Solar Panel Cost Guide in Marion, IA (2024 Update)
- Marion Solar Installation Cost: $27,274
- 25-Year Savings: $30,080
- Payback Period: 13.9 Years
See cost of a solar system near you:
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Average Cost of Solar Panels in Marion
We go over average solar pricing in Marion.
Although the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Marion typically cost around 4.To account for the typical energy needs of the average home in Marion, most homeowners require a 9.7-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs around $27,274, or $39,002 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
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 equipment you want to get, your solar contractor and more.Despite the large initial cost, the average Marion homeowner can save about $19,000 on their energy bills over 20 years, which is one of the advantages of solar.
You can click the button below to get connected with a vetted solar installer in Marion that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
Solar savings over time in Marion
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-25,558 |
| 3 years | $-22,125 |
| 5 years | $-18,692 |
| 7 years | $-15,259 |
| 9 years | $-11,826 |
| 11 years | $-8,393 |
| 13 years | $-4,960 |
| 15 years | $-1,527 |
| 17 years | $1,906 |
| 19 years | $5,339 |
| 21 years | $8,772 |
| 23 years | $12,205 |
| 25 years | $15,638 |
Top Solar Installers in Marion
Trying to put up solar panels yourself can be a challenging project, which is why hiring a solar installer is a good option for many homeowners. Plus, warranties and repairs from your solar panel installer can protect your investment and lower the cost of maintenance in the long run.
There are a number of licensed solar professionals that can take care of your solar installation project. Here are our suggestions:
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 Marion
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Marion
For many Marion homeowners, the decision to adopt solar energy comes down to cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Marion, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are a number of factors that significantly influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
The cost of solar panel systems varies by thousands of dollars due to a few different factors. One of the notable factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems with greater efficiency or power production use better technology and/or more equipment, both of which can raise costs. For each additional kilowatt you need, your cost can go up by about $4,010.The brand of solar panels and equipment you get is another factor that will significantly affect costs. Solar panels that have higher efficiency, like monocrystalline panels, tend to come at a higher price. Moreover, solar equipment goes beyond just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to decide on the kind of racks used to mount the panels, inverters, solar batteries, etc. It’s important to take all of this into consideration when researching a solar system that falls within your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar companies in Marion provide solar loans, which reduce the initial cost of installing solar panels.It’s wise to add the interest you’ll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to put more money down upfront, you can reduce your total costs and the amount of time it’ll take to pay off the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The remaining key cost factor you should consider is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of green energy solutions in Marion, you’ll have a great number of options to choose from, but each comes at varying price points for labor and equipment.You may come across national solar installers that have lower prices due to their bigger brand name and access to bulk pricing, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or promotions to compete with those larger companies.
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 | $12,693 | 14.5 years |
| 8 kW | $4.09 | $22,905 | $17,373 | 14.2 years |
| 10 kW | $4.01 | $28,070 | $22,277 | 13.9 years |
| 12 kW | $3.93 | $33,010 | $27,406 | 13.7 years |
| 14 kW | $3.85 | $37,726 | $32,760 | 13.4 years |
| 16 kW | $3.77 | $42,217 | $38,338 | 13.1 years |
| 18 kW | $3.69 | $46,484 | $44,141 | 12.8 years |
| 20 kW | $3.61 | $50,526 | $50,169 | 12.5 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the model of solar panels and the installer you choose has an impact on your costs and your system’s efficiency, production, and durability, it’s important to pick the right ones for you. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Solar Panel Brands: The type of solar panel you need plays a part in which installer you should go with, since different companies have access to different panels.
- Contract: Look through the contract terms carefully to make sure you understand the overall cost, completion timeline incentives and warranties.
- Warranty: If you care about the longevity of your solar energy system, checking if your company offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can give you some peace of mind.
- Installation Process: An important thing to understand when adopting solar power is the installation process itself. Be sure to align on any details you should know with your solar installer, such as what permits you should secure and what the project timeline is.
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 Marion, IA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Marion?
This is a difficult question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $20,050 for a 5-kW system and $40,100 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will be more expensive if you want additional solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have above-average energy needs. On the flip side, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.
Can you get solar panels for free in Marion?
You can’t get solar panels for free in Marion. However, you may still be able to install them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you’d prefer to own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.
How much can I save on electricity bills after installing solar panels?
It is possible to erase your electricity bills with solar panels, but for most homeowners in Marion, 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 uses and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can usually 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.