Solar Panel Cost Guide in North Liberty, IA (Mar 2023)
- North Liberty Solar Installation Cost: $18,692
- 25-Year Savings: $26,508
- Payback Period: 10.3 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in North Liberty
Let's take a look at the average cost of solar panels in North Liberty.
In North Liberty, solar panels cost about 2.77 per watt on average. The average solar panel system size in North Liberty is around 9.6 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $18,692 for a solar installation, or $26,730 before the 30% federal solar tax credit is applied.
Keep in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of North Liberty homeowners. 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. With typical savings of about $18,000 on energy bills over 20 years, many homeowners in North Liberty find installing solar panels can be quite rewarding.
Click the button below to get connected to a top solar installer in North Liberty for a customized quote.
Solar savings over time in North Liberty
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-16,884 |
| 3 years | $-13,268 |
| 5 years | $-9,652 |
| 7 years | $-6,036 |
| 9 years | $-2,420 |
| 11 years | $1,196 |
| 13 years | $4,812 |
| 15 years | $8,428 |
| 17 years | $12,044 |
| 19 years | $15,660 |
| 21 years | $19,276 |
| 23 years | $22,892 |
| 25 years | $26,508 |
Top Solar Installers in North Liberty
When switching to solar energy, many homeowners decide to go with a solar installation company since installing solar panels yourself can be a time-consuming project. Companies can also have access to various kinds of the best solar panels and help you decide which one will be best for you.
If you'd like to go solar but still aren't sure which solar company to go with, here are our recommendations 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
Best Warranty Coverage
Sunpro Solar
- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
See all of the solar companies in North Liberty
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in North Liberty
There are many factors that can affect your solar system installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that does the installation.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the cost of a solar energy system in North Liberty, one of the most important factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are chiefly based on your home's energy usage, which you can gauge by looking at past energy bills. Your total cost can increase by around $2,770 for each additional kilowatt you need. Some solar brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — cost more upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like North Liberty, where sunlight is relatively abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Also, if you have a small roof or you don't have a lot of space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be more impactful. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for solar out of pocket can be challenging. Solar loans are provided by most installers in North Liberty, which can reduce, or in some cases eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more affordable. However, the interest on solar loans also increases your overall costs, so it's crucial to take that into consideration as well. You can always bring down the total you pay in interest and possibly even your APR by putting more money down.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The last key cost factor you should consider is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of green energy solutions in North Liberty, you'll have a great number of options to choose from, but each comes at various price points for labor and equipment. Additionally, some companies in North Liberty know more about local solar incentives and can help you learn about additional rebates or tax exemptions. Though, they may charge more for that service. Even if they cost more upfront, they could end up saving you 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 | $2.88 | $12,099 | $16,039 | 10.7 years |
| 8 kW | $2.83 | $15,822 | $21,696 | 10.5 years |
| 10 kW | $2.77 | $19,390 | $27,508 | 10.3 years |
| 12 kW | $2.71 | $22,803 | $33,475 | 10.1 years |
| 14 kW | $2.66 | $26,060 | $39,597 | 9.9 years |
| 16 kW | $2.60 | $29,163 | $45,874 | 9.7 years |
| 18 kW | $2.55 | $32,110 | $52,307 | 9.5 years |
| 20 kW | $2.49 | $34,902 | $58,894 | 9.3 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar company you go with will impact not only your overall costs, but also the types 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, such as:
- Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar installers offer the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a substantial role in the company you choose.
- Warranty: If you care about the longevity of your solar panel system, ensuring your company offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can give you some peace of mind.
- Contract: When looking over your solar company'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 component breaking or if the company goes out of business.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a good reputation as a company and have verifiable expertise in the field. Two ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians that hold a certification from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has good reviews from past customers.
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
Best Warranty Coverage
Sunpro Solar
- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
EcoWatch's North Liberty, IA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in North Liberty?
The average cost of solar panels in North Liberty is about $13,850 for a 5-kW system and $27,700 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on certain factors like the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in North Liberty?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can't afford to pay upfront or get 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 financial benefits from going solar.
Do solar panels increase your home value?
Solar panels can increase your home value remarkably as long as you buy or finance your panels and don't choose a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). According to research done by Zillow, the average home value increases by about 4.1% after installing solar panels."
How long do solar panels last in North Liberty?
On average, the lifespan of solar panels is 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 higher level 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.