Solar Panel Cost Guide in Freetown, MA (2023 Update)

  • Freetown Solar Installation Cost: $8,908
  • 25-Year Savings: $17,043
  • Payback Period: 8.6 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated September 15, 2023

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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 Freetown

Let's take a look at the average cost of solar in Freetown.

The average cost of solar panels in Freetown is 2.94 per watt. Using this figure, a typical 4.3-kW system would cost about $8,911 before the 30% federal solar tax credit is applied.

Keep in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average Freetown homeowner. The cost of a solar system for your home may be different depending on factors unique to you, like your household energy use and solar contractor. With average savings of about $23,000 on utility bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Freetown find going solar can pay off big.

Click the button below to get connected to a reputable solar installer in your area for a custom estimate.

Solar savings over time in Freetown

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-8,822
3 years $-8,649
5 years $-8,476
7 years $-8,303
9 years $-8,130
11 years $-7,957
13 years $-7,784
15 years $-7,611
17 years $-7,438
19 years $-7,265
21 years $-7,092
23 years $-6,919
25 years $-6,746

Top Solar Installers in Freetown

When making the switch to solar, many homeowners choose to hire a solar company since overseeing your solar installation yourself can be a time-consuming project. Also, companies with an outstanding reputation that cost more upfront could actually save you money in the long term with their warranties, repair services and expert design.

Working with a licensed solar installer can help you make the most of your investment in solar. Here are our recommendations:

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 Freetown

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Freetown

Although the average cost of a solar system in Freetown is $8,911, your final cost may differ. There are quite a few factors that can have a major impact on the cost of a residential solar panel installation. Below are some of the more important things to keep in mind.

Solar Equipment

When it comes to estimating the cost of a solar energy system in Freetown, one of the most important factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are chiefly based on your home's energy consumption, which you can figure out by looking at past electricity bills. Your overall cost can increase by about $2,940 for each additional kilowatt you need. The brand and kind 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 are often more expensive 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 will be looking at a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to more savings over time. Also, if you want extra equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also increase the cost.

Solar Financing Terms

For some homeowners, paying for a solar system out of pocket can be financially overwhelming. Solar loans are available from most installers in Freetown, which can bring down, or in some cases eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible. When considering your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you'll pay if you choose to go with a solar loan. Also, paying more on your down payment can lower the total interest paid over time.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The solar panel installer you select will play a role in your total cost to make the switch to solar power. Different companies will bill different amounts for the equipment and labor. The size of the company can sometimes play the most considerable role in the cost of installation. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower pricing because of access to greater resources and bulk pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they generally have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or promotion can bring their pricing down to compete with bigger companies.

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 $23,129 8.9 years
8 kW $3.00 $16,793 $31,168 8.8 years
10 kW $2.94 $20,580 $39,371 8.6 years
12 kW $2.88 $24,202 $47,739 8.4 years
14 kW $2.82 $27,660 $56,272 8.2 years
16 kW $2.76 $30,952 $64,969 8.1 years
18 kW $2.70 $34,080 $73,831 7.9 years
20 kW $2.65 $37,044 $82,858 7.7 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

There are numerous companies available in Freetown, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Picking the right company for you can be difficult, so here are some tips to help you decide:

  • Solar Panel Brands: The brand of solar panel you'd like to get plays a part in which installer you should choose, since different companies have different panels.
  • Reputation: Your solar installer should have a sound reputation as a company and have verifiable expertise in the field. A couple of ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians that hold a certification from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has good reviews from previous customers.
  • 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 expectations you should have about the installation process.
  • Warranty: If you're worried about the longevity of your solar system, checking if your company offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can help put you at ease.

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 Freetown, MA Solar Cost FAQs

What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Freetown?

This is a hard question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Generally 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 be more expensive if you want other solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy usage. Conversely, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.

Are solar panels free in Freetown?

You can't get solar panels for free in Freetown. 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.

Do solar panels increase your home value?

Solar panels can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Freetown is currently $356,176, so you can look forward to a value of about $14,603 more than houses without a solar system. The specific figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Freetown is a worthwhile investment.

How long do solar panels last in Freetown?

On average, the lifespan of solar panels is about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency decreases by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a larger amount of energy production.

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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