Solar Panel Cost Guide in Merriam, KS (2023 Update)
- Merriam Solar Installation Cost: $14,232
- 25-Year Savings: $26,851
- Payback Period: 8.7 Years
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Updated May 04, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Merriam
See how much it might cost to make the switch to solar in Merriam.
In Merriam, solar panels cost about 2.59 per watt on average. To account for the typical energy needs of the average home in Merriam, most homeowners require a 7.8-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs about $14,232, or $20,352 before the federal solar tax credit of 30% is applied.
The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of how much a solar energy system could cost. The actual cost of installing solar panels can vary depending on a few factors, such as how many panels you need, your energy usage and what company you go with. For most homeowners, the upfront cost of solar is worth paying. On average homeowners in Merriam see about $20,000 in savings on utility bills over 20 years.
For a personalized quote from a local solar installer that has been pre-vetted by EcoWatch, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Merriam
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-12,589 |
| 3 years | $-9,302 |
| 5 years | $-6,016 |
| 7 years | $-2,729 |
| 9 years | $558 |
| 11 years | $3,844 |
| 13 years | $7,131 |
| 15 years | $10,418 |
| 17 years | $13,704 |
| 19 years | $16,991 |
| 21 years | $20,277 |
| 23 years | $23,564 |
| 25 years | $26,851 |
Top Solar Installers in Merriam
Although it's possible to install solar panels on your own, it requires extra labor and know-how. For that reason, the majority of homeowners choose to hire a solar panel installer. Plus, if you aren't sure what kind of solar panels and equipment you may need, a solar company can help you figure that out after a site survey and consultation.
Working with a vetted solar company can help your solar project go smoothly. Here are our recommendations:
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Warranty Coverage
Sunpro Solar
- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
See all of the solar companies in Merriam
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Merriam
There are a number of factors that can determine your solar panel installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that does the installation.
Solar Equipment
The cost of solar panel systems varies by thousands of dollars due to a variety of factors. One of the main factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems that have better efficiency or power generation use better technology and/or more equipment, both of which can increase costs. For each additional kilowatt you need, your cost can go up by about $2,590. The brand and type of equipment you get for your solar system can increase or decrease the price quite significantly. If you prefer a trusted brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these often have a higher price tag 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 greater savings over time. Also, if you want extra equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also raise the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for solar panels out of pocket can be difficult. Solar loans are offered by most installers in Merriam, which can bring down, or in some cases completely eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible. Though solar loans make adopting solar energy more accessible for Merriam homeowners, they can also raise the total you pay for your system due to interest. If you put down a larger down payment, though, you can cut back on how much interest you have to pay.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The remaining major cost factor you should keep in mind is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of clean energy solutions in Merriam, you'll have many options to choose from, but each comes at different price points for labor and equipment. You may come across 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 | $2.69 | $11,313 | $20,090 | 9.0 years |
| 8 kW | $2.64 | $14,794 | $27,076 | 8.8 years |
| 10 kW | $2.59 | $18,130 | $34,208 | 8.7 years |
| 12 kW | $2.54 | $21,321 | $41,485 | 8.5 years |
| 14 kW | $2.49 | $24,367 | $48,906 | 8.3 years |
| 16 kW | $2.43 | $27,268 | $56,473 | 8.1 years |
| 18 kW | $2.38 | $30,023 | $64,185 | 8.0 years |
| 20 kW | $2.33 | $32,634 | $72,042 | 7.8 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar panel company you go with will influence not only your total costs, but also the kinds of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you have access to. When choosing a solar company, there are some important things you should take into account, such as:
- Installation Process: Get detailed information from your solar company about the installation process and what to expect, such as when the site survey will be completed and how long it will take.
- Solar Panel Brands: The type of solar panel you'd like plays a part in which company you should opt for, since different companies offer different panels.
- Warranty: If you're concerned about the endurance of your solar energy system, ensuring your installer offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can help put you at ease.
- Contract: When looking through your solar company's contract, ask questions about any terms you're not sure of and make sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system part 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 Warranty Coverage
Sunpro Solar
- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
EcoWatch's Merriam, KS Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Merriam?
This is a hard question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on many 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. You can expect to pay more if you want additional solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have above-average energy consumption. On the flip side, 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 Merriam?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can't pay upfront or get a solar loan, but since you don't own the system, you don't have access to many solar incentives. Also your property value won't increase, so you'll have less savings over time. If you can afford to buy a solar system upfront, then buying is the better option if you want the most savings from going solar.
Do solar panels increase your property value?
Solar panels can increase the value of your home considerably 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 a solar system."
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
On average, solar panels can last about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency decreases 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.