Solar Panel Cost Guide in Cochituate, MA (Mar 2023)
- Cochituate Solar Installation Cost: $9,179
- 25-Year Savings: $16,925
- Payback Period: 8.8 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Cochituate
We go over average solar pricing in Cochituate.
In Cochituate, solar panels cost about 2.94 per watt on average. Since a 4.5-kW system is needed to cover the energy consumption of a typical home in Cochituate, the average price of going solar will be about $9,179 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 30%.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you'll end up paying for solar may look quite different based on your household energy consumption, the type of solar panels you want to get, your solar contractor and more. With average savings of about $22,000 on utility bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Cochituate find investing in solar has a decent ROI.
Click the button below to get connected to a highly rated solar company in your area for a custom quote.
Solar savings over time in Cochituate
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-8,135 |
| 3 years | $-6,046 |
| 5 years | $-3,958 |
| 7 years | $-1,870 |
| 9 years | $218 |
| 11 years | $2,307 |
| 13 years | $4,395 |
| 15 years | $6,483 |
| 17 years | $8,572 |
| 19 years | $10,660 |
| 21 years | $12,748 |
| 23 years | $14,836 |
| 25 years | $16,925 |
Top Solar Installers in Cochituate
Many homeowners decide to use a solar installer since trying to install solar panels on your own can be a labor-intensive endeavor. Companies can also provide access to quality options of the best solar panels and help you choose which one will be right for your family.
Working with a licensed solar company can make going solar easier. Here are our recommendations:
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 Cochituate
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Cochituate
Cost is typically one of the most important factors for homeowners considering investing in solar. There are a few major factors that affect your total cost in Cochituate: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We'll go over each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
The cost of solar panel systems varies by thousands of dollars due to some different factors. One of the major factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems that have higher efficiency or power generation need better technology and/or more equipment, both of which can raise costs. For each additional kilowatt you need, your cost can go up by about $2,940. The model of solar panels and equipment you want is another factor that will greatly influence costs. Solar panels that are more efficient, like monocrystalline panels, tend to come at a higher price. Moreover, solar equipment consists of more than just the solar panels themselves. You'll also need to think 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
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Cochituate to be prohibitively costly, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, almost every solar company in the area provides financing options. Solar loans substantially decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also result in paying more over time because of interest. When trying to figure out your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you'll pay if you decide on a solar loan. Also, paying more upfront can lower the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The final major cost factor you should consider is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of renewable energy solutions in Cochituate, you'll have a great number of options to choose from, but each comes at various price points for labor and equipment. The size of the company can sometimes play the most significant role in your total costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower prices because they have access to more resources and better pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they can sometimes have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or promotion can bring their pricing lower 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 | $3.06 | $12,842 | $22,279 | 9.1 years |
| 8 kW | $3.00 | $16,793 | $30,034 | 9.0 years |
| 10 kW | $2.94 | $20,580 | $37,955 | 8.8 years |
| 12 kW | $2.88 | $24,202 | $46,039 | 8.6 years |
| 14 kW | $2.82 | $27,660 | $54,289 | 8.4 years |
| 16 kW | $2.76 | $30,952 | $62,703 | 8.3 years |
| 18 kW | $2.70 | $34,080 | $71,282 | 8.1 years |
| 20 kW | $2.65 | $37,044 | $80,025 | 7.9 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a large number of companies available in Cochituate, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Choosing the right company for you can be tough, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Reputation: Solar installers that have great reviews from their customers and that have been operating for many years most likely provide good-quality solar panel installation and expertise.
- Warranty: A comprehensive, long-term warranty can help keep your solar system running for a long time and save you money on repairs and maintenance.
- Contract: When reading through your solar installer's contract, ask questions about any terms you're not sure of and be sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system part breaking or if the company goes out of business.
- Solar Panel Brands: The kind of solar panel you'd like to get plays a part in which company you should go with, since different companies offer different panels.
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 Cochituate, MA Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Cochituate?
This is a tough question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on many 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. You can expect to pay more if you want additional solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have above-average energy usage. On the flip side, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Are solar panels free in Cochituate?
You can't get solar panels for free in Cochituate. However, you may still be able to get them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you'd prefer to own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.
Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Cochituate?
Each state has some kind of net metering programs except Tennessee, South Dakota and Alabama currently. Some states let you sell power back to the grid, but others just offer you credit toward your future power bills.
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 are completely unusable at that time. What this means is their energy production will have decreased significantly after that point. You can decide to replace them once you've had them for that long or you can continue to use 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.