Solar Panel Cost Guide in Caldwell, ID (2024 Update)
- Caldwell Solar Installation Cost: $17,737
- 25-Year Savings: $17,665
- Payback Period: 14.3 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Caldwell
See how much it might cost to go solar in Caldwell.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Caldwell, the average cost of solar panels is 3 per watt.Since a 7.3-kW system is needed to cover the energy needs of a typical home in Caldwell, the average price of going solar will be about $17,737 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 0.
The actual price you pay can go above or below the average in Caldwell based on a variety of factors, such as the brand of solar panels you choose and the solar company you hire.Even with the significant upfront cost, the average Caldwell homeowner can save about $17,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years, which is one of the benefits of solar.
To get a free estimate from a top solar installer in Caldwell, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Caldwell
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-16,575 |
| 3 years | $-14,251 |
| 5 years | $-11,927 |
| 7 years | $-9,603 |
| 9 years | $-7,279 |
| 11 years | $-4,955 |
| 13 years | $-2,631 |
| 15 years | $-307 |
| 17 years | $2,017 |
| 19 years | $4,341 |
| 21 years | $6,665 |
| 23 years | $8,989 |
| 25 years | $11,313 |
Top Solar Installers in Caldwell
Do-it-yourself solar panel installation is a possibility, but it's an undertaking that can use up a lot of your time and energy. Going with a solar company can make swapping over to solar power much easier. Because solar panels are exposed to rain, snow, hail and wind, depending on the climate, warranties and repairs from your solar company can help you get the most out of your investment in solar panels by avoiding potential costs down the line.
If you’d like to start using solar energy but still aren’t sure which solar system installer to go with, here are our recommendations for providers near you:
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Outstanding Local Installer
ES Solar
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Lifetime workmanship warranty
- Outstanding customer service
- No leases or PPAs
- Energy audits only available 12 months after installation
Solar Veteran
Creative Energies
- Certified B Corp
- Outstanding customer service
- Many years of experience
- Multitude of products and services
- No leases or PPAs
- Slightly expensive
See all of the solar companies in Caldwell
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Caldwell
The cost of installing a solar system in Caldwell can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is determined by several factors. The largest one is the size of the system your home needs, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
One of the most significant factors to consider when it comes to the cost of adopting solar energy is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more energy your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend around $3,460 per kilowatt in Caldwell.The type of solar equipment you choose can increase or decrease your cost by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you get the most efficient solar panel brands, you’ll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. On the other hand, higher efficiency could save you more over time on your power bills. In addition, extra products, like solar batteries, can bring your total well above the Caldwell average.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar companies in Caldwell provide solar loans, which reduce the initial cost of installing solar.While solar loans make switching to solar energy more accessible for Caldwell homeowners, they can also add to the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate. 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
Finally, the company you choose to install your solar panel system can affect how much it costs. Caldwell’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to 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 at a higher cost. It’s best to do some research and decide on the company that has the products, warranties and services you’re looking for 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 | $3.60 | $15,113 | $10,279 | 14.9 years |
| 8 kW | $3.53 | $19,764 | $14,093 | 14.6 years |
| 10 kW | $3.46 | $24,220 | $18,100 | 14.3 years |
| 12 kW | $3.39 | $28,483 | $22,302 | 14.0 years |
| 14 kW | $3.32 | $32,552 | $26,697 | 13.7 years |
| 16 kW | $3.25 | $36,427 | $31,286 | 13.4 years |
| 18 kW | $3.18 | $40,108 | $36,068 | 13.2 years |
| 20 kW | $3.11 | $43,596 | $41,045 | 12.9 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar installer you choose will influence not only your total costs, but also the types of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you can get. When choosing a solar company, there are several important things you should take into account, such as:
- Solar Panel Brands: Different companies will offer different brands and types of panels. If you want a specific brand, make sure the solar company you’re considering has it.
- Warranty: Warranties that cover panel repairs and maintenance over around 25 years are the gold standard in the business, and offering such a warranty is one sign of a good company.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a solid reputation as a company and have demonstrated expertise in the field. Two 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 positive reviews from past customers.
- Contract: When reading through your solar company’s contract, ask for clarification about any terms you’re not sure of and be sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system component breaking or if the company goes out of business.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Outstanding Local Installer
ES Solar
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Lifetime workmanship warranty
- Outstanding customer service
- No leases or PPAs
- Energy audits only available 12 months after installation
Solar Veteran
Creative Energies
- Certified B Corp
- Outstanding customer service
- Many years of experience
- Multitude of products and services
- No leases or PPAs
- Slightly expensive
EcoWatch's Caldwell, ID Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Caldwell?
The average cost of solar panels in Caldwell is about $17,300 for a 5-kW system and $34,600 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on certain factors such as the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Can you get solar panels for free in Caldwell?
You can’t get solar panels for free in Caldwell. However, you may still be able to afford them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you want to own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.
How much can I save on power bills after installing solar panels?
Solar panels can potentially eliminate your electricity bills depending on where you’re located and how much sunlight your home gets. Even if it doesn’t get rid of them completely, you can save a lot of money on your bills, about $846.41 per year.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
On average, the lifespan of solar panels is about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency decreases 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.