Solar Panel Cost Guide in Bellevue, KY (2024 Update)
- Bellevue Solar Installation Cost: $24,826
- 25-Year Savings: $15,909
- Payback Period: 19.5 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Bellevue
Find out what the average cost of a solar system is in Bellevue.
In Bellevue, solar panels cost about 4 per watt on average.The average Bellevue homeowner needs a 9.7-kilowatt system, which would cost about $24,826 with the federal tax credit, or $35,501 before the 0 tax credit is applied.
The true price you pay can be above or below the average in Bellevue based on a variety of factors, such as the model of solar panels you choose and the solar contractor you hire.With typical savings of about $12,000 on electricity bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Bellevue find installing solar panels can pay off big.
To see your potential savings and connect with a local solar company, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Bellevue
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-23,632 |
| 3 years | $-21,242 |
| 5 years | $-18,853 |
| 7 years | $-16,464 |
| 9 years | $-14,075 |
| 11 years | $-11,685 |
| 13 years | $-9,296 |
| 15 years | $-6,907 |
| 17 years | $-4,518 |
| 19 years | $-2,128 |
| 21 years | $261 |
| 23 years | $2,650 |
| 25 years | $5,040 |
Top Solar Installers in Bellevue
Do-it-yourself solar panel installation is a possibility, but it's an undertaking that can use up a lot of your time and energy. Going with a solar company can make your swap to solar power much easier. Plus, if you aren’t sure what brand of solar panels and equipment you may need, a solar company can help you find the right equipment for you after a site survey and consultation.
Working with a vetted solar company can help you make the most of your investment in solar. Here are our recommendations:
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 Bellevue
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Bellevue
Although the average cost of a solar system in Bellevue is $24,826, your actual cost may be above or below the average. There are many factors that can have a significant impact on the cost of a solar panel installation. Below are some of the more crucial things to take into consideration.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the price of solar panels in Bellevue, one of the most important factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are mainly based on your home’s energy consumption, which you can gauge by looking at past energy bills. Your total cost can increase by about $3,650 for each additional kilowatt you need.The kind of solar panels and equipment you get is another factor that will substantially influence costs. Solar panels that have higher efficiency, like monocrystalline panels, tend to cost more. Moreover, solar equipment goes beyond 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 looking for a solar system that falls within your budget.
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 Bellevue homeowners opt to finance their solar panel systems to make going solar more affordable.Even though solar loans make switching to solar energy more accessible for Bellevue homeowners, they can also add to the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate and how long you take to pay off the loan. If you make a larger down payment, though, you can avoid paying as much in interest.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Finally, the company you opt for to install your solar panel system can play a role in determining how much you pay. Bellevue’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. Some companies only sell high-quality, high-efficiency and high-price products — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally cost more. It’s best to do some research and choose a company that offers the products, warranties and services you want and also is within your budget.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
| System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $3.80 | $15,943 | $3,708 | 20.3 years |
| 8 kW | $3.72 | $20,849 | $5,353 | 19.9 years |
| 10 kW | $3.65 | $25,550 | $7,202 | 19.5 years |
| 12 kW | $3.58 | $30,047 | $9,256 | 19.1 years |
| 14 kW | $3.50 | $34,339 | $11,514 | 18.7 years |
| 16 kW | $3.43 | $38,427 | $13,977 | 18.3 years |
| 18 kW | $3.36 | $42,311 | $16,644 | 17.9 years |
| 20 kW | $3.29 | $45,990 | $19,515 | 17.6 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the kind of solar panels and the installer you choose significantly impacts your costs and your system’s durability and efficiency, it’s important to pick the right ones for you. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a good reputation as a company and have verifiable expertise in the field. Two ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians that hold a certification from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has positive reviews from previous customers.
- Warranty: A quality company rises above other companies by providing the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels depending on their locations and energy needs. Although there are many options for which model of solar panel you can get, not every company will have access to the exact one you may want or need, so make sure you take a look at their list of options before deciding.
- Installation Process: Get details from your solar installer about the installation process and what to expect, including when the site survey will be completed and how long it will take.
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 Bellevue, KY Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Bellevue?
This is a hard question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on many factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $18,250 for a 5-kW system and $36,500 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will be more expensive if you want additional solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy needs. Conversely, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Bellevue?
Leasing solar panels can be an appealing choice, because it often 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 incentives and your home value won’t increase. Buying solar panels is a better option if you want to maximize your savings.
Does Bellevue have a net metering program?
Most states have net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can either receive compensation for the extra power your system generates or or receive credits to put toward future utility bills. Currently there are just three states that don’t have any net metering laws: Alabama, Tennessee and South Dakota.
What solar power system size is right for my home?
The exact number of solar panels you need depends on your household energy usage and how much sunlight your roof gets. You can 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 buy between 20 and 35 panels to cover 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.