Solar Panel Cost Guide in Hartford, CT (Feb 2023)
- Hartford Solar Installation Cost: $9,192
- 25-Year Savings: $17,827
- Payback Period: 8.5 Years
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Updated January 20, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Hartford
We go over average solar pricing in Hartford.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Hartford, the average cost of solar panels is $3 per watt. Because a 4.7-kW system is needed to cover the energy consumption of a typical home in Hartford, the average price of going solar will be about $9,192 before claiming the federal solar tax credit of 30%.
The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of how much solar panels could cost. The true cost of going solar can vary quite a bit depending on several factors, such as what size system you need, your energy consumption and what solar installer you go with. With average savings of about $22,000 on power bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Hartford find going solar can pay off big.
To get a free estimate from a pre-vetted solar installer in Hartford, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Hartford
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-8,112 |
| 3 years | $-5,950 |
| 5 years | $-3,789 |
| 7 years | $-1,627 |
| 9 years | $535 |
| 11 years | $2,696 |
| 13 years | $4,858 |
| 15 years | $7,019 |
| 17 years | $9,181 |
| 19 years | $11,342 |
| 21 years | $13,504 |
| 23 years | $15,666 |
| 25 years | $17,827 |
Top Solar Installers in Hartford
Do-it-yourself solar panel installation is a possibility, but it's an undertaking that can use up a lot of your time and energy. Taking advantage of a solar panel installer can make converting to solar power much easier. The expertise that solar companies offer can be useful as well, particularly if you don't quite know what kind of solar equipment would be right for your home.
You can work with a local solar installer to get a free quote on the cost of solar panels for your home. Here are some near you:
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
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 Hartford
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Hartford
There are a number of criteria that can affect your solar system installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that installs your solar system.
Solar Equipment
One of the most significant factors to consider when it comes to the cost of adopting solar energy is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more power your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend around $2,800 per kilowatt in Hartford. The solar equipment you choose can bring your price up or down 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 over time on your electric bills. Additionally, add-on products, such as solar batteries, can bump up your total well above the Hartford average.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Hartford to be prohibitively costly, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, almost every solar company in the area provides access to financing options. Solar loans drastically decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also result in higher prices over time due to interest. 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 principal cost. Making a larger down payment or getting a solar loan with a low APR could reduce your costs remarkably.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The remaining significant cost factor you should take into consideration is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of sustainable energy solutions in Hartford, you'll have lots of options to choose from, but each comes at varying price points for labor and equipment. The company's size sometimes plays the most significant role in your total costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower pricing because of greater resources and better pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they can sometimes have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or promotion can bring their pricing down 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 | $2.91 | $12,230 | $22,304 | 8.9 years |
| 8 kW | $2.86 | $15,994 | $30,052 | 8.7 years |
| 10 kW | $2.80 | $19,600 | $37,957 | 8.5 years |
| 12 kW | $2.74 | $23,050 | $46,019 | 8.3 years |
| 14 kW | $2.69 | $26,342 | $54,237 | 8.2 years |
| 16 kW | $2.63 | $29,478 | $62,613 | 8.0 years |
| 18 kW | $2.58 | $32,458 | $71,145 | 7.8 years |
| 20 kW | $2.52 | $35,280 | $79,834 | 7.7 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar installer you choose will affect not only your overall costs, but also the kinds of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you can get. When choosing a solar company, there are several important things you should consider, such as:
- 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 you can expect about the installation process.
- Solar Panel Brands: The type of solar panel you want to get plays a part in which installer you should go with, since different companies offer different panels.
- Reputation: Solar installers that have great reviews from their customers and that have been in business for many years in most cases provide quality solar panel installation and expertise.
- Warranty: A comprehensive, long-term warranty can help keep your solar system running for a long time and save you money on part replacement and repairs.
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
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 Hartford, CT Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Hartford?
The average cost of solar panels in Hartford is about $14,000 for a 5-kW system and $28,000 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on stuff like the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
What other factors should I consider aside from cost when buying solar panels?
Cost is a key factor to consider, but whether it's the most important for you depends on your reasons for going solar. In cities where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can trump the cost. Other factors that are important to keep in mind are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
How much can I save on electricity bills after switching to solar?
Solar panels can potentially eliminate your electricity bills depending on your location and the efficiency of your system. Even if it doesn't get rid of them completely, you can save a lot of money on your bills, about $1,151.14 per year.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
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 keep using 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.