Solar Panel Cost Guide in Berea, KY (2023 Update)
- Berea Solar Installation Cost: $15,807
- 25-Year Savings: $22,896
- Payback Period: 10.2 Years
See cost of a solar system near you:
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Updated May 04, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Average Cost of Solar Panels in Berea
Let's take a look at the average cost of solar panels in Berea.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Berea it's 2.34 per watt. The average Berea homeowner needs a 9.7-kilowatt system, which would cost about $15,807 with the federal tax credit, or $22,604 before the 30% tax credit is applied.
The true cost of your system can be higher or lower than the average in Berea depending on a few factors, such as the brand of solar panels you choose and the solar installer you hire. With average savings of about $15,000 on energy bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Berea find installing solar panels can be quite rewarding.
You can click the button below to get connected with a vetted solar installer in Berea for a quote for your home.
Solar savings over time in Berea
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-14,259 |
| 3 years | $-11,162 |
| 5 years | $-8,066 |
| 7 years | $-4,970 |
| 9 years | $-1,874 |
| 11 years | $1,223 |
| 13 years | $4,319 |
| 15 years | $7,415 |
| 17 years | $10,511 |
| 19 years | $13,607 |
| 21 years | $16,704 |
| 23 years | $19,800 |
| 25 years | $22,896 |
Top Solar Installers in Berea
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 panel installer can make your switch to solar power much easier. Local solar companies can also help you optimize your return on investment by assisting with any local incentives and by offering warranties and repairs.
Working with a licensed solar installer can make going solar easier. 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 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 Berea
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Berea
For many Berea homeowners, the decision to go solar depends on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Berea, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are a few factors that greatly influence the price you'll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the price of a solar energy system in Berea, one of the most crucial factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are largely based on your home's energy usage, which you can determine by looking at past power bills. Your overall cost can increase by around $2,340 for each additional kilowatt you need. There are several different solar panel brands and the one you pick also changes the cost. Typically, the brands that have better efficiency tend to also be more expensive. In addition, the type of equipment you're looking to install can affect your total cost. If you just need panels, your system will be far less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.
Solar Financing Terms
Solar panels can save you money on utility bills over many years, but they can also be a big investment. That's why many Berea homeowners decide to finance their solar panel systems to offset upfront costs. When considering your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you'll pay if you go with a solar loan. Also, paying more upfront can reduce the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The last key cost factor you should consider is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of sustainable energy solutions in Berea, you'll have lots of options to choose from, but each comes at various price points for labor and equipment. You may come across national solar installers that have lower prices due to their larger brand name and access to bulk prices, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or specials to compete with those larger companies.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
| System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $2.43 | $10,221 | $13,849 | 10.6 years |
| 8 kW | $2.39 | $13,366 | $18,727 | 10.4 years |
| 10 kW | $2.34 | $16,380 | $23,737 | 10.2 years |
| 12 kW | $2.29 | $19,263 | $28,877 | 10.0 years |
| 14 kW | $2.25 | $22,015 | $34,149 | 9.8 years |
| 16 kW | $2.20 | $24,636 | $39,551 | 9.6 years |
| 18 kW | $2.15 | $27,125 | $45,085 | 9.4 years |
| 20 kW | $2.11 | $29,484 | $50,749 | 9.2 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are numerous companies available in Berea, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Selecting the right company for you can be difficult, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Warranty: A comprehensive, 25-year warranty can help keep your solar panels running for a long time and save you money on repairs and maintenance.
- Solar Panel Brands: The brand of solar panel you need to get plays a part in which installer you should opt for, since different companies have different panels.
- Contract: Though reading through a contract can take a lot of time, it's important to do it fully so you can make sure you understand how much the equipment and services will cost and how part repairs and replacements will be handled.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a respected certification organization for clean energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it most likely has a solid reputation and is qualified to do the job well. Another way you can look into your installer's reputation is by reading reviews.
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 Berea, KY Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Berea?
This is a tough question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on many factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $11,700 for a 5-kW system and $23,400 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 above-average energy needs. On the other hand, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.
Is cost the most important consideration when buying solar panels?
Cost is a very important factor to consider, but whether it's the most important for you depends on your reasons for going solar. In places where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can trump the cost. Other factors that are important to consider are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
Is it worth going solar in Berea?
Solar panels can be a fruitful investment for most homeowners, but they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get a lot of direct sunlight and/or your energy bills are already fairly low, solar panels might not be for you.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
Even though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they are completely unusable at that time. What this means is their energy production will have decreased significantly after that point. You can choose to replace them after having them for that long or you can keep using 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.