Solar Panel Cost Guide in Wilmington Manor, DE (2023 Update)
- Wilmington Manor Solar Installation Cost: $12,070
- 25-Year Savings: $16,349
- Payback Period: 10.6 Years
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Updated September 15, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Wilmington Manor
See how much it might cost to switch to solar power in Wilmington Manor.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Wilmington Manor it's 2.58 per watt. To account for the typical energy needs of the average home in Wilmington Manor, most homeowners require a 6.7-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs about $12,064, or $17,252 before the federal solar tax credit of 30% is applied.
The true price you pay can go higher or lower than the average in Wilmington Manor based on a variety of factors, such as the brand of solar panels you choose and the solar company you hire. But, after you've paid the initial cost of installation, the ROI for most homeowners is usually rewarding, with a net average savings of about $16,000 over 20 years on electricity bills.
For a personalized quote from a local solar company that has been pre-vetted by the EcoWatch team, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Wilmington Manor
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-10,669 |
| 3 years | $-7,867 |
| 5 years | $-5,065 |
| 7 years | $-2,263 |
| 9 years | $539 |
| 11 years | $3,341 |
| 13 years | $6,144 |
| 15 years | $8,946 |
| 17 years | $11,748 |
| 19 years | $14,550 |
| 21 years | $17,352 |
| 23 years | $20,154 |
| 25 years | $22,956 |
Top Solar Installers in Wilmington Manor
Although you can install solar panels by yourself, it takes extra effort and knowledge. For that reason, most people choose to hire a solar panel installer. In addition, if you'd like to maximize your investment in solar power, going with a solar company can help with that too. Different providers can offer repairs, expertise on installation and sometimes even information on local incentives, rebates and net metering programs.
You can work with a local solar installer to get a free estimate on how much your investment in solar could cost for your home. Here are some in Wilmington Manor:
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 Wilmington Manor
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Wilmington Manor
There are many criteria that can influence 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 panels.
Solar Equipment
System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that affects the overall cost of going solar. For that reason, it's a priority to accurately ascertain the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your average energy use. The brand and type of equipment you want for your solar system can raise or lower the price quite significantly. If you prefer a trusted brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these are often more expensive than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you're opting for high efficiency because you have limited roof space or just want maximum energy production, you will be looking at a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to more savings over time. Plus, if you want add-ons like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also raise the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar companies in Wilmington Manor provide solar loans, which reduce your upfront costs of installing solar panels. While solar loans make switching to solar energy more accessible for Wilmington Manor homeowners, they can also raise the total you pay for your system due to interest. If you put down 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 consider is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of renewable energy solutions in Wilmington Manor, you'll have plenty of options to choose from, but each comes at different price points for labor and equipment. Additionally, some companies in Wilmington Manor know more about local solar incentives and can help you make good use of additional rebates or tax exemptions. However, they may charge more for that service. Even if they cost more upfront, they could help you save more money in the long run.
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 | $14,243 | 11.0 years |
| 8 kW | $2.63 | $14,737 | $19,280 | 10.8 years |
| 10 kW | $2.58 | $18,060 | $24,461 | 10.6 years |
| 12 kW | $2.53 | $21,239 | $29,787 | 10.4 years |
| 14 kW | $2.48 | $24,273 | $35,257 | 10.2 years |
| 16 kW | $2.43 | $27,162 | $40,872 | 10.0 years |
| 18 kW | $2.37 | $29,907 | $46,631 | 9.8 years |
| 20 kW | $2.32 | $32,508 | $52,535 | 9.6 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are many solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel brands and price points. To help you select the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and model offers varying levels of quality, durability and efficiency. They will come at different costs as well. The company you choose has an impact on which solar panel brands you have access to.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a good reputation as a company and have demonstrated expertise in the field. A couple of 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 positive reviews from past customers.
- Warranty: Warranties that cover replacement parts 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 good company.
- Contract: When looking through your solar company's contract, ask questions 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.
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 Wilmington Manor, DE Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Wilmington Manor?
This is a difficult question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on many factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $12,900 for a 5-kW system and $25,800 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will be more expensive if you want extra solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy consumption. Conversely, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Wilmington Manor?
Leasing solar panels can be an appealing choice, as 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 tax rebates and credits and your home value won't increase. Buying solar panels is a better option if you want to maximize your savings.
How much can I save on electricity bills after installing solar panels?
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 $850.43 per year.
How many solar panels should I get to power my home?
The exact number of solar panels you need depends on your household energy consumption and the average daily sunlight your roof gets. You can take a look at your energy bills for the past year to get an idea of the solar system size you'll need. The average household has to get between 20 and 35 panels to account for their typical energy usage.
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.