Solar Panel Cost Guide in Reno, KS (2025 Update)
- Reno Solar Installation Cost: $17,134
- 25-Year Savings: $30,864
- Payback Period: 9.7 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Reno
Find out what the average cost of solar panels are in Reno.
In Reno, solar panels cost about 3 per watt on average.To account for the typical energy usage of the average home in Reno, most homeowners require a 7.3-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs around $17,134, or $24,502 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of the cost of a solar energy system. The exact cost of installing solar panels can vary quite a bit based on a few factors, such as how many panels you need, your energy consumption and what company you go with.With average savings of about $23,000 on power bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Reno find going solar has a decent ROI.
You can click the button below to get connected with a pre-vetted solar company in Reno that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
Solar savings over time in Reno
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-15,792 |
| 3 years | $-13,109 |
| 5 years | $-10,425 |
| 7 years | $-7,742 |
| 9 years | $-5,059 |
| 11 years | $-2,376 |
| 13 years | $308 |
| 15 years | $2,991 |
| 17 years | $5,674 |
| 19 years | $8,357 |
| 21 years | $11,041 |
| 23 years | $13,724 |
| 25 years | $16,407 |
Top Solar Installers in Reno
Although you can install solar panels by yourself, it involves extra energy and know-how. For that reason, almost all homeowners choose a solar panel installer. Companies can also offer access to various kinds of the best solar panels and help you pick which one will be right for your family.
If you’d like to make the switch to solar but still aren’t certain which solar system installer to go with, here are our recommendations for providers 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 Reno
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Reno
The cost of installing a solar system in Reno can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost depends on several factors. The largest one is the size of the system you need, and other factors include the equipment you choose, 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 $3,340 per kilowatt in Reno.The solar equipment you choose can bring your price up or down by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you get the most efficient solar panel brands, you’ll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. However, more efficient panels could save you more over time on your energy bills. Additionally, add-on products, such as solar batteries, can bump up your total well above the Reno average.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for solar out of pocket can be financially overwhelming. Solar loans are provided by most installers in Reno, which can bring down, or in some cases eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more affordable.It’s a good idea to include the interest you’ll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to put more money down upfront, you can reduce your total costs and how long it’ll take to pay back the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar company you hire to handle your switch to sustainable energy can play a part in your total costs. There are about 3 solar installation companies operating throughout Reno, and each can charge different amounts for labor and equipment.The size of the company can sometimes play the most considerable role in the installation costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower pricing because of 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 names.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
| System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $3.47 | $14,589 | $21,558 | 10.1 years |
| 8 kW | $3.41 | $19,078 | $29,118 | 9.9 years |
| 10 kW | $3.34 | $23,380 | $36,866 | 9.7 years |
| 12 kW | $3.27 | $27,495 | $44,800 | 9.5 years |
| 14 kW | $3.21 | $31,423 | $52,921 | 9.3 years |
| 16 kW | $3.14 | $35,164 | $61,229 | 9.1 years |
| 18 kW | $3.07 | $38,717 | $69,725 | 8.9 years |
| 20 kW | $3.01 | $42,084 | $78,407 | 8.7 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are many companies available in Reno, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Picking the right company for you can be challenging, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Installation Process: An important thing to understand when going solar is the installation process itself. Be sure to clarify any details you should know with your solar company, such as what permits you should secure and what the project timeline is.
- Reputation: Solar system installers that have great reviews from their customers and that have been operating for many years in most cases provide quality solar panel installation and expertise.
- 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.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels based on their locations and how much efficiency they need. Even though there are many options for which model of solar panel you can get, not every company will have the exact one you may want or need, so make sure you peruse their list of offerings before deciding.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
EcoWatch's Reno, KS Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Reno?
This is a hard question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a variety of factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $16,700 for a 5-kW system and $33,400 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will be more expensive if you want other solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy needs. On the other hand, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Can you get solar panels for free in Reno?
You can’t get solar panels for free in Reno. 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.
How will solar panels impact how much my home is worth?
Solar panels can increase your home value considerably as long as you buy or finance your panels and don’t opt 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, 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 larger 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.