Solar Panel Cost Guide in Sterling, CT (2024 Update)
- Sterling Solar Installation Cost: $12,271
- 25-Year Savings: $17,857
- Payback Period: 11.4 Years
See cost of a solar system near you:
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Average Cost of Solar Panels in Sterling
Find out how much it might cost to install solar panels in Sterling.
The average cost of a solar panel system in Sterling is 4 per watt.To cover the typical energy usage of the average home in Sterling, most homeowners require a 4.7-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs about $12,271, or $17,548 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
The true price you pay can go above or below the average in Sterling based on a few factors, such as the kind of solar panels you choose and the solar contractor you hire.But, once you've paid the initial cost of installation, the return on investment for most homeowners is usually fruitful, with a net average savings of about $22,000 over 20 years on power bills.
Click the button below to get connected to a top solar installer in Sterling for a custom quote.
Solar savings over time in Sterling
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-10,427 |
| 3 years | $-6,739 |
| 5 years | $-3,051 |
| 7 years | $637 |
| 9 years | $4,325 |
| 11 years | $8,013 |
| 13 years | $11,701 |
| 15 years | $15,389 |
| 17 years | $19,077 |
| 19 years | $22,765 |
| 21 years | $26,453 |
| 23 years | $30,141 |
| 25 years | $33,829 |
Top Solar Installers in Sterling
Many homeowners choose to use a solar installation company since figuring out how to install solar panels yourself can be a lot of work. Plus, if you aren’t sure what kind of solar panels and equipment you want, a solar expert can help you find the right equipment for you after a site survey and consultation.
Working with a licensed solar company can help your solar project go smoothly. Here are our recommendations:
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
Solar Veteran
Trinity Solar
- Many financing options
- Family-owned and -operated
- Makes charitable contributions
- Limited service area
- Relatively short workmanship warranty
See all of the solar companies in Sterling
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Sterling
For many Sterling homeowners, the decision to adopt solar energy depends on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Sterling, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are a few factors that significantly influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar system you need to offset your energy usage, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most significant cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, you can expect your total to increase by nearly $3,750. The brand and kind of equipment you want for your solar system can increase or decrease 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 will be looking at a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to greater savings over time. Also, if you want additional equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for a solar system out of pocket can be a challenge. Solar loans are available from most installers in Sterling, which can lower, or in some cases totally eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more affordable.You’ll have to consider the long-term cost of financing options, 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 securing a solar loan with a low interest rate could reduce your costs significantly.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar company you choose to handle your switch to renewable energy can play a role in your total costs. There are about 3 solar installation companies operating throughout Sterling, and each can charge varying amounts for labor and equipment.Companies that only sell high-efficiency and high-priced products — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally cost more. It’s best to do some research and find a company that offers the products, warranties and services you want and also fit into 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 | $3.90 | $16,380 | $18,301 | 11.8 years |
| 8 kW | $3.83 | $21,420 | $24,821 | 11.6 years |
| 10 kW | $3.75 | $26,250 | $31,551 | 11.4 years |
| 12 kW | $3.67 | $30,870 | $38,491 | 11.1 years |
| 14 kW | $3.60 | $35,280 | $45,641 | 10.9 years |
| 16 kW | $3.52 | $39,480 | $53,001 | 10.7 years |
| 18 kW | $3.45 | $43,470 | $60,572 | 10.4 years |
| 20 kW | $3.38 | $47,250 | $68,352 | 10.2 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a lot of companies to choose from in Sterling, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Selecting the right company for you can be difficult, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Warranty: Warranties that provide coverage for defective panels and repairs over around 25 years are the gold standard in the business, and offering that kind of warranty is one mark of a quality company.
- Installation Process: An important thing to understand when adopting solar energy is the installation process itself. Be sure to clarify any details you need to know with your solar installer, such as what permits you should acquire and how long the project will take.
- Contract: It’s important to read your solar installer’s contract closely to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what you can expect about the project timeline.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a respected certification organization for clean 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 research your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
Solar Veteran
Trinity Solar
- Many financing options
- Family-owned and -operated
- Makes charitable contributions
- Limited service area
- Relatively short workmanship warranty
EcoWatch's Sterling, CT Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Sterling?
This is a tough question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on many factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $18,750 for a 5-kW system and $37,500 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will cost more if you want extra solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have above-average energy consumption. On the other hand, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Sterling?
Leasing solar panels can be an attractive choice, because it commonly comes with low or $0 upfront payments. The drawback 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 get the most savings.
How much can I save on energy bills after installing solar panels?
It is possible to erase your electricity bills with solar panels, but for most homeowners throughout Sterling, that will require at least a 10-kW system. Not all homes will have roofs that 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 often do you have to replace solar panels?
On average, the lifespan of solar panels is 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 amount 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.