Solar Panel Cost Guide in Auburn, IN (2023 Update)
- Auburn Solar Installation Cost: $16,864
- 25-Year Savings: $24,009
- Payback Period: 10.3 Years
See cost of a solar system near you:
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Updated September 15, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Average Cost of Solar Panels in Auburn
Find out what the average cost of a solar system is in Auburn.
While the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Auburn typically cost about 2.68. The average solar panel system size in Auburn is around 9.0 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $16,865 for a solar installation, or $24,117 before the 30% federal solar tax credit is applied.
The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of how much a solar energy system could cost. The exact cost of going solar can vary quite a bit based on multiple factors, such as what size system you need, your energy consumption and what company you go with. Despite the large upfront cost, the average Auburn homeowner can save around $17,000 on their energy bills over 20 years, which is one of the advantages of solar.
You can click the button below to get connected with a top solar installer in Auburn for a quote for your home.
Solar savings over time in Auburn
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-16,728 |
| 3 years | $-16,456 |
| 5 years | $-16,183 |
| 7 years | $-15,911 |
| 9 years | $-15,638 |
| 11 years | $-15,366 |
| 13 years | $-15,093 |
| 15 years | $-14,821 |
| 17 years | $-14,548 |
| 19 years | $-14,276 |
| 21 years | $-14,003 |
| 23 years | $-13,731 |
| 25 years | $-13,458 |
Top Solar Installers in Auburn
Many homeowners opt for a solar panel installer since trying to install solar panels on your own can be time-consuming. Local solar installers can also help you optimize your return on investment by assisting with any local incentives and by providing warranties and repairs.
You can work with a local solar installer to get a free quote on how much solar panels could cost for your home. Here are some nearby:
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
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 Auburn
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Auburn
The cost of installing a solar system in Auburn can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is dependent on several factors. The most significant one is your system size, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
One of the most important factors to consider when it comes to the cost of installing solar panels is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more power your household uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay around $2,680 per kilowatt in Auburn. Some solar panel brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more costly upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like Auburn, where sunlight is relatively abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. In addition, if you have a small roof or you don't have a lot of space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be more impactful. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Auburn to be too expensive, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, almost every solar installer in the area offers financing options. Solar loans drastically decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also lead to higher prices over time because of interest. Though solar loans make adopting solar energy more accessible for Auburn homeowners, they can also increase 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
The final major cost factor you should consider is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of clean energy solutions in Auburn, you'll have plenty of options to choose from, but each comes at different price points for labor and equipment. The company's size can sometimes play the most significant role in your costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower prices because of access to greater resources and bulk pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they generally have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or discount can bring their pricing down to compete with bigger companies.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
| System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $2.79 | $11,706 | $15,574 | 10.7 years |
| 8 kW | $2.73 | $15,308 | $21,066 | 10.5 years |
| 10 kW | $2.68 | $18,760 | $26,707 | 10.3 years |
| 12 kW | $2.63 | $22,062 | $32,499 | 10.1 years |
| 14 kW | $2.57 | $25,213 | $38,441 | 9.9 years |
| 16 kW | $2.52 | $28,215 | $44,533 | 9.7 years |
| 18 kW | $2.47 | $31,067 | $50,774 | 9.5 years |
| 20 kW | $2.41 | $33,768 | $57,167 | 9.3 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the model of solar panels and the installer you choose has an impact on your costs and your system's efficiency, production, and durability, it's important to pick the right ones for you. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Solar Panel Brands: Different companies have different brands and models of panels. If you want a specific brand, make sure the solar panel company you're considering has it.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a well-established certification organization for clean energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it likely has a good reputation and is qualified to do the job well. Another way you can research your installer's reputation is by reading reviews.
- Warranty: Warranties that cover defective panels and repairs over around 25 years are the best you can get in the business, and offering such a warranty is one sign of a good company.
- Contract: Read the contract terms carefully to make sure you understand how much it will cost, project timeline incentives and warranties.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
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 Auburn, IN Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Auburn?
This is a hard question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a variety of factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $13,400 for a 5-kW system and $26,800 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will be more expensive if you want extra solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have above-average energy consumption. On the other hand, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
What other factors should I consider other than cost when buying solar panels?
Cost is a crucial factor to consider, but whether it's the most important for you depends on your goals for going solar. In places where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can be more important than the cost. Other factors that are important to take into account are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
How will having solar panels impact my property value?
Solar panels can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Auburn is currently $132,039, so you can look forward to a value of about $5,414 more than houses without a solar system. The exact figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Auburn is a worthwhile investment.
How long do solar panels last in Auburn?
On average, solar panels can last about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency goes down by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a larger 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.