Solar Panel Cost Guide in Columbus, IN (2023 Update)
- Columbus Solar Installation Cost: $16,266
- 25-Year Savings: $26,055
- Payback Period: 9.6 Years
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Updated September 15, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Columbus
Find out what the average cost of installing solar panels is in Columbus.
The average cost of a solar system in Columbus is 2.68 per watt. To account for the typical energy needs of the average home in Columbus, most homeowners require a 8.7-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs about $16,265, or $23,259 before the federal solar tax credit of 30% is applied.
The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of how much a solar panel system could cost. The actual cost of going solar can vary depending on several factors, such as how many panels you need, your energy usage and what installation company you go with. With average savings of about $19,000 on energy bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Columbus find investing in solar has a decent ROI.
For a free quote from a local solar company that has been pre-vetted by EcoWatch, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Columbus
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-14,940 |
| 3 years | $-12,289 |
| 5 years | $-9,638 |
| 7 years | $-6,987 |
| 9 years | $-4,336 |
| 11 years | $-1,684 |
| 13 years | $967 |
| 15 years | $3,618 |
| 17 years | $6,269 |
| 19 years | $8,920 |
| 21 years | $11,572 |
| 23 years | $14,223 |
| 25 years | $16,874 |
Top Solar Installers in Columbus
Do-it-yourself solar panel installation is a way to cut costs, but it's an undertaking that can take a lot of hard work. Going with an installer can make converting to solar power much easier. The expertise that solar companies offer can be useful as well, especially if you aren't sure what brand of solar equipment would be right for your home.
Working with a vetted solar installer can help you make the most of your investment in solar. Here are our recommendations:
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 Columbus
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Columbus
The cost of installing a solar system in Columbus can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is determined by several factors. The most significant one is the size of the system your household 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 going solar is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more energy your household uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay about $2,680 per kilowatt in Columbus. The kind of solar equipment you choose can bring your price up or down by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you choose the most efficient solar panel brands, you'll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. However, more efficient panels could save you more over time on your electric bills. Additionally, add-on products, like solar batteries, can bring your total well above the Columbus average.
Solar Financing Terms
Solar panels can save you money on power bills over time, but they can also be a significant investment. That's why many Columbus homeowners decide to finance their solar panel systems to make going solar more affordable. However, the interest on solar loans also increases your all-in costs, so it's vital to keep that in mind as well. You can always bring down the total you pay in interest and possibly even your APR by putting more money down.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The last significant cost factor you should take into consideration is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of renewable energy solutions in Columbus, you'll have many options to choose from, but each comes at various price points for labor and equipment. You may come across national solar installers that have lower prices due to their larger brand name and access to bulk equipment prices, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or specials to compete with those major players.
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 | $17,580 | 10.0 years |
| 8 kW | $2.73 | $15,308 | $23,740 | 9.8 years |
| 10 kW | $2.68 | $18,760 | $30,050 | 9.6 years |
| 12 kW | $2.63 | $22,062 | $36,510 | 9.4 years |
| 14 kW | $2.57 | $25,213 | $43,120 | 9.2 years |
| 16 kW | $2.52 | $28,215 | $49,881 | 9.0 years |
| 18 kW | $2.47 | $31,067 | $56,791 | 8.8 years |
| 20 kW | $2.41 | $33,768 | $63,852 | 8.6 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your system installation will affect the warranties and brands available to you, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Because picking a company can be difficult, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Reputation: Companies that have been operating for many years likely have a high reputation. This is important because it ensures that it will not only see your solar project through, but will also provide adequate aftercare and customer support, such as part repairs and replacements.
- Installation Process: Make sure you're aligned with the installer in regard to how the installation process will go and what needs to be done before your solar panel system is installed, such as updating or replacing your electrical system or roof.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels based on their roof configurations and how much efficiency they need. Even though there are many options for which brand of solar panel you can get, not every company will have the exact one you may want or need, so make sure you peruse their list of offerings before making your decision.
- Contract: It's important to look over your solar installer's contract carefully to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what you can expect about the project timeline.
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 Columbus, IN Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Columbus?
The average cost of solar panels in Columbus is about $13,400 for a 5-kW system and $26,800 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on things like the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Columbus?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you are unable to pay upfront or secure a solar loan, but since you don't own the system, you can't take advantage of many solar incentives. Also your property value won't increase, so you'll have less savings over time. If you can afford to buy a solar system upfront, then buying is the better option if you want the most bang for your buck from going solar.
Does Columbus have a net metering program?
Each state has some kind of net metering programs except Tennessee, South Dakota and Alabama currently. Some states allow you to sell power back to the grid, but others just offer you credit toward your future energy bills.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
Though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they are completely unusable at that time. What this means is how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can opt to replace them once you've had them for that long or you can keep using them at a lower efficiency.
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.