Solar Panel Cost Guide in Franklin Town, MA (2024 Update)

  • Franklin Town 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 June 24, 2024

Why you can trust EcoWatch

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 Franklin Town

Let’s have a look at the average cost of solar panels in Franklin Town.

Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Franklin Town, the typical cost of solar panels is 4 per watt.The average solar panel system size in Franklin Town is around 4.4 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $12,529 for a solar installation, or $17,916 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.

Bear in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average Franklin Town homeowner. The price of a solar system for your home may be different depending on factors unique to your situation, like your household energy use and solar contractor.For most homeowners, the upfront investment in solar power is worth paying. On average you could be looking at about $22,000 in savings on electricity bills over 20 years.

For a free quote from a local solar company that has been pre-vetted by EcoWatch, click the button below.

Solar savings over time in Franklin Town

YearReturn 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 Franklin Town

Trying to install solar panels yourself can be a challenging project, which is why using a solar installation company is a good option for many homeowners. Another great thing about using a reliable solar installer is that it'll usually provide warranties and free repairs, which help protect your investment.

You can get a free estimate from a local solar installer on how much your investment in solar could cost for your home. Here are some near you:

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

Solar Veteran

Trinity Solar

★★★★★
4.0
  • Many financing options
  • Family-owned and -operated
  • Makes charitable contributions
  • Limited service area
  • Relatively short workmanship warranty

See all of the solar companies in Franklin Town

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Franklin Town

For many Franklin Town homeowners, the decision to go solar rests on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Franklin Town, 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

The size of the solar panel system you need to offset your energy usage, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most important cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, you can expect your total to increase by nearly $4,060. Some solar brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more expensive upfront but also tend to offer better efficiency. In a city like Franklin Town, where sunlight is relatively abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Plus, 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

Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Franklin Town to be prohibitively expensive, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, almost every solar installer in the area provides financing options. Solar loans remarkably decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also lead to a higher cost over time because of interest.While solar loans make going solar more accessible for Franklin Town homeowners, they can also add to the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate and how long you take to pay off the loan. If you make a larger down payment, though, you can cut back on how much interest you have to pay.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The solar panel installer you pick will affect your total cost to go solar. Different companies will bill different amounts for the equipment and labor.Larger national companies usually have lower costs, but some local companies undercut them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have access to specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or additional services like electric car charger installation, they might be cheaper overall.

Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size

System sizeCost per system wattSolar system cost25-Year savingsPayback period
6 kW$4.22$17,734$17,66912.5 years
8 kW$4.14$23,191$24,01412.3 years
10 kW$4.06$28,420$30,58612.0 years
12 kW$3.98$33,422$37,38511.8 years
14 kW$3.90$38,196$44,41211.6 years
16 kW$3.82$42,744$51,66611.3 years
18 kW$3.74$47,064$59,14711.1 years
20 kW$3.65$51,156$66,85610.8 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

The company that does your system installation will affect the warranties and brands you have access to, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Since choosing a company can be a challenge, we have some tips to help you, such as:

  • Warranty: A high-quality company stands out from other companies by offering the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
  • Reputation: Solar system installers that have great reviews from their customers and that have been operating for many years most likely offer high-quality solar panel installation and expertise.
  • Contract: When looking through your solar company’s contract, ask for clarification about any terms you’re not sure of and be sure you understand what happens in scenarios such as a system component breaking or the company going out of business.
  • Installation Process: Get details from your solar installer about the installation process and what to expect, such as when the site survey will be completed and how long it will take.

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

Solar Veteran

Trinity Solar

★★★★★
4.0
  • Many financing options
  • Family-owned and -operated
  • Makes charitable contributions
  • Limited service area
  • Relatively short workmanship warranty

EcoWatch's Franklin Town, MA Solar Cost FAQs

How much does it cost to install solar panels in Franklin Town?

This is a difficult question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on many 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. It will be more expensive if you want extra solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy needs. Conversely, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.

Can you get solar panels for free in Franklin Town?

You can’t get solar panels for free in Franklin Town. However, you may still be able to afford 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.

Is making the switch to solar worth it?

Solar panels can be a fruitful investment for lots of homeowners, but they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get enough 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?

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 opt 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.