Solar Panel Cost Guide in Bellingham, MA (2023 Update)
- Bellingham Solar Installation Cost: $9,073
- 25-Year Savings: $16,941
- Payback Period: 8.7 Years
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Updated September 15, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Bellingham
Let's take a look at the average cost of solar in Bellingham.
Although the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Bellingham generally cost about 2.94. The average solar panel system size in Bellingham is around 4.4 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $9,076 for a solar installation, or $12,979 before the 30% federal solar tax credit 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 your situation, like your household energy use and solar contractor. For most homeowners, the upfront cost of solar panels is worth paying. On average you could be looking at about $22,000 in savings on utility bills over 20 years.
To see your potential ROI and connect with a local solar company, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Bellingham
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-8,986 |
| 3 years | $-8,813 |
| 5 years | $-8,639 |
| 7 years | $-8,466 |
| 9 years | $-8,293 |
| 11 years | $-8,119 |
| 13 years | $-7,946 |
| 15 years | $-7,772 |
| 17 years | $-7,599 |
| 19 years | $-7,426 |
| 21 years | $-7,252 |
| 23 years | $-7,079 |
| 25 years | $-6,905 |
Top Solar Installers in Bellingham
When switching to solar energy, many homeowners decide to use a solar company since installing solar panels yourself can be a challenging project. The payback period on an investment in solar panels will vary based on factors like your location and energy use, but working with a solar company can shorten it. Your provider will be able to help you apply for incentives available in your area.
If you're searching for a solar installer 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
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 depends on several factors. The biggest one is your system size, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar installer you choose.
Solar Equipment
System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that affects the overall cost of going solar. For that reason, it's important to accurately assess the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your energy needs. The model of solar panels and equipment you choose is another factor that will considerably impact costs. Solar panels that have higher efficiency, like monocrystalline panels, tend to cost more. Furthermore, solar equipment goes beyond just the solar panels themselves. You'll also need to make decisions 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 into a solar system that's in your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for a solar system out of pocket can be challenging. Solar loans are offered by most installers in Bellingham, which can bring down, or in some cases totally eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible. It's a good idea to add the interest you'll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to pay a higher down payment, you can reduce your total costs and how long 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. You may see national solar installers that have lower prices due to their larger brand name and access to bulk equipment prices, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or promotions to compete with those major players.
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
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.