Solar Panel Cost Guide in Damascus, MD (2024 Update)

  • Damascus Solar Installation Cost: $13,851
  • 25-Year Savings: $8,710
  • Payback Period: 17.7 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated February 03, 2024

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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 Damascus

We go over average solar pricing in Damascus.

The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Damascus it’s 4 per watt.Using this figure, a typical 5.6-kW system would cost about $13,851 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.

Keep in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of Damascus homeowners. The price of a solar system for your home may be different depending on factors unique to your situation, like your household energy use and solar contractor.But, after you've paid the initial cost of installation, the savings for most homeowners is usually fruitful, with a net average savings of about $13,000 over 20 years on energy bills.

Click the button below to get connected to a vetted solar installer in Damascus for a personalized estimate.

Solar savings over time in Damascus

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-12,491
3 years $-9,770
5 years $-7,049
7 years $-4,328
9 years $-1,607
11 years $1,114
13 years $3,835
15 years $6,555
17 years $9,276
19 years $11,997
21 years $14,718
23 years $17,439
25 years $20,160

Top Solar Installers in Damascus

Although you can install solar panels yourself, it takes extra energy and know-how. That's why most homeowners choose to hire a solar panel installer. Solar warranties and repairs are often included in the cost of installation when you sign a contract with a solar company as well, which can save you more money over time.

Working with a licensed solar company can help you make the most of your investment in solar. Here are our recommendations:

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 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

Best Social Impact

Palmetto Solar

★★★★★
4.0

  • Expansive service area
  • Makes charitable contributions
  • Certified B Corp
  • No leases or PPAs
  • Quality of installation may vary by location

See all of the solar companies in Damascus

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Damascus

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

Solar Equipment

When it comes to estimating the cost of solar panels in Damascus, one of the most important factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are primarily based on your home’s energy usage, which you can figure out by looking at past power bills. Your total cost can increase by around $3,540 for each additional kilowatt you need.The kind of 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. On the other hand, higher efficiency could save you more over time on your power bills. In addition, add-on products, such as solar batteries, can bring your total well above the Damascus average.

Solar Financing Terms

For some homeowners, paying for solar panels out of pocket can be financially overwhelming. Solar loans are offered by most installers in Damascus, which can lower, or in some cases totally eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible.When considering your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you decide on a solar loan. Also, paying more upfront can reduce the total interest paid over time.

Solar Panel Installation Company

A final factor to keep in mind when trying to figure out the cost of solar for your home or business in Damascus is the company you get to install your solar system. Similar to choosing a company to renovate your kitchen, for example, you’ll have many options for solar installers that provide a range of services for different budgets.Larger national companies typically have lower costs, but some local companies keep up with them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or add-on services like electric vehicle charger installation, they might be cheaper overall.

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 $5,521 18.4 years
8 kW $3.61 $20,220 $7,758 18.1 years
10 kW $3.54 $24,780 $10,193 17.7 years
12 kW $3.47 $29,141 $12,826 17.4 years
14 kW $3.40 $33,304 $15,658 17.0 years
16 kW $3.33 $37,269 $18,688 16.7 years
18 kW $3.26 $41,036 $21,916 16.3 years
20 kW $3.19 $44,604 $25,342 15.9 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

Since the type 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 pick the right ones for you. Here are some things to keep in mind to help with your decision:

  • Installation Process: Get detailed information from your solar company about the installation process and what to expect, including when the site survey will be completed and how long it will take.
  • Reputation: Make sure your solar installer has a good reputation by confirming it has certifications and licenses, checking its work history and reading reviews by past customers and solar experts like EcoWatch.
  • Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels depending on their roof configurations and energy needs. While there are many options for which brand of solar panel you can get, not every company will have access to the exact one you may want or need, so be sure to take a look at their list of options before making your decision.
  • Warranty: An all-inclusive, 25-year warranty can help keep your solar panel system running smoothly and save you money on part replacement and repairs.

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 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

Best Social Impact

Palmetto Solar

★★★★★
4.0

  • Expansive service area
  • Makes charitable contributions
  • Certified B Corp
  • No leases or PPAs
  • Quality of installation may vary by location

EcoWatch's Damascus, MD Solar Cost FAQs

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

The average cost of solar panels in Damascus 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 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 Damascus?

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 home 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.

Do solar panels increase your property value?

Solar panels can increase your property’s value considerably as long as you buy or finance your panels and don’t go for a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). According to research done by Zillow, the average home value increases by about 4.1% after installing solar panels."

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 should be disposed of at that time. What this means is the amount of energy they produce 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.

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