Solar Panel Cost Guide in Bellingham, MA (Mar 2023)
- Bellingham Solar Installation Cost: $9,076
- 25-Year Savings: $16,938
- Payback Period: 8.7 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Bellingham
Find out what the average cost of solar panel installation is in Bellingham.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Bellingham it's 2.94 per watt. Since a 4.4-kW system is needed to cover the energy costs of a typical home in Bellingham, the average price of going solar will be about $9,076 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 30%.
How much you pay can be above or below the average in Bellingham based on several factors, such as the type of solar panels you choose and the solar contractor you hire. With typical savings of about $22,000 on utility bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Bellingham find investing in solar can be quite rewarding.
You can click the button below to get connected with a pre-vetted solar installer in Bellingham for a quote for your home.
Solar savings over time in Bellingham
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-8,035 |
| 3 years | $-5,954 |
| 5 years | $-3,873 |
| 7 years | $-1,792 |
| 9 years | $289 |
| 11 years | $2,370 |
| 13 years | $4,451 |
| 15 years | $6,532 |
| 17 years | $8,614 |
| 19 years | $10,695 |
| 21 years | $12,776 |
| 23 years | $14,857 |
| 25 years | $16,938 |
Top Solar Installers in Bellingham
Although it's possible to install solar panels on your own, it involves extra effort and expertise. That's one of the reasons most homeowners choose to hire a solar panel installer. Local solar installers can also help you maximize your return on investment by assisting with any local incentives you can take advantage of and by providing warranties and repairs.
If you're looking for a solar company in Bellingham, the EcoWatch team has put together a list of our top suggestions here:
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
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 Bellingham
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Bellingham
The cost of installing a solar system in Bellingham can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is determined by several factors. The largest one is the size of the system your home needs, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that influences the overall cost of installing solar panels. Because of that, it's a priority to accurately assess the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your average energy use. There are many different solar panel brands and the one you choose also affects the cost. Usually, the brands that offer higher efficiency tend to also cost more. In addition, the type of equipment you choose 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
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Bellingham to be prohibitively expensive, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, almost every solar company in the area offers financing options. Solar loans substantially decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also lead to paying more over time due to interest. It's wise to add 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 the amount of time it'll take to pay back the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar company you choose to handle your switch to renewable energy can have an effect on your total costs. There are about 3 solar panel companies operating throughout Bellingham, and each can charge different amounts for labor and equipment. Larger national companies typically have lower costs, but some local companies compete with them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have access to specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or add-on services like electric car charger installation, they might be cheaper overall.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
| System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $3.06 | $12,842 | $22,562 | 9.1 years |
| 8 kW | $3.00 | $16,793 | $30,411 | 8.9 years |
| 10 kW | $2.94 | $20,580 | $38,426 | 8.7 years |
| 12 kW | $2.88 | $24,202 | $46,605 | 8.5 years |
| 14 kW | $2.82 | $27,660 | $54,949 | 8.4 years |
| 16 kW | $2.76 | $30,952 | $63,457 | 8.2 years |
| 18 kW | $2.70 | $34,080 | $72,130 | 8.0 years |
| 20 kW | $2.65 | $37,044 | $80,968 | 7.8 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar installer you go with will impact not only your total costs, but also the types of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you have access to. When choosing a solar company, there are some important things you should consider, such as:
- 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 good reputation and is qualified to install your solar system. Another way you can look into your installer's reputation is by reading reviews.
- Warranty: An all-inclusive, long-term warranty can help keep your solar panel system running smoothly and save you money on repairs and maintenance.
- Contract: It's important to read your solar installer's contract thoroughly to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what you can expect about the installation process.
- Solar Panel Brands: Different companies will offer different brands and types of panels. If you prefer a specific brand, make sure the solar panel installer you're considering has it.
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
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 Bellingham, MA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Bellingham?
This is a difficult question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a variety of factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $14,700 for a 5-kW system and $29,400 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will cost more if you want extra solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy needs. Conversely, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Bellingham?
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 can't take advantage of 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 bang for your buck from going solar.
Can solar panels completely eradicate my electricity bills?
Solar panels can potentially eliminate your electricity bills depending on where you're located and how much sunlight your home gets. Even if it doesn't get rid of them completely, you can save a lot of money on your bills, about $1,180.12 per year.
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 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.