Solar Panel Cost Guide in Winterset, IA (2023 Update)
- Winterset Solar Installation Cost: $18,459
- 25-Year Savings: $26,837
- Payback Period: 10.2 Years
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Updated May 04, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Winterset
Find out what the average cost of solar panel installation is in Winterset.
While the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Winterset typically cost around 2.77. To cover the typical energy needs of the average home in Winterset, most homeowners require a 9.5-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs about $18,459, or $26,396 before the federal solar tax credit of 30% is applied.
How much you pay can be above or below the average in Winterset based on a few factors, such as the brand of solar panels you choose and the solar installer you hire. But, once you've paid the upfront cost of installation, the ROI for most homeowners is quite fruitful, with a net average savings of about $18,000 over 20 years on power bills.
To see your potential ROI and connect with a local solar installer, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Winterset
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-16,647 |
| 3 years | $-13,024 |
| 5 years | $-9,400 |
| 7 years | $-5,776 |
| 9 years | $-2,153 |
| 11 years | $1,471 |
| 13 years | $5,095 |
| 15 years | $8,718 |
| 17 years | $12,342 |
| 19 years | $15,966 |
| 21 years | $19,589 |
| 23 years | $23,213 |
| 25 years | $26,837 |
Top Solar Installers in Winterset
Many homeowners choose to hire a solar panel company since trying to install solar panels on your own can be a lot of work. The expertise that solar installers provide can be helpful as well, especially if you don't quite know what type of solar equipment would be right for your home.
You can work with a local solar installer to get a free quote on how much your investment in solar could cost for your home. Here are some near you:
Best Warranty Coverage
Sunpro Solar
- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
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 Winterset
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Winterset
Even though the average cost of a solar system in Winterset is $18,459, your actual cost may be above or below the average. There are quite a few factors that can have a significant impact on the cost of a solar panel installation. Below are some of the more important things to consider.
Solar Equipment
Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that influences the overall cost of going solar. Because of that, it's a priority to accurately gauge the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your energy needs. The brand and type of equipment you get for your solar system can increase or decrease the price quite significantly. If you prefer a trusted brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these often have a higher price tag than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you're opting for high efficiency because you have limited roof space or just want maximum energy production, you can expect a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to greater savings over time. Plus, if you want add-ons like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also raise the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Winterset to be prohibitively expensive, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, almost every solar company in the area provides financing options. Solar loans drastically decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also lead to paying more over time because of interest. Even though solar loans make adopting solar energy more accessible for Winterset homeowners, they can also add to the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate and how long you take to pay off the loan. If you make a larger down payment, though, you can cut back on how much interest you have to pay.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar installer you opt for to handle your switch to green energy can play a role in your total costs. There are about 3 solar installation companies in Winterset, and each can charge different amounts for labor and equipment. Larger national companies generally have lower costs, but some local companies keep up with them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or additional services like electric vehicle 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 | $2.88 | $12,099 | $16,449 | 10.6 years |
| 8 kW | $2.83 | $15,822 | $22,243 | 10.4 years |
| 10 kW | $2.77 | $19,390 | $28,191 | 10.2 years |
| 12 kW | $2.71 | $22,803 | $34,295 | 10.0 years |
| 14 kW | $2.66 | $26,060 | $40,554 | 9.8 years |
| 16 kW | $2.60 | $29,163 | $46,968 | 9.6 years |
| 18 kW | $2.55 | $32,110 | $53,537 | 9.4 years |
| 20 kW | $2.49 | $34,902 | $60,261 | 9.2 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar company you opt for will influence not only your overall costs, but also the types of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you can get. When choosing a solar company, there are some important things you should consider, including:
- Installation Process: Make sure you're on the same page with the company regarding how the installation process will go and what you need to do before your solar panel system is installed, such as repairing your electrical system or roof.
- Contract: It's important to look over your solar installer's contract closely to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about your solar system's energy production.
- Solar Panel Brands: The model of solar panel you want plays a role in which installer you should opt for, since different companies provide different panels.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a respected certification organization for sustainable energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it likely has a solid reputation and is qualified to get the job done well. Another way you can research your installer's reputation is by reading reviews.
Best Warranty Coverage
Sunpro Solar
- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
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 Winterset, IA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Winterset?
The average cost of solar panels in Winterset 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 things like the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
What other factors should I consider in addition to cost when buying solar panels?
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 areas where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can trump the cost. Other factors that are important to keep in mind are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
How much can I save on energy bills after installing solar panels?
Solar panels can potentially eliminate your electricity bills depending on where you're located and the efficiency of your system. Even if it doesn't get rid of them completely, you can save a lot of money on your bills, about $951.63 per year.
How many solar panels should I get to power my home?
To figure out what solar panel system size you need, you should find out how much energy your home requires 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.