Solar Panel Cost Guide in Zionsville, IN (2024 Update)
- Zionsville Solar Installation Cost: $25,425
- 25-Year Savings: $23,360
- Payback Period: 15.9 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Zionsville
Find out what the average cost of solar panels are in Zionsville.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Zionsville, the typical cost of solar panels is 4 per watt.To account for the typical energy needs of the average home in Zionsville, most homeowners require a 8.9-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs around $25,425, or $36,358 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
Keep in mind that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll pay for solar may vary based on your household energy needs, the type of equipment you choose, your solar contractor and more.Despite the high initial cost, the average Zionsville homeowner can save about $17,000 on their energy bills over 20 years, which is one of the benefits of solar.
For a customized quote from a local solar installer that has been pre-vetted by the EcoWatch team, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Zionsville
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-24,127 |
| 3 years | $-21,530 |
| 5 years | $-18,933 |
| 7 years | $-16,337 |
| 9 years | $-13,740 |
| 11 years | $-11,143 |
| 13 years | $-8,546 |
| 15 years | $-5,949 |
| 17 years | $-3,352 |
| 19 years | $-756 |
| 21 years | $1,841 |
| 23 years | $4,438 |
| 25 years | $7,035 |
Top Solar Installers in Zionsville
DIY solar panel installation is a choice some homeowners opt for, but it's an undertaking that can use up a lot of your time and energy. Taking advantage of a solar company can make swapping over to solar power much easier. In addition, if you’d like to maximize your investment in solar energy, going with a solar installer can help with that too. Different providers can offer repairs, expertise on installation and sometimes even information on local incentives and net metering programs.
If you're searching for a solar installer in Zionsville, we've organized a list of our top suggestions here:
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 Zionsville
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Zionsville
The cost of installing a solar system in Zionsville can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is dependent on several factors. The largest one is your system size, 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 adopting solar energy is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more power your household uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend about $4,100 per kilowatt in Zionsville.There are several different solar panel brands and the one you pick also changes the cost. Usually, the brands that have better efficiency tend to also cost more. Plus, the type of equipment you’re looking to get can affect your total cost. If you just need panels, your system will be far less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.
Solar Financing Terms
Solar panels can save you money on power bills over many years, but they can also be a significant investment. That’s why many Zionsville homeowners opt to finance their solar panel systems to offset upfront costs.When estimating your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you choose to go with a solar loan. Also, paying more upfront can lower the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Finally, the company you opt for to install your solar panels can impact your pricing. Zionsville’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. The size of the company can sometimes play the most significant role in the cost of installation. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower prices because of access to more resources and bulk pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they generally have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or promotion can bring their pricing down to compete with bigger companies.
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 | $9,168 | 16.5 years |
| 8 kW | $4.18 | $23,419 | $12,684 | 16.2 years |
| 10 kW | $4.10 | $28,700 | $16,429 | 15.9 years |
| 12 kW | $4.02 | $33,751 | $20,403 | 15.6 years |
| 14 kW | $3.94 | $38,573 | $24,607 | 15.3 years |
| 16 kW | $3.85 | $43,165 | $29,041 | 14.9 years |
| 18 kW | $3.77 | $47,527 | $33,705 | 14.6 years |
| 20 kW | $3.69 | $51,660 | $38,597 | 14.3 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a lot of solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel brands and price points. To help you select the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Solar Panel Brands: The kind of solar panel you need plays a part in which installer you should opt for, since different companies have different panels.
- 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.
- Contract: When reading over your solar installer’s contract, ask for clarification about any terms you’re not sure of and make sure you understand what happens in scenarios such as a system part breaking or the company going out of business.
- Warranty: Warranties that cover panel repairs and maintenance over a couple decades are the gold standard in the business, and offering such a warranty is one mark of a good company.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
EcoWatch's Zionsville, IN Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Zionsville?
The average cost of solar panels in Zionsville 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 consume.
Can you get solar panels for free in Zionsville?
A solar panel system isn’t free in Zionsville, but there are some options that can make getting them more viable, such as leasing solar panels or getting a solar loan. There may also be local programs or incentives that can further reduce the cost.
Is going solar worth it?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a variety of factors like how much you pay for electricity and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.
How long do solar panels last in Zionsville?
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 level 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.