Solar Panel Cost Guide in Cape St. Claire, MD (2024 Update)
- Cape St. Claire Solar Installation Cost: $13,244
- 25-Year Savings: $10,531
- Payback Period: 15.8 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Cape St. Claire
We go over average solar pricing in Cape St. Claire.
The average cost of a solar system in Cape St. Claire is 4 per watt.Since a 5.3-kW system is needed to cover the energy needs of a typical home in Cape St. Claire, the average price of going solar will be about $13,244 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 0.
These figures are only averages, and how much solar costs for you may differ based on your specific situation and what company you want to go with.But, once you've paid the initial cost of installation, the ROI for most homeowners is typically good, with a net average savings of about $15,000 over 20 years on power bills.
Click the button below to get connected to a reputable solar panel company in your area for a personalized quote.
Solar savings over time in Cape St. Claire
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-11,829 |
| 3 years | $-9,001 |
| 5 years | $-6,172 |
| 7 years | $-3,343 |
| 9 years | $-514 |
| 11 years | $2,314 |
| 13 years | $5,143 |
| 15 years | $7,972 |
| 17 years | $10,801 |
| 19 years | $13,629 |
| 21 years | $16,458 |
| 23 years | $19,287 |
| 25 years | $22,115 |
Top Solar Installers in Cape St. Claire
When going solar, many homeowners decide to go with a solar installation company since overseeing your solar installation yourself can be a time-consuming project. Also, if you’d like to maximize your investment in solar energy, going with a solar company can help with that too. Different providers can offer warranties, expertise on how to install solar panels and sometimes even information on local incentives.
If you’d like to switch to solar energy but still aren’t sure which solar system installer to go with, here are our recommendations for providers near you:
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
Solar Veteran
Trinity Solar
- Many financing options
- Family-owned and -operated
- Makes charitable contributions
- Limited service area
- Relatively short workmanship warranty
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 Cape St. Claire
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Cape St. Claire
Cost is typically one of the most important factors for homeowners considering investing in solar. There are a few major factors that affect your total cost in Cape St. Claire: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We’ll cover each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
The cost of solar panel systems varies by thousands of dollars due to some different factors. One of the key factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems that have greater efficiency or power generation use better technology and/or more equipment, both of which can raise costs. For each additional kilowatt you need, your cost can go up by about $3,540.The solar equipment you choose can increase or decrease your cost by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you opt for the most efficient solar panel brands, you’ll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. However, higher efficiency could save you more in the long run on your electric bills. Additionally, add-on products, such as solar batteries, can bring your total well above the Cape St. Claire average.
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 Cape St. Claire, which can reduce, or in some cases completely eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible.You’ll have to consider the long-term cost of loans, including the total interest you’ll pay over the length of the loan. If you can only get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars more than the original cost. Making a larger down payment or getting a solar loan with a low interest rate could reduce your costs considerably.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The last key cost factor you should keep in mind is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of clean energy solutions in Cape St. Claire, you’ll have lots of options to choose from, but each comes at various price points for labor and equipment.Companies that 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 offers the products, warranties and services you want and also is within your budget.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
| System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $3.68 | $15,463 | $7,994 | 16.5 years |
| 8 kW | $3.61 | $20,220 | $11,055 | 16.2 years |
| 10 kW | $3.54 | $24,780 | $14,314 | 15.8 years |
| 12 kW | $3.47 | $29,141 | $17,771 | 15.5 years |
| 14 kW | $3.40 | $33,304 | $21,427 | 15.2 years |
| 16 kW | $3.33 | $37,269 | $25,281 | 14.9 years |
| 18 kW | $3.26 | $41,036 | $29,333 | 14.6 years |
| 20 kW | $3.19 | $44,604 | $33,583 | 14.3 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the kind of solar panels and the installation company you choose has an impact on your costs and your system’s durability and efficiency, it’s important to select the right ones for you. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Installation Process: Homeowners should understand how exactly the installation process will be carried out, as well as important factors like the completion timeline.
- Warranty: Each company may offer different kinds of warranties that provide different kinds of coverage. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels depending on their roof configurations and how much efficiency they need. While there are many options for which brand of solar panel you can get, not every company will have the exact one you may want or need, so be sure to ask for their list of offerings before making your decision.
- Reputation: Solar system installers that have great reviews from their customers and that have been in business for many years most likely offer quality solar panel installation and expertise.
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
Solar Veteran
Trinity Solar
- Many financing options
- Family-owned and -operated
- Makes charitable contributions
- Limited service area
- Relatively short workmanship warranty
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 Cape St. Claire, MD Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Cape St. Claire?
The average cost of solar panels in Cape St. Claire is about $17,700 for a 5-kW system and $35,400 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on stuff such as the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Cape St. Claire?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can’t pay upfront or get a solar loan, but since you don’t own the system, you can’t take advantage of many solar incentives. Also your property 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 bang for your buck from going solar.
Is going solar worth it?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a variety of factors like the cost of electricity near you and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.
How long do solar panels last in Cape St. Claire?
On average, solar panels can last about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency goes down 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.