Solar Panel Cost Guide in Fountainhead Orchard Hills, MD (Mar 2023)
- Fountainhead Orchard Hills Solar Installation Cost: $11,072
- 25-Year Savings: $5,282
- Payback Period: 16.9 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Fountainhead Orchard Hills
Find out how much it might cost to switch to solar power in Fountainhead Orchard Hills.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Fountainhead Orchard Hills, the typical cost of solar panels is 2.77 per watt. To account for the typical energy needs of the average home in Fountainhead Orchard Hills, most homeowners require a 5.7-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs about $11,072, or $15,833 before the federal solar tax credit of 30% is applied.
How much you pay can be above or below the average in Fountainhead Orchard Hills depending on several factors, such as the type of solar panels you choose and the solar company you hire. Many homeowners find adopting solar power is a sound investment. The average homeowner in Fountainhead Orchard Hills can save about $11,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years.
For a free quote from a local solar company that has been pre-vetted by the EcoWatch team, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Fountainhead Orchard Hills
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-10,418 |
| 3 years | $-9,109 |
| 5 years | $-7,801 |
| 7 years | $-6,493 |
| 9 years | $-5,184 |
| 11 years | $-3,876 |
| 13 years | $-2,568 |
| 15 years | $-1,259 |
| 17 years | $49 |
| 19 years | $1,357 |
| 21 years | $2,665 |
| 23 years | $3,974 |
| 25 years | $5,282 |
Top Solar Installers in Fountainhead Orchard Hills
Trying to install solar panels by yourself can be a dangerous project, which is why getting a solar installation company is a good option for many homeowners. The expertise that solar installers offer can be helpful as well, especially if you don't quite know what type of solar equipment would be right for your home.
There are several licensed solar professionals that can take care of your solar installation project. Here are our suggestions:
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 Fountainhead Orchard Hills
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Fountainhead Orchard Hills
There are several factors that can determine your solar panel installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that installs your solar system.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar panel system you need, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most significant cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, you can expect your total to increase by about $2,770. 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. However, higher efficiency could save you more over time on your power bills. Additionally, add-on products, such as solar batteries, can bring your total well above the Fountainhead Orchard Hills average.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for solar out of pocket can be difficult. Solar loans are available from most installers in Fountainhead Orchard Hills, which can lower, or in some cases totally eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more affordable. You'll have to consider the long-term cost of financing options, including the total interest you'll pay over the length of the loan. If you're only able to get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars more than the principal cost. Making a larger down payment or finding a solar loan with a low interest rate could reduce your costs considerably.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar panel installation company you select will play a role in your total cost to go solar. Different companies will bill different amounts for the equipment and labor. The size of the company can sometimes play the most considerable role in the cost. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower prices because they have access to greater resources and better pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they can sometimes have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or promotion can bring their pricing lower to compete with bigger 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 | $5,085 | 17.6 years |
| 8 kW | $2.83 | $15,822 | $7,090 | 17.3 years |
| 10 kW | $2.77 | $19,390 | $9,250 | 16.9 years |
| 12 kW | $2.71 | $22,803 | $11,566 | 16.6 years |
| 14 kW | $2.66 | $26,060 | $14,036 | 16.2 years |
| 16 kW | $2.60 | $29,163 | $16,662 | 15.9 years |
| 18 kW | $2.55 | $32,110 | $19,443 | 15.6 years |
| 20 kW | $2.49 | $34,902 | $22,379 | 15.2 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are many solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel models and price points. To help you select the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a respected certification organization for renewable energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it most likely has a good reputation and is qualified to install your solar system. Another way you can verify your installer's reputation is by reading reviews.
- Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar companies carry the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a considerable role in the company you opt for.
- Installation Process: An important thing to understand when going solar is the installation process itself. Be sure to align on any details you should know with your solar installer, such as what permits you should acquire and how long the project will take.
- Contract: When looking through your solar company's contract, ask questions about any terms you're not sure of and make sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system part breaking or the company going out of business.
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 Fountainhead Orchard Hills, MD Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Fountainhead Orchard Hills?
The average cost of solar panels in Fountainhead Orchard Hills is about $13,850 for a 5-kW system and $27,700 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on certain factors such as the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Are solar panels free in Fountainhead Orchard Hills?
A solar panel system isn't free in Fountainhead Orchard Hills, but there are some options that can make getting them more feasible, such as leasing solar panels or getting a solar loan. There may also be local programs or incentives that you can take advantage of.
Is it worth going solar in Fountainhead Orchard Hills?
Solar panels can be a good investment for most homeowners, but they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get enough sunlight and/or your energy bills are already reasonably low, solar panels might not be for you.
How many solar panels do I need to power my home?
To figure out how many solar panels you need, you need to know how much energy your home requires and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can typically produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average home will need 20 to 35 panels.
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.