Solar Panel Cost Guide in South Hadley, MA (Jan 2023)
- South Hadley Solar Installation Cost: $9,282
- 25-Year Savings: $13,144
- Payback Period: 10.3 Years
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Updated January 20, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in South Hadley
Let's have a look at the average cost of solar in South Hadley.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in South Hadley it's $3 per watt. Using this figure, a typical 4.5 would cost about $9,282 before the 30% federal solar tax credit is applied.
How much you pay can go higher or lower than the average in South Hadley based on several factors, such as the brand of solar panels you choose and the solar installer you hire. But, once you've paid the initial cost of installation, the ROI for most homeowners is quite fruitful, with a net average savings of about $19,000 over 20 years on electricity bills.
You can click the button below to get connected with a top solar company in South Hadley that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
Solar savings over time in South Hadley
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-8,385 |
| 3 years | $-6,591 |
| 5 years | $-4,797 |
| 7 years | $-3,003 |
| 9 years | $-1,208 |
| 11 years | $586 |
| 13 years | $2,380 |
| 15 years | $4,174 |
| 17 years | $5,968 |
| 19 years | $7,762 |
| 21 years | $9,556 |
| 23 years | $11,350 |
| 25 years | $13,144 |
Top Solar Installers in South Hadley
When making the switch to solar, many homeowners choose to use a solar installer since installing a solar system yourself can be a difficult project. The expertise that solar installers offer can be useful as well, especially if you aren't sure what kind of solar equipment you need.
If you're on the hunt for a solar company in South Hadley, the EcoWatch team has compiled 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
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 South Hadley
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in South Hadley
Even though the average cost of a solar system in South Hadley is $9,282, your final cost may be above or below the average. There are quite a few factors that can have a sizable impact on the cost of a residential solar panel installation. Below are some of the more important things to consider.
Solar Equipment
One of the most important factors to consider when it comes to the cost of going solar is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more energy your household uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay around $2,940 per kilowatt in South Hadley. There are many different solar panel brands and the one you pick also changes the cost. Generally speaking, the brands that offer higher efficiency tend to also be more expensive. Plus, the type of equipment you choose can affect your total cost. If you just need panels, your system will be far less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.
Solar Financing Terms
Solar panels can save you money on power bills over many years, but they can also be a significant investment. That's why many South Hadley homeowners opt to finance their solar panel systems to make paying for solar more affordable. When figuring out your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you'll pay if you decide on a solar loan. Also, paying more on your down payment can lower the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Lastly, the company you hire to install your solar panel system can influence how much it costs. South Hadley's solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. 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 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 | $3.06 | $12,842 | $16,996 | 10.8 years |
| 8 kW | $3.00 | $16,793 | $22,991 | 10.6 years |
| 10 kW | $2.94 | $20,580 | $29,151 | 10.3 years |
| 12 kW | $2.88 | $24,202 | $35,475 | 10.1 years |
| 14 kW | $2.82 | $27,660 | $41,963 | 9.9 years |
| 16 kW | $2.76 | $30,952 | $48,617 | 9.7 years |
| 18 kW | $2.70 | $34,080 | $55,435 | 9.5 years |
| 20 kW | $2.65 | $37,044 | $62,417 | 9.3 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar installer you opt for will be a major factor in determining 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 several important things you should keep in mind, such as:
- Installation Process: Homeowners should understand how exactly the installation process will be carried out, as well as important factors like the project timeline.
- Contract: It's important to read your solar installer's contract closely to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what you can expect about the installation process.
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and type has varying levels of quality, durability and efficiency. They will come at different price points as well. The company you choose has an impact on which solar panel brands you have access to.
- 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 solid reputation and is qualified to do the job well. Another way you can look into your installer's reputation is by reading reviews.
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 South Hadley, MA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in South Hadley?
This is a hard question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a few different 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 be more expensive if you want other solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have above-average energy consumption. Conversely, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in South Hadley?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can't afford to pay upfront or secure a solar loan, but since you don't own the system, you can't take advantage of many solar incentives. Also your home 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 savings from going solar.
Do solar panels increase how much your home is worth?
Buying or financing solar panels for your home can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in South Hadley is currently $210,373, so you can look forward to a value of about $8,625 more than houses without a solar system. The exact figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in South Hadley is a fruitful investment.
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 are completely unusable at that time. What this means is how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can replace them after having 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.