Solar Panel Cost Guide in Creston, IA (2024 Update)
- Creston Solar Installation Cost: $26,484
- 25-Year Savings: $32,111
- Payback Period: 13.1 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Creston
Let’s take a look at the average cost of solar panels in Creston.
In Creston, solar panels cost about 4 per watt on average.Using this figure, a typical 9.4-kW system would cost about $26,484 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll end up paying for solar may vary based on your household energy needs, the type of solar system you choose, your solar contractor and more.Many homeowners find adopting solar power is a sound investment. The average homeowner in Creston can save about $20,000 on their power bills over 20 years.
You can click the button below to get connected with a vetted solar company in Creston that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
Solar savings over time in Creston
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-24,768 |
| 3 years | $-21,335 |
| 5 years | $-17,902 |
| 7 years | $-14,469 |
| 9 years | $-11,036 |
| 11 years | $-7,603 |
| 13 years | $-4,170 |
| 15 years | $-737 |
| 17 years | $2,696 |
| 19 years | $6,129 |
| 21 years | $9,562 |
| 23 years | $12,995 |
| 25 years | $16,428 |
Top Solar Installers in Creston
DIY solar panel installation is a way to cut costs, but it's an undertaking that can take a lot of hard work. Taking advantage of an installer can make swapping over to solar power much easier. Another perk of using a solar company is that they can help you maximize your investment by cutting back on future costs of repairs and replacements due to warranties and giving you information on local incentives you can take advantage of.
If you’d like to switch to solar energy but still aren’t certain which solar panel installer to go with, here are our suggestions for providers in Creston:
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
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 Creston
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Creston
The cost of installing a solar system in Creston can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost depends on several factors. The biggest one is the size of the system you need, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
One of the most significant factors to consider when it comes to the cost of going solar is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more power your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay around $4,010 per kilowatt in Creston.The kind of solar equipment you choose can bring your price up or down 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. However, more efficient panels could save you more over time on your energy bills. Additionally, add-on products, like solar batteries, can bring your total well above the Creston average.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar installers in Creston offer solar loans, which reduce your upfront costs of installing solar.However, the interest on solar loans also adds to your all-in costs, so it’s crucial to take that into consideration as well. You can always bring down the total you pay in interest and sometimes even your APR by putting more money down.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final consideration when trying to evaluate the cost of solar for your home or business in Creston is the company you choose to install your solar panel system. As with choosing a company to build a deck or pool, for example, there are plenty of solar installers that offer a range of services at different costs.Larger national companies generally have lower costs, but some local companies compete with them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or extra 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 | $4.17 | $17,516 | $14,538 | 13.7 years |
| 8 kW | $4.09 | $22,905 | $19,834 | 13.4 years |
| 10 kW | $4.01 | $28,070 | $25,353 | 13.1 years |
| 12 kW | $3.93 | $33,010 | $31,098 | 12.9 years |
| 14 kW | $3.85 | $37,726 | $37,067 | 12.6 years |
| 16 kW | $3.77 | $42,217 | $43,260 | 12.3 years |
| 18 kW | $3.69 | $46,484 | $49,678 | 12.1 years |
| 20 kW | $3.61 | $50,526 | $56,321 | 11.8 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are many solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel models and price points. To help you pick the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Installation Process: Homeowners should understand how exactly the installation process will go, as well as important factors like the project timeline.
- Reputation: Solar installers that have great reviews from their customers and that have been operating for many years likely offer quality solar panel installation and expertise.
- Warranty: If you care about the endurance of your solar panel system, ensuring your installer offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can give you some peace of mind.
- Contract: Before signing a contract with a solar company, make sure to look it over fully so you understand the terms. Also, ask questions if you’re unsure about some of the terms, such as what to do if a part breaks or malfunctions and if there are any guarantees about energy production.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
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 Creston, IA Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Creston?
The average cost of solar panels in Creston is about $20,050 for a 5-kW system and $40,100 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 use.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Creston?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can’t pay upfront or secure a solar loan, but since you don’t own the system, you can’t take advantage of many solar incentives. Also your home value won’t increase, so you’ll have less savings over time. If you can afford to buy a solar system upfront, then buying is the better option if you want the most bang for your buck from going solar.
Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Creston?
The majority of states offer net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can either be compensated for the extra power your system generates or or receive credits to put toward future utility bills. Currently there are just three states that don’t have any net metering laws: Alabama, Tennessee and South Dakota.
How many solar panels should I get to power my home?
To figure out what solar panel system size you need, you need to know how much energy your home uses 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 house 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.