Solar Panel Cost Guide in Arkansas City, KS (Mar 2023)
- Arkansas City Solar Installation Cost: $13,398
- 25-Year Savings: $31,452
- Payback Period: 7.5 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Arkansas City
Find out what the average cost of solar panels are in Arkansas City.
Although the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Arkansas City typically cost about 2.59. Because a 7.4-kW system is needed to cover the energy costs of a typical home in Arkansas City, the average price of going solar will be about $13,398 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 30%.
Bear in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average Arkansas City homeowner. The cost of a solar system for your home may be different depending on factors unique to you, like your household energy use and solar contractor. With average savings of about $23,000 on energy bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Arkansas City find investing in solar can pay off big.
Click the button below to get connected to a highly rated solar installer in your area for a customized estimate.
Solar savings over time in Arkansas City
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-11,604 |
| 3 years | $-8,016 |
| 5 years | $-4,428 |
| 7 years | $-840 |
| 9 years | $2,748 |
| 11 years | $6,336 |
| 13 years | $9,924 |
| 15 years | $13,512 |
| 17 years | $17,100 |
| 19 years | $20,688 |
| 21 years | $24,276 |
| 23 years | $27,864 |
| 25 years | $31,452 |
Top Solar Installers in Arkansas City
Trying to install solar panels on your own can be a challenging task, which is why using a solar installer is a good option for many homeowners. The payback period on an investment in solar panels will vary based on factors like your location and energy usage, but going with a solar company can shorten it. Your provider will be able to help you get the most out of incentives available in your area.
There are various licensed solar professionals that can install solar panels for you. Here are our suggestions:
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
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 Arkansas City
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Arkansas City
The cost of installing a solar system in Arkansas City can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is dependent on several factors. The biggest 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
System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that determines the overall cost of installing solar panels. Because of that, it's important to accurately gauge the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your typical energy use. The type of solar panels and equipment you want is another factor that will substantially impact costs. Solar panels that have higher efficiency, like monocrystalline panels, tend to come at a higher price. Plus, solar equipment consists of more than just the solar panels themselves. You'll also need to think about the kind of racks used to mount the panels, inverters, solar batteries, etc. It's important to take all of this into consideration when researching a solar system that falls within your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for solar panels out of pocket is too expensive, solar loans are a popular option because they decrease 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 financing options, including the total interest you'll pay over the length of the loan. If you're only able to 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 finding a solar loan with a low interest rate could reduce your costs significantly.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The remaining significant cost factor you should keep in mind is the installer you choose. Given the massive popularity of green energy solutions in Arkansas City, you'll have lots of options to choose from, but each comes at various price points for labor and equipment. Larger national companies usually have lower costs, but some local companies keep up with them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or add-on 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 | $2.69 | $11,313 | $25,115 | 7.8 years |
| 8 kW | $2.64 | $14,794 | $33,776 | 7.6 years |
| 10 kW | $2.59 | $18,130 | $42,583 | 7.5 years |
| 12 kW | $2.54 | $21,321 | $51,535 | 7.3 years |
| 14 kW | $2.49 | $24,367 | $60,632 | 7.2 years |
| 16 kW | $2.43 | $27,268 | $69,873 | 7.0 years |
| 18 kW | $2.38 | $30,023 | $79,260 | 6.9 years |
| 20 kW | $2.33 | $32,634 | $88,792 | 6.7 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar panel company you go with will impact not only your total costs, but also the types of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you can get. When choosing a solar company, there are a few important things you should keep in mind, including:
- Reputation: Make sure your solar system installer has a good reputation by confirming it has certifications and licenses, checking its work history and reading reviews by past customers and solar experts like EcoWatch.
- Contract: Though reading through a contract can be tedious, it's important to do it fully so you can be sure you understand how much the equipment and services will cost and how part repairs and replacements will be handled.
- Warranty: If you care about the durability of your solar panel system, checking if your company offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can help put you at ease.
- Solar Panel Brands: The brand of solar panel you need to install plays a part in which company you should choose, since different companies have access to different panels.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
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 Arkansas City, KS Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Arkansas City?
This is a difficult question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a variety of factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $12,950 for a 5-kW system and $25,900 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will be more expensive if you want additional solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have above-average energy consumption. On the other hand, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Arkansas City?
Leasing solar panels can be an attractive choice, as it commonly comes with low or $0 upfront payments. The downside is that you won't be able to save as much. If you lease, you don't own the system, so you can't claim any tax rebates and credits and your home value won't increase. Buying solar panels is a better way to go if you want to get the most savings.
Do solar panels increase your property value?
Solar panels can increase your property's value significantly as long as you buy or finance your panels and don't go for a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). According to research done by Zillow, the average home value increases by about 4.1% after installing solar panels."
How many solar panels do I need to power my home?
The exact number of solar panels you need depends on your household energy needs and the amount of sunlight your roof gets. You can take a look at your energy bills for the past year to get an idea of the solar system size you'll need. The average household has to install between 20 and 35 panels to account for their typical energy usage.
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.