Solar Panel Cost Guide in Sudbury, MA (Mar 2023)
- Sudbury Solar Installation Cost: $9,179
- 25-Year Savings: $15,706
- Payback Period: 9.2 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Sudbury
Find out what the average cost of solar panel installation is in Sudbury.
The average cost of a solar panel system in Sudbury is 2.94 per watt. The average solar panel system size in Sudbury is around 4.5 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $9,179 for a solar installation, or $13,126 before the 30% federal solar tax credit is applied.
The true cost of your system can go above or below the average in Sudbury depending on a variety of factors, such as the brand of solar panels you choose and the solar installer you hire. For many homeowners, the upfront cost of solar power is worth paying. On average you could be looking at about $21,000 in savings on electricity bills over 20 years.
For a personalized quote from a local solar installer that has been pre-vetted by EcoWatch, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Sudbury
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-8,183 |
| 3 years | $-6,192 |
| 5 years | $-4,202 |
| 7 years | $-2,211 |
| 9 years | $-220 |
| 11 years | $1,771 |
| 13 years | $3,762 |
| 15 years | $5,752 |
| 17 years | $7,743 |
| 19 years | $9,734 |
| 21 years | $11,725 |
| 23 years | $13,716 |
| 25 years | $15,706 |
Top Solar Installers in Sudbury
Although you can install solar panels on your own, it requires extra energy and handiness. Because of that, most homeowners choose to go with a solar panel installer. Plus, if you're not certain what type of solar panels and equipment you need, a solar installer can help you figure that out after a site survey and consultation.
If you'd like to go solar but still aren't certain which solar panel installer to go with, here are our suggestions for providers nearby:
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 Sudbury
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Sudbury
Though the average cost of a solar system in Sudbury is $9,179, your actual cost may be above or below the average. There are several factors that can have a major impact on the cost of a solar panel installation. Below are some of the more crucial things to consider.
Solar Equipment
System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that determines the overall cost of going solar. Because of that, it's crucial to accurately gauge the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your energy needs. The brand and type of equipment you want 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 greater savings over time. Also, if you want additional equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also raise the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Sudbury to be prohibitively costly, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, almost every solar installer in the area provides access to financing options. Solar loans remarkably decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also lead to paying more over time because of interest. Although solar loans make switching to solar energy more accessible for Sudbury homeowners, they can also add to the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate. If you put down a larger down payment, though, you can cut back on how much interest you have to pay.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Finally, the company you choose to install your solar panel system can influence the cost. Sudbury's solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. You may notice national solar installers that have lower prices because of their bigger brand name and access to bulk equipment pricing, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or specials to compete with those major players.
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 | $20,640 | 9.6 years |
| 8 kW | $3.00 | $16,793 | $27,849 | 9.4 years |
| 10 kW | $2.94 | $20,580 | $35,223 | 9.2 years |
| 12 kW | $2.88 | $24,202 | $42,762 | 9.0 years |
| 14 kW | $2.82 | $27,660 | $50,465 | 8.9 years |
| 16 kW | $2.76 | $30,952 | $58,333 | 8.7 years |
| 18 kW | $2.70 | $34,080 | $66,365 | 8.5 years |
| 20 kW | $2.65 | $37,044 | $74,562 | 8.3 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar company you go with will influence not only your overall costs, but also the types of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you can get. When choosing a solar company, there are several important things you should take into account, such as:
- Installation Process: When making the switch to solar power, it's essential to maintain an open line of communication with your solar installer. Make sure you understand how the installation process works and the completion timeline.
- Contract: When reading through your solar installer's contract, ask questions about any terms you're not sure of and make sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system part breaking or the company going out of business.
- Reputation: Companies that have been operating for many years likely have a high reputation. This is important because it ensures that it will not only see your solar project through, but will also provide quality aftercare and customer service, such as part repairs and replacements.
- Solar Panel Brands: The brand of solar panel you'd like plays a part in which company you should choose, since different companies have 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 Sudbury, MA Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Sudbury?
The average cost of solar panels in Sudbury is about $14,700 for a 5-kW system and $29,400 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on certain factors like the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
What other factors should I consider apart from cost when buying solar panels?
The initial cost is a very important factor to consider, but whether it's the most important for you depends on why you decided to go solar. In places where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can trump the cost. Other factors that are important to be mindful of are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
How will solar panels impact my home value?
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 Sudbury is currently $718,043, so you can look forward to a value of about $29,440 more than houses without a solar system. The exact figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Sudbury is a worthwhile investment.
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 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.