Solar Panel Cost Guide in Swansea, MA (Mar 2023)

  • Swansea Solar Installation Cost: $8,911
  • 25-Year Savings: $17,013
  • 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 March 14, 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 Swansea

Find out how much it might cost to install solar panels in Swansea.

Although the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Swansea generally cost about 2.94. Using this figure, a typical 4.3-kW system would cost about $8,911 before the 30% federal solar tax credit is applied.

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

You can click the button below to get connected with a vetted solar company in Swansea that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.

Solar savings over time in Swansea

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-7,874
3 years $-5,800
5 years $-3,726
7 years $-1,652
9 years $422
11 years $2,496
13 years $4,570
15 years $6,644
17 years $8,718
19 years $10,791
21 years $12,865
23 years $14,939
25 years $17,013

Top Solar Installers in Swansea

Trying to install solar panels on your own can be a challenging undertaking, which is why using a solar installer is a good option for many homeowners. Plus, if you're not certain what brand of solar panels and equipment you may need, a solar company can help you figure that out after a site survey and consultation.

There are various licensed solar professionals that can help you install your solar panels. Here are our suggestions:

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 Technology

Tesla Energy

★★★★★
4.5

  • 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 Swansea

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Swansea

For many Swansea homeowners, the decision to install a solar energy system comes down to cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Swansea, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are various factors that considerably influence the price you'll pay, which we'll go over below.

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 important to accurately assess the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your average energy use. The brand and kind of equipment you get for your solar system can increase or decrease the price quite significantly. If you prefer a brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these often come at a higher price than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you're opting for high efficiency because you have a small roof 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 additional equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also raise the cost.

Solar Financing Terms

For some homeowners, paying for a solar system out of pocket can be challenging. Solar loans are available from most installers in Swansea, which can reduce, or in some cases totally eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible. However, the interest on solar loans also increases your total costs, so it's important to keep that in mind as well. You can always reduce the total you pay in interest and in some cases even your APR by putting more money down.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The remaining major cost factor you should consider is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of sustainable energy solutions in Swansea, you'll have lots of options to choose from, but each comes at various price points for labor and equipment. You may come across national solar installers that have lower prices because of their bigger brand name and access to bulk prices, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or specials to compete with those larger 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 $23,092 8.9 years
8 kW $3.00 $16,793 $31,119 8.8 years
10 kW $2.94 $20,580 $39,310 8.6 years
12 kW $2.88 $24,202 $47,666 8.4 years
14 kW $2.82 $27,660 $56,186 8.2 years
16 kW $2.76 $30,952 $64,871 8.1 years
18 kW $2.70 $34,080 $73,721 7.9 years
20 kW $2.65 $37,044 $82,736 7.7 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

The solar panel company you go with will affect not only your overall costs, but also the kinds of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you can get. When choosing a solar company, there are some important things you should keep in mind, such as:

  • Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a well-established certification organization for sustainable 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 research your installer's reputation is by reading reviews.
  • Installation Process: Homeowners should make sure they understand how exactly the installation process will be carried out, as well as important factors like the project completion timeline.
  • Solar Panel Brands: The type of solar panel you'd like to get plays a part in which installer you should opt for, since different companies have different panels.
  • Contract: When reading over your solar installer's contract, ask for clarification about any terms you're not sure of and make sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system component breaking or the company going out of business.

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 Technology

Tesla Energy

★★★★★
4.5

  • 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 Swansea, MA Solar Cost FAQs

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

The average cost of solar panels in Swansea is about $14,700 for a 5-kW system and $29,400 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on stuff like the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.

Is cost the most important thing to consider 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.

Is switching to solar power worth it?

Solar panels can be a good investment for a majority of homeowners, but they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get a lot of direct sunlight and/or your electricity bills are already reasonably low, solar panels might not be for you.

How often do you have to replace solar panels?

Even 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 choose to 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.

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