Solar Panel Cost Guide in Charles City, IA (2023 Update)
- Charles City Solar Installation Cost: $18,955
- 25-Year Savings: $26,878
- Payback Period: 10.3 Years
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Updated September 15, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Charles City
Let's take a look at the average cost of solar panels in Charles City.
In Charles City, solar panels cost about 2.77 per watt on average. To cover the typical energy needs of the average home in Charles City, most homeowners require a 9.8-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs around $18,963, or $27,117 before the federal solar tax credit of 30% is applied.
Keep in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average Charles City homeowner. The cost of a solar system for your home may look different depending on factors unique to you, like your household energy use and solar contractor. For most homeowners, the upfront investment in solar panels is worth paying. On average homeowners in Charles City see about $18,000 in savings on utility bills over 20 years.
Click the button below to get connected to a vetted solar installer in Charles City for a personalized quote.
Solar savings over time in Charles City
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-17,239 |
| 3 years | $-13,806 |
| 5 years | $-10,373 |
| 7 years | $-6,940 |
| 9 years | $-3,507 |
| 11 years | $-74 |
| 13 years | $3,359 |
| 15 years | $6,792 |
| 17 years | $10,225 |
| 19 years | $13,658 |
| 21 years | $17,091 |
| 23 years | $20,524 |
| 25 years | $23,957 |
Top Solar Installers in Charles City
Many homeowners choose to use a solar panel company since figuring out how to install solar panels on your own can be a labor-intensive endeavor. Plus, if you aren't sure what brand of solar panels and equipment you want, a solar installer can help you figure that out after a site survey and consultation.
If you'd like to switch to solar energy but still aren't certain which solar panel company to go with, here are our suggestions for providers nearby:
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 Charles City
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Charles City
Cost is typically one of the most important factors for homeowners who are considering investing in solar. There are a few primary factors that will push your cost above or below the average in Charles City: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We'll go over each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that affects the overall cost of installing solar panels. For that reason, it's a priority to accurately assess the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your typical energy use. There are a lot of different solar panel brands and the one you choose also affects the cost. In many cases, the brands that offer higher efficiency tend to also cost more. Plus, the type of equipment you're looking to get can affect your total cost. If you just need panels, your system will be much less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Charles City to be prohibitively costly, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, almost every solar company in the area offers financing options. Solar loans substantially decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also result in higher prices over time due to interest. While solar loans make adopting solar energy more accessible for Charles City homeowners, they can also add to the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate. If you make a larger down payment, though, you can avoid paying as much in interest.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final consideration when trying to estimate the cost of solar for your home or business in Charles City is the company you choose to install your PV system. Similar to choosing a company to install new cabinets, for example, there's no shortage of solar installers that offer a range of services at different price points. The company's size can sometimes play the most significant role in your costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower pricing because of access to more resources and bulk pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they generally have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or discount can bring their pricing lower to compete with bigger companies.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
| System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $2.88 | $12,099 | $16,031 | 10.8 years |
| 8 kW | $2.83 | $15,822 | $21,685 | 10.5 years |
| 10 kW | $2.77 | $19,390 | $27,494 | 10.3 years |
| 12 kW | $2.71 | $22,803 | $33,458 | 10.1 years |
| 14 kW | $2.66 | $26,060 | $39,578 | 9.9 years |
| 16 kW | $2.60 | $29,163 | $45,852 | 9.7 years |
| 18 kW | $2.55 | $32,110 | $52,282 | 9.5 years |
| 20 kW | $2.49 | $34,902 | $58,866 | 9.3 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar company you go with will be a major factor in determining not only your overall costs, but also the kinds of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you have access to. When choosing a solar company, there are some important things you should consider, including:
- Solar Panel Brands: Different companies will offer various brands and types of panels. If you prefer a specific brand, make sure the solar installer you're considering has it.
- Contract: It's important to read your solar installer's contract fully to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about your solar system's energy production.
- Installation Process: Homeowners should make sure they know how exactly the installation process will go, as well as important factors like the project completion timeline.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar panel installer has a good reputation by verifying 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.
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 Charles City, IA Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Charles City?
The average cost of solar panels in Charles City is about $13,850 for a 5-kW system and $27,700 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on certain factors such as the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
What other factors should I consider apart from cost when buying solar panels?
The upfront cost is a crucial factor to consider, but whether it's the most important for you depends on why you decided to go solar. In places where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can be more important than the cost. Other factors that are important to be mindful of are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Charles City?
The majority of states have net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can get paid for the extra power your system generates or or receive credits to put toward future electricity bills. Currently there are just three states that don't have any net metering laws: Alabama, Tennessee and South Dakota.
How long do solar panels last in Charles City?
Though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they stop working completely at that time. What this means is the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can decide to replace them once you've had them for that long or you can keep using them at a lower efficiency.
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.