Solar Panel Cost Guide in Kendallville, IN (2024 Update)
- Kendallville Solar Installation Cost: $25,791
- 25-Year Savings: $26,492
- Payback Period: 14.9 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Kendallville
Let’s have a look at the average cost of solar panels in Kendallville.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Kendallville it’s 4 per watt.To cover the typical energy usage of the average home in Kendallville, most homeowners require a 9.0-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs about $25,791, or $36,881 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll end up paying for solar will differ based on your household energy consumption, the type of solar panels you want to get, your solar contractor and more.With typical savings of about $18,000 on power bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Kendallville find investing in solar has a decent ROI.
Click the button below to get connected to a vetted solar installer in your area for a custom estimate.
Solar savings over time in Kendallville
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-24,072 |
| 3 years | $-20,632 |
| 5 years | $-17,193 |
| 7 years | $-13,753 |
| 9 years | $-10,314 |
| 11 years | $-6,874 |
| 13 years | $-3,435 |
| 15 years | $5 |
| 17 years | $3,444 |
| 19 years | $6,883 |
| 21 years | $10,323 |
| 23 years | $13,762 |
| 25 years | $17,202 |
Top Solar Installers in Kendallville
When switching to solar energy, many homeowners choose to use a solar company since DIY solar panel installation can be a difficult project. Plus, if you’d like to maximize your investment in solar, opting for a solar company can help with that too. Different providers can offer warranties, expertise on installation and sometimes even information on local incentives.
If you’d like to go solar but still aren’t sure which solar company 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
See all of the solar companies in Kendallville
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Kendallville
For many Kendallville homeowners, the decision to adopt solar energy depends on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Kendallville, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are a number of factors that greatly influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar system you need to offset your energy usage, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most significant cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, you can expect your total to increase by around $4,100. Some solar panel brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more expensive upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like Kendallville, where sunlight is relatively abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. In addition, if you have a small roof or limited 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
If paying for a solar system out of pocket is difficult, solar loans are a solid option because they reduce your upfront costs and let you pay for your system over a term of, on average, between five and seven years.You’ll have to consider the long-term cost of loans, including the amount of interest you’ll pay over the length of the loan. If you can only get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars more than the original cost. Making a larger down payment or securing a solar loan with a low APR could reduce your costs remarkably.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final consideration when trying to evaluate the cost of solar for your home or business in Kendallville is the company you hire to install your PV system. Similar to choosing a company to renovate your kitchen, for example, you’ll have many options for 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 additional services like electric car 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 | $4.26 | $17,909 | $11,035 | 15.5 years |
| 8 kW | $4.18 | $23,419 | $15,172 | 15.2 years |
| 10 kW | $4.10 | $28,700 | $19,539 | 14.9 years |
| 12 kW | $4.02 | $33,751 | $24,136 | 14.6 years |
| 14 kW | $3.94 | $38,573 | $28,962 | 14.3 years |
| 16 kW | $3.85 | $43,165 | $34,018 | 14.0 years |
| 18 kW | $3.77 | $47,527 | $39,303 | 13.7 years |
| 20 kW | $3.69 | $51,660 | $44,818 | 13.4 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your solar panel installation will affect the warranties and brands available to you, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Since picking a company can be a tough decision, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Installation Process: Homeowners should understand how exactly the installation process will be carried out, as well as important factors like the project timeline.
- Contract: Even though reading through a contract can take a lot of time, it’s important to do it thoroughly so you can be sure you understand how much the equipment and services will cost and the terms of the warranty.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a well-established certification organization for renewable energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it most likely has a good reputation and is qualified to install your solar system. Another way you can verify your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
- Solar Panel Brands: The brand of solar panel you want to get plays a role in which installer you should opt for, since different companies offer different panels.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
EcoWatch's Kendallville, IN Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Kendallville?
This is a difficult question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $20,500 for a 5-kW system and $41,000 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will cost more if you want additional solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy usage. On the other hand, you can spend less if you choose a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.
Is cost the most important thing to think about when buying solar panels?
Cost is a crucial factor to consider, but whether it’s the most important for you depends on your reasons for going solar. In places where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can trump the cost. Other factors that are important to be mindful of are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
Does Kendallville have a net metering program?
Most states offer net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can receive compensation for the extra power your system produces or or receive credits to put toward future electricity bills. Currently there are just three states that don’t have any net metering laws: Alabama, Tennessee and South Dakota.
How long do solar panels last in Kendallville?
Though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they stop working completely at that time. What this means is their energy production will have decreased significantly after that point. You can decide to replace them after having them for that long or you can continue to use 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.