Solar Panel Cost Guide in Dover Base Housing, DE (2023 Update)
- Dover Base Housing Solar Installation Cost: $11,708
- 25-Year Savings: $16,351
- Payback Period: 10.4 Years
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Updated September 15, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Dover Base Housing
Find out how much it might cost to install solar panels in Dover Base Housing.
While the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Dover Base Housing generally cost around 2.58. Because a 6.5-kW system is needed to cover the energy costs of a typical home in Dover Base Housing, the average price of going solar will be about $11,703 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 30%.
Bear in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average Dover Base Housing homeowner. The price of a solar system for your home may be different depending on factors unique to your situation, like your household energy use and solar contractor. With typical savings of about $16,000 on power bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Dover Base Housing find going solar can pay off big.
To calculate your potential savings and connect with a local solar expert, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Dover Base Housing
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-10,307 |
| 3 years | $-7,505 |
| 5 years | $-4,703 |
| 7 years | $-1,901 |
| 9 years | $901 |
| 11 years | $3,703 |
| 13 years | $6,505 |
| 15 years | $9,308 |
| 17 years | $12,110 |
| 19 years | $14,912 |
| 21 years | $17,714 |
| 23 years | $20,516 |
| 25 years | $23,318 |
Top Solar Installers in Dover Base Housing
Many homeowners opt for a solar panel installer since figuring out how to install solar panels yourself can be hard. The expertise that solar companies provide can be invaluable as well, especially if you aren't sure what brand of solar equipment would be right for your home.
Working with a vetted solar installer can help you make the most of your investment in solar. Here are our recommendations:
Solar Veteran
Trinity Solar
- Many financing options
- Family-owned and -operated
- Makes charitable contributions
- Limited service area
- Relatively short workmanship warranty
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 Dover Base Housing
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Dover Base Housing
While the average cost of a solar system in Dover Base Housing is $11,703, your actual cost may be above or below the average. There are several factors that can have a major impact on the cost of a solar panel installation. Below are some of the more crucial things to take into consideration.
Solar Equipment
The cost of solar panel systems varies by thousands of dollars due to a variety of factors. One of the main factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems that have better efficiency or power production use better technology and/or more equipment, both of which can increase costs. For each additional kilowatt you need, your cost can go up by about $2,580. Some solar panel brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more expensive upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like Dover Base Housing, where sunlight is relatively abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. In addition, if you have a small roof or you don't have a lot of space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be more impactful. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for a solar system out of pocket can be challenging. Solar loans are available from most installers in Dover Base Housing, which can reduce, or in some cases totally eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible. When considering your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you'll pay if you go with a solar loan. Also, paying more upfront can lower the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar installer you pick will influence your total cost to go solar. Different companies will charge different amounts for the equipment and labor. Larger national companies usually have lower costs, but some local companies undercut them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have access to specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or add-on services like electric car charger installation, they might be cheaper overall.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
| System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $2.68 | $11,269 | $14,699 | 10.8 years |
| 8 kW | $2.63 | $14,737 | $19,888 | 10.6 years |
| 10 kW | $2.58 | $18,060 | $25,221 | 10.4 years |
| 12 kW | $2.53 | $21,239 | $30,699 | 10.2 years |
| 14 kW | $2.48 | $24,273 | $36,321 | 10.0 years |
| 16 kW | $2.43 | $27,162 | $42,088 | 9.8 years |
| 18 kW | $2.37 | $29,907 | $47,999 | 9.6 years |
| 20 kW | $2.32 | $32,508 | $54,054 | 9.4 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the brand of solar panels and the company you choose significantly influences your costs and your system's durability and efficiency, it's important to pick the right ones for you. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Reputation: Make sure your solar panel installer has a good reputation by confirming it has certifications and licenses, checking how long it's been in business and reading reviews by previous customers and solar experts like the EcoWatch team.
- Installation Process: Make sure you're aligned with the installer in regard to how the installation process will go and what needs to be done before your solar system is installed, such as updating or replacing your electrical system or roof.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels depending on their locations and how much efficiency they need. Although there are many options for which type of solar panel you can get, not every company will have the exact one you may want or need, so make sure you ask for their list of options before making your decision.
- Contract: It's important to read through your solar installer's contract closely to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what you can expect about the installation process.
Solar Veteran
Trinity Solar
- Many financing options
- Family-owned and -operated
- Makes charitable contributions
- Limited service area
- Relatively short workmanship warranty
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 Dover Base Housing, DE Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Dover Base Housing?
The average cost of solar panels in Dover Base Housing is about $12,900 for a 5-kW system and $25,800 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on stuff like the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Is cost the most important thing to think about when buying solar panels?
Cost is a very important factor to consider, but whether it's the most important for you depends on your reasons for going solar. In places where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can trump the cost. Other factors that are important to think about are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
Is making the switch to solar worth it?
Solar panels can be a great investment for many homeowners, but they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get enough sunlight and/or your power bills are already fairly low, solar panels might not be for you.
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 decreases by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a larger 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.