Solar Panel Cost Guide in Swampscott, MA (2024 Update)

  • Swampscott Solar Installation Cost: $12,074
  • 25-Year Savings: $16,792
  • Payback Period: 11.8 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 Swampscott

We go over average solar pricing in Swampscott.

The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Swampscott it’s 4 per watt.Using this figure, a typical 4.2-kW system would cost about $12,074 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.

These figures are only averages, and how much solar costs for you will differ based on the amount of energy your home requires and what company you choose to go with.Many homeowners find adopting solar power is a rewarding investment. The average homeowner in Swampscott can save about $23,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years.

To calculate your potential ROI and connect with a local solar company, click the button below.

Solar savings over time in Swampscott

YearReturn on Investment
1 years$-10,351
3 years$-6,904
5 years$-3,457
7 years$-10
9 years$3,437
11 years$6,884
13 years$10,331
15 years$13,777
17 years$17,224
19 years$20,671
21 years$24,118
23 years$27,565
25 years$31,012

Top Solar Installers in Swampscott

Many homeowners opt for a solar installer since trying to install solar panels yourself can be challenging. Plus, warranties and repairs from your solar panel company can protect your investment and reduce the cost of maintenance over time.

If you’d like to switch to solar energy but still aren’t certain which solar panel installer to go with, here are our suggestions for providers nearby:

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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 Swampscott

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Swampscott

The cost of installing a solar system in Swampscott can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is dependent on several factors. The largest one is the size of the system your home needs, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar installer you choose.

Solar Equipment

The size of the solar system you need for your home, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most significant cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, your total will most likely increase by about $4,060. The brand of solar panels and equipment you choose is another factor that will largely impact costs. Solar panels that have higher efficiency, like monocrystalline panels, tend to be more pricey. Plus, solar equipment goes beyond just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to make decisions 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 searching for a solar system that falls within your budget.

Solar Financing Terms

For some homeowners, paying for solar out of pocket can be difficult. Solar loans are provided by most installers in Swampscott, which can reduce, or in some cases eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible.Though solar loans make switching to solar energy more accessible for Swampscott homeowners, they can also raise the total you pay for your system due to interest. 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 last key cost factor you should consider is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of renewable energy solutions in Swampscott, you’ll have a great number of options to choose from, but each comes at different price points for labor and equipment.Some companies only sell products with high efficiency and therefore a higher price point — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally come with an above-average cost. It’s best to do some research and decide on the company that has the products, warranties and services you’re looking for and also fit into your budget.

Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size

System sizeCost per system wattSolar system cost25-Year savingsPayback period
6 kW$4.22$17,734$18,32912.3 years
8 kW$4.14$23,191$24,89312.1 years
10 kW$4.06$28,420$31,68511.8 years
12 kW$3.98$33,422$38,70411.6 years
14 kW$3.90$38,196$45,95011.3 years
16 kW$3.82$42,744$53,42411.1 years
18 kW$3.74$47,064$61,12510.9 years
20 kW$3.65$51,156$69,05310.6 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

The company that does your solar system installation will affect the warranties and brands available to you, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Because selecting a company can be a tough decision, we have some tips to help you, such as:

  • Contract: It’s important to read through your solar installer’s contract well to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about your solar system’s energy production.
  • Warranty: A comprehensive, long-term warranty can help keep your solar panel system running for a long time and save you money on repairs and maintenance.
  • Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar companies offer the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a considerable role in the company you go with.
  • Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a well-established certification organization for clean energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it likely has a solid reputation and is qualified to get the job done well. Another way you can look into your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
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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 Swampscott, MA Solar Cost FAQs

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

This is a difficult question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a few different 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 other solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy consumption. Conversely, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.

Is cost the most important consideration when buying solar panels?

Cost is definitely one of the most important factors you should consider when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.

Can solar panels eliminate my power bills?

It is possible to eradicate your electricity bills with solar panels, but for most homeowners throughout Swampscott, that will require at least a 10-kW system. Not all homes will have roofs that can accommodate that size system, so you’ll want to check with a local solar installer to see how many panels can fit on your roof.

How many solar panels should I get to power my home?

To figure out what solar panel system size you need, you should find out how much energy your home uses and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can typically produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average house will need 20 to 35 panels.

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.