Solar Panel Cost Guide in Shelley, ID (2024 Update)
- Shelley Solar Installation Cost: $18,065
- 25-Year Savings: $14,465
- Payback Period: 16.1 Years
See cost of a solar system near you:
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Average Cost of Solar Panels in Shelley
We break down average solar pricing in Shelley.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Shelley, the average cost of solar panels is 3 per watt.To cover the typical energy needs of the average home in Shelley, most homeowners require a 7.5-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs about $18,065, or $25,833 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
Bear in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of Shelley homeowners. The price of a solar system for your home may look different depending on factors unique to your situation, like your household energy use and solar contractor.Despite the significant initial cost, the average Shelley homeowner can save about $14,000 on their power bills over 20 years, which is one of the benefits of solar.
For a personalized quote from a local solar company that has been pre-vetted by the EcoWatch team, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Shelley
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-16,903 |
| 3 years | $-14,579 |
| 5 years | $-12,254 |
| 7 years | $-9,930 |
| 9 years | $-7,606 |
| 11 years | $-5,282 |
| 13 years | $-2,958 |
| 15 years | $-634 |
| 17 years | $1,690 |
| 19 years | $4,014 |
| 21 years | $6,338 |
| 23 years | $8,662 |
| 25 years | $10,986 |
Top Solar Installers in Shelley
When going solar, many homeowners choose to hire a solar company since handling can be a time-consuming project. Another good thing about choosing a vetted solar installer is that it'll likely provide warranties and free repairs, which help protect your investment.
You can get a free quote from a local solar installer on the cost of solar panels for your home. Here are some in Shelley:
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 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
See all of the solar companies in Shelley
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Shelley
The cost of installing a solar system in Shelley can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is determined by several factors. The biggest one is the size of the system your household needs, and other factors include equipment choices, 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 determines the overall cost of installing solar panels. For that reason, it’s crucial to accurately ascertain the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your energy needs.The brand and kind 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 are often more expensive 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 will be looking at a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to greater savings over time. Plus, if you want extra equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also raise the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for a solar system out of pocket is out of reach, solar loans are a popular route because they decrease your upfront costs and let you pay for your system over a term of, on average, between five and seven years.It’s wise to factor the interest you’ll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to pay a higher down payment, you can reduce your total costs and how long it’ll take to pay back the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final factor to consider when trying to figure out the cost of solar for your home or business in Shelley is the company you get to install your solar panel system. As with choosing a company to renovate your kitchen, for instance, there’s no shortage of solar installers that offer a range of services for different budgets.Larger national companies usually have lower costs, but some local companies undercut them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have access to specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or extra 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 | $3.60 | $15,113 | $7,443 | 16.8 years |
| 8 kW | $3.53 | $19,764 | $10,311 | 16.4 years |
| 10 kW | $3.46 | $24,220 | $13,373 | 16.1 years |
| 12 kW | $3.39 | $28,483 | $16,629 | 15.8 years |
| 14 kW | $3.32 | $32,552 | $20,079 | 15.5 years |
| 16 kW | $3.25 | $36,427 | $23,722 | 15.1 years |
| 18 kW | $3.18 | $40,108 | $27,559 | 14.8 years |
| 20 kW | $3.11 | $43,596 | $31,590 | 14.5 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar installer you choose will affect 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 a few important things you should take into account, including:
- Installation Process: When going solar, it’s crucial to keep an open line of communication with your solar panel installer. See to it that you understand how the installation process works and the project completion timeline.
- Reputation: Solar companies that have great reviews from their customers and that have been operating for many years in most cases offer quality solar panel installation and expertise.
- Contract: When reading 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 such as a system part breaking or if the company goes out of business.
- Warranty: Warranties that provide coverage for replacement parts and repairs over around 25 years are the gold standard in the business, and offering that kind of warranty is one sign of a good company.
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 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
EcoWatch's Shelley, ID Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Shelley?
The average cost of solar panels in Shelley is about $17,300 for a 5-kW system and $34,600 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on stuff like the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Is cost the most important consideration when buying solar panels?
Cost is definitely one of the most important factors you should consider when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.
Does Shelley have a net metering program?
The majority of states have net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can either be compensated for the extra power your system generates or or receive credits to put toward future energy bills. Currently there are just three states that don’t have any net metering laws: Alabama, Tennessee and South Dakota.
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 larger amount 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.