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

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated February 03, 2024

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We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

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 needs of the average home in Bellingham, most homeowners require a 4.4-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs around $12,529, or $17,916 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.

These figures are just averages, and the cost of going solar for you may vary based on the amount of energy your home requires and what company you go with.For many homeowners, the upfront investment in solar panels is worth paying. On average homeowners in Bellingham see about $22,000 in savings on electricity bills over 20 years.

Click the button below to get connected to a reputable solar installer in Bellingham for a customized quote.

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 switching to solar energy, many homeowners opt to go with a solar company since installing solar panels yourself can be a challenging project. Plus, if you aren’t sure what kind of solar panels and equipment you may need, a solar company can help you find the right equipment for you after a site survey and consultation.

If you're on the hunt for a solar installer in Bellingham, we've organized a list of our top suggestions here:

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • Most efficient panels on the market
  • National coverage
  • Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
  • Great warranty coverage
  • Expensive
  • Customer service varies by local dealer

Best Regional Coverage

Momentum Solar

★★★★★
4.5

  • Great warranty coverage
  • Representatives are experts on local policies
  • Concierge service ensures steady communication
  • Slightly limited service offerings

Best for Leasing

Sunrun

★★★★★
4.0

  • Expansive service area
  • Many financing options
  • Some reported issues with customer service
  • Some reported issues with door-to-door sales

See all of the solar companies in Bellingham

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Bellingham

For many Bellingham homeowners, the decision to adopt solar energy rests 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 few factors that significantly influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.

Solar Equipment

One of the most significant factors to consider when it comes to the cost of adopting solar energy is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more energy your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay about $4,060 per kilowatt in Bellingham.The brand and type of equipment you choose for your solar system can raise or lower the price quite significantly. If you prefer a brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these often have a higher price tag than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you’re opting for high efficiency because you have limited roof space or just want maximum energy production, you can expect a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to more savings over time. Plus, if you want additional equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also increase the cost.

Solar Financing Terms

For some homeowners, paying for solar panels out of pocket can be financially overwhelming. Solar loans are provided by most installers in Bellingham, which can lower, or in some cases eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible.However, the interest on solar loans also increases your all-in costs, so it’s vital to include that in your estimate as well. You can always lower the total you pay in interest and possibly even your APR by putting more money down.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The solar company you hire to handle your switch to solar 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 usually have lower costs, but some local companies compete with them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or additional services like electric vehicle 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 $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 go with will impact not only your total costs, but also the kinds of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you can get. When choosing a solar company, there are a few important things you should keep in mind, such as:

  • Contract: When reading over your solar company’s contract, ask questions about any terms you’re not sure of and be sure you understand what happens in scenarios such as a system component breaking or if the company goes out of business.
  • Reputation: Solar system installers that have great reviews from their customers and that have been in business for many years most likely provide quality solar panel installation and expertise.
  • Solar Panel Brands: Different companies carry various brands and kinds of panels. If you want a specific brand, make sure the solar panel company you’re considering has it.
  • Warranty: Many companies offer different kinds of warranties that cover different things. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • Most efficient panels on the market
  • National coverage
  • Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
  • Great warranty coverage
  • Expensive
  • Customer service varies by local dealer

Best Regional Coverage

Momentum Solar

★★★★★
4.5

  • Great warranty coverage
  • Representatives are experts on local policies
  • Concierge service ensures steady communication
  • Slightly limited service offerings

Best for Leasing

Sunrun

★★★★★
4.0

  • Expansive service area
  • Many financing options
  • Some reported issues with customer service
  • Some reported issues with door-to-door sales

EcoWatch's Bellingham, MA Solar Cost FAQs

What is the average cost of installing 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 $20,300 for a 5-kW system and $40,600 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. You can expect to pay more if you want extra solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy needs. On the flip side, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.

What other factors should I consider apart from cost when buying solar panels?

Cost is a key factor to consider, but whether it’s the most important for you depends on your reasons for going solar. In cities where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can be more important than the cost. Other factors that are important to think about are the quality and durability of your solar panels.

Is switching to solar power worth it?

Solar panels can be a good 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 energy bills are already reasonably low, solar panels might not be for you.

How often do you have to replace solar panels?

Although the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they should be disposed of 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.

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