Solar Panel Cost Guide in Hockessin, DE (Mar 2023)
- Hockessin Solar Installation Cost: $12,064
- 25-Year Savings: $12,838
- Payback Period: 12.1 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Hockessin
See how much it might cost to go solar in Hockessin.
In Hockessin, solar panels cost about 2.58 per watt on average. Since a 6.7-kW system is needed to cover the energy costs of a typical home in Hockessin, the average price of going solar will be about $12,064 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 30%.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you'll pay for solar may look quite different based on your household energy consumption, the type of solar system you want, your solar contractor and more. For most homeowners, the upfront cost of solar power is worth paying. On average homeowners in Hockessin see about $14,000 in savings on electricity bills over 20 years.
You can click the button below to get connected with a pre-vetted solar company in Hockessin for a quote for your home.
Solar savings over time in Hockessin
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-11,068 |
| 3 years | $-9,076 |
| 5 years | $-7,084 |
| 7 years | $-5,092 |
| 9 years | $-3,099 |
| 11 years | $-1,107 |
| 13 years | $885 |
| 15 years | $2,877 |
| 17 years | $4,869 |
| 19 years | $6,861 |
| 21 years | $8,853 |
| 23 years | $10,846 |
| 25 years | $12,838 |
Top Solar Installers in Hockessin
DIY solar panel installation is a choice some homeowners opt for, but it's an undertaking that can take a lot of hard work. Taking advantage of a solar company can make swapping over to solar power much easier. Another perk of using a solar installer is that they can help you make the most of your investment by cutting back on future costs of repairs and replacements because of warranties and informing you of local incentives you can take advantage of.
There are several licensed solar professionals that can take care of your solar installation project. Here are our suggestions:
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
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 Hockessin
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Hockessin
Even though the average cost of a solar system in Hockessin is $12,064, your final cost may be above or below the average. There are quite a few factors that can have a sizable impact on the cost of a residential solar panel installation. Below are some of the more crucial things to consider.
Solar Equipment
One of the most significant factors to consider when it comes to the cost of installing solar panels is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more energy your household uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay around $2,580 per kilowatt in Hockessin. The type of solar equipment you choose can increase or decrease your cost by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you choose 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 bump up your total well above the Hockessin average.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Hockessin to be too steep, 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 lead to higher prices over time due to interest. Although solar loans make switching to solar energy more accessible for Hockessin homeowners, they can also add to the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate and how long you take to pay off the loan. If you make a larger down payment, though, you can cut back on how much interest you have to pay.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The remaining major cost factor you should take into consideration is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of renewable energy solutions in Hockessin, you'll have many options to choose from, but each comes at various price points for labor and equipment. Larger national companies generally have lower costs, but some local companies undercut them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or additional 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 | $11,086 | 12.6 years |
| 8 kW | $2.63 | $14,737 | $15,070 | 12.4 years |
| 10 kW | $2.58 | $18,060 | $19,199 | 12.1 years |
| 12 kW | $2.53 | $21,239 | $23,472 | 11.9 years |
| 14 kW | $2.48 | $24,273 | $27,890 | 11.6 years |
| 16 kW | $2.43 | $27,162 | $32,452 | 11.4 years |
| 18 kW | $2.37 | $29,907 | $37,159 | 11.1 years |
| 20 kW | $2.32 | $32,508 | $42,010 | 10.9 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your solar system installation will affect the warranties and brands you have access to, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Because picking a company can be a challenge, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels depending on their roof configurations and energy needs. While there are many options for which kind of solar panel you can get, not every company will have access to the exact one you may want or need, so be sure to ask for their list of offerings before making your decision.
- Reputation: Solar installers that have great reviews from their customers and that have been in business for many years likely provide high-quality solar panel installation and expertise.
- Contract: When looking through your solar company's contract, ask for clarification about any terms you're not sure of and be sure you understand what happens in scenarios such as a system component breaking or if the company goes out of business.
- Warranty: A quality company stands out from other companies by offering the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
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
Solar Veteran
Trinity Solar
- Many financing options
- Family-owned and -operated
- Makes charitable contributions
- Limited service area
- Relatively short workmanship warranty
EcoWatch's Hockessin, DE Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Hockessin?
The average cost of solar panels in Hockessin 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 certain factors such as the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Can you get solar panels for free in Hockessin?
A solar panel system isn't free in Hockessin, but there are some options that can make getting them more feasible, such as leasing solar panels or getting a solar loan. There may also be local programs or incentives that can further reduce the cost.
How much can I save on energy bills after installing solar panels?
It is possible to eliminate your electricity bills with solar panels, but for most homeowners in Hockessin, that will require at least a 10-kW system. Not all homes will have the roof space for 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 many solar panels should I get to power my home?
To figure out how many solar panels you need, you need to know how much energy your home needs 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 household 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.