Solar Panel Cost Guide in Westwood, KY (2023 Update)
- Westwood Solar Installation Cost: $15,930
- 25-Year Savings: $28,331
- Payback Period: 9.0 Years
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Updated September 15, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Westwood
Find out what the average cost of solar panels are in Westwood.
In Westwood, solar panels cost about 2.34 per watt on average. The average Westwood homeowner needs a 9.7-kilowatt system, which would cost about $15,938 with the federal tax credit, or $22,791 before the 30% tax credit is applied.
The true cost of your system can go higher or lower than the average in Westwood based on several factors, such as the brand of solar panels you choose and the solar company you hire. Many homeowners find adopting solar power is a fruitful investment. The average homeowner in Westwood can save about $17,000 on their power bills over 20 years.
To receive a free quote from a top solar installation company in Westwood, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Westwood
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-15,782 |
| 3 years | $-15,487 |
| 5 years | $-15,192 |
| 7 years | $-14,897 |
| 9 years | $-14,602 |
| 11 years | $-14,307 |
| 13 years | $-14,012 |
| 15 years | $-13,717 |
| 17 years | $-13,422 |
| 19 years | $-13,127 |
| 21 years | $-12,831 |
| 23 years | $-12,536 |
| 25 years | $-12,241 |
Top Solar Installers in Westwood
When going solar, many homeowners prefer to hire a solar installer since handling can be a time-consuming project. Another advantage of utilizing a solar installer is that they can help you optimize your ROI by cutting back on future costs of repairs and replacements due to warranties and giving you information on local incentives you can take advantage of.
If you'd like to go solar but still aren't sure which solar company to go with, here are our suggestions for providers near you:
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 Westwood
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Westwood
The cost of installing a solar system in Westwood can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost depends on several factors. The largest one is your system size, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the price of a solar energy system in Westwood, 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 around $2,340 for each additional kilowatt you need. Some solar brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — cost more upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like Westwood, where sunlight is relatively abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Plus, if you have a small roof or limited space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be more impactful. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Westwood to be too expensive, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, almost every solar company in the area provides access to financing options. Solar loans remarkably decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also lead to higher prices over time due to interest. Even though solar loans make going solar more accessible for Westwood homeowners, they can also add to the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate. If you put down a larger down payment, though, you can avoid paying as much in interest.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar installer you hire to handle your switch to sustainable energy can have an effect on your total costs. There are about 3 solar installation companies in Westwood, and each can charge different amounts for labor and equipment. You may see national solar installers that have lower prices due to their larger brand name and access to bulk equipment pricing, 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 | $17,086 | 9.4 years |
| 8 kW | $2.39 | $13,366 | $23,043 | 9.2 years |
| 10 kW | $2.34 | $16,380 | $29,131 | 9.0 years |
| 12 kW | $2.29 | $19,263 | $35,351 | 8.8 years |
| 14 kW | $2.25 | $22,015 | $41,701 | 8.6 years |
| 16 kW | $2.20 | $24,636 | $48,183 | 8.5 years |
| 18 kW | $2.15 | $27,125 | $54,795 | 8.3 years |
| 20 kW | $2.11 | $29,484 | $61,539 | 8.1 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your solar panel installation will affect the warranties and brands you have access to, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Because picking a company can be a tough decision, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Contract: Although reading through a contract can take a lot of time, 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: Warranties that provide coverage for defective panels and repairs over around 25 years are the gold standard in the business, and offering such a warranty is one indication of a good company.
- Solar Panel Brands: Different companies offer different brands and models of panels. If you know you want a specific brand, make sure the solar company you're considering has it.
- Reputation: Well-established companies likely have a solid reputation. This is important because it ensures that it will not only see your solar project through, but will also provide quality aftercare and customer service, such as part repairs and replacements.
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 Westwood, KY Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Westwood?
The average cost of solar panels in Westwood is about $11,700 for a 5-kW system and $23,400 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on certain factors like the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Are solar panels free in Westwood?
A solar panel system isn't free in Westwood, but there are some options that can make getting them more viable, such as leasing solar panels or getting a solar loan. There may also be local programs or incentives that can help lower the cost.
Do solar panels increase your home value?
Solar panels can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Westwood is currently $112,692, which means you can expect a value of about $4,620 more than houses without a solar system. The exact figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Westwood is a fruitful investment.
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 stop working completely at that time. What this means is the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can opt 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.