Solar Panel Cost Guide in Stamford, CT (Feb 2023)
- Stamford Solar Installation Cost: $8,781
- 25-Year Savings: $18,239
- Payback Period: 8.1 Years
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Updated January 20, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Stamford
Find out what the average cost of installing solar panels is in Stamford.
The average cost of solar panels in Stamford is $3 per watt. The average Stamford homeowner needs a 4.5-kilowatt system, which would cost about $8,781, or $6,498 after the federal solar tax credit of 30% is applied.
The true cost of your system can be above or below the average in Stamford depending on a variety of factors, such as the brand of solar panels you choose and the solar company you hire. Despite the significant initial cost, the average Stamford homeowner can save about $23,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years, which is one of the advantages of solar.
Click the button below to get connected to a highly rated solar installer in your area for a custom estimate.
Solar savings over time in Stamford
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-7,700 |
| 3 years | $-5,538 |
| 5 years | $-3,377 |
| 7 years | $-1,215 |
| 9 years | $946 |
| 11 years | $3,108 |
| 13 years | $5,269 |
| 15 years | $7,431 |
| 17 years | $9,592 |
| 19 years | $11,754 |
| 21 years | $13,916 |
| 23 years | $16,077 |
| 25 years | $18,239 |
Top Solar Installers in Stamford
Many homeowners opt for a solar installation company since trying to install solar panels yourself can be challenging. The expertise that solar installers provide can be invaluable as well, particularly if you don't quite know what brand of solar equipment would be right for your home.
If you'd like to go solar but still aren't certain which solar system company to go with, here are our recommendations for providers 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 Stamford
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Stamford
For many Stamford homeowners, the decision to install a solar energy system rests on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Stamford, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are several factors that significantly influence the price you'll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the cost of a solar system in Stamford, one of the most crucial factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are primarily based on your home's energy usage, which you can gauge by looking at past power bills. Your total cost can increase by about $2,800 for each additional kilowatt you need. The 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. On the other hand, higher efficiency could save you more over time on your energy bills. Additionally, extra products, such as solar batteries, can bring your total well above the Stamford average.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Stamford to be prohibitively costly, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, nearly every solar installer in the area provides financing options. Solar loans remarkably decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also result in a higher cost 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 finding a solar loan with a low APR could reduce your costs considerably.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final factor to consider when trying to figure out the cost of solar for your home or business in Stamford is the company you choose to install your solar system. Similar to choosing a company to build a deck or pool, for example, you'll have no shortage of solar installers that provide a range of services for different budgets. The size of the company can sometimes play the most significant role in the cost. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower pricing due to 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 companies.
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 | $23,990 | 8.4 years |
| 8 kW | $2.86 | $15,994 | $32,300 | 8.3 years |
| 10 kW | $2.80 | $19,600 | $40,767 | 8.1 years |
| 12 kW | $2.74 | $23,050 | $49,391 | 8.0 years |
| 14 kW | $2.69 | $26,342 | $58,172 | 7.8 years |
| 16 kW | $2.63 | $29,478 | $67,109 | 7.6 years |
| 18 kW | $2.58 | $32,458 | $76,204 | 7.5 years |
| 20 kW | $2.52 | $35,280 | $85,455 | 7.3 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar panel company you go with will impact not only your overall costs, but also the types of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you can get. When choosing a solar company, there are some important things you should consider, such as:
- Warranty: Warranties that cover defective panels and repairs over a long period of time such as 25 years are the gold standard in the business, and offering such a warranty is one indication of a quality company.
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and kind offers varying levels of quality, longevity and efficiency. They will come at different costs as well. The company you choose affects which solar panel brands you have access to.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a good reputation as a company and have proven expertise in the field. Two ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has satisfied reviews from previous customers.
- Contract: Read the contract terms closely to make sure you understand the cost breakdown, completion timeline rebates and warranties.
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 Stamford, CT Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Stamford?
The average cost of solar panels in Stamford is about $14,000 for a 5-kW system and $28,000 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on stuff like the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Stamford?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can't pay upfront or get a solar loan, but since you don't own the system, you don't have access to many solar incentives. Also your property value won't increase, so you'll have less savings over time. If you can afford to buy a solar system upfront, then buying is the better option if you want the most financial benefits from going solar.
Is switching to solar power worth it?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on some different factors like local electricity rates and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.
What solar power system size is right for my home?
To figure out how many solar panels you need, you should find out how much energy your home requires and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can generally produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average house will need 20 to 35 panels.
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.