Solar Panel Cost Guide in Centerville, IA (2024 Update)
- Centerville Solar Installation Cost: $26,594
- 25-Year Savings: $34,340
- Payback Period: 12.6 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Centerville
We go over average solar pricing in Centerville.
The average cost of solar panels in Centerville is 4 per watt.To account for the typical energy needs of the average home in Centerville, most homeowners require a 9.5-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs about $26,594, or $38,029 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
Keep in mind that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll end up paying for solar will differ based on your household energy use, the type of solar system you choose, your solar contractor and more.Many homeowners find adopting solar power is a solid investment. The average homeowner in Centerville can save about $21,000 on their energy bills over 20 years.
For a free quote from a local solar installer that has been pre-vetted by EcoWatch, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Centerville
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-24,878 |
| 3 years | $-21,445 |
| 5 years | $-18,012 |
| 7 years | $-14,579 |
| 9 years | $-11,146 |
| 11 years | $-7,713 |
| 13 years | $-4,280 |
| 15 years | $-847 |
| 17 years | $2,586 |
| 19 years | $6,019 |
| 21 years | $9,452 |
| 23 years | $12,885 |
| 25 years | $16,318 |
Top Solar Installers in Centerville
DIY solar panel installation is a choice some homeowners opt for, but it's an undertaking that can be a pain. Using a solar company can make your switch to solar power much easier. Another perk of using a solar company is that they can help you maximize your investment by lowering your future costs of repairs and replacements due to warranties and helping you learn about local incentives you can take advantage of.
There are various 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
See all of the solar companies in Centerville
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Centerville
The cost of installing a solar system in Centerville can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost depends on several factors. The most significant one is your system size, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that determines 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 energy needs.The brand and kind of equipment you choose for your solar system can raise or lower the price quite significantly. If you prefer a trusted 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 add-ons like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Centerville to be prohibitively steep, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, nearly every solar company in the area provides access to financing options. Solar loans remarkably decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also result in higher prices over time because of interest.It’s a good idea to add the interest you’ll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to pay a larger down payment, you can reduce your total costs and the amount of time it’ll take to pay off the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar installer you choose will play a role in your total cost to make the switch to solar . Different companies will bill different amounts for the equipment and labor.Larger national companies usually have lower costs, but some local companies keep up with them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or add-on services like electric vehicle 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 | $4.17 | $17,516 | $15,866 | 13.1 years |
| 8 kW | $4.09 | $22,905 | $21,604 | 12.9 years |
| 10 kW | $4.01 | $28,070 | $27,566 | 12.6 years |
| 12 kW | $3.93 | $33,010 | $33,753 | 12.4 years |
| 14 kW | $3.85 | $37,726 | $40,164 | 12.1 years |
| 16 kW | $3.77 | $42,217 | $46,800 | 11.9 years |
| 18 kW | $3.69 | $46,484 | $53,661 | 11.6 years |
| 20 kW | $3.61 | $50,526 | $60,746 | 11.4 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the type of solar panels and the installation company you choose significantly impacts your costs and your system’s durability and efficiency, it’s important to select the right ones for you. Here are some things to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a sound 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 previous customers.
- Contract: When looking over your solar installer’s contract, ask for clarification about any terms you’re not sure of and make sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system part breaking or if the company goes out of business.
- Installation Process: Get detailed information from your solar company about the installation process and what to expect, including when the site survey will be completed and what the project timeline is.
- Warranty: Warranties that provide coverage for panel repairs and maintenance over a long period of time such as 25 years are the best you can get in the business, and offering that kind of warranty is one indication of a good company.
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 Centerville, IA Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Centerville?
This is a hard question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on many factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $20,050 for a 5-kW system and $40,100 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. You can expect to pay more if you want other solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy needs. Conversely, you can spend less if you choose a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
Can you get solar panels for free in Centerville?
You can’t get solar panels for free in Centerville. However, you may still be able to get them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you’d rather own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.
Is it worth going solar in Centerville?
Solar panels can be a great investment for most 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 pretty 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 goes down 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.