Solar Panel Cost Guide in Leonardtown, MD (2024 Update)
- Leonardtown Solar Installation Cost: $13,029
- 25-Year Savings: $9,769
- Payback Period: 16.3 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Leonardtown
We break down average solar pricing in Leonardtown.
In Leonardtown, solar panels cost about 4 per watt on average.The average solar panel system size in Leonardtown is around 5.3 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $13,029 for a solar installation, or $18,631 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
These figures are only estimates, and how much solar costs for you may vary based on your energy needs and what company you go with.But, after you've paid the upfront cost of installation, the savings for most homeowners is usually good, with a net average savings of about $14,000 over 20 years on energy bills.
To receive a free quote from a highly rated solar installation company in Leonardtown, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Leonardtown
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-11,695 |
| 3 years | $-9,026 |
| 5 years | $-6,357 |
| 7 years | $-3,688 |
| 9 years | $-1,019 |
| 11 years | $1,651 |
| 13 years | $4,320 |
| 15 years | $6,989 |
| 17 years | $9,658 |
| 19 years | $12,327 |
| 21 years | $14,996 |
| 23 years | $17,665 |
| 25 years | $20,334 |
Top Solar Installers in Leonardtown
Although it's possible to install solar panels yourself, it requires extra labor and expertise. Because of that, the majority of homeowners choose a solar panel installer. Plus, if you’d like to maximize your investment in solar, using a solar company can help with that too. Different providers can offer warranties, expertise on how to install solar panels and sometimes even information on local incentives.
If you’d like to go solar but still aren’t certain which solar installer to go with, here are our suggestions for providers near you:
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 Leonardtown
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Leonardtown
For many Leonardtown homeowners, the decision to adopt solar energy rests on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Leonardtown, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are various factors that significantly influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over 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 electricity your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend around $3,540 per kilowatt in Leonardtown.The type of solar panels and equipment you get is another factor that will significantly influence costs. Solar panels that have higher efficiency, like monocrystalline panels, tend to cost more. Further, solar equipment goes beyond just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to think about the kind of racks used to mount the panels, inverters, solar batteries, etc. It’s important to take all of this into consideration when looking for a solar system that’s in your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Leonardtown to be too costly, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, almost every solar company in the area provides financing options. Solar loans drastically decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also result in a higher cost over time because of interest.It’s wise to factor the interest you’ll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to put more money down upfront, you can reduce your total costs and how long it’ll take to pay back the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar panel installer you select will impact your total cost to go solar. Different companies will bill different amounts for the equipment and labor.Additionally, some companies in Leonardtown know more about local solar incentives and can help you make good use of additional rebates or tax exemptions. However, they may charge more for walking you through the whole process. Even if they cost more upfront, they could end up saving you more money in the long run.
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 | $7,318 | 17.0 years |
| 8 kW | $3.61 | $20,220 | $10,154 | 16.6 years |
| 10 kW | $3.54 | $24,780 | $13,189 | 16.3 years |
| 12 kW | $3.47 | $29,141 | $16,421 | 16.0 years |
| 14 kW | $3.40 | $33,304 | $19,852 | 15.7 years |
| 16 kW | $3.33 | $37,269 | $23,481 | 15.3 years |
| 18 kW | $3.26 | $41,036 | $27,308 | 15.0 years |
| 20 kW | $3.19 | $44,604 | $31,333 | 14.7 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 pick the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Reputation: Make sure your solar company has a good reputation by confirming it has certifications and licenses, checking how long it's been in business and reading reviews by previous customers and solar experts like EcoWatch.
- 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 choose.
- Contract: Look through the contract terms thoroughly to make sure you understand the total cost, project timeline rebates and warranties.
- Installation Process: Homeowners should understand how exactly the installation process will go, as well as important factors like the completion timeline.
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 Leonardtown, MD Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Leonardtown?
This is a tough question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on many 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. It will cost more if you want additional solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy usage. On the other hand, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
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 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 savings from going solar.
Do solar panels increase your home value?
Buying or financing solar panels for your home can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Leonardtown is currently $486,520, which means you can expect a value of about $19,947 more than houses without a solar system. The exact figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Leonardtown is a rewarding investment.
How many solar panels should I get to power my home?
To figure out how many solar panels you need, you need to know how much energy your home needs 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 house 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.