Solar Panel Cost Guide in American Falls, ID (2024 Update)
- American Falls Solar Installation Cost: $17,855
- 25-Year Savings: $18,348
- Payback Period: 14.1 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in American Falls
Find out what the average cost of installing solar panels is in American Falls.
While the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in American Falls generally cost about 3.To account for the typical energy needs of the average home in American Falls, most homeowners require a 7.4-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs about $17,855, or $25,533 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
These figures are only averages, and the cost of going solar for you will look different based on factors unique to your home and what company you want to go with.But, after you've paid the initial cost of installation, the payback for most homeowners is usually good, with a net average savings of about $16,000 over 20 years on power bills.
For a personalized quote from a local solar installer that has been pre-vetted by EcoWatch, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in American Falls
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-16,693 |
| 3 years | $-14,369 |
| 5 years | $-12,045 |
| 7 years | $-9,721 |
| 9 years | $-7,397 |
| 11 years | $-5,072 |
| 13 years | $-2,748 |
| 15 years | $-424 |
| 17 years | $1,900 |
| 19 years | $4,224 |
| 21 years | $6,548 |
| 23 years | $8,872 |
| 25 years | $11,196 |
Top Solar Installers in American Falls
Although you can install solar panels on your own, it involves extra time and expertise. That's one of the reasons most people choose to hire a solar panel installer. The expertise that solar installers provide can be useful as well, particularly if you don’t quite know what kind of solar equipment would be right for your home.
Working with a vetted solar company can make going solar easier. Here are our recommendations:
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
See all of the solar companies in American Falls
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in American Falls
Cost is often one of the most important factors for homeowners who want to invest in solar. There are a few key factors that affect your total cost in American Falls: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We’ll go over each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar system you need for your home, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most important cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, your total will most likely increase by around $3,460. The brand and type of equipment you want for your solar system can increase or decrease the price quite significantly. If you prefer a brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these often come at a higher price than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you’re opting for high efficiency because you have a small roof or just want maximum energy production, you will be looking at a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to greater savings over time. Also, if you want extra equipment 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 American Falls to be too steep, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, nearly every solar company in the area offers financing options. Solar loans substantially decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also lead to a higher cost over time because of interest.You’ll have to consider the long-term cost of loans, including the amount of interest you’ll pay over the length of the loan. If you’re only able to get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars above the equipment and labor cost. Making a larger down payment or getting a solar loan with a low APR could reduce your costs considerably.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar company you go with to handle your switch to clean energy can have an effect on your total costs. There are about 3 solar installation companies in American Falls, 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 come with an above-average cost. It’s best to do some research and choose a company that offers the products, warranties and services you want and also is 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 | $3.60 | $15,113 | $10,740 | 14.6 years |
| 8 kW | $3.53 | $19,764 | $14,707 | 14.3 years |
| 10 kW | $3.46 | $24,220 | $18,868 | 14.1 years |
| 12 kW | $3.39 | $28,483 | $23,223 | 13.8 years |
| 14 kW | $3.32 | $32,552 | $27,772 | 13.5 years |
| 16 kW | $3.25 | $36,427 | $32,515 | 13.2 years |
| 18 kW | $3.18 | $40,108 | $37,451 | 12.9 years |
| 20 kW | $3.11 | $43,596 | $42,581 | 12.6 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the model of solar panels and the installation company you choose has an impact on your costs and your system’s durability and efficiency, it’s important to select the right ones for you. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a good reputation as a company and have verifiable expertise in the field. A couple of 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 satisfied reviews from previous customers.
- Installation Process: One of the most important things to understand when going solar is the installation process itself. Be sure to align on any details you should know with your solar company, such as what permits you should acquire and what the project timeline is.
- Warranty: A quality company rises above other companies by offering the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and type offers varying levels of quality, longevity and efficiency. They will come at different costs as well. The company you choose affects which solar panel brands you have access to.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
EcoWatch's American Falls, ID Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in American Falls?
This is a hard question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $17,300 for a 5-kW system and $34,600 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will cost more if you want additional solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy needs. On the flip side, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.
What other factors should I consider apart from cost when buying solar panels?
The upfront cost is a very important factor to consider, but whether it’s the most important for you depends on your reasons for going solar. In places where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can trump the cost. Other factors that are important to be mindful of are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
How will solar panels impact my home value?
Installing solar panels on your home can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in American Falls is currently $291,732, so you can expect a value of about $11,961 more than houses without a solar system. The exact figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in American Falls is a rewarding investment.
What solar power system size is right for my home?
The exact number of solar panels you need depends on your household energy needs and how much sunlight your roof gets. You can take a look at your energy bills for the past year to get an idea of the solar system size you'll need. The average household has to buy between 20 and 35 panels to account for their typical energy usage.
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.