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.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Zionsville it’s 4 per watt.The average Zionsville homeowner needs a 8.9-kilowatt system, which would cost about $25,425 with the federal tax credit, or $36,358 before the 0 tax credit is applied.
The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of the cost of a solar panel system. The true cost of going solar can vary quite a bit based on several factors, such as what size system you need, your energy consumption and what solar installer you go with.Many homeowners find adopting solar power is a solid investment. The average homeowner in Zionsville can save around $17,000 on their power bills over 20 years.
Click the button below to get connected to a highly rated solar panel company in your area for a custom estimate.
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
Do-it-yourself solar panel installation is a choice some homeowners opt for, but it's an undertaking that can be a headache. Going with an installer can make swapping over to solar power much easier. Another perk of going with a solar installer is that they can help you make the most of your investment by lowering your future costs of repairs and replacements because of warranties and giving you information on local incentives you can take advantage of.
There are various licensed solar professionals that can take care of your solar installation project. Here are our suggestions:
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 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 determined by several factors. The largest one is the size of the system your home needs, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
One of the most significant 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 $4,100 per kilowatt in Zionsville.The brand and type of equipment you want for your solar system can raise or lower the price quite significantly. If you prefer a trusted brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these are often more expensive than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you’re opting for high efficiency because you have limited roof space or just want maximum energy production, you can expect a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to more 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
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Zionsville to be too expensive, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, nearly every solar company in the area provides financing options. Solar loans substantially decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also result in paying more over time because of interest.You’ll have to consider the long-term cost of financing options, including the total 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 principal cost. Making a larger down payment or getting a solar loan with a low APR could reduce your costs considerably.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The last major cost factor you should keep in mind is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of clean energy solutions in Zionsville, you’ll have lots of options to choose from, but each comes at various price points for labor and equipment.The company’s size sometimes plays the most considerable role in the installation costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower pricing because of access to more resources and better pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they can sometimes have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or discount 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
Since the type of solar panels and the installation company you choose has an impact on your costs and your system’s efficiency, production, and durability, it’s important to select the right ones for you. Here are some things to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels based on their roof configurations and how much efficiency they need. Although 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 ask for their list of options before deciding.
- Installation Process: Homeowners should understand how exactly the installation process will go, as well as important factors like the completion timeline.
- Contract: It’s important to look over your solar installer’s contract fully to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about the project timeline.
- Warranty: A comprehensive, 25-year warranty can help keep your solar panel system running for a long time and save you money on part replacement and repairs.
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 Zionsville, IN Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Zionsville?
This is a difficult question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on many factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $20,500 for a 5-kW system and $41,000 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. You can expect to pay more if you want extra solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy usage. On the other hand, you can spend less if you choose a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
Can you get solar panels for free in Zionsville?
You can’t get solar panels for free in Zionsville. However, you may still be able to install them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you want to own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.
Is it worth going solar in Zionsville?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on some different factors like local electricity rates and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
Although the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they should be disposed of at that time. What this means is how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can decide 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.