Solar Panel Cost Guide in Darnestown, MD (2024 Update)
- Darnestown Solar Installation Cost: $13,851
- 25-Year Savings: $11,463
- Payback Period: 15.5 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Darnestown
See how much it might cost to go solar in Darnestown.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Darnestown, the typical cost of solar panels is 4 per watt.Because a 5.6-kW system is needed to cover the energy usage of a typical home in Darnestown, the average price of going solar will be about $13,851 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 0.
These figures are just estimates, and your own solar costs may look different based on your energy needs and what company you choose to go with.Despite the significant upfront cost, the average Darnestown homeowner can save around $16,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years, which is one of the positives of solar.
You can click the button below to get connected with a vetted solar installer in Darnestown that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
Solar savings over time in Darnestown
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-12,296 |
| 3 years | $-9,186 |
| 5 years | $-6,077 |
| 7 years | $-2,967 |
| 9 years | $143 |
| 11 years | $3,253 |
| 13 years | $6,363 |
| 15 years | $9,472 |
| 17 years | $12,582 |
| 19 years | $15,692 |
| 21 years | $18,802 |
| 23 years | $21,912 |
| 25 years | $25,021 |
Top Solar Installers in Darnestown
Putting up solar panels on your own can be a challenging undertaking, which is why getting a solar installer is a good option for many homeowners. Another perk of going with a solar company is that they can help you optimize your return of investment by cutting back on future costs of repairs and replacements because of warranties and helping you learn about local incentives you can take advantage of.
Working with a professional solar company can make going solar easier. Here are our recommendations:
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 Darnestown
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Darnestown
For many Darnestown homeowners, the decision to install solar panels depends on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Darnestown, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are various factors that greatly 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 affects the overall cost of installing solar panels. Because of that, it’s a priority to accurately assess the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your average energy use.The 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, higher efficiency could save you more in the long run on your energy bills. Additionally, extra products, such as solar batteries, can bump up your total well above the Darnestown average.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar installers in Darnestown have solar loans, which reduce the initial cost of installing a solar system.When figuring out your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you go with a solar loan. Also, paying more on your down payment can lower the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar company you go with to handle your switch to renewable energy can play a role in your total costs. There are about 3 solar installation companies operating throughout Darnestown, and each can charge different amounts for labor and equipment.Larger national companies usually have lower costs, but some local companies compete with them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or additional services like electric car 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 | $8,476 | 16.1 years |
| 8 kW | $3.61 | $20,220 | $11,697 | 15.8 years |
| 10 kW | $3.54 | $24,780 | $15,117 | 15.5 years |
| 12 kW | $3.47 | $29,141 | $18,735 | 15.2 years |
| 14 kW | $3.40 | $33,304 | $22,552 | 14.9 years |
| 16 kW | $3.33 | $37,269 | $26,566 | 14.6 years |
| 18 kW | $3.26 | $41,036 | $30,779 | 14.3 years |
| 20 kW | $3.19 | $44,604 | $35,190 | 14.0 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a large number of companies available in Darnestown, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Choosing the right company for you can be tough, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Warranty: A high-quality company rises above other companies by offering the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar installer has a good reputation by verifying it has certifications and licenses, checking how long it's been in business and reading reviews by past customers and solar experts like the EcoWatch team.
- Contract: When reading over your solar installer’s contract, ask questions about any terms you’re not sure of and be sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system component breaking or the company going out of business.
- Solar Panel Brands: Different companies offer various brands and kinds of panels. If you know you want a specific brand, make sure the solar panel installer you’re considering has it.
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 Darnestown, MD Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Darnestown?
The average cost of solar panels in Darnestown is about $17,700 for a 5-kW system and $35,400 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on things 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 Darnestown?
Leasing solar panels can be an appealing choice, as it usually comes with low or $0 upfront payments. The drawback is that you won’t be able to save as much. If you lease, you don’t own the system, so you can’t claim any incentives and your home value won’t increase. Buying solar panels is a better option if you want to get the most savings.
How much can I save on energy bills after switching to solar?
Solar panels can potentially eliminate your electricity bills depending on your location and how much sunlight your home gets. Even if it doesn’t get rid of them completely, you can save a lot of money on your bills, about $797.94 per year.
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 are completely unusable at that time. What this means is the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can opt 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.