Solar Panel Cost Guide in Winchester, IN (2024 Update)
- Winchester Solar Installation Cost: $25,407
- 25-Year Savings: $27,499
- Payback Period: 14.4 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Winchester
Find out what the average cost of solar panels are in Winchester.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Winchester it’s 4 per watt.The average solar panel system size in Winchester is around 8.9 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $25,407 for a solar installation, or $36,332 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll end up paying for solar may look quite different based on your household energy needs, the type of equipment you want to get, your solar contractor and more.For many homeowners, the upfront cost of solar panels is worth paying. On average homeowners in Winchester see about $19,000 in savings on energy bills over 20 years.
Click the button below to get connected to a top solar panel company in your area for a personalized quote.
Solar savings over time in Winchester
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-23,882 |
| 3 years | $-20,833 |
| 5 years | $-17,784 |
| 7 years | $-14,735 |
| 9 years | $-11,686 |
| 11 years | $-8,637 |
| 13 years | $-5,588 |
| 15 years | $-2,539 |
| 17 years | $510 |
| 19 years | $3,559 |
| 21 years | $6,608 |
| 23 years | $9,657 |
| 25 years | $12,706 |
Top Solar Installers in Winchester
When switching to solar energy, many homeowners choose to use a solar company since handling can be a difficult project. Companies can also have access to a large variety of the best solar panels and help you choose which one will be best for your home.
You can get a free quote from a local solar installer on how much your investment in solar could cost for your home. Here are some 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 Winchester
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Winchester
For many Winchester homeowners, the decision to install a solar energy system depends on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Winchester, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are several factors that greatly influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the cost of a solar panel system in Winchester, one of the most crucial factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are mainly based on your home’s energy usage, which you can determine by looking at past electricity bills. Your total cost can increase by around $4,100 for each additional kilowatt you need.Some solar panel brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more costly upfront but also tend to offer better efficiency. In a city like Winchester, 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
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Winchester to be prohibitively steep, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, nearly every solar installer in the area provides access to financing options. Solar loans greatly decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also result in paying more over time because of interest.When figuring out your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you go with a solar loan. Also, paying more upfront can reduce the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Lastly, the company you hire to install your solar panels can influence your pricing. Winchester’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. You may see national solar installers that have lower prices because of their larger brand name and access to bulk equipment prices, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or promotions 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 | $4.26 | $17,909 | $11,985 | 15.0 years |
| 8 kW | $4.18 | $23,419 | $16,439 | 14.7 years |
| 10 kW | $4.10 | $28,700 | $21,123 | 14.4 years |
| 12 kW | $4.02 | $33,751 | $26,037 | 14.1 years |
| 14 kW | $3.94 | $38,573 | $31,180 | 13.8 years |
| 16 kW | $3.85 | $43,165 | $36,552 | 13.5 years |
| 18 kW | $3.77 | $47,527 | $42,154 | 13.2 years |
| 20 kW | $3.69 | $51,660 | $47,986 | 13.0 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a lot of companies to choose from in Winchester, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Selecting the right company for you can be tough, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Warranty: An all-inclusive, 25-year warranty can help keep your solar panel system running for a long time and save you money on repairs and maintenance.
- Installation Process: An important thing to understand when going solar is the installation process itself. Be sure to align on any details you should know with your solar company, such as what permits you should secure and what the project timeline is.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a respected certification organization for sustainable energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it most likely has a solid 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: Not all solar installers have the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a large role in the company you hire.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
EcoWatch's Winchester, IN Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Winchester?
The average cost of solar panels in Winchester is about $20,500 for a 5-kW system and $41,000 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on things like the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
What other factors should I consider other than cost when buying solar panels?
Cost is definitely one of the most important factors you should consider when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.
Can solar panels eliminate my energy bills?
Solar panels can potentially eliminate your electricity bills depending on your location and how much sunlight your home gets. Even if it doesn’t get rid of them completely, you can save a lot of money on your bills, about $996.46 per year.
How long do solar panels last in Winchester?
Although 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 choose 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.