Solar Panel Cost Guide in Pleasant Hills, MD (Mar 2023)
- Pleasant Hills Solar Installation Cost: $10,820
- 25-Year Savings: $10,074
- Payback Period: 13.0 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Pleasant Hills
We go over average solar pricing in Pleasant Hills.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Pleasant Hills, the average cost of solar panels is 2.77 per watt. The average solar panel system size in Pleasant Hills is around 5.6 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $10,820 for a solar installation, or $15,473 before the 30% federal solar tax credit is applied.
The true price you pay can go above or below the average in Pleasant Hills based on a variety of factors, such as the kind of solar panels you choose and the solar company you hire. Despite the significant initial cost, the average Pleasant Hills homeowner can save about $14,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years, which is one of the perks of solar.
You can click the button below to get connected with a vetted solar company in Pleasant Hills for a quote for your home.
Solar savings over time in Pleasant Hills
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-9,984 |
| 3 years | $-8,312 |
| 5 years | $-6,641 |
| 7 years | $-4,969 |
| 9 years | $-3,298 |
| 11 years | $-1,626 |
| 13 years | $45 |
| 15 years | $1,717 |
| 17 years | $3,388 |
| 19 years | $5,060 |
| 21 years | $6,731 |
| 23 years | $8,403 |
| 25 years | $10,074 |
Top Solar Installers in Pleasant Hills
Many homeowners opt for a solar panel installer since figuring out how to install solar panels yourself can be time-consuming. A solar installer can also help save you money in the long run by offering warranties, repairs and system component replacements.
If you're on the hunt for a solar company in Pleasant Hills, we've compiled a list of our top suggestions here:
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 Pleasant Hills
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Pleasant Hills
While the average cost of a solar system in Pleasant Hills is $10,820, your actual cost may be above or below the average. There are several factors that can have a sizable impact on the cost of a solar system installation. Below are some of the more crucial things to keep in mind.
Solar Equipment
Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that affects the overall cost of installing solar panels. That's why it's crucial to accurately ascertain the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your typical energy use. There are many different solar panel brands and the one you pick also changes the cost. In general, the brands that have better efficiency tend to also cost more. In addition, the type of equipment you choose can affect your total cost. If you only need panels, your system will be much less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for solar panels in cash is difficult, solar loans are a solid choice because they decrease your upfront costs and let you pay for your system over a term of, on average, between five and seven years. Even though solar loans make switching to solar energy more accessible for Pleasant Hills homeowners, they can also add to the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate and how long you take to pay off the loan. If you put down a larger down payment, though, you can cut back on how much interest you have to pay.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final consideration when trying to evaluate the cost of solar for your home or business in Pleasant Hills is the company you get to install your PV system. Similar to choosing a company to renovate your kitchen, for example, there are plenty of solar installers that provide a range of services at different costs. Companies that only sell products with high efficiency and therefore a higher price point — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally come at a higher cost. It's best to do some research and find a company that has the products, warranties and services you're looking for and also fit into your budget.
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 | $10,358 | 13.5 years |
| 8 kW | $2.83 | $15,822 | $14,120 | 13.2 years |
| 10 kW | $2.77 | $19,390 | $18,038 | 13.0 years |
| 12 kW | $2.71 | $22,803 | $22,111 | 12.7 years |
| 14 kW | $2.66 | $26,060 | $26,339 | 12.4 years |
| 16 kW | $2.60 | $29,163 | $30,722 | 12.2 years |
| 18 kW | $2.55 | $32,110 | $35,261 | 11.9 years |
| 20 kW | $2.49 | $34,902 | $39,954 | 11.7 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the type of solar panels and the company you choose considerably affects your costs and your system's efficiency, production, and durability, it's important to pick the right ones for you. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Warranty: Warranties that provide coverage for replacement parts and repairs over a long period of time such as 25 years are the gold standard in the business, and offering such a warranty is one sign of a good company.
- Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar installers have the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a significant role in the company you hire.
- Reputation: Solar companies that have great reviews from their customers and that have been in business for many years likely provide good-quality solar panel installation and expertise.
- Contract: It's important to look over your solar installer's contract well to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what you can expect 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 Pleasant Hills, MD Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Pleasant Hills?
This is a hard question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on many factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $13,850 for a 5-kW system and $27,700 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. You can expect to pay more if you want other solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy needs. On the flip side, you can spend less if you choose a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Pleasant Hills?
Leasing solar panels can be an appealing choice, as it typically 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 tax rebates and credits and your home value won't increase. Buying solar panels is a better way to go if you want to maximize your savings.
Do solar panels increase your home value?
Solar panels can increase the value of your home considerably as long as you buy or finance your panels and don't go 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."
What solar power system size is right for my home?
To figure out how many solar panels you need, you should find out how much energy your home uses and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can generally 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.