Solar Panel Cost Guide in Middlebury, IN (2023 Update)
- Middlebury Solar Installation Cost: $16,952
- 25-Year Savings: $31,008
- Payback Period: 8.8 Years
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Updated September 15, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Middlebury
Find out what the average cost of installing solar panels is in Middlebury.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Middlebury, the typical cost of solar panels is 2.68 per watt. To cover the typical energy needs of the average home in Middlebury, most homeowners require a 9.0-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs around $16,959, or $24,251 before the federal solar tax credit of 30% is applied.
The true cost of your system can go above or below the average in Middlebury depending on a few factors, such as the model of solar panels you choose and the solar contractor you hire. But, once you've paid the upfront cost of installation, the ROI for most homeowners is quite fruitful, with a net average savings of about $20,000 over 20 years on energy bills.
Click the button below to get connected to a vetted solar company in Middlebury for a personalized quote.
Solar savings over time in Middlebury
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-16,792 |
| 3 years | $-16,473 |
| 5 years | $-16,153 |
| 7 years | $-15,833 |
| 9 years | $-15,513 |
| 11 years | $-15,194 |
| 13 years | $-14,874 |
| 15 years | $-14,554 |
| 17 years | $-14,234 |
| 19 years | $-13,915 |
| 21 years | $-13,595 |
| 23 years | $-13,275 |
| 25 years | $-12,955 |
Top Solar Installers in Middlebury
When switching to solar energy, many homeowners choose to hire a solar installation company since putting up a solar system yourself can be a challenging project. The payback period on a solar system will vary depending on factors like your location and energy consumption, but working with a solar installer can shorten it. Your provider will be able to help you get the most out of incentives available in your area.
There are a number of licensed solar professionals that can help you install your solar system. Here are our suggestions:
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 Middlebury
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Middlebury
The cost of installing a solar system in Middlebury can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is dependent on several factors. The most significant one is the size of the system your home needs, and other factors include equipment choices, 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 energy your household uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay around $2,680 per kilowatt in Middlebury. The brand and type of equipment you choose for your solar system can raise or lower the price quite significantly. If you prefer a trusted brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these often come at a higher price than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you're opting for high efficiency because you have a small roof or just want maximum energy production, you can expect 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
Solar panels can save you money on energy bills over time, but they can also be a big investment. That's why many Middlebury homeowners choose to finance their solar panel systems to offset upfront costs. However, the interest on solar loans also increases your overall costs, so it's important to keep that in mind as well. You can always lower the total you pay in interest and possibly even your APR by making a larger down payment.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Lastly, the company you hire to install your solar panel system can play a role in determining how much it costs. Middlebury's solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to 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 decide on the company that provides the products, warranties and services you're looking for and also fits within 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 | $2.79 | $11,706 | $20,139 | 9.2 years |
| 8 kW | $2.73 | $15,308 | $27,152 | 9.0 years |
| 10 kW | $2.68 | $18,760 | $34,315 | 8.8 years |
| 12 kW | $2.63 | $22,062 | $41,628 | 8.7 years |
| 14 kW | $2.57 | $25,213 | $49,091 | 8.5 years |
| 16 kW | $2.52 | $28,215 | $56,705 | 8.3 years |
| 18 kW | $2.47 | $31,067 | $64,468 | 8.1 years |
| 20 kW | $2.41 | $33,768 | $72,382 | 8.0 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are numerous companies to choose from in Middlebury, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Selecting the right company for you can be difficult, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and type has varying levels of quality, durability and energy efficiency. They will come at different price points as well. The company you choose plays a role in which solar panel brands you have access to.
- Warranty: A quality company rises above other companies by offering the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar panel installer has a good reputation by confirming it has certifications and licenses, checking its number of years in business and reading reviews by previous customers and solar experts like EcoWatch.
- Contract: When looking through your solar installer's contract, ask for clarification about any terms you're not sure of and be sure you understand what happens in scenarios such as a system component breaking or the company going out of business.
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 Middlebury, IN Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Middlebury?
The average cost of solar panels in Middlebury 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 such as the type 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 certainly one of the most important factors you should consider when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.
Is it worth going solar in Middlebury?
Solar panels can be a fruitful investment for a majority of homeowners, but they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get enough sunlight and/or your energy bills are already reasonably low, solar panels might not be for you.
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 their energy production will have decreased significantly after that point. You can choose to replace them once you've had 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.