Solar Panel Cost Guide in Bellingham, MA (2024 Update)
- Bellingham Solar Installation Cost: $12,529
- 25-Year Savings: $16,941
- Payback Period: 12.0 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Bellingham
Let’s take a look at the average cost of solar panels in Bellingham.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Bellingham, the typical cost of solar panels is 4 per watt.To cover the typical energy usage of the average home in Bellingham, most homeowners require a 4.4-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs about $12,529, or $17,916 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
Bear in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average Bellingham homeowner. The price of a solar system for your home may look different depending on factors unique to you, like your household energy use and solar contractor.But, after you've paid the initial cost of installation, the ROI for most homeowners is typically fruitful, with a net average savings of about $22,000 over 20 years on utility bills.
For a personalized quote from a local solar company that has been pre-vetted by the EcoWatch team, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Bellingham
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-10,806 |
| 3 years | $-7,359 |
| 5 years | $-3,912 |
| 7 years | $-465 |
| 9 years | $2,982 |
| 11 years | $6,428 |
| 13 years | $9,875 |
| 15 years | $13,322 |
| 17 years | $16,769 |
| 19 years | $20,216 |
| 21 years | $23,663 |
| 23 years | $27,110 |
| 25 years | $30,557 |
Top Solar Installers in Bellingham
When making the switch to solar, many homeowners prefer to go with a solar installation company since installing a solar system yourself can be a challenging project. Plus, if you aren’t sure what kind of solar panels and equipment you may need, a solar expert can help you figure that out after a site survey and consultation.
If you're looking for a solar company in Bellingham, we've organized 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 for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
Solar Veteran
Trinity Solar
- Many financing options
- Family-owned and -operated
- Makes charitable contributions
- Limited service area
- Relatively short workmanship warranty
See all of the solar companies in Bellingham
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Bellingham
For many Bellingham homeowners, the decision to go solar depends on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Bellingham, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are a number of factors that significantly influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the cost of solar panels in Bellingham, 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 consumption, which you can figure out by looking at past energy bills. Your overall cost can increase by about $4,060 for each additional kilowatt you need.Some solar brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more costly upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like Bellingham, where sunlight is relatively abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. In addition, if you have a small roof or limited space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be a better option. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Solar panels can save you money on energy bills over many years, but they can also be a big investment. That’s why many Bellingham homeowners decide to finance their solar panel systems to make paying for solar more affordable.You’ll have to consider the long-term cost of financing options, including the total interest you’ll pay over the length of the loan. If you’re only able to get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars more than the original cost. Making a larger down payment or getting a solar loan with a low interest rate could reduce your costs considerably.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The last significant cost factor you should take into consideration is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of sustainable energy solutions in Bellingham, you’ll have many options to choose from, but each comes at varying price points for labor and equipment.The size of the company can sometimes play the most considerable role in your costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower prices due to access to greater resources and better pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they generally 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 | $4.22 | $17,734 | $17,669 | 12.5 years |
| 8 kW | $4.14 | $23,191 | $24,014 | 12.3 years |
| 10 kW | $4.06 | $28,420 | $30,586 | 12.0 years |
| 12 kW | $3.98 | $33,422 | $37,385 | 11.8 years |
| 14 kW | $3.90 | $38,196 | $44,412 | 11.6 years |
| 16 kW | $3.82 | $42,744 | $51,666 | 11.3 years |
| 18 kW | $3.74 | $47,064 | $59,147 | 11.1 years |
| 20 kW | $3.65 | $51,156 | $66,856 | 10.8 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar installer you choose will be a major factor in determining not only your overall costs, but also the types of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you can get. When choosing a solar company, there are several important things you should take into account, including:
- Contract: When reading over your solar installer’s contract, ask for clarification about any terms you’re not sure of and make sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system part breaking or the company going out of business.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a sound reputation as a company and have proven expertise in the field. A couple of ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has satisfied reviews from past customers.
- Solar Panel Brands: Different companies carry various brands and types of panels. If you know you want a specific brand, make sure the solar panel company you’re considering has it.
- Warranty: Each company may offer different kinds of warranties that cover different things. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
Solar Veteran
Trinity Solar
- Many financing options
- Family-owned and -operated
- Makes charitable contributions
- Limited service area
- Relatively short workmanship warranty
EcoWatch's Bellingham, MA Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Bellingham?
The average cost of solar panels in Bellingham is about $20,300 for a 5-kW system and $40,600 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on certain factors such as the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
What other factors should I consider aside from cost when buying solar panels?
Cost is a very important factor to consider, but whether it’s the most important for you depends on why you decided to go solar. In areas 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 Bellingham?
Solar panels can be a fruitful investment for a majority of homeowners, but they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get a lot of direct sunlight and/or your electricity bills are already pretty low, solar panels might not be for you.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
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 how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can decide 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.