Solar Panel Cost Guide in Ottumwa, IA (2024 Update)
- Ottumwa Solar Installation Cost: $26,703
- 25-Year Savings: $30,311
- Payback Period: 13.7 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Ottumwa
Find out what the average cost of a solar system is in Ottumwa.
The average cost of solar panels in Ottumwa is 4 per watt.Using this figure, a typical 9.5-kW system would cost about $26,703 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
Keep in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of Ottumwa homeowners. The price 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 you could be looking at about $19,000 in savings on electricity bills over 20 years.
For a customized quote from a local solar company that has been pre-vetted by the EcoWatch team, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Ottumwa
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-24,987 |
| 3 years | $-21,554 |
| 5 years | $-18,121 |
| 7 years | $-14,688 |
| 9 years | $-11,255 |
| 11 years | $-7,822 |
| 13 years | $-4,389 |
| 15 years | $-956 |
| 17 years | $2,477 |
| 19 years | $5,910 |
| 21 years | $9,343 |
| 23 years | $12,776 |
| 25 years | $16,209 |
Top Solar Installers in Ottumwa
Many homeowners opt for a solar panel company since figuring out how to install solar panels on your own can be a labor-intensive endeavor. The expertise that solar companies provide can be valuable as well, particularly if you don’t quite know what brand of solar equipment would be right for your home.
If you’d like to switch to solar energy but still aren’t sure which solar company to go with, here are our recommendations for providers nearby:
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 Ottumwa
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Ottumwa
The cost of installing a solar system in Ottumwa can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is dependent on several factors. The most significant one is the size of the system your home needs, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar installer you choose.
Solar Equipment
Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that affects the overall cost of going solar. That’s why it’s a priority to accurately assess the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your energy needs.There are many different solar panel brands and the one you pick also affects the cost. In general, the brands that offer higher efficiency tend to also be more expensive. In addition, the type of equipment you want to install can affect your total cost. If you only need panels, your system will be far less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for a solar system out of pocket is out of reach, solar loans are an affordable route because they cut back your upfront costs and allow you to pay for your system over five to seven years on average.Though solar loans make switching to solar energy more accessible for Ottumwa homeowners, they can also increase the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate and how long you take to pay off the loan. If you put down a larger down payment, though, you can cut back on how much interest you have to pay.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar company you hire to handle your switch to renewable energy can play a part in your total costs. There are about 3 solar panel companies in Ottumwa, and each can charge different amounts for labor and equipment.Companies that only sell products with high efficiency and therefore a higher price point — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally cost more. It’s best to do some research and find a company that provides the products, warranties and services you want and also fits within your budget.
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 | $13,236 | 14.2 years |
| 8 kW | $4.09 | $22,905 | $18,097 | 14.0 years |
| 10 kW | $4.01 | $28,070 | $23,182 | 13.7 years |
| 12 kW | $3.93 | $33,010 | $28,492 | 13.4 years |
| 14 kW | $3.85 | $37,726 | $34,027 | 13.1 years |
| 16 kW | $3.77 | $42,217 | $39,786 | 12.9 years |
| 18 kW | $3.69 | $46,484 | $45,770 | 12.6 years |
| 20 kW | $3.61 | $50,526 | $51,978 | 12.3 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a lot of solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel brands and price points. To help you select the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Warranty: A comprehensive, long-term warranty can help keep your solar panels running smoothly and save you money on repairs and maintenance.
- Contract: Although reading through a contract can take a lot of time, it’s important to do it carefully so you can be sure you understand how much the equipment and services will cost and the terms of the warranty.
- Installation Process: Make sure you’re aligned with the installer in regard to how the installation process will go and what you need to do before your solar panels are installed, such as repairing your electrical system or roof.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a sound reputation as a company and have proven 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 satisfied reviews from previous customers.
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 Ottumwa, IA Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Ottumwa?
The average cost of solar panels in Ottumwa 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 stuff such as the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Is cost the most important consideration when buying solar panels?
Cost is without a doubt one of the most important things to keep in mind when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.
Do solar panels increase your home value?
Solar panels can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Ottumwa is currently $109,473, which means you can expect a value of about $4,488 more than houses without a solar system. The exact figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Ottumwa is a rewarding investment.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
Although 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 how much 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.