Solar Panel Cost Guide in Garrett, IN (2024 Update)
- Garrett Solar Installation Cost: $25,800
- 25-Year Savings: $24,009
- Payback Period: 15.8 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Garrett
Here’s how much it might cost to install solar panels in Garrett.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Garrett it’s 4 per watt.Since a 9.0-kW system is needed to cover the energy consumption of a typical home in Garrett, the average price of going solar will be about $25,800 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 0.
The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of the cost of a solar energy system. The exact cost of installing solar panels can vary quite a bit depending on a few factors, such as what size system you need, your energy consumption and what installation company you go with.Despite the large upfront cost, the average Garrett homeowner can save about $17,000 on their power bills over 20 years, which is one of the positives of solar.
Click the button below to get connected to a top solar panel company in your area for a custom quote.
Solar savings over time in Garrett
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-24,183 |
| 3 years | $-20,948 |
| 5 years | $-17,713 |
| 7 years | $-14,478 |
| 9 years | $-11,243 |
| 11 years | $-8,008 |
| 13 years | $-4,773 |
| 15 years | $-1,539 |
| 17 years | $1,696 |
| 19 years | $4,931 |
| 21 years | $8,166 |
| 23 years | $11,401 |
| 25 years | $14,636 |
Top Solar Installers in Garrett
Many homeowners choose to use a solar panel installer since trying to put up solar panels by yourself can be a labor-intensive endeavor. A solar company can also help save you money over time by offering warranties, repairs and system component replacements.
If you're looking for a solar installer in Garrett, the EcoWatch team has organized a list of our top suggestions here:
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
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 Garrett
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Garrett
Cost is often one of the most important factors for homeowners considering investing in solar. There are a few major factors that affect your total cost in Garrett: 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
Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that affects the overall cost of going solar. For that reason, it’s important to accurately assess the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your energy needs.Some solar brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more expensive upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like Garrett, where sunlight is relatively abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Also, 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
Most solar companies in Garrett offer solar loans, which reduce the initial cost of installing solar.When figuring out your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you opt for a solar loan. Also, paying more on your down payment can lower the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar installer you hire to handle your switch to renewable energy can have an effect on your total costs. There are about 3 solar installation companies in Garrett, and each can charge varying amounts for labor and equipment.Companies that only sell high-quality, high-efficiency and high-price products — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally cost more. It’s best to do some research and go with the company that offers the products, warranties and services you want and also fit into 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 | $4.26 | $17,909 | $9,372 | 16.4 years |
| 8 kW | $4.18 | $23,419 | $12,955 | 16.1 years |
| 10 kW | $4.10 | $28,700 | $16,767 | 15.8 years |
| 12 kW | $4.02 | $33,751 | $20,810 | 15.5 years |
| 14 kW | $3.94 | $38,573 | $25,081 | 15.1 years |
| 16 kW | $3.85 | $43,165 | $29,583 | 14.8 years |
| 18 kW | $3.77 | $47,527 | $34,314 | 14.5 years |
| 20 kW | $3.69 | $51,660 | $39,275 | 14.2 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar installer you go with will impact not only your overall costs, but also the types of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you have access to. When choosing a solar company, there are a few important things you should take into account, such as:
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels based on their roof configurations and energy needs. While 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 be sure to peruse their list of offerings before making your decision.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a respected certification organization for clean energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it likely has a solid reputation and is qualified to get the job done well. Another way you can check your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
- Installation Process: Homeowners should make sure they understand how exactly the installation process will go, as well as important factors like the completion timeline.
- Warranty: Warranties that cover defective panels and repairs over a couple decades are the best you can get in the business, and offering such a warranty is one sign of a quality 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
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 Garrett, IN Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Garrett?
The average cost of solar panels in Garrett is about $20,500 for a 5-kW system and $41,000 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on certain factors like the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Garrett?
Leasing solar panels can be an attractive choice, because it often comes with low or $0 upfront payments. The drawback is that you won’t be able to save as much. If you lease, you don’t own the system, so you can’t claim any incentives and your home value won’t increase. Buying solar panels is a better option if you want to maximize your savings.
Can solar panels significantly reduce my energy bills?
It is possible to eradicate your electricity bills with solar panels, but for most homeowners throughout Garrett, that will require at least a 10-kW system. Not all homes will have the roof space for that size system, so you’ll want to contact a local solar installer to see how many panels can fit on your roof.
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 goes down by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a higher 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.