Solar Panel Cost Guide in College Park, MD (Mar 2023)
- College Park Solar Installation Cost: $10,568
- 25-Year Savings: $12,326
- Payback Period: 11.6 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in College Park
Here's how much it might cost to install solar panels in College Park.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in College Park it's 2.77 per watt. To cover the typical energy usage of the average home in College Park, most homeowners require a 5.5-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs around $10,568, or $15,112 before the federal solar tax credit of 30% is applied.
Bear in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average College Park homeowner. The price of a solar system for your home may look different depending on factors unique to you, like your household energy use and solar contractor. Many homeowners find going solar is a sound investment. The average homeowner in College Park can save around $16,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years.
Click the button below to get connected to a vetted solar company in your area for a custom estimate.
Solar savings over time in College Park
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-9,652 |
| 3 years | $-7,820 |
| 5 years | $-5,989 |
| 7 years | $-4,157 |
| 9 years | $-2,326 |
| 11 years | $-494 |
| 13 years | $1,337 |
| 15 years | $3,169 |
| 17 years | $5,000 |
| 19 years | $6,832 |
| 21 years | $8,663 |
| 23 years | $10,495 |
| 25 years | $12,326 |
Top Solar Installers in College Park
Do-it-yourself solar panel installation is a way to cut costs, but it's an undertaking that can use up a lot of your time and energy. Hiring a solar company can make switching to solar power much easier. Local solar installers can also help you maximize your return on investment by assisting with any local incentives and by offering warranties and repairs.
Working with a licensed solar installer can help you make the most of your investment in solar. Here are our recommendations:
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 College Park
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in College Park
The cost of installing a solar system in College Park can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost depends on several factors. The most significant one is the size of the system your home needs, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
One of the most significant factors to consider when it comes to the cost of installing solar panels 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 $2,770 per kilowatt in College Park. The type of solar equipment you choose can bring your price up or down 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. On the other hand, more efficient panels could save you more in the long run on your energy bills. Additionally, extra products, such as solar batteries, can bring your total well above the College Park average.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for a solar system out of pocket is out of reach, solar loans are a solid option because they lower your upfront costs and let you pay for your system over a term of, on average, between five and seven years. Although solar loans make switching to solar energy more accessible for College Park homeowners, they can also add to the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate and how long you take to pay off the loan. If you make 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 play a part in determining how much you pay. College Park's solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. You may notice national solar installers that have lower prices due to their bigger brand name and access to bulk equipment pricing, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or promotions 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 | $2.88 | $12,099 | $13,082 | 12.0 years |
| 8 kW | $2.83 | $15,822 | $17,753 | 11.8 years |
| 10 kW | $2.77 | $19,390 | $22,579 | 11.6 years |
| 12 kW | $2.71 | $22,803 | $27,561 | 11.3 years |
| 14 kW | $2.66 | $26,060 | $32,697 | 11.1 years |
| 16 kW | $2.60 | $29,163 | $37,989 | 10.9 years |
| 18 kW | $2.55 | $32,110 | $43,435 | 10.6 years |
| 20 kW | $2.49 | $34,902 | $49,037 | 10.4 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar company you choose will impact 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 some important things you should keep in mind, including:
- Contract: When looking over your solar installer's contract, ask questions about any terms you're not sure of and make sure you understand what happens in scenarios such as a system part breaking or the company going out of business.
- Solar Panel Brands: Different companies will have various brands and models of panels. If you know you want a specific brand, make sure the solar panel company you're considering has it.
- Reputation: Solar panel companies that have great reviews from their customers and that have been in business for many years likely provide high-quality solar panel installation and expertise.
- Warranty: Warranties that cover replacement parts and repairs over a long period of time such as 25 years are the best you can get in the business, and offering that kind of warranty is one indication of a good company.
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 College Park, MD Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in College Park?
The average cost of solar panels in College Park is about $13,850 for a 5-kW system and $27,700 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on things like the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in College Park?
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 don't have access to 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 financial benefits from going solar.
Is it worth going solar in College Park?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a variety of factors like local electricity rates and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.
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 should be disposed of at that time. What this means is how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can decide to replace them after having them for that long or you can keep using 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.