Sun City West have solar loans, which reduce your upfront costs of installing a solar system.You’ll have to consider the long-term cost of loans, including the amount of interest you’ll pay over the length of the loan. If you’re only able to get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars more than the original cost. Making a larger down payment or finding a solar loan with a low APR could reduce your costs considerably.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final factor to keep in mind when trying to figure out the cost of solar for your home or business in Sun City West is the company you choose to install your solar panel system. Similar to choosing a company to build a deck or pool, for instance, there’s no shortage of solar installers that offer a range of services at different costs.The size of the company sometimes plays the most considerable role in the cost. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower prices because of more 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 promotion can bring their pricing down to compete with bigger companies.
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 | $28,786 | 7.9 years |
| 8 kW | $3.13 | $17,536 | $38,725 | 7.8 years |
| 10 kW | $3.07 | $21,490 | $48,836 | 7.6 years |
| 12 kW | $3.01 | $25,272 | $59,118 | 7.5 years |
| 14 kW | $2.95 | $28,883 | $69,573 | 7.3 years |
| 16 kW | $2.89 | $32,321 | $80,200 | 7.2 years |
| 18 kW | $2.82 | $35,587 | $90,999 | 7.0 years |
| 20 kW | $2.76 | $38,682 | $101,969 | 6.9 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar panel company you choose will affect not only your total costs, but also the types of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you have access to. When choosing a solar company, there are a few important things you should take into account, including:
- Installation Process: Get detailed information from your solar installer about the installation process and what to expect, including when the site survey will be done and how long it will take.
- Contract: Before you sign a contract with a solar company, make sure you look it over fully so you understand the terms. Also, ask questions if you’re not certain about some of the terms, such as what the warranty covers and what services you can expect from them.
- Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar companies offer the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a significant role in the company you hire.
- Warranty: A high-quality company rises above other companies by offering the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
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 Sun City West, AZ Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Sun City West?
This is a hard question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on many 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 extra solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have above-average energy needs. On the flip side, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Sun City West?
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 incentives and your home value won’t increase. Buying solar panels is a better option if you want to get the most savings.
Do solar panels increase your property value?
Installing solar panels on your home can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Sun City West is currently $422,266, so you can look forward to a value of about $17,313 more than houses without a solar system. The specific figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Sun City West is a rewarding investment.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
On average, solar panels can last about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency goes down by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a higher level of energy production.
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.