Solar Panel Cost Guide in Leonardtown, MD (Mar 2023)
- Leonardtown Solar Installation Cost: $10,199
- 25-Year Savings: $9,765
- Payback Period: 12.8 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Leonardtown
Find out what the average cost of solar panels are in Leonardtown.
The average cost of a solar panel system in Leonardtown is 2.77 per watt. To cover the typical energy usage of the average home in Leonardtown, most homeowners require a 5.3-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs about $10,199, or $14,585 before the federal solar tax credit of 30% is applied.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you'll pay for solar may look quite different based on your household energy needs, the type of solar panels you want, your solar contractor and more. Even with the large initial cost, the average Leonardtown homeowner can save around $14,000 on their energy bills over 20 years, which is one of the benefits of solar.
For a customized quote from a local solar installer that has been pre-vetted by EcoWatch, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Leonardtown
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-9,401 |
| 3 years | $-7,803 |
| 5 years | $-6,206 |
| 7 years | $-4,609 |
| 9 years | $-3,012 |
| 11 years | $-1,415 |
| 13 years | $182 |
| 15 years | $1,779 |
| 17 years | $3,376 |
| 19 years | $4,974 |
| 21 years | $6,571 |
| 23 years | $8,168 |
| 25 years | $9,765 |
Top Solar Installers in Leonardtown
DIY solar panel installation is a way to cut costs, but it's an undertaking that can take a lot of hard work. Hiring a solar company can make converting to solar power much easier. Another upside of working with a solar company is that they can help you make the most of your investment by reducing your future costs of repairs and replacements due to warranties and informing you of local incentives you can take advantage of.
If you'd like to start using solar energy but still aren't certain which solar panel company to go with, here are our suggestions for providers nearby:
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 Leonardtown
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Leonardtown
Cost is typically one of the most important factors for homeowners wanting to invest in solar. There are a few key factors that determine your overall cost in Leonardtown: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We'll go over each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
One of the most significant factors to consider when it comes to the cost of adopting solar energy is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more energy your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend around $2,770 per kilowatt in Leonardtown. The kind of solar panels and equipment you choose is another factor that will largely affect costs. Solar panels that are more efficient, like monocrystalline panels, tend to come at a higher price. Moreover, solar equipment is more than just the solar panels themselves. You'll also need to consider the kind of racks used to mount the panels, inverters, solar batteries, etc. It's important to take all of this into consideration when researching a solar system that's in your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for a solar system out of pocket can be a challenge. Solar loans are available from most installers in Leonardtown, which can reduce, or in some cases completely eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible. When trying to figure out your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you'll pay if you decide on a solar loan. Also, paying more upfront can lower the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Finally, the company you get to install your solar panels can affect the cost. Leonardtown's solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. The company's size can sometimes play the most considerable role in the installation costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower prices because of access to greater resources and bulk 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 discount 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 | $2.88 | $12,099 | $10,682 | 13.3 years |
| 8 kW | $2.83 | $15,822 | $14,553 | 13.0 years |
| 10 kW | $2.77 | $19,390 | $18,579 | 12.8 years |
| 12 kW | $2.71 | $22,803 | $22,760 | 12.5 years |
| 14 kW | $2.66 | $26,060 | $27,096 | 12.3 years |
| 16 kW | $2.60 | $29,163 | $31,587 | 12.0 years |
| 18 kW | $2.55 | $32,110 | $36,234 | 11.7 years |
| 20 kW | $2.49 | $34,902 | $41,035 | 11.5 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a lot of solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel brands and price points. To help you pick the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Warranty: If you're concerned about the durability of your solar panels, verifying that your company offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can help put you at ease.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar panel installer has a good reputation by verifying it has certifications and licenses, checking its number of years in business and reading reviews by previous customers and solar experts like EcoWatch.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels based on their locations and energy needs. Although there are many options for which type of solar panel you can get, not every company will have access to the exact one you may want or need, so make sure you peruse their list of offerings before making your decision.
- Contract: It's important to look over your solar installer's contract fully to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about your solar system's energy production.
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 Leonardtown, MD Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Leonardtown?
The average cost of solar panels in Leonardtown 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 things such as the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Leonardtown?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you are unable to pay upfront or secure a solar loan, but since you don't own the system, you can't take advantage of 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 savings from going solar.
Can solar panels significantly reduce my electricity bills?
Solar panels can potentially eliminate your electricity bills depending on your location and the efficiency of your system. Even if it doesn't get rid of them completely, you can save a lot of money on your bills, about $759.37 per year.
How many solar panels do I need to power my home?
To figure out what solar panel system size you need, you should find out how much energy your home needs and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can usually produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average household 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.