Solar Panel Cost Guide in Gaithersburg, MD (2024 Update)
- Gaithersburg Solar Installation Cost: $13,851
- 25-Year Savings: $12,202
- Payback Period: 15.0 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Gaithersburg
Find out what the average cost of installing solar panels is in Gaithersburg.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Gaithersburg it’s 4 per watt.The average solar panel system size in Gaithersburg is around 5.6 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $13,851 for a solar installation, or $19,807 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
The actual price you pay can be higher or lower than the average in Gaithersburg depending on several factors, such as the type of solar panels you choose and the solar installer you hire.But, once you've paid the initial cost of installation, the savings for most homeowners is quite fruitful, with a net average savings of about $16,000 over 20 years on utility bills.
To receive a free estimate from a highly rated solar installer in Gaithersburg, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Gaithersburg
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-12,181 |
| 3 years | $-8,842 |
| 5 years | $-5,503 |
| 7 years | $-2,164 |
| 9 years | $1,175 |
| 11 years | $4,515 |
| 13 years | $7,854 |
| 15 years | $11,193 |
| 17 years | $14,532 |
| 19 years | $17,871 |
| 21 years | $21,211 |
| 23 years | $24,550 |
| 25 years | $27,889 |
Top Solar Installers in Gaithersburg
Although you can install solar panels yourself, it takes extra time and expertise. That's one of the reasons almost all homeowners choose to hire a solar panel installer. Another perk of going with a solar company is that they can help you optimize your return of investment by reducing your future costs of repairs and replacements due to warranties and giving you information on local incentives you can take advantage of.
There are a number of licensed solar professionals that can help you install your solar panels. Here are our suggestions:
Best National Provider
SunPower
- 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
- 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
- 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 Gaithersburg
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Gaithersburg
Cost is usually one of the most important factors for homeowners wanting to invest in solar. There are a few primary factors that determine your overall cost in Gaithersburg: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We’ll cover each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
One of the most important factors to consider when it comes to the cost of going solar is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more power your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay around $3,540 per kilowatt in Gaithersburg.Some solar panel brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more costly upfront but also tend to offer better efficiency. In a city like Gaithersburg, where sunlight is relatively abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. In addition, if you have a small roof or you don’t have a lot of space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be a better option. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for solar panels in cash is out of reach, solar loans are an affordable route because they lower your upfront costs and allow you to pay for your system over five to seven years on average.When figuring out your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you opt for a solar loan. Also, paying more upfront can lower the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The final major cost factor you should keep in mind is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of clean energy solutions in Gaithersburg, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from, but each comes at various price points for labor and equipment.The size of the company sometimes plays the most significant role in the cost of installation. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower pricing because of more resources and bulk pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they generally have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or promotion can bring their pricing down 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 | $3.68 | $15,463 | $9,269 | 15.6 years |
| 8 kW | $3.61 | $20,220 | $12,755 | 15.3 years |
| 10 kW | $3.54 | $24,780 | $16,439 | 15.0 years |
| 12 kW | $3.47 | $29,141 | $20,322 | 14.7 years |
| 14 kW | $3.40 | $33,304 | $24,402 | 14.4 years |
| 16 kW | $3.33 | $37,269 | $28,681 | 14.1 years |
| 18 kW | $3.26 | $41,036 | $33,159 | 13.8 years |
| 20 kW | $3.19 | $44,604 | $37,834 | 13.5 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar installer you go with will influence not only your overall costs, but also the types of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you can get. When choosing a solar company, there are a few important things you should consider, including:
- Warranty: If you care about the longevity of your solar panels, ensuring your company offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can give you some peace of mind.
- Installation Process: When making the switch to solar power, it’s crucial to maintain an open line of communication with your solar installer. See to it that you understand how the installation process will go and the project timeline.
- Contract: When looking through 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 component breaking or the company going out of business.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a sound reputation as a company and have demonstrated expertise in the field. A couple of ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has positive reviews from previous customers.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- 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
- 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
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
EcoWatch's Gaithersburg, MD Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Gaithersburg?
This is a tough question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $17,700 for a 5-kW system and $35,400 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. You can expect to pay more if you want extra solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy needs. On the flip side, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Is cost the most important consideration when buying solar panels?
The upfront cost is a key factor to consider, but whether it’s the most important for you depends on your reasons for going solar. In places where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can be more important than the cost. Other factors that are important to consider are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
How will having solar panels impact my home value?
Solar panels can increase your property’s value considerably as long as you buy or finance your panels and don’t opt for a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). According to research done by Zillow, the average home value increases by about 4.1% with a solar installation."
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
Although 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 their energy production will have decreased significantly after that point. You can replace them after having 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.